Friday 18 November saw a dusting of snow first thing which melted as soon as the sun appeared. One departure and two arrivals and a cleaner here. After lunch our friend from York arrived for the weekend and in between arrivals at 4pm and 8pm we went down to Bakewell and had a look around and tried out the new pizza place. Saturday was a sunny but cold day. Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner here. After she had finished we went up to Derwent Reservoir avoiding Bakewell which was busy due to the Christmas Wonderland on the Showground (which became quite a newsworthy topic in the local press and on social media). We had a nice three and a half mile walk along the shore of the reservoir enjoying the winter sunshine. There was still evidence of the previous days’ snow on higher ground. On the way back we stopped at the Anglers Rest in Bamford. The pub was bought by the villagers and now is a community hub with a cafe, post office and pub in the premises. Back home just before guests arrived at 5pm. Sunday saw an overcast morning give way to a drier afternoon. One departure but no arrivals. Friend went back home and we went down to Bakewell to collect paper. In the evening we went to the village hall to see the film Private Peaceful. Chris was projectionist for the evening. Monday can be described in one word horrible. Wet from the start it really never improved. Very windy in the morning with a number of pots blown over. Two departures and one arrival with one cleaner here. Got wet on a number of occasions going between cottages. Cottage arrived at 3pm. A lot of flash floods in the area as the ground is very saturated and fallen leaves have blocked drains. In the evening I went to the hall for the village hall committee meeting. At least it had stopped raining by then. Enjoy the photos.
Bakewell
A warm spell of weather
Welcome to my new style of blog where I will sum up the events at Bolehill Farm in a weekly blog but will write special one off blogs as appropriate.
First I need to start catching up with this month. During the week of 6th June we saw the fine weather continue. With Tuesday being our day off we headed to Lea Gardens for our annual visit although we were a few weeks later than usual. Nevertheless the gardens were still a rainbow of colours. Whilst we were in the area we headed to Wirksworth as we hadn’t been there for a while. We walked down to the station and had a look at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway which is a short heritage line between Wirksworth and Duffield. The line uses diesel trains and has recently been awarded a grant for further work to the rolling stock and a visitor center. We also managed to sneak a night away visiting our old neighbours in Hertfordshire, it was lovely to catch up with them. The weather broke on Friday giving us a very wet day with some localized flooding in Bakewell and Monyash. Saturday saw a busy changeover on a muggy and overcast day and although the weather wasn’t too bad by the end of the weekend we had had almost a months worth of rain in the previous few days.
A bank holiday weekend
So we woke up to the sight of snow on Friday morning at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Not an auspicious start to the Bank Holiday weekend. The sun was out though so it was already melting. Three departures and two arrivals and two cleaners here. There were a number of wintry showers in the morning with the afternoon a bit brighter but still cold. Spent some time on preparations for Friday’s and Saturday’s arrivals. First arrival here at 4.30, they have been before with second cottage here about 6pm. Mark and Karen popped over later in the afternoon for a cup of tea and a chat. Saturday started fine and after two early departures I went down to Bakewell for the Farmers Market. It was also the Bakewell Food Festival weekend so after the Farmers Market I walked around Bakewell looking at the stalls. It was getting very busy by the time I returned home. One cleaner here and three arrivals expected. Everything prepared by lunchtime. First cottage here by 3pm, they have been before. A couple of hours to catch up with paperwork and some bookings before remaining two cottages arrived just after 5pm, both have been before. A lovely clear evening for Smudge’s walk. Sunday started sunny but it very quickly it clouded up and felt quite cool in the breeze. No departures but two arrivals with cottages already prepared. Down to Bakewell where we had a wander around the Food Festival before calling in at Little Cowden Farm and checking on the lambs on the way back. As we stayed for a cup of tea and a chat it was midday before we got back. Final checks on cottages and both here by 3.30, one has been before. Some housework in the afternoon before dinner and evening walk with Smudge.
Windy weather
More wet and windy weather was forecast for Sunday 29 November at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Two departures but no arrivals and down to Bakewell to get the paper and have another look around the Christmas market. When we got there we found it had been cancelled because of the forecasted high winds. A quiet day at home but although it got breezy the strongest winds never materialised. Luckily they didn’t cancel the Chatsworth Christmas Market. Monday was yuk weather wise. Very wet and windy but not cold. Three departures and one arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Cottage here just after 4pm. In the evening we were out, me to indoor bowls and Chris to Bakewell for the photographic society. Tuesday was a pleasant, mild and dry day. I noticed the fields were really soggy when I took Smudge out for a walk, especially after the rain that had fallen on Monday. No departures but one arrival and one cleaner here. Tuesday handyman here and in the dry conditions he cleared gutters of leaves and did some pruning around the courtyard in readiness of the Christmas lights going up. Afternoon spent in jobs in vacant cottages and catch up jobs around the house. Cottage arrived just after 6pm. The initial forecast for Wednesday was mild and dry and I had thought about going for a walk but then the forecast deteriorated so I made other plans. Down to Bakewell first thing to get hair cut and get a few provisions. Later we set off for Chesterfield where I took a lot of items to a charity warehouse before going to Bookers. From here we went to B&Q, Screwfix, The Range and Dunelm of course. In the end the rain forecast for the afternoon didn’t arrive until the evening so we could have gone for a walk after all.
Weather statistics for November: Highest temp on 1st of 16.2C and lowest temp -1.5C on 21st. Warmest day 10th and night 9th. 21st was coldest day and night. Wettest day was 30th with .74in rain with 5.17in rain for month (11/14 saw 3.57in rain).
Carl Wark and Higger Tor
Thursday was forecast to be a fine day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) so it was disappointing when we had some early showers. I had planned a walk in Monks Dale near Millers Dale but with the showers we worried it might be too slippery under foot as it is rocky in places. It is one of a number of ‘dog friendly’ walks which have no or few stiles and are shorter in length. Plan B was a four mile walk near Hathersage around Carl Wark and Higger Tor. We parked at Surprise View car park where it was still cloudy but brightness was in the distance. The heather was not quite out, not that we were expecting it to be, so we have made a note to come back in a couple of weeks time when it should be at its best. We set off from the car park to the first viewing point then followed a fence that ran parallel to Millstone Edge. The path was easy going and as we had not arrived until nearly 1pm it wasn’t long before we stopped for lunch with wonderful views along the Hope Valley. We could make out Win Hill, Lose Hill, Mam Tor, Winnats Pass and the Hope Cement Works! The path continued to the bottom of Higger Tor which we skirted and picked up another path towards Carl Wark, an old fortified hill. A number of years ago we did a longer walk here and that time we climbed both hills. We also skirted Carl Wark and headed down to Burbage Brook. During the walk we had been able to make out Stanage and Burbage Edges. At the brook we picked up a minor path along the brook rather than the Sheffield Boundary path. There were highland cattle grazing on the opposite bank. By now the sun was coming out and it felt a lot warmer. When the path emerged at the main road we crossed it onto the Longshaw Estate then carried following the brook down to Lawrence Field. It was busy here with families enjoying the sunshine. We then picked up a sunken path that took us back to the main road and the car park. Home via Monsal Head as we wanted to avoid Bakewell and the show traffic. At least it was a nice evening. Enjoy the photos.
Second silage
Monday was a warm day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) even if it wasn’t particularly sunny. No departures or arrivals so morning on catch up jobs and in the afternoon we went to Chesterfield to Bookers and Morrisons. When we got back they had started silaging with cutting in Andrew’s fields on our side of the road. Tuesday saw one departure and two arrivals with one cleaner here. Down to 
Bakewell just after 9am and the car parks were already quite busy, probably locals like me getting provisions in before the Bakewell show. It is the 185th Bakewell show and 20,000visitors were expected over the course of the three days so Bakewell was best avoided. Tuesday was the main Equestrian day at the show. Back before guests departed. By then they were 
rowing up and collecting in Andrew’s fields. Everything ready in cottages by lunchtime which gave me the afternoon to do some jobs around the house. First cottage here just after 3.30 with second here just after 8pm. Wednesday was a quiet day so did some more jobs on my summer catch up list like washing and reproofing our walking jackets. Spent some time in the afternoon picking blackcurrants and as there were still quite a few left on the bushes 
I phoned Joanna and she came up and picked some too. In the evening we went down to the Bakewell show as there was free entrance after 7pm. Unfortunately the stalls were closed so I saved some money but we did get to have a look at the stock judging that was going on.
July’s weather statistics. Hottest day and night was the 1st which had the highest temperature of 29.8C. Coldest day was 26th with coldest night 30th and lowest temperature of 7.3C on 31st. Wettest day was 4th with .35 in rain. Total for month 1.78 in (2014 1.83 in)
Still unseasonably cool
Monday was a busy day at our Bolehill Cottages (see here). Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here. A wet start to the day but a much brighter and drier afternoon. Passing showers left rainbows. We have already had half a dozen days this months with over quarter of an inch of rain and four of those had nearly or over half an inch. May is turning into a wet month and it is still cool. Our cherry blossom is at its best though. The milk cows are still in at night as the grass is not growing fast enough and the hooligans haven’t come out yet. Chris had jobs in cottages and I was kept busy with emails and chatting to 
guests. One paid for early arrival here at 1pm with second arrival at 3pm. Rubbish and laundry collections too. In the evening after walking the dogs I went to Over Haddon for the pre AGM meeting. Like Monday Tuesday got off to a wet start and it felt cool. No arrivals or departures so a day to catch up on general work. Tuesday handyman here and he and Chris chopped logs and took the well dressing boards (which we had been storing) down to Over Haddon. I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next few days and after lunch I did some WI accounts and paperwork. In the evening I was out again, this time at Bakewell WI where we discussed the resolution to be put forward at the national AGM then we had a supper that we had all contributed to. Wednesday was drier, brighter and warmer than Tuesday. A quiet day so housework, accounts and paperwork. A last minute booking saw Chris and I finish turning a cottage round for Thursday. Tried to get hold of the nursery to see if they had stocked up on bedding plants yet but they will be getting them in next week as it is too cool to keep them outside yet. In the evening I was back at the village hall in Over Haddon for the Village Hall AGM.
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.
Some mixed weather
Wednesday was another mild day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here), but not as sunny as Tuesday. One departure and some time spent outside tidying up around the courtyard and gardens and stocking up on logs. Also sorted out some stuff for collection by one of the WI ladies for a jumble sale. Chris and handyman did some finishing jobs in Derwent. In the evening we were joined by my friend and her family for a meal. Thursday 19 February was a wet and cold day. Later in the morning we went down to Bakewell for a dental appointment and had lunch at the Tiroler Stuberl, the Austrian coffee and sausage place. Back in time to do final checks before cottage arrived at 3.30. Time for some jobs around the house and least there was a bit of sunshine later in the afternoon. Friday was a busy day with one departure and five arrivals and two cleaners here. A pleasant mild day with sunny spells. Would have done some gardening if we hadn’t been so busy. All the cleaning and checks completed by 3pm. First two cottages arrived just before 4pm, one has been before, the next two arrived just before 5pm, both have been before. Final cottage arrived just before 6pm. A quiet evening in after all that!
A hint of spring?
Wow! What a lovely start to Tuesday (17 Feb) at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Blue skies, sunshine, and birds tweeting away in the trees. Do they know something? It looked like a lovely spring day and it stayed that way for most of the day, some fair weather cloud appeared in the afternoon and their was a hint of winter still in the breeze but a lovely day nevertheless less. I had planned to get out and do some tidying up in the grounds but the morning went in emails and odd jobs. Plumbers here after Derwent departed to put new water tank in so Chris was involved with that. Found a little time in the afternoon to walk round the grounds and admire the snowdrops, not as spectacular as Hopton Hall, but they look nice and I had forgotten how many we have. I went down to Bakewell in the afternoon and had a bit of a shock. Being half term week it was very busy, it’s easy to forget what Bakewell can be like when it is busy. Noticed Green Cowden Farm had some of their early lambs in the fields. They looked so cute! When I got back I cleaned the car out as I would be taking some of the Over Haddon WI ladies down to Bakewell WI in the evening to see what their WI is like. The speaker gave us a talk on Leek Embroidery (the town not the vegetable) and it was interesting to learn about the silk industry in Leek. Think we may be going back and joining next month.