Loch Morgan July 14-18, 2010

In the 11th year of this Morgan's Compaignie tradition, XX chromosomes were allowed to play. Of course they couldn't be wimpy, froofy chromosomes, but strong and "manly". Belching and crotch-scratching were optional.



The camp lies across the Loch, on Ryan's Cove. This year the water was high, which presented some boat-mooring challenges. In typical Siren fashion, these challenges were creatively & effectively met.

The mornings were lazy, with waking and breaking fast lasting until about 10:00, when our first rum ration was poured and the colours were raised.



Then it was out on the water for a sail to the sand spit. Because of the westerly ocean breeze, tacking to the spit took a goodly portion of the midday. I got more experience working the jib and being ballast.



On Friday, Pierre (Pia) met us on the spit, after hiking in from Dry Lagoon. As most of us lunched on the spit, Pierre transformed into a siren, and helped the Otter ashore in a calm spell. Upon our return to camp, Harvey-sensei made picnic-style Tea for all takers. A sake party followed, complete with camp sushi by Michael. In the evening there was gambling in the tavern tent and a campfire outside.



Saturday saw the annual treasure hunt. Boats darted across the water as swiftly as the wind would allow. Michael piloted the gin boat, delivering G&Ts to thirsty sailors. One clue was missing, but fortunately the architects of the hunt recalled the words to it, and we moved on. Later, the missing clue was found in a geocache by the boat dock, apparently moved by someone who didn't appreciate treasure hunts. At least they didn't follow the clues and find the treasure.



On the spit, we unearthed a "teaser" treasure that contained yet another clue. We played a game of bocce on our way back to the boats, stopping to visit an attractive wee wooden boat and its crew. Nearby, sunbathing lasses waved and flexed lithe gams at the sailors.

The final treasure was hidden back at camp, and was properly distributed into rum cups upon discovery. The chest also contained "educational materials" which no doubt were useful to many of this lot.



A few stinky sailors took an afternoon dip in the cove, and played sea lions on the floating dock. The Lord Chamberlain suffered the indignity of becoming a diving board for some. John learned to be cautious about accepting drinks from disreputable sorts like Michael.

The evening saw more drinking, gambling, smoking and singing (if you call what we do singing).



On Sunday morning, all but Bruce & Rauri broke camp, and began loading boats for the return to the mundane world.

Swarms

On a sleepy Independence Day Monday evening, I responded to a swarm alert at the home of two local artists, Becky Evans and Bob Benson. The cluster was nice & big, perhaps 4 pounds, and relatively easy to gather. Becky took some photos of the process, and kindly sent me copies. In a quick check of the hive two days later, I found some eggs. Here's hoping the queen continues to be a winner.



A few days before, I'd joined my beek friend Joy in gathering a swarm near my house. Joy didn't want the swarm, so I got it. Getting bees off the base of a rose bush is not easy. We may have injured the queen, because when I saw her, I found a dent in her abdomen, and a tag of "skin" hanging off it. She seemed lively enough, but there were no eggs after a few days. I trimmed the "skin", in case it prevented her from sticking her abdomen into cells and laying eggs. Here's hoping she is also a winner.

Joy also let me have a swarm from one of her hives, but she has right of first refusal if I find a marked (recently purchased) queen in there.

Overall, the queen situation is improving. Some of this spring's young queens are doing well, and I'm waiting on a couple more. I think I have nine hives right now, though three of these are nucs. After all the queen trouble this spring, I want to hoard as many queens as I can until after harvest.

The hives are filling nicely with nectar, and mature honey is getting capped. I'm hoping for at least a couple of boxes of honey to harvest in August.

12 July Update:
The Evans/Benson swarm is doing very well. They have four frames well filled with eggs and larvae. The queen is very long and a beautiful espresso color. Now that she's proven herself, I have named her Rebecca, after Ms. Evans.

Sadly, the rosebush queen is no more. I fear my intervention did more harm than good. I found a small patch of brood right after trimming her (of course), but now there is no new brood. Her followers will be combined with another hive today.

The queen from Joy's swarm does not appear to be her recently bought one. This one is unmarked, and hasn't started laying yet. She's a blond Italian beauty. I hope she has mated well, and will be laying soon so she can earn a name.