We checked the hives with top boxes, and swopped frames full of honey for empty frames. The bees didn't really appreciate their honey being removed, and the air was soon alive with bees. The frames that we were collecting were put into an empty top box, on a barrow, and covered with a damp sack.
The frames full of honey were stored inside to be processed next week during an open day at the school.
A few of the bees followed us in !
We processed some other frames already waiting - First each frame was balanced on a spike, on a bar over a stainless steel container, and the wax seal sliced off with a large broad knife, using a sawing upward cut, then any cells that remained sealed were "raked" with a metal comb.The frames were than loaded into the extractor, 12 at a time, and spun to release the honey, which started to pour out via the tap at the bottom of the container. The direction of spin could be alternated, and the honey flowed fairly quickly, filling up several buckets during the morning. The honey was then poured into a filter to remove any wax and debris, before filling up a large drum, in which it would be stored for about a week, before being poured into jars.
Any honey from the wax offcuts was also allowed to drip into a container, and afterwards the wax would be left near the hives for the bees to clean, before being collected for future projects.
We finished the mornings work with an apero - hydromel, a more pleasant taste than last weeks version - well, either that or I am developing a taste for it !
...and Jan had brought in a really tasty vegetable "cake" - like a quiche without the pasty case - a well known dish in France, but I'm not sure of the correct English term !