Kieran Coughlan: My farm has truly become the land of milk and honey

Last month I was presented with a gift from the gods. On a cold, windy, and wet morning, a prime swarm of honey bees took shelter at a gate post near our farm yard.

The bees weathered the inclement conditions pretty well, taking turns at forming a defensive and almost waterproof barrier against the elements, fanning their wings and lining up in a formation that would put North Korea’s military parades to shame.

It was almost certainly a sign from the gods, given that I had always harboured an interest in bees but never made the commitment to actually take ownership of these feisty little creatures.