In these waning days of summer along the shores of sun- (and occasionally rain & wind-)kissed Kootenay Lake, certain things are constant: a longing for the start of those halcyon, warmth-filled days of June; a gentle foreboding as thoughts return to school and work; and swarms of voracious wasps.

This is a very focused warning to those amongst us given to sipping the odd ale out-of-doors this time of year: BEWARE OF BEES IN THE BOTTLE!

Here are a few do's and don't to make your end-of-summer quaffing safely trouble-free:

- DO keep your thumb on the mouth of the bottle at all times once it's been opened (except of course when taking a swig);

- DON'T leave an opened bottle unattended while outdoors - if you absolutely most run inside on a pee break, either hand your bottle to a trusted friend for safekeeping (best of luck), or place it inside the liquor store bag you brought it home in, securely tying the handles together to form an impenetrable barrier to our small but aggressive winged friends ;

- DO drink your beer when outdoors in the windiest possible spot, making it difficult for wasps to zero in on you and your brew;

- DON'T follow this advice while out on a boat, especially if you're the skipper.

Otherwise, simple common sense and a cool head will ensure a pleasant outdoorsy tipple, thus avoiding the painful and embarrassing fate of the unnamed (for obvious reasons) Kaslovian whose sadly swollen visage is featured above.

Cheers!