Wednesday was another summer like day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Two departures with no arrivals and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. We had arranged to meet up with our friends from Yorkshire so we were away until later in the evening. 
Thursday 9 April was a warm and sunny day but it was more hazier than of late. Two departures and should have had three arrivals but one had to cancel as his partner was stuck in France due to the air traffic controller strikes. One cleaner here. Time for some catch up jobs before first cottage arrived at 3pm with second cottage here by 4pm. We then headed down to Over Haddon and the Garden Tea Room for tea and cake. It was warm sitting in the sun and we were able to have a chat with Mark and Karen, they have had a good start to their season. Just as we were leaving our friends from 
Chelmorton were walking up from Lathkill Dale so we took them to the tea room and had more tea and a chat but no more cake. Back home it was nice to see the first BBQ taking place! Friday was supposed to be warmer but the wind took the edge of the temperature, still it was sunny and dry. Two departures and two arrivals and two cleaners here to keep up with cleaning. Popped down to Bakewell late morning to get provisions for the weekend. It was very busy. Back home we had one early paid for arrival at 1.30 and second cottage here by 3.30. Both have been before. Time for log stocking as the weekend is forecast to be cooler. Nice to see all the daffodils coming out.
Author: Shirley Swaap
Summer’s here?
Last week it still felt like winter at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) but suddenly on Easter Monday it was if summer had arrived. There was mist in the dales first thing but that soon disappeared and the temperature peaked at 17 degrees. It was a lovely sunny clear day. So much for the cloudy and 12 degrees but who’s complaining. Four departures and four arrivals and two cleaners here. With it being so nice Chris got out the umbrellas for the patio tables. It was nice enough to have coffee, lunch and afternoon tea on our patio. Some guests had breakfast outside. For the first time this year I put washing out to dry and also washed some door mats. Everything ready by 3pm and two cottages arrived just after 3pm. A gap with final arrivals at 5 and 5.30 so caught up with emails and house jobs. Another nice evening so took the dogs for a walk. Tuesday was not as warm or sunny but still better than expected for the time of year. One guest was suffering from sunburn! One departure and one arrival with cottage already cleaned. A planned power outage for essential maintenance work was the main feature of the day so guests had been advised in advance of the situation. We were prepared to lose power from 9am but when power was still on at 11.30 Chris phoned the power company only to be told the outage had been cancelled. It would have been nice if someone had told us. With it being so nice both of us spent time on outside jobs. Accounts can wait for another day. A quick trip down to Bakewell as I needed some compost and other gardening bits. Cottage arrived just after 4pm. In the evening we went to Piedaniels for a meal with Joanna and Andrew which we all enjoyed. Here are the photos from Middleton Top on Sunday.
Easter Weekend
Good Friday was a disappointing day weather wise at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here). Friday was a wet day although it was not cold. One departure and three arrivals and one cleaner here. Cleaning went smoothly so I was able to get everything done in plenty of time. Don’t know why but I kept thinking it was Saturday! With all three cottages here by 3.45, one has been before, I had time to do more accounts in the afternoon. Some glimpses of blue sky later in the evening but forecast for the rest of the weekend is more promising. Have noticed that the daffodils are starting to come out. Saturday was a fine day, still mild but a little breezy at times. Three departures and one arrival and two cleaners here to keep up with cleaning. The morning seemed to disappear and the next thing it was 3pm and our guests arrived, they have been before. A catch up afternoon even if I didn’t get any accounts done, but I did get to take the dogs for their evening walk. Sunday was a pleasant and warm day for the time of year, a contrast to the previous Sunday. No departures but one arrival. Decided to head to Crich Tramway Museum as it was one of their WW2 weekends and we spent a good couple of hours wandering around and had a ride on a tram. It was very busy but we still enjoyed it and the dogs got fussed as usual. A few new displays since last time and our ticket will give us unlimited entry for the rest of the year. From here we went to Middleton Top Engine House as it was one of the engine working weekends. The beam engine was used to haul and lower wagons on the very steep incline of the Cromford and High Peak Railway. Back in time for guests arrival and it was even nice enough to have a cup of tea on the patio. Could have had first ice cream of the season from Monyash but it was too busy! Enjoy the pictures from Crich.
First Easter arrivals
Wednesday was less windy but still showery at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). No departures but one arrival with cottage already prepared. The morning went in odd jobs around the house and cottages and Chris painted a couple of the milk churns that needed redoing. In the afternoon Chris went to Bakewell and called into the Garden Cafe in Over Haddon on the way back, they plan to open for the Easter weekend weather permitting. Chris had tidied up the guests garden last week but the wind over the last few days has brought a lot of twigs down so all his hard work has been undone. I spent most of the afternoon on accounts and sorting out the cleaning rota for the next week or so as we have a number of change overs due to a high number of short breaks. Guests arrived just after 5pm, they have been before. Thursday 2nd April was the best day of the week weather wise. Despite what the thermometer said it felt very mild. Three departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here. Down to Bakewell late morning to get provisions for the weekend. Chris spent more time painting milk churns and in the afternoon he tidied up the lawn, ie spent an hour picking up twigs and then gave the grass it’s first cut of the season. I did a variety of jobs in the cottages, some housework and more accounts. First cottage arrived at 4pm and second cottage, who has been before, here at 9pm.
March weather stats. Highest temp 13.8 deg C on 7th which was warmest day with 28th warmest night. Lowest temp -0.1 deg C on 2nd which was coldest day and night. Wettest day was 30th with .5 inches rain with total 2.14 for month (1.91 inches March 2014).
BST arrives
Summertime arrived on Sunday 29 March at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) but not with summertime weather. Well it is March but it has been quite cold for the time of year. Chris spent some time going round the cottages and house changing all the clocks. Sunday was quite a wet day so I had planned to catch up on some home jobs and accounts. Only a few days to the end of the VAT quarter so have plenty to do. One arrival here just after 4pm, he has been before. Nice to see the lighter evening, would have loved to take the dogs out for an evening walk but it was raining. Monday was a much more pleasant day. One departure and one arrival with one cleaner here. As usual a busy day for a Monday but found time to do some more accounts. Cottage here just after 3pm, they have been before. Noticed Andrew was chain harrowing the fields on his side of the road getting them ready for when the cows come out. The grass isn’t growing enough for the cows to graze just yet. In the evening we abandoned the dogs and I went to the village hall for the final bowls evening of the season. At least I didn’t come away with the wooden spoon. Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and by the time we got back the wind had really picked up. Tuesday was very windy with passing hail and sleet showers with some sunny spells. Two departures and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Also one of the handymen here and with Chris they did a number of tidying up jobs. The lawn will need clearing of twigs after the days wind. In the afternoon I went to Chesterfield and I noticed that the River Wye had burst its banks in places between Bakewell and Rowsley. Bookers and then Morrisons via Dunelm of course!
Back to business
passing rain clouds
Arrived back at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) on Thursday evening. Noticed a small patch of snow waiting to welcome me! Friday 27 March saw one departure and two arrivals and one cleaner here. Made time to bring myself up to speed with what had happened in my absence since last Friday afternoon. (I had been here for the eclipse and left mid afternoon.) First cottage here just after 3pm, they have been before after which I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions. Called in at Little Cowden Farm to see the lambs, they have nearly finished lambing. Second cottage arrived at 5pm, they have also been before. After dinner we joined one of the cottages for a drink and a chat. Saturday was very mild with passing showers. Four departures, all gone by 9.30, so I could head down to the Farmers Market. One departing cottage booked to come again later in the year. Two cleaners able to make an early start so cleaning finished by late morning. With five arrivals there was plenty of time for final checks. Spotted first Duke of Edinburgh group trekking across the fields in the afternoon. Two cottages here between 3and 4pm, one has been before, two here between 4.30 and 5pm, with final cottage here by 6.30pm. A quiet evening in.
The first curlew
Tuesday was like Monday weather wise at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) but we saw a little more sun and it felt milder. Two handymen concentrating on pointing work and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. One departure. A day spent on jobs in the cottages and accounts. In the afternoon I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the next couple of days. When walking around the cottages I heard the first curlew of the season. Hopefully another sign of spring As I am going to my sisters later in the week I also had to do some forward planning, like the cleaning rota for the following week. In the evening I went to the Bakewell WI and became a member. We had an interesting talk by a local spinner. She lives on a farm at Brough and uses the wool from her own sheep. Wednesday 18 March was the best day of the week weather wise. Bright and sunny, there was still a cool breeze but in the sun it was lovely. Chris did a number of outside jobs and I carried on with inside jobs in the morning but found time to plant some more bulbs in the afternoon. Only 100left to plant. One arrival, here about 4pm, they have been before. Thursday was another pleasant day. One departure with one arrivals and one cleaner here. Later in the morning we headed to Buxton as it was the annual Tourist Conference and Leaflet Swap, we went to the latter. Managed to catch up and have chats with other accommodation providers and attraction staff. Headed to No 6 Tea Room for lunch before a little stroll around Buxton in the spring sunshine. On the way back we dropped off the hanging baskets so they can be prepared for summer. Guests arrived about 6pm, they have been before and I spent most of the evening getting ready to go away.
A cold breeze
Winter does not want to leave our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell just yet, (see here). The wind was bitterly cold on Saturday and even though it brightened up it never warmed up. Three departures and three arrivals and two cleaners here. Time for some odd jobs too and everything ready for guests arrival in plenty of time. Two arrived at 3pm, one has been before and final one arrived just after 4pm, they have been before. Managed to get some accounts done and phoned my sister as I hope to go and stay with her soon. Sunday 15th March felt less cold and despite the forecast of a wet day it just stayed dull with some drizzle later in the day. So a quiet day at home catching up on accounts and housework and preparing for the week ahead. One departure. Monday started dull and wet and although it dried up it stayed quite murky through the day. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here. The morning went in jobs around the cottages and afternoon in paperwork. Cottage arrived just after 4pm, they have been before. After dinner Chris went to the Photographic Society in Bakewell and I went to the Village Hall Committee meeting. Only a few more indoor bowls sessions remaining before the summer break.
A trip to Matlock
Wednesday started dull at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). It was our day off but with rain forecast from lunchtime we thought we would head to Matlock and one of the garden centres for a few hours. We haven’t been to Matlock for a couple of years and it was interesting to note the number of retro and vintage shops that have opened along Dale Road. We had lunch in the antiques centre and by the time we reached the garden centre it was raining. From here we went to the Peak Village and then popped in to see the cleaner with the broken wrist. On the way home we called into Little Cowden farm where the first of the lambs had not long been born. For the next couple of weeks they will be working and sleeping in shifts as the majority of lambs are born. As we were leaving the hunt passed along the road so they had been out our way again. Thursday was mild but cloudy and another catch up day. One departure and one arrival with one cleaner here. Spent some time on housework in the morning and early afternoon planted more bulbs and some shrubs I had bought yesterday. Paperwork later in the afternoon and guests arrived just after 9pm. Friday 13th March started wet but brightened and dried up in the afternoon. Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner here. Down to Bakewell after coffee to get hair cut and get provisions for weekend. Got the latest Bakewell gossip from the hairdresser. After lunch checked on cottage and as we have received the first of the 2015 attractions brochures I put them out in leisure area. Guests arrived just after 3pm leaving me the rest of the afternoon to catch up on paper work including the forms I have to fill out annually so we get our rubbish collected.
Catching up with jobs
Up early on Monday at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) to get to the market before it got to busy. I had ordered some replacement Hoover filters last Monday and needed to pick them up. I also had a wander round the market before the rain arrived. Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here. Chris did a number of small maintenance jobs in the morning and in the afternoon prepared the annual accounts for the accountant. For the rest of the morning I did some jobs in vacant cottages and in the afternoon I started on this quarters accounts. It felt cooler on Monday and it was a bit drizzly. Cottages arrived at 4pm, one has been before. In the evening I went to Over Haddon for indoor bowls and I didn’t bring the wooden spoon back with me! Tuesday 10th March was the best day of the week weather wise not that we could enjoy it. Sunny for the most and mild in the shade, definitely spring like! Two arrivals but cottages cleaned so just needed to do final checks. Nice to take the dogs for their early morning walk in the spring sunshine. Wonder when I will here the first curlew? Handyman here doing tidying up outside and cleaning patio furniture. Chris went off after lunch with Andrew to look at a local farm where they have introduced automatic milking. He was interested in the computerised aspect of the process. One farm in Over Haddon has automated milking installed. I spent a little time planting out some bulbs and primroses I bought at the market before guests arrived. First one here at 4pm, they have been before with second cottage here at 5pm. A nice sunset, starting to get too early to catch sunrises.