It's early morning, before the sun has even started to rise and we are already out in the apiary (the proper name for a group of beehives). We close the entrances to the hives to keep the bees inside while they are travelling. Each hive has been selected before hand to make sure each colony is strong and healthy and ready to work! They really will be busy as bees soon enough.
We load the hives onto the truck, strapping each one down to ensure they will be safe and sound, and we set off on the journey. It takes around 2 hrs to reach our destination and even by the time we get there, the sun is barely up.
We park up, and start the unloading of the hives. We position them nice and close to the heather making it as easy as possible for the bees to forage the flowers once they open. We want to make it as easy for them as possible, as autumn approaches it gets colder and wetter - not ideal weather for honey bees who will soon be preparing themselves for winter. Once sited, we strap them down again to prevent them blowing over or being knocked over by the ponies, donkeys and other livestock that roam the heathland. Then we wait, we wait for good weather and for the bees to work their magic...............