2024 - 4 Months of doing something different

Today I am in Maryport enjoying the sunshine and sea air!

This evening I dressed like a witch to scare a group of kids. The neighbours have a Halloween party and take the kids round the village in a trailer and all the parents and this year lots of the locals joined in with the opportunity to scare them. And they stop off in different places around getting treats from some locals and being told scary stories. This was very new to me. Normally I don’t actually have the parents permission to scare the kids, it just happens   .

Any photos?

Not that I’ve seen, luckily.

This week’s something new. Today I’m attending to make a skep (traditional beehive). I’ve been watching YouTube tutorials and collecting materials over the last few days. Unfortunately I can’t get my hands on any thatchers straw , I can only get the bailed shorter stuff used for animal bedding. And I’m using brambles to tie it all together. That’s quite traditional. Trying to find long thin stems is proving tricky. I’m about a 3rd of the way through. It’s going to be a pointier than I’d liked, but it seems quite strong so far. Apparently you should be able to stand on it without it collapsing when it’s finished. Not sure I’m going to try that! If it doesn’t look too bad when it’s finished. It’ll be one of Bobs Christmas presents.

What a great idea!. We were given a skep, just as you describe, when we started beekeeping. It was too beautiful to use! I remember it had a metal "handle" on the top so that it could be lifted with one hand. We passed it on to a local beekeeper when we gave up.
We'll need photos, of course.

Never heard of a skep. Had a Google and think it's a lovely idea. I second the motion for photos.

I remember a beekeeper coming and collecting a bee swarm from an apple tree in what I think was a skep?

Attempt one. A little on the pointy side, but for a first go, it’s ok.     

Luckily I’ve enough materials to do a second one. Which should hopefully turn out better. I’ve learned a lot from making this first one. 
The second will have an opening as well.

The most important thing I’ve learned that it’s very hard on the hands. There’s either a lot of muscles in my hands that don’t get used much or it’s not a hobby for someone with early signs of arthritis.

That's amazing, SC! I wouldn't know where to start making one! Ours didn't have an opening and we were told it was for catching swarms. We never used it for that though - a cardboard box was easier!!

I’m impressed SC, I’ve had a look at Bing images and there’s lots a variations is size and shape, they’d also look good as a garden ornament.

I ddn't know where to put this thought so I'll stick it on here. I always cook my own food and eat it. I don't dine out and never get take aways
Yesterday I went to my Daughters and they were having Chinese takeaway in the house. Without asking me she put some on a plate for me which was nice of her.

It sounds daft,but it felt so strange and wrong, not havng cooked it myself? I smiled sweetly and obligingly ate it, but didn't like to say that it just felt 'wrong'!

Have I become an auld fuddy duddy?