Autumn isn’t complete without a visit to Padley Gorge to admire the Autumn colours.  Always difficult to gauge the exact time to visit and although we were a week or two early we enjoyed our little excursion. We left after morning coffee on Thursday 20 October and found there were no parking spaces at Grindleford station so we parked further up the road near the Longshaw Estate and walked down the gorge first. There were a lot of photographers out trying to get the best shots and our walk was punctuated with many stops for photos.  At the bottom of the gorge we stopped for lunch at the station cafe before walking back up the gorge on the other bank.  Apart from one shower the day was sunny but tempered by a cool breeze.  When we got back to the car we decided to drive round to Ladybower via Hathersage to see what the colours were like there. They were coming through but we will wait a couple of weeks before going back. In the evening I went down to Bakewell for another dance session.  Friday was a bright and busy day. Four departures and four arrivals with three cleaners here.  All work completed by lunchtime. Chris found time in the afternoon to clear the lawns of leaves and stock up on logs. Two cottages here by 3.30 with remaining two arriving between 4.30 and 5pm.  All have been before.  Saturday was another fine day weather wise.  Two departures and three arrivals and one cleaner here.  Two cottages here by 3.30 and the final one by 4.30, two have been before.  In the evening we went to the Buxton Opera House for the first time in a long time to see the Tideswell Male Voice Choir performing a version of Les Miserables.  A very good performance was enjoyed by the full house.  Enjoy the photos.

Monday 10th October was fine but cool in the breeze.  One departure but no arrivals with one cleaner here.  Jobs in empty cottages in the morning and completed last quarters accounts in the afternoon. Tuesday was cool and overcast with passing showers, some heavy.  A number of visitors for coffee in the morning and we decided to go out for lunch.  No spaces at the Craft Center at Calver so we went round to the Garden Center at Calver Sough where we did find a table, albeit outside but under cover.  From here we went to visit one of our cleaners who has moved house.  Back later in the afternoon when I prepared for my trip to my sister.  On Wednesday morning I went down to Bakewell as usual for my dancing then back home and after lunch Chris drove me to Chesterfield station where I caught a train down to my sister returning Monday lunchtime. Chris coped admirably in my absence as usual!  On my return there were two arrivals to greet later in the afternoon, one of which has been before.  In the evening we went to the Over Haddon Village Hall for a harvest supper so at least I did not have to cook.  Tuesday was cold and wet.  No departures or arrivals so I caught up on paper work that had accrued in my absence.  Wednesday saw me down at Bakewell for dancing again leaving Chris to bid farewell to two departures. Chris made the most of the dry sunny morning to do some leaf clearing and in the afternoon I went to Sainsburys in Matlock to do some shopping. A last minute cancellation leaves us with a vacancy for next week, hopeful it will go, even at this late stage.

The last day of September was a pleasant, sunny day with no departures or arrivals. Down to Bakewell in the morning to get hair cut and provisions for the weekend. Autumn is approaching so the afternoon went on preparation jobs with logs being stacked and summer garden furniture and umbrellas being put away.  Chris also did some strimming in the garden.  Saturday was a lot cooler but despite the forecast we didn’t see any rain until the evening. Arriving guests told of the heavy rain they had driven through so we were lucky.  Seven departures and three arrivals with three cleaners here.  All work completed by lunch time and all cottages here by 4.30, two have been before. Still taking Smudge out for evening walks, even if it is by torchlight!  Sunday was a sunny, mild day.  A quiet day with no arrivals or departures so we caught up on jobs around the house. Monday was also a fine day, one of those mornings with mist sinking into the dale leaving blue skies behind.  No departures but two arrivals and one cleaner here.  Both cottages here just after 3pm, both have been before so we spent some time on accounts.  In the evening I went to Over Haddon for the Village Hall Committee meeting.  Tuesday saw another fine day.  No departures but one late booking arriving later in the afternoon.  Cottage already cleaned so just bed to make up and last minute checks.  The afternoon was spent completing tax returns. In the evening I went to the Village Hall for a defibrillator awareness session as Over Haddon has just had a defibrillator installed near the car park.

Weather stats September: 13th was warmest day with highest temperature of 25.4 C but also the wettest day. Warmest night was 5th.  Coldest day and night was 30th with lowest temp of 6.7 C. Total rain 1.95 inches (1.02 inches 9/15).

Monday 26th September gave a taste of things to come with a cool damp day.  One departure and two arrivals and one cleaner here.  Both cottages here about 4pm, one has been before and I had time to do some accounts and blogging.  Tuesday saw a dull morning.  No arrivals or departures and in the afternoon we went to Bookers at Chesterfield.  By the time we left the sun had come out and it turned warm.  Came home via Dunelm as I haven’t had a Dunelm fix for ages!  In the evening we had a lovely sunset so went out to the top field to take some photos. Wednesday was a pleasant day.  One departure and one arrival with one cleaner here at lunchtime.  Down to Bakewell for my dance class first thing.  In the afternoon I had planned to do some accounts but as it was so warm I ended up working outside as did Chris.  He strimmed some of verges.  Cottage arrived by 6pm, they have been before.  Thursday was a fine but breezy day.  Instead of a walk we decided to visit Calke Abbey, just south of Derby as we have never been there. First stop,was Biggin Hall Hotel for coffee as we have not been here for a while.  It took about an hour to get to Calke Abbey, driving there via Ashbourne and the A50.  It is a unique property as it has not been restored and that was one of the wishes of the family who passed it to the National Trust in lieu of death duties. It has had remedial work but has been left in the state of decline that it was found in.  It was really interesting and there are gardens and a cafe too.  It is set in parkland where there are a number of walks but we didn’t have time to do any of them.  We got home later in the afternoon by which time it had clouded up. Enjoy the photos.

Thursday 22nd September was a fine day and with no arrivals or departures we headed to Hartington for coffee and cake at the Beresford tea room.  From here we drove the short distance around to Beresford Lane from where we picked up the path along Wolfscote Dale.  We had planned a walk along the Rive Dove as far as Coldeaton Bridge and back.  It was not too busy and we enjoyed our walk in the warm sunshine.  At Coldeaton Bridge we found a spot to have lunch before returning the same way.  We drove back via Hartington for some cheeses and Monyash where I had an ice cream from the Smithy.  Every week recently I have been calling in and saying this will be my last ice cream of the season except it hasn’t been!  In the evening I went for an extra dance session.  Friday was fine but cooler.  A quiet day with one departure and one arrival and one cleaner here.  Made the most of the day with jobs around the house and preparations for Saturday which was another busy day.  Six departures and six arrivals and three cleaners here. Down to Bakewell for the Farmers Market first thing.  With a prompt start to cleaning all cleaning completed by lunchtime and all checks completed by the time of first arrivals.  A steady stream of arrivals between 3 and 5pm, all have been before. Sunday was fair but cool. No departures or arrivals and down to Bakewell to get paper first thing.  After overnight heavy rain the Showground was quite wet and we had planned on visiting the Food and Drink fair on over the weekend but decided not to.  Otherwise a quiet day but later in the afternoon we went down to the Garden Tearoom for tea and cake.  Wont be long before they close for winter.  Boohoo!  Enjoy the photos from Thursday.

The main topic of conversation on Wednesday 14 September was the storm of the previous night.  When I got down to Bakewell for my dancing session I found a pile of hail outside the hall that still hadn’t melted and one lady said driving through Bakewell had been like driving through a sea of foam.  There were also reports of a tornado in Sheffield a local farmer lost his barn roof and had a number of trees uprooted by a possible mini tornado.  Chris spent a few hours repairing the damage to the gravel in the courtyard and car park.  The tearoom in Over Haddon like a lot of places were cleaning up after the storm.  No arrivals or departures and with the continuing warm weather I opted for a lazy day rather than a walk.  A number of bookings and emails kept me occupied on my return from Bakewell and I took advantage of the warm weather and did a number of washes.  Spent time chatting to guests but did find an hour to sit and relax on the patio although there was more of a breeze than Tuesday.  We had a drive out to Monyash later in the afternoon to pick up some milk and enjoy an ice cream. Thursday was warmer than Wednesday.  One arrival and departure with one cleaner here.  Initially I had planned a supermarket shop but it seemed a shame to spend a warm afternoon in a supermarket.  The morning went quick enough by the time I had done some jobs in the house and garden and before I knew it the cottage had arrived at 4pm.  This week most of the guests have been before so we are more likely to find ourselves engaging in conversation with them during the day.  Another warm evening so probably the last time this year we ate dinner on the patio.

Monday 12 September was a mild but dull day.  Two departures and two arrivals and two cleaners here.  Morning went on cottage jobs and afternoon on blogging and emails.  Cottages arrived about 4pm. Tuesday was a sunny and very warm day. No departures but one arrival with one cleaner here who also dog sat as we were out in the morning.  The local tourist board had organised a familiarisation visit to Bolsover Castle for local accommodation providers in the area.  It has been nearly ten years since we were last there so it was nice to have a good look around.  After an introductory talk we tried out the new multi media tour guide as we explored the castle so we could give feedback to English Heritage.  It was a fascinating place and with all the pictures I took (over 100) I decided in a different life I would love to have been an architectural photographer if such a profession exists.  We left around lunchtime so stopped for lunch at the Cafe on the Green in Baslow.  Then a quick visit to Chatsworth Farm shop to get tea before back to Smudge.  As it was mid afternoon by the time we got back we had a quiet few hours catching up and chatting to guests and even sat outside for an hour.  By now it had clouded up and we could hear some rumbles of thunder.  We soon realised there was a storm approaching.  Cottage arrived at 6pm, they have been before and by the time I saw them in and chatted to guests on the way back to the house it had got very dark.  We have never experienced such a storm in all the years we have been here and we we had over half an inch of rain in a few minutes. It was all over in half an hour.  The sheet lightening continued for some time and later we realised this was no ordinary storm. Enjoy the (abbreviated collection) of photos.

Thursday  8 September was a fine day but cooler and fresher than of late.   One departure but no arrivals and a day of catching up with laundry and other jobs. Chris managed to cut the grass in the afternoon.  Andrew has done a third silage of some fields on our side of the road so a couple of times we walked around the back to see how they were getting on.  This is only the second time since we have been here that he has done a third silage.  They had cut on Tuesday but rowed and collected on Thursday.  Friday was a breezy day but still mild.  A busy day with four departures and two arrivals and two cleaners here.  Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend and by the time I got back cleaning was well underway.  Cows on this side of the road were moved into different fields, the grass has been growing so quickly in recent weeks.  Both cottages here just after 3pm giving me the rest of the afternoon to pay bills and prepare for Saturday.  After some heavy overnight rain Saturday dawned overcast and cooler with showers throughout the day.  Two departures and four arrivals with two cleaners here.  A lot of the work had already been done so this gave me the afternoon in between arrivals to catch up on blogging and accounts.  All cottages here by 5pm, all have been before.  The dull day gave way to a bright evening and along with a clear sunset I could see the mist rolling in across the dales. Nights  are drawing in and won’t be long before I won’t be taking Smudge for an evening walk. Sunday was a fine but breezy day and it was nice to see some sunshine.  One departure with one arrival and cottage already prepared.  Down to Bakewell to get the paper then decided to go to the tearoom at Over Haddon for coffee (and cake).  They were already busy and had a busy Sunday.  We had a quiet day ourselves with cottage, who has been before, arriving at 3pm. Enjoy the photos.

Monday 5th September was a fine day.  Two departures and three arrivals and two cleaners here.  One cottage arrived just after 3pm and two arrivals later in the day. Mid afternoon our friend from Yorkshire arrived for a short stay and in the evening we tried out the tapas at the Bridge Inn at Calver which we all enjoyed.  Tuesday was a very warm day and we decided to visit the gardens at Chatsworth House.  First stop Edensor Tearoom for coffee and cake.  At Chatsworth we had to park in the overflow car park but the gardens were not too busy.  They were putting the final preparations in place for the Beyond Limits Sculpture Exhibition and still clearing away from the Country Fair.  We walked quite a few miles around the grounds admiring or otherwise the sculptures.  My favourites were the Fruitcake and the Teardrop.  They are also still renovating the outside of the house.  Later in the afternoon we called in at the Farm Shop on the way home and as it was so warm in the evening we had a BBQ.  Wednesday was another warm day with no departures but one arrival with cottage already prepared.  After the first session of my dancing class I met up with Chris and friend for coffee in Bakewell.  We then set off for Tissington where we had lunch at Herbert’s Tearoom.  Had planned to sit outside but there was too many wasps around.  From here a short drive to Dove Dale car park where we walked as far as Hall Dale and back.  It was quite busy but we managed to cross the stepping stones later in the afternoon on the way back.  Drove home via Hartington to pick up some cheeses and then an ice cream from Smithys in Monyash.  Guests had arrived by time we got back. After tea al fresco our friend set off for home before it got too dark.  Enjoy the photos of Chatsworth and Dove Dale.