Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Bees



I was listening at the weekend to a radio programme in which a presenter was visiting a beekeeper and his hives. It was clear from the presenter’s unenthusiastic tones that he was not a great fan of bees at close quarters.

“Will they sting me?” he asked anxiously.

“Oh no,” the beekeeper reassured him. Then honesty got the better of him. “Actually,” he went on, “they might. You do get stung from time to time. But, you know… it makes it exciting. It’s all part of the challenge of keeping bees. Otherwise you might as well keep flies.”

There was a pause and the presenter said meekly, “I quite fancy keeping flies.”

14 comments:

  1. Your post made me chuckle! :) Thanks for the smile this afternoon. I recently heard a show about bees, and how they are disappearing. Also, some friends of ours just got a hive. I think I might like to try it... keep bees, not flies. ;)

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  2. I used to live in a student flat where we kept flies. Just not on purpose.

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  3. That's lovely!

    Say hi to Scott for me when you see him! :)

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  4. What a sook of a presenter, eh!

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  5. Gosh, that presenter sounds a bit of a wimp. We've got a bee box but so far no bees have taken up residence - it's for over wintering solitary bees not the honey sort. Lots of big fat velvety bumble bees around here though, making the most of the blossom.

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  6. I just got back from visiting my mom, who keeps bees. One morning during my visit, we were walking around her property, and a bee chased me, got stuck in my hair, and somehow got away without stinging me. Not, however, without making me run until I fell down and scraped my hands up. Beekeeping is exciting, indeed.

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  7. I just bought some honey at the supermarket today, that's close enough to bees for me.

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  8. Anonymous1:34 pm

    British bees are much bigger than Australian ones - especially the furry bumbly ones!

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  9. I like bees, at a respectable distance. I also like Loth's comment!

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  10. I like Loth's comment too. We find ourselves in similar straights- flies really really like Australia!
    I am allergic to bees, & have been warned I could die if I get stung again. Therefore, I try to avoid them!

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  11. Hey Isabelle - thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your comment. I'm glad you did, because it's led me to yours and a good Sunday morning browse of your posts. Love this flies one.

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  12. LOL, you've done it again - made my day with your amusing take on something a little different! Thanks again for your recent good wishes for Ken. I've just posted an update on him - he is doing okay. The pesky Noisy Miner has re-appeared at our place, and has caused havoc this time. Perhaps it will make you laugh as much as I do at some of your posts!

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  13. You had me smiling with this post. I might as well keep flies myself rather than to be sting.

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