Thursday was a fine day with some showers later in the day at our Bolehill Cottages near bakewell (see here). Feeling a little warmer than Wednesday. No departures or arrivals so had planned to spend the morning doing WI work but ended up spending most of the morning chatting to guests. The afternoon went in odd jobs and later on Chris needed to go to B&Q to get some items so I went too. As it was late by the time we had made decisions and purchases we thought we would eat out. On the way back we stopped at the Church Inn in Chelmorton but it was full. Remembering that the Bulls Head in Ashford had new management we drove there. We both enjoyed our meals so we need to update our eating list. It was raining heavily by the time we left and after feeding the dogs I was going to take them out but ended up chatting to guests. At least it had stopped raining by the time I eventually took them out . A weather warning for rain had been forecast for Derbyshire for Friday 15 August but the rain seem to pass us by although it did look very threatening at times. Three departures and one arrival and two cleaners here. Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend. Most of the day went in jobs around the cottages and preparations for Saturday. With unseasonably cool weather forecast I have stared putting the heavier weight duvets back in the cottages. Cottage arrived about 5pm. A busy day Saturday with five cottages out and six back in and two cleaners here with one cleaner on holiday. Luckily early departures and tidy cottages and Chris and I mucking in meant cleaning was completed by midday. This left me time to finish my checks whilst Chris watered the hanging baskets and cut the grass. Were expecting a sunnier day but at least it stayed dry. There were lots of swallows around. Three cottages here between 3 and 3.30, two have been before, with two more around 5pm and final cottage about 7pm. It was quit breezy by the evening with a warning of a windy Sunday to follow. Listened out for bleating lambs when I took the dogs out in the evening but couldn’t hear any as Saturday saw the lambs being separated from their mothers at Green Cowden Farm.
bakewell cottages
Ashover Show 13 August
It was less breezy on Monday at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link). No departures but one arrival, our friends from Ashford who are staying for a few days while they have some work done on their house. A busy day for emails and bookings but I also found time to start work on next years prices and some accounts. A clear night so a good view of the super moon. It felt fresher on Tuesday. We had a late morning appointment with the dentist after which we stayed for lunch at Byways. Also got some provisions for the next few days and tried a ice cream at the new parlour. Still be interested to see how long it lasts. As we had a quiet afternoon I caught up with some accounts. A couple of heavy showers passed through. All eyes were on the forecast for Wednesday. Promising to be the best day of a showery week it was also the Ashover show. We decided we would go if it stayed relatively dry but it did get off to a cool and showery start. Chris watered the hanging baskets for the first time in a few days and I spent some time tidying up around the green house and chatting to guests. It brightened up mid morning and after an early lunch we headed to Ashover and parked easily. An enjoyable afternoon with the dogs wandering around the stands and bumping into people we knew. We didn’t see any of our neighbours although they were there. The locals prefer the Ashover Show to the Bakewell Show as it is a proper agricultural show. Only one downpour and luckily we were in the horticultural tent at the the time. Before we left I visited the food tent so I could grab any bargains as they often reduce the prices rather than take stock back. On the way out we stopped at the cattle tent but disappointingly a lot had already been loaded up for their journeys home but I had a look at the sheep before they went. Enjoy the photos.
A lot of rain
Friday 8 August saw one departure but no arrivals at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) and I headed to Bakewell early to get provisions for the weekend. There have been some changes in Bakewell in the last few weeks. The toy shop has moved to the other side of the road and in its place an ice cream parlour has opened. We have taken bets on how long that will last. A branch of Fatface has opened as has a branch of the Grape Tree which was set up by the same team who did Julian Graves. One cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. The rest of the day went in preparations for Saturday including ironing bedding. We had been expecting rain and the first heavy shower arrived just after lunch. 
The heavier rain arrived about 5pm just as Joanna was bringing in the cows for milking. The rain was heavy enough to leave grooves in the gravel in the courtyard and with lightening close by Chris switched off the phones and computers. When I took the dogs out in the evening I noticed the first mushrooms in the fields. Saturday was the calm before the storm with a fine warm day. Six departures, including the German family and one cottage staying for a second week. With six arrivals three cleaners here so a very busy morning. Chris cut the grass and I managed to complete checks and jobs before first arrivals at 3pm. A steady stream of arrivals and all here by 5.30. Five have been before so plenty of 
gossip to catch up with! Had heard that the fish have been taken out of the River Lathkill as the waters are very low, they will be put back in later in the year. Bertha arrived as forecast on Sunday morning, in fact the rain was so heavy that the drains on the hill down to Bakewell couldn’t cope. Apparently the Mountain Warehouse basement flooded in Fridays rain. No departures or arrivals so a day of housework and catchup. A break in the rain at lunchtime was followed by breezier conditions and showers. We recorded one and a half inches of rain from Friday morning to Sunday evening. It was quite windy when I took the dogs out later and more of the same is forecast for the week ahead.
Some friends visit
With no arrivals or departures on Monday 4 August at our Bolehill cottages (see here) I went down to the market to get provisions for the next few days. With the Bakewell Show taking place there would be limited parking in the centre of town on Wednesday and Thursday and many shops close on the Thursday so I thought it best to stock up. Another pleasant day with usual Monday tasks and a lot of cow movement and fly spraying of cows in our front field. Chris spent a lot of time outside mowing the lawns, watering plants and feeding plants and strimming edges. In the afternoon I did some preparations for our friends who were coming to stay. I also had some preparations for a village hall committee meeting that evening. Tuesday was a bit cooler and cloudy. I had planned to go to 
Buxton in the morning before our friends arrived but never made it but as they were coming that way we went and met them for lunch in Buxton then had a walk around the town. By the time we headed home it was raining but it cleared up in the evening when we went to the Packhorse Inn at little Longstone for a very nice meal. We haven’t eaten there for ages and it is a dog friendly pub. Wednesday was the first day of the Bakewell Show and we had got tickets for our friends. We had one departure and one arrival to deal with and in the morning I went to Buxton 
to do a Morrisons shop. It was sunny and warm when I got back but within minutes we were watching a heavy storm pass over which drenched show goers. One cleaner here after lunch and time for some odd jobs before friends came back and we had a relaxing evening. Guests were delayed by heavy traffic and arrived about 6pm. Our friends departed on Thursday morning and with an uncertain forecast we headed to Leek for a few hours. There was plenty of heather out at the Roaches as we passed, this is a few weeks earlier than usual. The sky looked threatening on a couple of occasions but we didn’t see any rain. Back later in the afternoon via the Smithy at Monyash where I picked up a nice cream. Another nice sunset in the evening but they are starting to get earlier!
A wetter weekend
Friday 1st August was forecast to be wet from lunchtime onwards at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) but in reality it rained on and off during the day so unable to dry washing outside for the first time in a long time. Two departure and one arrival and one cleaner here. Spent the day putting up curtains in Sheepfold and preparations for Friday’s and Saturday’s arrivals. Chris had hoped to cut the grass but couldn’t. Cottage arrived at 6.30. For the first time in ages I had to wear my raincoat to take the dogs out in the evening. Saturday saw two departures and six arrivals with one cleaner here as other cottages were already prepared. Expected a wet day but after a wet morning it brightened and warmed up in time for the first guests arrivals. A steady stream of arrivals
between 3pm and 5.30 pm, four have been before so it was nice to catch up on news. Our of the arrivals three have already been here this year and one is here for two weeks. Additional our German family is here for another week. A showery forecast for Sunday but in the end it wasn’t too bad. We decided to go to Peak Rail as they were having their 1940’s weekend. We had been a couple of years ago and thought we would go early as they have a re-enactment later in the day which involved guns being fired and the dogs didn’t like this. Unfortunately 
during the morning they were letting of some of the guns intermittently and Blue didn’t like that so we left by midday. One of our cleaners was at a steam gala the other side of Matlock so we thought we would drive there but when we saw her car heading in our direction (she said it wasn’t as good as usual) we changed our minds. So we had a leisurely drive stopping at Matlock Garden Centre, Ogston Reservoir and stopping at Edensor tea room for lunch. A quiet afternoon doing bits round the house.
July’s weather stats:
Highest temp 26.1 deg C on 26th July with warmest day 26th and night 18th. Lowest temp on 5th of 8.7 deg C with 5th being coldest day and 6th the coldest night. Wettest day 31st with .52 inches rain, which fell in an hour and total 1.83 inches for month. (2013 3.52 inches).
Cooling down
It started nice and sunny again at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) on Monday. Won’t be saying that for much longer by the look of the forecast. One departure and one arrival with one cleaner here. Usual Monday tasks as well as catching up from the weekend. Made the most of the nice weather to do some extra washing. Guests arrived just after 3.30. Later there was one of those sunsets which gives a red hue to everything so I went out and took some photos. Tuesday 29 July was a little cooler and more cloud was around. No departures or arrivals and the morning went in a lot of those five minute jobs that keep getting put off. After lunch Chris and I went to Chesterfield to do a Bookers run. After that we called in at B&Q and Dunelm before heading home. It was looking ominous and we had some drizzle and the evening felt quite cool when I took the dogs out. Will have to put the heating back on soon at this rate! Wednesday started cloudy but we had some late afternoon sunshine. Odd jobs again in the morning including some mat washing and the afternoon went in tidying up and checking board games in the leisure area and tidying up the area itself. A chat with the Dutch guests who are leaving early on Thursday morning and they gave me a bunch of roses which was nice. Thursday saw two departures and no arrivals but one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. A warm but cloudy start with the threat of thundery showers at lunchtime which didn’t materialise. Down to Bakewell first thing Friday to get provisions for the next few days. In the afternoon I got Chris to put some new curtain rails up in Sheepfold and I hemmed some new curtains for the twin bedroom. It turned out warm and sunny in the afternoon so later we thought we would have a ‘sundowner’ but just as we sat out the clouds rolled in and then it started raining. In an hour half an inch of rain fell and it thundered so we had two traumatised dogs. Later it cleared up and when I took the dogs out for their evening walk we watched the mist rise from the dales but as I hadn’t taken the camera I didn’t get any photos.
Another hot weekend
Friday 25 July was another warm sunny day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link). Three departures but no arrivals and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. A day of preparing for the weekend especially as we were going away Saturday night leaving the place and the dogs in another pair of hands. Our first night away for five years! Saturday was really hot, hotter than expected and we recorded the highest temperature of the year so far at 26 degrees. Two departures including the Dutch family and four arrivals with one cleaner here. Down to Bakewell for Farmers Market to stock up on provisions. Cleaning didn’t take long and neither did final checks so we could get ourselves ready too as we had overnight bags to pack. Found a new job for myself in washing lampshades, some can actually be washed and dry with no marks. Chris still had to water the hanging baskets again, they are looking very nice. First two cottages here by 3.30 with another one by 4pm. One has been before. Final cottage arrived just after 6pm, this was a German family who are here for two weeks. We set off just after 7pm to spend the rest of the evening with our friends in Yorkshire. On Sunday we had a ride on the North York Moors Railway planned. We had a good day with our friends and some of their other friends, most of which we knew, helping our friends celebrate their wedding anniversary with lunch on the train (they are volunteers on the North York Moors Railway). On the return leg of the train journey we were pulled by the Sir Nigel Gresley. Although cooler than of late it was still a very pleasant day. In our absence another cottage, already prepared, arrived. I had already emailed them detailed instructions, it’s not often we are not there to meet guests. Back late Sunday night after a very nice day. Look forward to the next break!
Chestnut Centre
Tuesday 22 July was another hot day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link). No departures or arrivals and I spent time sorting out a spare bedroom in the morning and after lunch went to Peak Village then Bakewell which was very busy. In the evening a hot air balloon passed over, we have been seeing quite a lot of them recently. With another hot day forecast on Wednesday and being too hot for a walk we opted for the Chestnut Centre near Chapel en Le Frith which is about thirty minutes away but does not allow dogs. (They had a quiet day at home)! We stopped at the cafe at Monsal Head for coffee and cake (sorry no photos) before driving to the centre. I would recommend being there for early afternoon to see the feeding of the animals and we spent an enjoyable few hours looking at the otters, owls and deer. Headed back via Brough to get some more weed killer from the agricultural merchants and also detoured via the Longstones to see their well dressings. In the evening we abandoned the dogs again and went down to Piedaniels for a meal, their set meal being very good value. Thursday was another at home day doing bits around the house. No departures but Dutch couple here for a second week and another cottage here for a few more days. Still hot and Chris is spending a couple of hours every day watering plants. Green Cowden Farm were hay making. After lunch I finished last quarter’s accounts and we did the VAT returns. As a reward later in the afternoon we went on a picnic, this time walking across to Kirk Dale. We got to the end of Andrew’s first field when we saw that the water trough was empty which was worrying as the field had cows in. The water board had been checking pipes in the area because of low pressure so we phoned Andrew and also walked back home to check our water levels in the holding tanks. With everything OK we then set off for a second time on our picnic. It felt really hot as we enjoyed the evening sun with the silence punctuated by baling machines. At this rate farmers will soon be silaging again. Enjoy the photos.
… and a thunderstorm!
It was raining when we got up on Saturday 19 July at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link) and it
rained constantly during the morning. Four departures, one has booked for next year, but only one arrival but two cleaners up to keep up with cleaning. Due to the rain only did what was necessary in the cottages so I did not get too wet so spent time on accounts and housework. Saturday was also Sheldon fete day which we would like to have gone to and could have done but because of the weather didn’t. A brief respite in the rain mid afternoon before the next round of storms and again all the computers went off so dogs not happy. Cottage finally arrived about 6pm, a 
Dutch family, but at least it had stopped raining. After all the rain Sunday was another sunny day, not as warm as recently but very pleasant all the same. No departures or arrivals so took 
advantage of the nice afternoon to go to Winster to see the open gardens. We had been a number of years ago so it was nice to have another wander around the village with the dogs. They were allowed in most gardens many of which are on a number levels as the village is on a hillside. Some of the lanes are quite steep and very narrow and we visited the church which we have not done before. Many of the gardens had refreshments and we bumped into some of our guests enjoying a cream tea in one garden. We enjoyed refreshments in some of the gardens too and we finished at the garden with the steepest slopes and best views (we could see Bolehill) before heading home and a 
quiet evening in. Monday was another warm day. Two departures and four arrivals and one cleaner up as some cottages had been cleaned on the Saturday. Chris spent most of the morning watering the plants. A busy morning with usual Monday jobs and 
final checks on cottages but everything ready for guests arrivals from 3 to 5 pm with final cottage arriving at 630. One had been before.
Three days of summer …
Wednesday 16 July saw the continuation of the fine weather at out Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Went down to Bakewell first thing to get my hair cut and get some provisions for the next few days especially as I am running low on ice creams! Spent time in afternoon chatting with guests which is often the case when we have a number of return guests but it is also nice to see guests chatting to each other too. After a hectic couple of hours on Tuesday evening caught up with emails and bits. Thursday saw the highest temperature of the year so far with two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here. First guests, a Dutch 
couple who have been before, arrived just after 3pm. The second cottage, who have also been before, arrived about 5pm. We had tickets for an event at Chatsworth in the evening so set off about 7pm for a picnic and firework display in the gardens of Chatsworth. This had been organised by the tourist board with the Dukes permission. It was a lovely evening and we found a nice spot to listen to the jazz band and enjoy our picnic. We had time for a stroll around the gardens and grounds and said hello to some other accommodation providers that we knew before the short firework display. A lovely sunset so 
enjoy the photos. Friday was the day I was waiting for weather wise as the forecast was for 28degress here but it never materialised. It remained cloudy and cool until later in the day. Dutch couple from last week departed and we had one arrival later in the afternoon so one cleaner here. The overnight forecast was for intense storms so Chris spent about half an hour switching off computers etc which traumatised the dogs as they don’t like machines that beep. Luckily apart from some rumbling and grumbling and a few flashes there was nothing to worry about except my computer wouldn’t start on Saturday morning!