Visit to Catskill Mountain Beekeepers Club.
I’m invited by these friendly, generous and welcoming folk to come over to The Shamrock House in Catskill to share with them about beekeeping in Scotland. This is the highlight of my visit. BTW, they like cats in this part of the world. I puzzle over the name initially but my host Jorik reassures me that “kill” is an old Dutch word for creek.
I’m tickled pink when I go into the wee Catskill shop, for tea and peanuts before horse riding, to find my upcoming presentation is advertised here. I’m somewhat reassured to find myself posted above the lost dog but I’m not proud and I know my place. That it has also been advertised in several more public places is a real honour.
The Talk.
I’ve never spoken to such a large group before, and the biggest turnout for a beekeeping talk at home has been around 30-40. The car park is overflowing when I arrive, but it is an Irish pub. However, over 100 people pack the room which doubles as a dance hall. Not all are not beekeepers. An ex-patriot from Glasgow thanks me at the end and says he enjoyed the snippets of geography and history.
The Talk.
I don’t get a chance to feel nervous since my hosts Megan and Jorik (club president) get me off to such a good start. They ensure that the IT system works perfectly, and Jorik gives me a warm welcoming introduction. I feel totally at home with the lovely audience who are responsive and friendly. There are lots of questions at the end, and great interest in Sandy Davidson’s skep that’s auctioned for charity the following evening. I like meeting everyone who comes up at the end. A family with children come to take a look at the skep. You can see the wee girl with her mummy and lamb in the first photo. Not only have the club paid my return air fare and a speakers fee, but I’m given my first hoodie with the club logo on the front and a line of busy bees on the back. I’ll show it to you in another post. This is an experience of a lifetime. If you ever get offered such an opportunity take it.
Well done Anne,sounds a lovely trip .
It was a lovely trip thanks, Gregor. This was specifically for the beekeeping talk, but when I go abroad now I always try and link up with beekeepers and find out how they do things there.