Friday, April 11th, 2009
Good Friday
  Cloudy with sunny periods  High 20°C  Low 3°C
Normals: Max: 12   °C Min: -1°C
Sunrise 0645 0 Sunset 2022
April past: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999
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> Hi Allen, ...I live in Va Beach, VA. I have a quick question. where did you get your KodelŪ batting 1-1/2 inches? I have looked on the internet, and cannot seem to find anyone that sells it at that thickness. I have lost bees the last two winter due to cold and starvation and wanted to wrap during the cold times here (nov/dec - feb/march). thanks,

The KodelŪ we buy is supposed to be 1-1/2 inches, but measures sometimes half that. Seems to me that it comes from North or South Carolina, but actually any quilt batting will do.  Sometimes we double it, but actually the thickness on the sides is not as important as the insulation on top.

KodelŪ, tho', is a coarser water-repellent batting that looks like quilt batting, but the mice don't like it and it does not rot.

See what the cement contractors use for blankets when they pour concrete in freezing weather. The blankets here use KodelŪ.

I've been busy lately, travelling to Victoria and getting ready for another trip.

Yesterday, I checked the bees and all nine are still alive. 

Seven are great and two are smaller.  I put on some pollen patties. I hope I put on enough, since it has to last while I am away.  Maybe Ellen will check and add some more.

 
 

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
  Cloudy with sunny periods  High 6°C  Low -6°C
Normals: Max: 13   °C Min: -1°C
Sunrise 0637 Sunset 2029
April past: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999
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The repair job we did previously on our quonset did not last the tape we bought for the job did not hold, so we added a new edge piece and attached it by sandwiching the tarps between pieces of wood pulled together by drywall screws.  (See detail).  We removed one of the ribs and cut back the damaged tarp.

I looked in on the bees and they are taking down the pollen supplement very nicely.  They have nibbled out the edges and the underside.  Click the tumbnail for a better view.