As a child I was intrigued by bees after watching my father caring for his two hives and spinning honey in an extractor he had converted from an old wringer washing machine tub. Nineteen years ago I had the opportunity to attend a basic beekeeping course run by Peter Norris. After obtaining my own hives and with some failings and successes along the way, I came to understand the wonder of honeybees and how they fit into the environment. Like Peter, I came to love them and have made some great friends in the beekeeping world.