Having just returned from holiday in Croatia, I was anxious to get winter feeding done having completed the varroa treatment. I hefted all the hives and they are full of honey due to the great weather and late blooming flowers we have been getting this year. I have an abundance of ivy growing near my hives and though the bees are bringing this in, ivy honey can become very hard so needs mixing with the 2:1 sugar syrup to thin it for the bees winter stores.

Had a great time in Croatia on holiday, perhaps one of the most stunning countries I have ever been to. I didn’t see any bee hives, however saw lots of honey which was presented beautifully in fruit and vegetables stalls along the roads.