That's great, Neil! I think all the seasoned beekeepers, in our group, come to meetings for social reasons. No one thinks a thing if you arrive a little late or leave early, but some of the best conversations happen before and after. New beekeepers are yearning for a one on one with a seasoned beekeeper to bounce some questions off of. Your knowledge becomes that much more priceless if you can share it!
I hope you don't wait to check in again. It's nice to hear from you!