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).

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!

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.

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.

Wednesday was a sunny but cold day at our Bolehill Cottages near bakewell (see here).  One cleaner and one handyman here.  More jobs in the cottages during the morning before Joanna collected me and we had an Over Haddon WI lunch at the Ashford Arms in Ashford.  We have arranged to meet again in May for a walk and afternoon tea.  Guess who is sorting that out!  Some time in the afternoon to do some more odd jobs and take the dogs out for a walk.  A hint of more spring like weather is forecast for the weekend. Thursday 5th March still had a cold touch about it.  No arrivals or departures but cleaning for the weekend arrivals continues. Work finished in Shippon and for me work revolved mainly round curtain washing. In the afternoon I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next couple of days. Later in the day we had a visit from the couple who live in Ashford and we showed them what we have been up to over the last couple of months.  Friday was mainly sunny and felt milder.  One cleaner here to give Shippon a final clean and Chris and I did a number of finishing touches. I spent a lot of the day hemming new kitchen curtains for Shippon as well as ironing and rehanging curtains washed over the previous days.  Final checks on the two cottages due to arrive in the afternoon, both were here just after 3pm, one has been before.  This gave me time to carry on with curtains and I didn’t finish until 7pm.  Saturday was another mild day with long sunny spells, not that we had much of a chance to enjoy it.  One departure with three arrivals and one cleaner.  Staggered arrivals with first cottage here just after 3pm, next one at 5pm and final one at 6pm, all have been before. Busier Saturdays from now on!