Friday 29 May started very wet at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) but was drier and brighter in the afternoon. Chris went out to check the gutters and got very wet. One departure but no arrivals and one cleaner here. The cows have been moved into the front fields so Blue feels surrounded. After lunch we went to the Chatsworth Garden Centre to get some bedding plants as the nursery still haven’t got many in. We stopped at Edensor for tea and cake on the way back. Spent some time planning Saturday as it is another busy day. Saturday was the best day of the weekend weather wise. Six departures and six arrivals and three cleaners here. For me being the last Saturday of the month I was down to Bakewell early to go to the Farmers Market. I was back before the last of the guests had gone. Cleaning and checking finished by 3pm just in time for a Waitrose delivery for one of the guests. Chris cut the grass. Three cottages here by 4pm, one at 5pm and one at 6pm. Four have been before. After dinner we went down to Ashford to see the well dressings while they were still fresh. Enjoy the photos. Back by 9pm in time for the arrival of our final guests who have also been here before. Sunday was wet first thing but by mid morning it started to ease off and the afternoon was quite pleasant. The morning went in housework and emails and afternoon in odd jobs and chatting to guests. I checked on my recently purchased plants and walked back through the fields. I thought I had double checked that I had closed the gate into the garden but a few minutes later Chris yelled that there were cows in the garden! Why our garden should be of interest as there was far more grass in the field. It took us about fifteen minutes to herd them back out and the lawn was left full of hoof marks. Luckily Little Cowden Farm had some surplus sand which they brought up and Chris knows what he will be doing with the handyman on Tuesday! A quick tea then down to the Village Hall with Joanna and Andrew for the final film of the season, The Theory of Everything which everyone enjoyed. It was still light at 10pm when we left.
bakewell cottages
Plenty to do
Tuesday was a pleasant day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Warmer and sunnier than the last few days our Tuesday handyman was up and he and Chris carried on logging. I had planned to do some gardening but ended up doing odd jobs all day, like parcelling up items to be sent that had been left behind over the last week or so. One cleaner here to keep up with cleaning as one arrival expected later in the day. Chatted to guests too. The bluebells in the copse are at their best 
now. There is talk of Andrew silaging next week, we can see that silaging has already started over Elton way and dark green fields are starting to turn light green. Cottage arrived at 4.30. Also bagged up some items to take to the charity shops. Wednesday was another fine day although it clouded up after lunch. In the morning I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next few days. It was very busy in Bakewell. As our arriving cottage wouldn’t be here until the 
evening, in the afternoon we went to Bookers and Dunelm in Chesterfield. By the time we got home it was raining. In the evening we went to the Lathkil Hotel in Over Haddon for a meal with a couple of our guests. We all enjoyed our meal. Cottage arrived whilst we were out. Thursday was another cool day. With no arrivals or departures it was another day of many jobs. In the morning I did some gardening and in the afternoon I hemmed some new curtains for Bluebell. They’ve been waiting to be done for ages!
The Spring Bank Holiday Weekend
Saturday was a busy day at our Bolehill Cottages near bakewell (see here). Five departures and seven arrivals and three cleaners here. With most cottages departed by 9am this allowed an early start to cleaning. No problems encountered. Cleaning and checks completed by 2pm. Chris had time to cut the grass before the 3pm rush. Four cottages in by 3.30, two more between 3.45 and 4.15 and final one at 5.30. Two have been before. The day was more overcast than forecast but it improved in the afternoon. Sunday was overcast with a few showers in the morning but mild. No departures so we had a quiet day. We got the paper from Bakewell then headed to Monyash before it got too busy to see the well dressings. A quiet afternoon doing jobs around the house and chatting to guests. Monday stayed dull but dry but it was a bit cooler but it brightened up later in the day. Two departures but no arrivals so after coffee we went for a walk. We had heard about Middleton by Youlgrave well dressing so we drove over to Youlgrave and parked at the top car park. From here we took the path down to Bradford Dale and walked along the Dale to Middleton. We had a look around the village, there was an art studio open, the village hall was doing food and there were plant stalls as well. Unfortunately they had run out of sandwiches by the time we got to the hall so we headed back down the Dale and walked further along talking the middle path up into Youlgrave. We stopped at the George for lunch before driving back home. The walk overall was about three miles. A nice evening but it would be better if it was a little bit warmer! Enjoy the photos from the weekend.
A colourful day
Thursday was one of the better days of the week weather wise at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here). I had planned a walk in the Cromford area as we had heard that the bluebells at Bow Wood were out. We parked at the High Peak Junction car park and walked along the Cromford Canal to the wharf. The wharf cafe is closed for refurbishment but there is a temporary cafe so we stopped for coffee and cake. We then had a quick look round the mill area before setting off along the road to Lea. We picked up the path that took us to Wood End and when we emerged in the fields we had a view over Cromford including the mill, canal and Willersley Castle. The bluebells were out in Bow Wood but just past their best but it was still a fine three mile walk by the time we got back to the car park. From here we drove the short distance to Lea Gardens but just as we got there a short sharp shower drove everyone into the cafe so by the time we had got round the gardens they had stopped serving lunches and only cakes were available. Shame. A slow drive home via the Peak Shopping Outlet and Chatsworth Farm Shop to pick up some tea. By the time we were home the cottage had arrived, they have been before. There had been one departure earlier in the day. Friday was a warm but cloudy day with a few drizzly showers. Down to Bakewell in the morning to get provisions for the weekend. The afternoon went in some gardening jobs, checks on cottages and preparations for Saturday. Cottage arrived at 7.30 pm, they have been before. Enjoy the photos from Thursday.
Tissington well dressings
Friday was another pleasant spring day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). One departure and three arrivals and one cleaner back from holiday here to catch up with cleaning. Chris spent time strimming and cutting the lawns while it was nice. Everything ready by lunchtime and I had the afternoon to do some preparations for Saturday as well as chat to guests. First cottage here at 3.45 with second cottage at 6.15 and final cottage at 9pm. One has been before. Noticed that it is still light at 9pm, the longest day is not too far off. Saturday was a fine day although the wind took the edge of the temperature. Three departures and five arrivals and two cleaners here. All cleaning and checks completed by lunchtime. Four cottages here by 3.30 and final one at 4.15. All have been before so we spent some time chatting to guests. Had some time to do some paper work before dinner and a nice walk in the evening with the dogs. Sunday was a cool cloudy day with a little drizzle. One departure. After getting the paper Andrew and Joanna joined us for coffee. In the afternoon we went to the Izaak Walton Hotel for afternoon tea. It has recently reopened and being just outside Thorpe has some nice views of Thorpe Cloud and towards Dove Dale. From here we went to to Tissington to have a look at the well dressings. As it was later in the afternoon the crowds had gone so at least we could get close to the wells and take photos.
A couple of fine days
Monday was the warmest day of the week at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). A quiet day with one departure but no arrivals so we did jobs around the house and garden. Later in the afternoon we went down to the Garden Tearoom in Over Haddon as a treat as it was so nice. Tuesday was a pleasant day, not as warm as Monday but still nice. One departure but no arrivals. Again we did some jobs around the house and empty cottages. Chris also had a look at our printer consumables and it looks like one of our printers may need replacing so he is going to research a replacement. Later in the afternoon we popped down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next few days. Wednesday was nicer than forecast I thought. Another quiet day at home. Chris took advantage of the fine weather to do some weed killing and I did some paper work and accounts. 
Andrew came up in the afternoon and moved some cows. We now have quite a number of cows on this side of the road so poor Blue must feel surrounded by them! Later in the evening a Virgin Balloon came overhead. After a number of fine days Thursday was cold but we remained dry as they were not sure how far north the rain would come. Another quiet day for us but we did pop down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.
April’s Weather stats
Friday got off to a sunny start at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). For me I was back off to Buxton as I had a half priced spa treatment booked at the Dome. I get regular emails with offers from the Spa, usually so that the students at the college can practice their newly acquired skills. By the time I emerged late morning it had already clouded up and by the time I had got some provisions for the weekend and got back to the car it had started to rain. Back home the afternoon went in emails including some bookings, and chatting to guests. I also did some preparations for Saturdays arrivals. The rain increased during the afternoon so the dogs and I got very wet when we went for our evening walk. Saturday started with showers but brightened up in the afternoon. Four departures and five arrivals and two cleaners here. With some early departures cleaning was under way by 9.30 and all cleaning was completed by midday as a couple of the cottages were already prepared. All checks completed by lunchtime. Four cottages arrived between 3 and 3.30 with final cottage at 4.45. All have been before so it was nice to catch up with the guests. Time for some house jobs before cooking dinner and taking the dogs for a walk. Sunday was a fine day weather wise. No arrivals or departures so a quiet day for us.
Nearly forgot April’s weather statistics! Highest temp on 6th of 17.6 C and lowest on 27th of 0.7 C. Warmest day was 6th and night 10th with coldest day 1st and night 12th. Wettest day was 3rd with .26 inches rain with total for month 0.9 inches. (April 2014 1.83 inches).
The first swallow
Back to normal on Tuesday at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) but I kept thinking it was Monday. No departures but one arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Tuesday handyman here and he and Chris checked roof tiles and tidied up the log store so they could start chopping logs for next winter. A windy day with passing showers but not as wet as forecast. It was still mild and we saw the first swallows at Bolehill, although we had already seen some down at Andrews. For me jobs in the cottages and some accounts. Cottage arrived at 5.30 having been held up by a coach crash on the motorway. Wednesday was the worst day of the week weather wise. Cool and wet but it dried up later in the day. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here. Short of cleaners over the next week so Chris and I helped out with the cleaning on 
Wednesday. Chris helped bring more cows across to this side of the road. Plenty of emails and phone calls to keep me going too. Had hoped for better weather on Thursday, it started a bit showery but brightened up a little in the afternoon. We decided to go to Buxton for a few hours. Chris needed some new overalls anyway. On the way back we called in at the nursery, our hanging baskets will still be a few more weeks. Later in the afternoon we went down to Bakewell to vote and get provisions for the weekend. Andrew was having his fields sprayed for weeds so the machine came over and did our big front field. Hopefully this means Chris won’t have to spend hours walking up and down the fields spraying thistles!
A walk in Deep Dale
For once we had no arrivals on a bank Holiday Monday at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). With a warm sunny day forecast once the four departing cottages had left we packed the rucksacks and headed to Sheldon to do our annual walk up Deep Dale to see the early purple orchids. This walk can be done from Bolehill (about 7.5 miles) or from Sheldon (5.5 miles). There are a network of paths down to the River Wye from Sheldon and we opted for the one at the far end of the village near Kirk Dale. This path runs parallel to the dale and we got good views over Ashford and toward Longstone Edge. Once by the river we walked along passed the old mill and up into Shacklow Woods. The wild garlic was almost in flower in places, if it had been we would have been able to smell it, and there were some bluebells out too. As the path dropped down to the White Ladies car park we took the path up into Deep Dale. It was still sunny and warm and we found a spot to have lunch. Although there were plenty of cowslips around there were few orchids. Normally this is the best time of the year to see them but this year there is a drought of them. Never mind, it is a nice walk anyway. From the top of Deep Dale we picked up one of the paths back to Sheldon. By now it had clouded up a bit. From Sheldon we drove round to Monyash which was busy, there were loads of bikes at the cafe but I managed to get my ice cream! There was a lovely sunset but by the time I spotted the colours in the sky it was too late. Enjoy the photos.
A mixed weekend
Friday was a pleasant day weather wise at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here). The keen breeze kept the edge of the temperature. One departure with two arrival and one cleaner here. Used the morning to check vacant cottages for Saturday’s arrivals and in the afternoon did some accounts. Chris gave the lawns a cut. Cottages arrived between 3.30 and 4pm and it was a nice evening for walking the dogs. Saturday was the last auction down at the Bakewell Saleroom ahead of redevelopment (still waiting to hear about Aldis) and I went down early to see if there were any interesting plants at the gardening auction but there weren’t so I was back before the two cottages departed. One cleaner here. All cleaning and checks completed by lunchtime. Six arrivals 
with three here between 3and 3.30, one at 4.30, one at 5 and final one at 5.30. Three have been before. For the 2nd of May it was a cold and wet day so got wet taking the dogs for the evening walk but better weather is forecast. Sunday saw a wet but milder start than Saturday. No departures or arrivals and after getting paper from Bakewell we had a quiet day. From lunchtime there was a lot more sunshine and it was warmer but there were a few passing showers giving us some rainbows. At least the guests could get out and about and make the most of the day.