Going, going ..
It was auction time again in Hampshire in southern England on Saturday. The well-organised Meon Valley Beekeeping Auction drew in lots of people looking for bargains.
With more than 200 lots, there was … er … lots to choose from: from a single hive tool to colonies of bees with many oddities and home-engineered equipment along the way.
The bell-weather items were, as usual, the colonies of bees. Three colonies were offered:
on 5 brood frames with a 2015 queen: £160 plus £20 deposit on the travelling box (total $260 or €229)
on 9 brood frames with a 2015 queen: £160 plus £20 deposit
on 5 brood frames with 4 sealed and 4 open queen cells: £130 +£20 ($187 or or €191).
Two smart looking WBCs (empty), a love it or hate it peculiarly British hive, fetched £110 each ($158 or or €140).
And the best bargain of the day? The delicious home-made soups, rolls and cakes courtesy of the ladies of Meon Valley.