I have always been aware of the village of Shirley the other side of Ashbourne ever since we moved to our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell  (see here).  I also have a book of walks that has a five mile circular walk from Osmanston to Shirley.  Although a bit cloudy to start with on Tuesday 15 July we set off and headed to Osmaston parking in the village hall car park.  Osmaston has some thatched houses, unusual for Derbyshire, and the walk sets off along a bridle way, also known as the Bonnie Prince Charlie Walk, through Osmaston Park.  The first interesting building we came across was an old mill which was built in an alpine style complete with waterwheel.  Continuing on we came across a field of poppies, before taking the lane into Shirley.  The walk heads off before going into the village but we chose to take a look around.  We came across the pub and decided to have lunch there although we had packed sandwiches.  The pub looked old fashioned on the outside but was very modern and busy on the inside.  We sat outside in the small garden with the dogs and had some nice sandwiches.  After a stroll around the village (I was looking for a ‘Shirley’ road sign so I could take a picture of it but couldn’t find one) we picked up the Centenary Way. On this part of the walk we went through a number of crop fields, it’s amazing how the agriculture could be so different and yet it was only about twenty five miles away from Bakewell.  By now the sun had come out so it felt warm.  We soon turned off onto another path heading back to Osmanston.  This passed the remains of Osmaston Hall (a chimney tower) which was demolished in the 1960’s.  After we got back to the car we had a scenic drive around to Shirley and found a road sign to photograph.  Then onto Ashbourne where we picked up some tea from M&S.  On the way home we realised we hadn’t visited the well dressings at Over Haddon so swung by and parked in the car park.  We had time for late tea and cake at the Garden Tea room where we had a chat with the owners before walking round to the well dressings.  We also stopped t the pub for a beer tapas before finally making our way home.  Just as well I wasn’t hungry as there were a number of emails and phone calls waiting for us which resulted in three bookings before bedtime!  Enjoy the photos.

Friday 11 July was another fine day at our Bolehill cottages  near Bakewell (see link).  Two departures and three arrivals with two cleaners here.  Another pleasant weekend was forecast and I headed to Chatsworth to get provisions for the weekend later in the morning.  First Guests arrived just after  3pm.  They are from Holland and are the first of many Dutch guests over the next few weeks.  Second arrival was here just after 5pm, they are here for the Pride and Prejudice Ball at Chatsworth, complete with costumes!  Final arrival here just after 7pm, they are here to do the the White Peak Walk, an annual walk that starts and finishes in Monyash.  Nice enough to eat al fresco.  Saturday saw four departures and three arrivals and two cleaners here.  Another warm day and cleaning finished before lunchtime.  Two arrivals here by 4pm, one has been before and final cottage here just after 5pm, they were last here many years ago.  It clouded up by the evening but was still nice enough to eat outside.  We watched an aerial display over Haddon Hall, the Hall was closed for the weekend and is usually closed for one weekend in July (for family purposes).  Rain had been forecast for later in the day and this arrived after 8pm.  Sunday had seen a forecast of showers but it wasn’t too bad in the end.  One departure and one arrival but cottage already cleaned.  A quiet day finding time to relax as well as doing some housework.  Not warm enough to eat al fresco though.  Cottage arrived at 3pm.  Monday saw one departure and two arrivals with one cleaner here and I went down to Bakewell first thing to visit the market.   Another pleasant day and arrivals here just after 3pm then 5pm.  Both have been before.  A busy evening and good weather looks set to continue.

Thursday 10 July dawned sunny and warm at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link).  Initially the forecast had been for showers but the forecast had improved.  With no departures or arrivals and it being our day off I had opted for a walk to Chatsworth with the hope of catching a glimpse of the Queen.  Like all good plans glitches prevented us from setting off early as we would have liked from the Bakewell station car park. We were treading a familiar route along the Monsal Trail and across the golf course before the rocky ascent up to Calton Pastures.  A glimpse back to make out Bolehill Farm in the distance before the trek across to New Piece Wood where we emerged at the spot I had hoped to see the Queen.  Unfortunately it was too far from the road.  Good for the Red Arrows but not for the Queen so we started walking down the hill.   We assumed it was already too late but luckily it wasn’t and we managed to see the procession as it made its way to Chatsworth House but I didn’t have my camera ready so only got a picture of the car in the distance. Within a few minutes we had a better view of the the crowds outside Chatsworth House where the Queen was visiting  stalls set up to showcase local producers.  A number of primary schools were there too.  We crossed the road near Edensor and found a nice spot to watch the proceedings from the hillside and eat lunch at the same time.  After lunch we took the lane up through Edensor which came out on the minor road to Ballcross Farm.  Nice views across  the local countryside before the descent down a rocky path to emerge back at the golf course.  Back home via the Smithy at Monyash for ice cream and a shower and change before heading out to Longnor.  Last summer we had enjoyed a guided walk round Longnor as a WI outing and we planned to come back on the first Thursday in July that the weather was good to do more.   A couple of husbands came too and we all enjoyed our guided tour finishing with fish and chips.  A lovely sunset on the way back but my photos looking towards Chrome (pronounced Kroom by locals) Hill didn’t do the lovely purple colours justice.

Some overnight rain then Saturday 5th July dawned dry, bright and warm at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Two departures and three arrivals and with early departures cleaning was finished by coffee time.  We usually have a team coffee break but on this occasion one went home to get ready to go to the carnival and the other one was going for a walk with her husband.  I watched the beginning of the Tour de France to see the Red Arrows fly past then did the final checks of the cottages.  As they close the roads in Bakewell for the carnival I always let the guests know and allow them to arrive a little earlier to beat the closures.  With only three arrivals (two have been before) and two of them here by just after 2pm, we decided to go to the carnival for the first time since we moved here.  We parked at Lady Manners and walked down to town and managed to bag a nice spot by the Derbyshire Building Society in the shade as we had the dogs with us too.  The parade starts at 3pm from the recreation ground and the first you know of the approaching carnival is the band, this year led by the Bakewell Silver Band. It took some time for all the floats and bands to pass. Smudge took it all in his stride but the beating drums of the bands unnerved Blue.  The parade made its way along Matlock Street then Bath Street before making its way back round Bridge Street then heading back down Matlock street to the recreation ground.  In fact the Bakewell Silver Band had to wait for the last of the floats to pass before they could proceed back down Matlock street.  We headed up to Naughty and Nice for tea and cake before the parade finished so we were ahead of the rush.  Back home and caught up with the final arrivals before a quiet evening in.

Tuesday was the first day of the second half of the year at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link).  Six months gone already!   One departure and no arrivals with one cleaner here.  As we had no arrivals and the forecast was fine we headed to Hartington for a walk.  There are a number of walks from this village but I chose one we have done many times before.  A threatening sky seemed to follow us to start with but it brightened up later on the walk.  We set off on the path behind the public toilets that heads to Dove Dale, across open fields first into Beresford Dale where a piece of local history, the fishing lodge built in honour of Izaac Walton, is up for sale.  This emerges in Wolfscote Dale, which was a bit busier than Beresford Dale, and further down the dale we stopped and observed a pair of nesting peregrine falcons that had the attention of a number of walkers.  Into Biggin Dale and a stop for lunch.  Further along the way we met a walker with two collies and we got chatting and I realised we had exchanged emails as he has a website of local walks which has a link to our website.  Small world.  At a junction of paths we ignored the continuation of Biggin Dale and turned of on a another path that would lead us back to Hartington along quiet lanes and paths.  By now the sun had emerged from the clouds and it felt really warm.  When we got to the Youth Hostel we thought about stopping for tea and cake but a group of school children were being checked in so we carried on into Hartington.  A quick trip into the cheese shop before heading home.  Joanna popped up with a chocolate cake to say thank you for helping with cows recently.  A quiet evening enjoying the pleasant sunshine.  Enjoy the photos.

The weather stats for June are as follows: highest temperature 23.1 deg C on 23rd which was also the warmest day with 18th having the warmest night.  Lowest temperature was 7.7 deg C on 6th with coldest day 28th and night 27th.  1.39 inches rain with .35 inches on the 9th.  (June 2013 had 1.32 inches rain).

Thursday 26 June started sunny and warm again at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).   One arrival but cottage already prepared.  Spent time feeding hanging baskets and chatting to guests as I did so.  After lunch did some accounts before we went down to help bring the cows in for milking.  By now it had clouded up and rain was threatening and it felt cooler.  Back in time for guests arrival.  They are here to do the dark to white peak walk which is a 27 mile walk from Hope to Bakewell over three days.  Friday was a lot cooler with more or less continuous rain.   Four departures and three arrivals and one cleaner.  Two arrivals here by 4pm, both have been before with final arrival about 7.30.  Had an early dinner so could pop down to Bakewell for a brief wine tasting at Hattersley Wines.  Saturday was even cooler than Friday.  Down to Bakewell first thing for the farmers market.  It is also the beginning of carnival week and well dressing in Bakewell so all the bunting is up.  Cleaning well under way by my return.  Three departures and four arrivals and two cleaners here.  Two arrivals between 3 and 4pm, both have been before with final two arrivals here by 5pm, they have also been before.  Sunday saw an improvement in the weather.  One departure but no arrivals and I spent most of the day doing jobs around the house.  It was quite pleasant later in the day when we went down to help bring in the cows again.  An improvement in the weather is forecast for the week ahead.  Monday was another better day weather wise. Three departures but no arrivals and a couple of days for cleaner to turn cottages round for next bookings.  Chris tested the repaired lawn mower and thankfully it worked.  Time chatting with guests as well as for some accounts, hard to believe we are already half way through the year and at the end of the second accounting quarter.

Tuesday 24 June started as another sunny warm day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Two departures with two arrivals and one cleaner here. The morning went in chatting to guests and a few jobs in the cottages.  After an early lunch I collected Joanna and Sue (our former WI president) from Bakewell and we headed to Tissington for a WI event.  2015 sees one hundred years of the WI and one way it is commemorating this is with a baton run through all the counties arriving at the 2015 AGM.  The baton was being handed over in Tissington for the next stage and there was a cream tea planned as well as the opportunity to visit some of the small shops in the village. We enjoyed our walk in the warm sunshine and we all bought something from one of the shops. We also enjoyed our cream tea in the sun wondering where the rain had gone but on the way home it started raining and the temperature dropped quite noticeably.  The cottages had arrived by the time I got home and Chris had seen them in.  Wednesday was cooler but still dry with a sunny start.  No arrivals or departures so had planned a walk.  I have always wanted to see Alport castle, a rock formation resembling a castle from a distance, near Snake Pass, which is thought to be one of the UK’s longest landslides.  I had planned a linear walk of seven miles and we parked in the car park near the war memorial by Ladybower Reservoir and took the bridleway adjacent to the car park.  This part of the walk was the hardest as it was steep and rocky and as we got to the top of Hagg Side the path levelled out.  At the junction of paths we continued across Rowlee and Birchinlee Pastures.  Up on the plateau we had some fine views over the moorland, could make out Win and Lose Hills, Mam Tor and the Snake Pass.  We could also see the stone formations on Derwent Edge.  The path was mainly grassy but at certain stages it had been laid with slabs, luckily the ground was dry. It took about two hours with the gradual ascent to reach a point where we could see the ‘castle’.  It had clouded over by now and the breeze had picked up but we found a sheltered spot to eat lunch.  Nearby there was a hide to watch local nesting birds.  The walk back to the car was quicker due to the slow descent and took ninety minutes.  We saw a golden plover but could hear curlews and grouse.  We had a quick trip into Hathersage to do the outdoor shops before heading home.  It brightened up again in the evening which was nice. Enjoy the photos.

Sunday was another warm sunny day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Two departures and one arrival. Headed to Ashford to get the paper as we knew it would be busy in Bakewell but then we thought we would see how busy it was.  As it was only 10am we managed to park in Bakewell and we walked round to the Show ground where L’Eroica was taking place.  The last of the riders had just set off but there was plenty to look at and plenty of stalls.  As I hadn’t taken a camera I couldn’t take any photos.  Never mind, it is supposed to be on again next year so I will take pictures then.  Back home, and after coffee, we turned a cottage round for the days arrival.  After lunch, al fresco again, we had a couple of hours relaxing and reading the paper. The L’Eroica programme indicated a spitfire fly past at 3pm, either it didn’t materialise or it flew so low we couldn’t see it.  Later in the afternoon we went to Monyash for an ice cream from the Smithy. Guests arrived just before 6pm and after dinner we headed over to Youlgreave to see the well dressings.  Excellent as usual.  Monday started warm and sunny and it felt warmer than the last few days.  Three departures and three arrivals and two cleaners here.  Mid morning I heard a car arrive in the car park and I assumed it was one of the guests returning from Bakewell market.  I walked down to the car park but did not recognise the guest, it took me a few seconds to realise it was my sister!  She and her boyfriend had been away from the weekend and thought she would drop in to see me as as they had been staying the other side of Leek and didn’t realise how close it was to Bakewell.  Despite having a busy day we found some time to spend with them.  Two arrivals here about 3pm with final one about 5pm. Two have been before.  My sister left later in the afternoon and after dinner I went to Over Haddon for the Village Hall Committee Meeting.  Monday also turned out to be the warmest day so far this year at Bolehill.