Bee stubble

A bee-beard competition in California yesterday was won by Rick Styve whose beard had 15,000 bees weighing 1.3 kg. The bees were attracted to the beard by hanging a queen in a cage around his neck. There were three other contestants.

But the statistics that really matter: he was stung three times and his helper four times.

I don't suggest you try this at home. And certainly don't use cotton wool to protect the nostrils and ears -- I hear that the bees can get tangled and frustrated in the cotton wool with predictable consequences.