Wednesday, July 23, 2014

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.






Second day of the garlic fair. An onion stall has been set up where the man with the motability scooter usually parks. The pre-breakfast beer and absinthe crowd are not happy at this change to their routine. Bob and Sophie are too busy savouring their illicit half croissant to notice  the dark looks being cast in the direction of the onion sellers. 

On the market square a stall selling 'luxury' strings of garlic. 'Luxury' relates to the bright ribbons that tie the cloves together. You pay €15 for the 'luxury' option or €7 for a monotone string. A line of eager Parisians has already formed.

Home to find that the bees have returned. A thousand or so swarming around a light fitting on the terrace. A quick search on Google and we discover that honey bees like direct sun. These initial settlers get things ready then the Queen and another forty thousand follow on behind. 'The font' asks Angus what he intends to do about it.

The Tour de France is getting closer. Big signs at the motorway pay toll advising travellers to avoid coming to work on July 25th . This is todays section.

24 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Is there a local beekeeper's association you can call (to put you in contact with someone who wants a swarm to populate their hive)?

Anonymous said...

The Pompiers may be able to help. I am not sure how kind they are to the bees though.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Does garlic deter bees?

VirginiaC said...

Oh Angus please be careful with the bees and Bob and Sophie....bee stings can be lethal for dogs.
I found a group of "advance scout" bees selecting a large stone in my garden one evening, and I sprayed it with black disinfectant until they got the message and moved on.

liparifam said...

Yikes! Returned? Did I miss the first visit? I have no advice, unfortunately - just 'good luck with that' :(

Jean said...

I admire the font's approach.
Next time we have a crisis looming, instead of going into panic mode I shall ask my dear beloved what he intends to do about it.
(From a safe distance).

Peter and Shelagh said...

Very important to get a specialist in to move them safely. Lock the dogs in the house with you both too. Good luck.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Geez.
What DO you plan to do about it?

Kari said...

Bees are in trouble the world over due to colony collapse disorder. A bee keeper would be more than glad to have the bees and would know how to remove them safely.
Bees in the eves, bats behind the shutters; goodness, what else Angus?

Emm said...

What they said about getting pros to move them. And soon. Do not let the bees settle there so long that they get into the house walls. Don't ask.

Anonymous said...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2703483/The-Opening-Ceremonys-unlikely-stars-41-Scottish-Terriers-lead-nations-delight-watching-fans.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-24/terriers-steal-show-as-games-officially-opened/5619792

ANGUS - we do hope that your were able to watch the Opening Ceremonies from Glasgow of the Commonwealth Games a few hours ago. The highlight for us being the parade of the Scottish Terriers - each wearing a coat emblazoned with each countries' name! They stole the show!
Of course………we might be a bit biased here, having lived for forty-plus years with our Scottish Terriers. Enjoy the links I have attached above.
From the Westcoast of Canada.

Anonymous said...

Bees are in dire straits and we need to take good care of those that remain in the wild. Please do whatever you can to help them -- in the US there are many beekeepers who would know what to do to save them. I'm sure this is true in France Profonde too. Good luck!

Angus said...

Unfortunately, the days when the fire brigade this sort of thing have long gone in this neck of the woods. They won't even come out for asiatic hornet nests.

Angus said...

If only ...

Angus said...

I wouldn't worry about Bob and Sophie. The only place on their body not covered by an inch of thick hair is the tips of their noses !

Angus said...

Yes, you read it right. Returned .

Angus said...

The low stress approach to life. For one of us at least.

Angus said...

Very wise.

Angus said...

Have a drink.

Angus said...

Don't forget the hedghogs. Bob and Sophie certainly don't.

Angus said...

I've read an article about bees in walls. Believe me I get the message.

Angus said...

'Th font' watched part of it and said the Scotties were the highlight.

Angus said...

We'll do our best.

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Make sure you head out when the tour cycles by! We will be watching from our front room on the Canadian prairies!!