It cannot be true, can it ? Chris was just about to relax on the lower sun terrace when Joanne could be heard shouting that one of the hives had swarmed. This was a real surprise because never before had bees swarmed this early in Chassaing Cheval. Chris shouted our neighbour 'Michel' for help, whilst they dressed for the occasion, Joanne banged a couple of pan lids together and this did the trick, the queen dropped to a nearby branch followed by the rest of the swarm, the noise apparently represents thunder and causes the bees to take cover. Chris and Michel cut away the bracken around the tree where the bees had come to rest and carefully placed a small hive (ruchette) underneath, a quick shake of the branch and kerplompf ! The bees were recaptured and transferred to our spare hive later in the evening, they are now happily going about their business making all that lovely Honey ! Did you know that eating a teaspoon of local honey each morning can cure pollen allergies ? It has certainly worked for Chris.
