It was another hard frost and far too cold to be loitering outside.
The short days and the cold weather induce the queen bees to stop laying, and a brood free hive is perfect for an oxalic acid vapour treatment. The varroa mites are not able to shelter in capped brood cells, so the treatment is far more efficacious.
However, the beekeeping cognoscenti recommend that the treatment is not undertaken if the temperature is below freezing. That is just as well as I really didn't fancy working on the hives in bitterly cold conditions.
It was definitely an indoors day, so I scouted around for something to keep me occupied.
I grudgingly convinced myself* that I should make a start on putting up the curtain poles in the dining room.
Tools were gathered, the old track was removed,** and measurements were taken. This was followed by some careful marking out on the walls. I can report that the first of the three poles has now been installed, and it went reasonably well. I even sought out a palette knife and filler, and ensured that the holes from the old track fixings were filled.
In the afternoon, following a recuperative nap, we headed out for a short walk down the lane with the dogs. It was lovely to be out in the cold, fresh air under a clear blue sky, but a coat, hat and gloves were vital.
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* This journal entry summarises the reasons for my less than enthusiastic frame of mind
** It was shortened and affixed to the track brackets in 30%'s dressing room.
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