Ramsey asked a couple of questions about beekeeping and the shops where you can buy equipment. The first step is the dreaming of having your own bees, and doing a lot of reading and researching. We have found The Bee Book: Beekeeping in Australia to be fairly informative and helpful. It is especially good that it is Australian so has information relating to our conditions and the pests and problems which are prevalent here. The cost of around $55 is a little steep but it is available at many libraries to read before buying (that's what we did anyway).
After the reading and the decision is made, there are probably many suppliers of beekeeping equipment. To date we have purchased from Penders at Cardiff near Newcastle and Bindaree at Murrambateman near Canberra. I think it would be best to phone these companies rather than email as I have had difficulty getting emails back from both of them. It isn't cheap to set up a hive from scratch and once a new hive is purchased, the hardest part of the process is procuring bees. Fortunately for us we made contact with a local apiarist and sourced bees through him. I think it is pretty much the best way to go.
In New South Wales, all hives must be registered and there is some useful information available through Industry and Investment NSW. Courses are available from various providers which can give a good idea of safe handling of bees and hives.We had been interested in beekeeping for some time and finally made the decision to start up. The honey was the main drawcard for us to become apiarists but the bonus of having hives full of pollinators for the garden and orchard is fantastic.
The rewards are very sweet and they really aren't too much work if you are keen.
Tracy
The first day back at school is the hardest for me at least. I didn't really like it when I was at school and I don't like giving up our holiday time together. Although the girls loved their time at home school, they are well and truly settled into main stream schooling now and we are going to continue with this choice for them. They are happy and that is very important.
Our trip home was extended a little by taking the scenic route. That really should say it was extended because we took a wrong turn and ended up a little lost. It was a nice drive though and we found some lovely places along the way.
A while back 
Open it I did though and we were all delighted by the gifts. Some gorgeous cards, some vintage fasteners, some linen with cross stitched details, a wax seal(my son thought this was great), a heart shaped pendant, some pretty fabric and a lovely handmade brooch. Thank you so much Christy.
I also decided to have a look through some of my wool because I've been inspired by a couple of new library books.
We have eaten fresh plums too but yesterday the majority went into plum jam. I have just read a recipe for a plum chutney in The River Cottage Year by Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall which also uses overgrown zucchinis so that will be on tomorrows to-do list. I have a few bumper zucchini that I don't feel like grating for biscuits, cakes and slices.
Yesterday was a bit of a cookathon. I made the jam, a banana fruit loaf and also braised beef for dinner. The braised beef was in the slow cooker which made the day much more enjoyable, not having to think about dinner at the last minute.
Thankfully last year after suffering from a shortage of jars, I put the word out on Freecycle and at Tim's work for any unwanted jars. I now have a stash that will last a while and they in every imaginable size too.
