I think they might be OK

This is a tense time of year for me.
During the winter there's nothing much you can do except worry and put some fondant in the hive for them to tide themselves over and hope.
Therefore I almost try and ignore them even though the Ravensden bees are on the route where I take my dogs for a walk. I just peer at them through the branches.
However the time must come when I reintroduce myself to them.

Last year I insulated the Ravensden hives with bubble wrap and hessian so as a first step I decided to take it off. It was quite mild yesterday so I took off the hessian and hung it up in the trees to dry out.
I then took the roof off R6 and gently prised up the crown board so I could have a quick peek inside.
Bees! Obviously not a huge number but enough.
R5 - the same. R4 - the same. R3 - the same.
R1 is the smallest of the bunch and the most vulnerable. Up came the crown board. Bees.
Bits of fondant were poked in where needed.
As The Shed still isn't fixed there's no way I can get to the Scald End bees. However they have always been pretty robust so hopefully they are OK.

Last year I bought two colonies from a very experienced bee keeper and they were wonderful;. Amazing temperament and productive. However the bloody wasps killed them both off. Recently he had some more colonies for sale and I couldn't resist.
They should be ready in the next few weeks as will the package for the Top bar Hive.

When the bees emerge its a dangerous time of year for them as the queen is starting to lay again and there's little forage available. Therefore its customary to feed them fondant and in previous years I have also put some blocks of pollen in to provide them with the protein they need. Its still too cold to feed them 1:1 syrup

This year I am trying Candipolline which is a mixture of fondant and pollen.

It comes in 1/2kg bags and holes are put in the bag for the bees to get to it.
A bag was added to each hive and I  de-propolised the porter escapes and removed the comb they had built above the frames into the eke. It was vitually all dry and I will keep it to show at markets or talks. There was some that was granulated which I left by the entrance for them to scavange.