<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/bee-entrancejun20.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-6331" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/bee-entrancejun20-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>After extracting eleven and a half jars of honey I inspected the bees to make sure all was well and the new queen was settling in. It was a brief inspection because I didn't want to upset the new queen but I did need to know she had returned from her mating flight and was laying eggs. I find it difficult to see the eggs because they are smaller than a grain of rice and sit upright in a cell. I could see plenty of new larvae and capped brood, therefore she must be present and laying eggs. Next time I will do a full inspection and try to mark the queen.

The bees were very calm. This could be as a consequence of the change of queen and the new gene pool - I hope so because not being attacked by the bees makes the whole process so much easier.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sausage-rollsjun20.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6330" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sausage-rollsjun20-200x150.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="150" /></a>In my spare moments I sometimes treat myself by making sausage rolls.

I'd rather make and eat something savoury than cook cakes full of calories. I guess I'm going to have to think about finding a honey cake recipe at some point.

The garden is, as always, keeping me busy and after last weeks rain the weeds seem to have shot up out of nowhere. I'm now starting back at the beginning before I even finished tidying up along the drive.

[gallery type="rectangular" size="medium" ids="6341,6340,6339,6338,6337,6336,6334,6333,6332"]

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/veg-plotjun20.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-6335" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/veg-plotjun20-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>I only ever show the best flowers but overall it doesn't look too bad. The veg plot continues to be vandalised by the wood pigeons who are nesting in the tree outside my bedroom window. If they're not pecking at seedlings as they germinate they simply trample over everything.

The rhubarb on the left hand side somewhat dominates and I should really consider halving the root before next year because there is far too much for me.

In the foreground there is a patch of borage which the bees adore and the hive is just to the left so there is a good source of nectar right on their doorstep.