When we put on our bee suits and inspect the hives. They are humming with life and the bees are working hard to make honey. It’s a big learning curve and I am still not used to bees buzzing around my hat and head. Hats off (quite literally) to those brave beekeepers who work with their bare hands and no protective clothing.

Under the pergola the flowers and foxgloves attract bumble bees and solitary bees. They are a joy to watch.

Around the edge of the field is a strip of ground that we ploughed up last year – with Brexit and lockdown in mind. Some squashes and leeks and beans did well and also early potatoes. This year we are trying sweetcorn and onions and Brussels sprouts and even raspberries.

Now that there are bee hives at The Gables I am more aware of bees all around the garden. As I was weeding the raspberries I spotted a solitary bee collecting pollen

The hedge woundwort plant is a wild weed beloved by bees and might help heal wounds

The gooseberries are swelling and ripening