Sunday was a pleasant day weather wise at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). One departure and one arrival but cottage already prepared. A quiet day chatting to guests and jobs around the house. By the time the cottage arrived at 5.30, they have been before, it meant all the seven occupied cottages were previous guests. Monday by contrast was quite a dismal day. Drizzle and rain peppered the day and it turned quite humid. No arrivals or departures and our friends from Yorkshire were calling in for lunch on their way to a stay in a local hotel for a few nights so I popped over to the Chatsworth farm shop to get some lunch. In the afternoon we went to Buxton to do a Morrisons shop and on the way back we called in at our friends at Chelmorton. Tuesday was a better day weather wise with a sunny morning but a bit more cloud in the afternoon. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here. Tuesday handyman here too. I gathered most of the information and figures for the Valuation return, that took all afternoon and guests arrived at 4.30. In the evening we drove over to the Izaak Walton Hotel and met up with our friends for a very nice meal. Wednesday was a fine sunny day with the temperature tempered by the breeze. Cleaner with broken wrist called in for coffee and then Chris went back to her place to do some odd jobs and I followed behind making a detour to the recycling centre and then the Outlet Village before picking him up. It was too busy for lunch at Edensor so we picked up some rolls from Chatsworth farm shop. One arrival here at 3.30. Later in the afternoon it was nice enough for a picnic so we parked at Over Haddon and walked the Dale to Conksbury Bridge. There were sheep along the Dale and Blue disgraced himself again (see separate dog’s blog) then on to our picnic stop for a couple of hours with a lovely blue sky and warm evening sunshine. Evening rounded off with a drink at the Lathkil. Enjoy the photos.
cottages near Buxton
Monyash Gardens
It rained all Friday night at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell see here. It remained wet for most of Saturday and you know I dislike changeovers in the rain. Four departures and five arrivals and two cleaners here. The milk cows were out for the first time Friday night, almost a month later than usual. All cleaning and checks completed by lunchtime and the rain eased off for a couple of hours. Three arrivals here by 3.30 and remaining two by 4pm. Three have been before, one before we 
were here and they had found some pictures of how Bolehill looked at least twenty years ago! The forecast for Sunday was constantly changing so it was nice to wake up to some sunshine even if it didn’t last. Two departures but no arrivals. We had hoped to go to the Monyash open gardens and the forecast indicated that the morning would be best so we went in time for opening at 11am.
looking to Bolehill
Monyash church like a number of churches in the area needs some roof repairs not helped by some lead being stolen before Christmas. Although we have walked round Monyash many times, like Birchover, we still found houses hidden down little alleyways we didn’t know existed and today we found the Quaker cemetery only visible from someone’s back garden! From one garden we could also make out the trees surrounding our property. There was also a vintage car rally passing through the village so there was plenty to see. We got back to the car just as it started to drizzle. The afternoon went in housework and odd jobs and there were a few passing showers so I think we chose well to go in the morning.
A breezy start to June
Monday 1st June started dry and sunny at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here. The usual routines for a Monday with laundry and rubbish collections and more cows were moved around fields. Still waiting to hear about silaging. Left Chris to welcome the cottage who arrived at 3pm while I went to Buxton to pick up some items from Argos and visit Morrisons. It was raining by the time I got to Buxton. By the time I got home the wind was picking up and the evening turned very wet and windy. We had a short 
power cut later in the evening and the strength of the wind led Chris to take all the parasols down. By the morning the wind had died down but we had had an inch of rain. A very wet start to June. Tuesday started fine but the breeze picked up and it was very windy around lunchtime. One departure and two arrivals and one cleaner here. Tuesday handyman also here and together with Chris they filled in the holes on the front lawn which now resembles a beach! Both arrivals here between 3&4pm 
and afterwards I did some accounts. Despite the recent poor weather we were reminded that forty years ago this area saw snow and the cricket match at Buxton was stopped due to snow. Finally on Wednesday we had some warmth! A quiet morning checking on plants and dealing with emails and Chris did some weed spraying. An early lunch after which Joanna collected me and we went to Chesterfield Hospital to visit one of the Over Haddon WI ladies who has been admitted. Back late afternoon and spent some time chatting with guests before tea then took the dogs for a walk. They have started silaging at our next door but one neighbours and Andrew might start silaging at the weekend if the weather holds.
April’s Weather stats
Friday got off to a sunny start at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). For me I was back off to Buxton as I had a half priced spa treatment booked at the Dome. I get regular emails with offers from the Spa, usually so that the students at the college can practice their newly acquired skills. By the time I emerged late morning it had already clouded up and by the time I had got some provisions for the weekend and got back to the car it had started to rain. Back home the afternoon went in emails including some bookings, and chatting to guests. I also did some preparations for Saturdays arrivals. The rain increased during the afternoon so the dogs and I got very wet when we went for our evening walk. Saturday started with showers but brightened up in the afternoon. Four departures and five arrivals and two cleaners here. With some early departures cleaning was under way by 9.30 and all cleaning was completed by midday as a couple of the cottages were already prepared. All checks completed by lunchtime. Four cottages arrived between 3 and 3.30 with final cottage at 4.45. All have been before so it was nice to catch up with the guests. Time for some house jobs before cooking dinner and taking the dogs for a walk. Sunday was a fine day weather wise. No arrivals or departures so a quiet day for us.
Nearly forgot April’s weather statistics! Highest temp on 6th of 17.6 C and lowest on 27th of 0.7 C. Warmest day was 6th and night 10th with coldest day 1st and night 12th. Wettest day was 3rd with .26 inches rain with total for month 0.9 inches. (April 2014 1.83 inches).
The first swallow
Back to normal on Tuesday at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) but I kept thinking it was Monday. No departures but one arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Tuesday handyman here and he and Chris checked roof tiles and tidied up the log store so they could start chopping logs for next winter. A windy day with passing showers but not as wet as forecast. It was still mild and we saw the first swallows at Bolehill, although we had already seen some down at Andrews. For me jobs in the cottages and some accounts. Cottage arrived at 5.30 having been held up by a coach crash on the motorway. Wednesday was the worst day of the week weather wise. Cool and wet but it dried up later in the day. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here. Short of cleaners over the next week so Chris and I helped out with the cleaning on 
Wednesday. Chris helped bring more cows across to this side of the road. Plenty of emails and phone calls to keep me going too. Had hoped for better weather on Thursday, it started a bit showery but brightened up a little in the afternoon. We decided to go to Buxton for a few hours. Chris needed some new overalls anyway. On the way back we called in at the nursery, our hanging baskets will still be a few more weeks. Later in the afternoon we went down to Bakewell to vote and get provisions for the weekend. Andrew was having his fields sprayed for weeds so the machine came over and did our big front field. Hopefully this means Chris won’t have to spend hours walking up and down the fields spraying thistles!
A quiet weekend
Friday started sunny but cold at our Bolehill cottage near Bakewell (see here). Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner here. Chris and handyman carried on in Shippon and I carried on with jobs in the cottages and house. As it felt pleasant out of the wind I did some more tidying up of planters etc in the afternoon. Guests arrived at 8pm, they have been before. Saturday was milder with the threat of showers but it stayed dry until later in the day. Two departures but no arrivals. After saying goodbye to departing guests I went down to Bakewell to the Farmers Market which was quite busy. When I got back Chris told me that the hunt had been across our land, I had seen some of the hunt cars on the way back so I knew it was in the area. After coffee I did some checks on the vacated cottages as I do if they are not going to be cleaned immediately. Chris did some more jobs in Shippon and in the afternoon I did some WI work and prepared a shopping list for my next trip to Chesterfield. Green Cowden will start lambing in two weeks time. Sunday 1st March was a cold day with passing wintry showers. We invited the cottage over for coffee and also showed them what we had been doing in the other cottages as they have stayed in most of them. We stocked up on logs and the rest of the afternoon went in odd jobs. In the evening we went to Buxton to see a production of Madame Butterfly at the Opera House. A good show but we went in the 4×4 just in case there was snow, as it had been forecast for the evening in Buxton, but none materialised.
Castleton 8 Feb
Sunday was forecast to be another nice day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Bad news from our main cleaner who had fallen over whilst out roller skating with friends on Saturday night and broken her wrist. Was able to cover her days for following week but she is going to be out of action for a couple of months. The snow is thawing pretty quickly now and I have spotted the first snowdrops! As we hadn’t been out for a while we thought we would drive over to Castleton and perhaps have a short walk. We picked up the paper in Bakewell and drove over to Castleton noting that there was still a lot of snow around and more as we reached Castleton. approaching Winnats Pass we could see where someone had been skiing down the hillside (there was a picture of it in the Independent). The aim was to go up to the Mam Tor car park and do a short walk to the top but despite getting there reasonably early the car park was already full and very icy as was the path up the Tor. Over the hillside looking towards Buxton and Glossop we could see it was foggy whereas we were in glorious sunshine with bright blue skies. No wonder it was so busy so we headed back down into Castleton and had a wander with the dogs stopping for coffee and cake (of course). Back home and time for some jobs before an early tea and off to the village hall for the monthly film night. This time it was Silver Linings Play book. Monday saw another day of wall to wall sunshine and blue skies. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here. A different day for us today. We were heading to a hotel not far from Leeds to meet up with our friends from Yorkshire for lunch. This was to help my friend celebrate her birthday and we were joined by another couple and had a very enjoyable time. Headed back late afternoon noticing there was a nice sunset with the colours in the sky lasting for a long time. Cottage, who have been here a couple of times, arrived in our absence but I popped round and checked everything was OK before settling down for the evening – after I had sorted out all the phone calls and emails.
A short autumnal walk
waiting for mistress
Friday was a pleasant day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell see (here). Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here. Down to Bakewell late morning to get provisions for the weekend. First cottage here just after 3pm and second cottage just after 5.30. In the evening Chris sorted out some computer problems for one of the guests. Nice having a technical expert around! The milk cows are now in overnight. Saturday saw the first real rain in a long time, in fact overnight there was almost as much rain as in the whole of September. Five departures with three arrivals and three cleaners here. Despite the rain cleaning was finished before lunch so plenty time for odd jobs and final checks. By lunchtime the sun had come out but it felt a lot cooler than of late. First guests arrived just after 3pm, they have been before. Second cottage about 4pm and final one 4.30. Did some accounts and chatting to guests. A cold night Saturday into Sunday with frost at Buxton where it went down to 2 degrees. Sunday 5th October was a beautiful day, sunny but cool. Decision. Accounts or walk? Well with the forecast for the week ahead it had to be a walk. I had recently seen an aerial video of Magpie Mine and it reminded us that we hadn’t had a good look at it for a while. We set off with the aim of having lunch at Sheldon . When we got to the pub we found a couple of our guests there so we joined them for lunch. Then we walked back via the mine and took plenty of photos. At the last field before the green lane the cows followed us up to the gate so Blue was not happy. It had stayed sunny all afternoon which was nice. In the evening we went to Buxton to see the Halle Orchestra give a performance in aid of the Blythe House Hospice charity, first time we have seen an orchestra perform at Buxton. Enjoy the Magpie pictures.
Getting things done
Monday 27/1 saw one arrival but no departures at our Bolehill Cottages (see here). Chris and handyman continued work in Dove with attention turning to finishing off and painting so furniture can go back in. No cleaner but cottage ready for arrivals after I had done my checks. T hey arrived just after 3pm. With accounts out of the way for the moment I can catch up on my annual checks in the cottages. This includes checking the inventory in every cottage and replacing worn items. An excuse for shopping! In the evening I went to indoor bowls in Over Haddon. On Tuesday we had one departure after which we went to Chesterfield with a list of items to buy for Dove and other cottages. Our stops included B&Q, Screwfix, Dunelm and the Dulux paint shop. Guess which one I enjoyed most! We called into town and had lunch there. Wednesday was a colder day with forecast of wintry showers although none materialised. A busy morning with phone calls and emails and in the afternoon I went to Buxton to get more bits for Chris from one of the builders merchants. I had a quick walk around town too. The bathroom floor is now down in Dove and painting finished. Fixtures can start going back up now.
More Buxton!
Tuesday, the first day of the last quarter of the year, was a dull day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link). Had expected to see more of the sun but never mind. A quiet day with plenty to keep us occupied and in the evening we went to the Opera House again this time to see “Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance” which was a show featuring song and dance numbers from theatre and film. It was very good. Wednesday again stayed dull. A morning of odd jobs and in the afternoon I finalised the WI accounts. Chris collected the suite from Belper in the afternoon and in the evening I went to Joanna’s for the monthly WI committee meeting. I had to collect one of the members from Over Haddon as she was unable to drive and it was quite foggy at this end but clear in Over Haddon. Despite the forecast of some decent weather on Thursday morning it remained overcast. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. Needed to do a supermarket shop so headed to Buxton and Chris came with me. Went into town first then Morrisons before heading back home. By now it was raining quite heavily but it was mild. Cottage arrived about 5.30. There are signs of autumn around with leaves changing colours but at least we are supposed to see some sun this weekend!