Blog idle

From a completely different Irish context: "I haven't gone away, you know." But I have been blog-idle. So here's a little update before I depart for another couple of weeks.

The bell-jar bees are progressing slowly. But it's not as if there are not enough workers! I'm surprised they can breathe in such a crowded house. Nectar seems to be scarce, but it is dribbling in and being stashed in the cells. Hardly any is yet capped. I had planned to remove the jar before departing, but despite the travel-staining of the walk-about bees I think I should let them finish the job.