Woke up to a lovely sunrise at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link) on Friday but also the shock of four more inches of snow!! I thought the weather had said flurries! Handyman had to dig himself out of Over Haddon, cleaner couldn’t dig her way out of Rowsley and yet some places such as Ripley have had hardly any snow at all. Chris and handyman cleared top and bottom of drive. One departure which left about midday after Andrew came up and cleared the drive. At least the day was milder and the sun helped start a thaw. Meanwhile with no cleaner I finished off what was needed for the days two arrivals. One here at 5pm and one here at 6pm. 
By the time I took dogs out for quick walk some of the early morning snow had gone but still took some photos. Been washing curtains, throws and cushion covers over the last few days so have some ironing to do. By Saturday morning we had had another inch of snow so Chris had to go out yet again and clear the drive. We headed down to Bakewell to the Farmers Market which was open even though not all the stall holders had made it. Then we called in at Lavenders tea room for coffee and cake. On the way home we called in at the 
agricultural merchants to get some items. Took the dogs for a walk after lunch, the wind had blown the snow around. The afternoon went in housework for me and Chris laid the lino in Derwent bathroom. Sunday saw the arrival of February. Two departures after which down to Bakewell to get the paper. A sunny but bitterly cold day. Jobs around the house and cottages for both of us and I took the dogs out in the afternoon to get some more pictures. Hopton Hall has opened for their snowdrop displays and apparently our snowdrops are coming through, it’s just that the snow is covering them! I have taken so many photos I will post them in a separate blog but in the mean time I have attached a few.
bakewell cottages
Here it is again!
Tuesday 27th January was a dull day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here), not that I saw much of it. It was my designated Bookers run to Chesterfield and armed with a shopping list of my own as well as one from Chris I went off in search of paint, furniture, toilet rolls and cushions! Left Chris with handyman doing odd jobs in Derwent and one cleaner doing more painting. A long day for both of us to opted for fish and chips in the evening. Wednesday was a day of sunshine and wintry showers. Some heavy with hail too. One cleaner here to carry on with cleaning and Chris and I spent time in jobs around the cottages. Down to Bakewell early afternoon to get provisions for the next few days. A covering of hail and snow was on the ground by the time we went to bed and by the time we woke up there was a good inch of snow on the ground. With handyman up early he and Chris cleared the drive. Our existing guests opted for a walk to Lathkill Dale where they said there was no snow. One cleaner up but by mid morning it was snowing heavily and left another two inches. Chris was down in Bakewell and phoned to say not to let the cleaner leave as the roads were not good. She waited for a while and before we let her go Chris drove down the road first to make sure it was safe. The sun came out in the afternoon so I took the dogs for a walk and took some photos. We had a total of three inches with Buxton having six, well they always get more, and Sheffield over a foot. Lorries couldn’t get up the hill out of Ashbourne so that caused temporary gridlock in the town. More cold weather is forecast so this snow ain’t going anywhere in a hurry!
Before the next snow
Saturday 24 January was a brighter day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) and finally we had our views back. Overnight a lot of the snow had gone and it continued to thaw during the day. After doing final check in cottage needed for later we went to B&Q and an electrical retailer just outside Buxton to get some items for Derwent. As we were so close to Buxton we thought we would head there for lunch but as we couldn’t get a space in the car park we made a detour to Longnor and the craft centre where we had a light lunch. Snow was patchy in the area, the sun had thawed quite a bit of it. We then drove onto Hartington, spotting a buzzard sitting at the road side, where we picked up some cheeses from the cheese shop. Back home guests arrived at 3.30 after which I did some housework. Sunday was another sunny and cold day. One departure after which we collected the paper from Bakewell. Some jobs around the house and vacant cottages in the morning and in the afternoon after stocking up on logs. We completed and paid the VAT return and tax bills. Monday was a dull but not cold day. One departure. Two cleaners, one painting one cleaning and one handyman here continuing work in Derwent. I spent a lot of time doing jobs in cottages. Andrew did a round of the fields in the tractor checking for mole activity. There seems to be a lot of them around this year. In the evening I went to the village hall for the first session of indoor bowls this year. A very enjoyable evening even if I did come away with the wooden spoon.
The snow stays
Thursday stayed mainly foggy at out Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Hadn’t seen the far hillsides since Tuesday so assumed the snow was still there as well. Apparently most of the snow had gone from Bakewell. Handyman managed to get up and Andrew sent his apprentice over to clear the drive later in the morning as we had guests in for the weekend. Gave the cleaner the day off as her car would not have got up the drive in the morning. Had hoped to go to Chesterfield to do a Bookers run instead I did some WI accounts and when the sun did make an appearance I took the dogs out to get some photos. Later in the afternoon it looked like being a nice sunset so I took the dogs up to the top field and got some shots of the sunset with the mist. Friday 23 January was still misty but at least we could see as far as Youlgreave. Two arrivals and one cleaner here to prepare cottages for the weekend. Handyman here too. Derwent bathroom is getting there but taking longer than planned. Down to Bakewell late morning to get provisions for weekend. As I drove down the hill the amount of snow beside the road decreased and down in the car park you could look up to the snow covered hills with green fields below. At home a thaw was setting in but Chris created some paths in the snow in the courtyard and salted the car park and I spent some time breaking up compacted snow to make it easier to get into the car park and courtyard. First cottage arrived at 3.30 and second one at 5.30. At least some milder weather was forecast over the weekend. Enjoy the rest of the photos from Thursday.
More wintry weather
Woke up to a covering of snow on Sunday morning at our Bolehill cottages (see here). Sorry no photos as by the time the sun got to work it started to melt. One departure after which we went down to Bakewell to get the paper. We then went on to visit one of our cleaners as our friends have got to know her over the years. We came home via the Chatsworth Farm Shop, where they are doing some alterations, and we bought some food which we took home for lunch. Friends left mid afternoon leaving us to stock up on logs and do some other jobs. Monday 19 January saw the resumption of work in Derwent. Usual Monday routines and two cleaners here, one cleaning, one painting. Plenty for me to do although no arrivals or departures. In the evening Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and I went to Over Haddon for the village hall committee. It did try to flurry a bit. Tuesday was a fine but very cold day. Two handyman and one cleaner here. I went down to Bakewell to get my hair cut and get some provisions for the next few days. Various odd jobs in the afternoon. Joanna and I had planned to go to the Bakewell WI meeting in the evening but by the afternoon a yellow warming for snow was in place for the evening so we decided against it. Just as well as by 8pm it was snowing. Woke up to a very white landscape on Wednesday. At least four inches of snow lay on the ground but because of the fog we couldn’t see what the rest of the area looked like. We knew many schools were closed but the road was being kept clear with a regular gritting/snow plough service. No handyman up so Chris kept himself occupied with computer work for the day rather than carry on in Derwent and I spent the day finishing of the last quarters accounts and finalising the annual accounts. Took the dogs for a few walks to take some photos so enjoy them.
Windy wintry weather!
Woke up Wednesday 14th January to a covering of snow at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Once the sun got up the snow melted where it was in the sun but stayed where it was in the shade. A morning of odd jobs and after lunch went to Sainsbury’s at Matlock stopping off at the Peak Village en route. When I got back what snow was left was starting to thaw and within an hour the wind was getting up and it started to rain. During the night the wind seemed to howl around the house but it was a bit quieter by Thursday morning. 
A few wintry showers passed by but nothing settled. Another day of odd jobs in the house and cottages. When there is work going on in the cottages I also spend more time making tea and coffee for the workers! Work carried on in Derwent. I managed to do more of the last quarters accounts. Although more windy weather was forecast it stayed fine and sunny as it did again on Friday but we had a hard frost to start with. One departure and one 
arrival and one cleaner here. In the afternoon some friends arrived for the weekend so we managed to spend some time with them in the evening. Guests arrived about 7pm, they have been before. Chris did some more work in Derwent on Saturday morning before we went out for lunch with our friends. We headed to Edensor but so it seems had everyone else so we ended up at the cafe in Ashford. Another sunny but cold day. After lunch I had a stroll around Bakewell with our friends while Chris went back to work in Derwent and later in the evening we had a Chinese take away.
Wintry weather
dogs in the breeze
Sunday 11 January saw a dusting of snow that quickly disappeared at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (See here) . One departure but no arrivals. On the way back from Bakewell we called in at Green Cowden farm for a cup of tea and a chat. They have just brought the sheep in for lambing, early lambs will be here by end of month. At home day went in odd jobs like stocking up on logs. In the evening we went to Over Haddon for the film night. We saw ‘The Book Thief’ which was quite a moving and profound film. Monday saw work start on Derwent with the bathroom stripped out and channels dug for pipe work. Two departures but no arrivals but one cleaner here for painting. A damp start and it stayed cool, overcast and breezy for the day. Kept busy during the day with emails and phone calls but found time to do some more accounts and chat to friend in Yorkshire. Had planned to go to Sainsbury’s on Tuesday afternoon but after consulting the weather forecast decided to leave it until Wednesday as there was a risk of wintry showers. Went down to Bakewell in the morning to get some provisions for the next few days. Quiet in Bakewell but busy at Bolehill with two cleaners, one cleaning one painting, one handyman doing odd jobs. Work in Derwent bathroom continued as well. I made the right decision as by lunchtime we had some snow showers which left a dusting of snow. I went out to take some photos but discovered I had a flat camera battery. At least I managed to get some accounts done. More wintry weather is expected over the next few days.
Windy weather
Thursday 8th January was a bright but cold day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). One arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. One cleaner here to carry on painting and one tradesman here to do a maintenance check on external doors as a number are wider than normal doors and hinges etc need adjusting from time to time. Jobs around cottages and a number of bookings and emails kept me busy. Cottage arrived at 
4.30, they have been before, after which I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. The breeze picked up during the night and it was quite exhilarating taking the dogs out for their walk on Friday morning. It stayed very windy during the day but got milder as the day went on. Two more arrivals and one cleaner up. My new sewing machine was delivered in the
Me and my shadow
morning, hopefully I will get to try it out over the weekend. With both cottages due in later in the day made the most of the afternoon to catch up on accounts. First cottage here just after 7pm with second one just before 8pm, they have been before. It started breezy on Saturday, not as bad as expected and it was colder than initially predicted but it least it was sunny with the odd shower thrown in for good measure. Another arrival mid afternoon, cottage already prepared. Had a number of jobs planned but spent most of the day on bookings so won’t complain. Found time to phone my sister and will wait to find out what time she has off in March so I can go and stay with her for a few days. Here are some more photos from our walk in Chatsworth Park when the snow was here.
Back to normality
Now you see it
Although business never stopped over the Christmas break at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) Monday 5 January saw things return to normal. One cleaner up to commence cleaning and one cleaner here to do some painting. Took down a number of Christmas trees in the cottages too and what with phone calls and emails the day soon went. Had weekly phone call with friend from Yorkshire. In the evening Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and my evening went in phone calls, emails and bookings. Tuesday started damp but brightened up during the day although it got colder .
Now you don’t
A busy day with a cleaner up to clean, a cleaner up to paint and handyman up to take outside lights down. I continued with taking last of Christmas trees and decorations down and packing them away for next Christmas. A day of odd jobs in the cottages and more emails and phone calls. Also found time for some personal work. In the evening we watched the Richard Wilson On The Road programme driving around Derbyshire and the Peak District.
snowman on New Years Day
Glad he enjoyed the Bakewell Pudding. Wednesday was our day off and as it was a damp and cool day we opted for retail therapy at the Trafford Centre. It takes about an hour to get there and we went via the Cat and Fiddle and Macclesfield as we think that is quicker than using the A6. An interesting time wandering around the stores. I have ordered a new sewing machine as the current one is over 20 years old and I will have some more curtains for the cottages to hem shortly. More pictures from last week. What a difference a day makes.
New Year guests depart
Friday 2nd January saw three more departures but no arrivals at out Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Compared to New Year’s Day it was a lot colder but sunny and dry. One cleaner here to start cleaning after the new year. For me it was the start of trying to get the accounts up to date as we have just had the end of the month, quarter and accounting year. We also spent time on the New Year letter and later in the afternoon I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the weekend. Some of the shelves of the Co-op were 
quite bereft of food! Saturday saw a flurry of activity after the New Year letter was emailed. We had a number of bookings and enquiries and one of our regular guests booked for next New Year (some of our regular Christmas guests have booked for next Christmas too). Two departures with no arrivals and time to start taking the decorations and trees down, not only in the house but the cottages, leisure area and office. Another cold day with some wintry showers but nothing settled. 
Sunday was a very cold but bright day with a hard frost that took ages to go in the shade. Down to Bakewell for the paper where it was -4! Later in the morning we went over to the Chatsworth Garden Centre to get some Xmas decorations in the sale and stopped for lunch. Wish I had taken the camera as it was quite picturesque over at Chatsworth. It was busy too. Last day the house and gardens were open for Christmas so it will be interesting to find out if it had been a success. The afternoon went in taking down decorations and emails and stocking up on logs. Another lovely sunset too. Here are some pictures from New Year’s Day.
Weather statistics for December: Highest temp 11.5 deg C on 22nd with warmest day 10th and night 21st. Lowest temp of -0.8 deg C on 27th with coldest day 27th and night 26th. Wettest day 11th with .46 inches rain and 3.61 for month (5.02 Dec 13).
2014 weather stats highest temp of 26.1 deg C on 26th July with lowest temp of -0.8 deg C on 27 Dec. Warmest day 26 July and night 18 July with coldest day 27 Dec and night 26 Dec. Wettest day 7 November with .87 inches rain with total for year 36.05 inches.