THE third meeting of Okehampton Beekeepers' summer programme was a midsummer visit to the beehives at Castle Drogo. A large group of over 20 assembled to join Louisa Mogford and Laurence Harvey inspecting the property's two national hives. The first hive inspected was healthy with eggs and brood present. The bees were calm and good to handle, not becoming overexcited throughout the evening manipulation. Little smoke was required and eggs were identified amongst the brood. The second hive opened held a medium strength colony with bees on about half the frames. The bees were again calm, but inspectors Laurence and Louisa did not find evidence of recent queen activity, though the bees were behaving as if the colony had a queen. After the inspection of the hives was completed, the group continued with a conducted tour of Drogo's gardens, led by head gardener John Rippin.