Swarm!

Rather nice weather this morning so I decided to pop home from work and play with the dogs in the garden.
I thought to myself as I approached the door that it was really swarming weather and I must get on tomorrow and divide my hive before they swarm.
I let the dogs come bouncing out and we set off up the garden, but as we approached the yew tree I spotted circling bees, and as I got closer there was an enormous swarm!
"Come dogs!" I commanded and we all scurried back to the house. I had around 25 minutes before I was due back at work and was trying not to panic!
I quickly donned my bee whites and gloves, and decided to try and drop the swarm into one of my empty hives directly, easier said than done as they were hanging about five feet up in the yew. I got the hive as close as possible and gave the branch a good shake.
Fortunately most of them dropped in, but you always wonder if the queen is one of those on the ground or still on the tree.
I watched anxiously for a while and the bees started to move down into the hive! I slid the cover most of the way on and had to leave them too it.
This evening Rob helped me lug the hive back up to the apiary stand and fingers crossed all will be well in the morning, though the original hive will need some attention as I expect it has several queens ready to hatch!
Busy lunch break!