Thursday was forecast to be a fine day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) so it was disappointing when we had some early showers. I had planned a walk in Monks Dale near Millers Dale but with the showers we worried it might be too slippery under foot as it is rocky in places. It is one of a number of ‘dog friendly’ walks which have no or few stiles and are shorter in length. Plan B was a four mile walk near Hathersage around Carl Wark and Higger Tor. We parked at Surprise View car park where it was still cloudy but brightness was in the distance. The heather was not quite out, not that we were expecting it to be, so we have made a note to come back in a couple of weeks time when it should be at its best. We set off from the car park to the first viewing point then followed a fence that ran parallel to Millstone Edge. The path was easy going and as we had not arrived until nearly 1pm it wasn’t long before we stopped for lunch with wonderful views along the Hope Valley. We could make out Win Hill, Lose Hill, Mam Tor, Winnats Pass and the Hope Cement Works! The path continued to the bottom of Higger Tor which we skirted and picked up another path towards Carl Wark, an old fortified hill. A number of years ago we did a longer walk here and that time we climbed both hills. We also skirted Carl Wark and headed down to Burbage Brook. During the walk we had been able to make out Stanage and Burbage Edges. At the brook we picked up a minor path along the brook rather than the Sheffield Boundary path. There were highland cattle grazing on the opposite bank. By now the sun was coming out and it felt a lot warmer. When the path emerged at the main road we crossed it onto the Longshaw Estate then carried following the brook down to Lawrence Field. It was busy here with families enjoying the sunshine. We then picked up a sunken path that took us back to the main road and the car park. Home via Monsal Head as we wanted to avoid Bakewell and the show traffic. At least it was a nice evening. Enjoy the photos.
derbyshire cottages
A fine weekend
Friday was another fine day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). A breeze lowered the temperature but it remained dry. Off first thing to Bakewell to get my hair cut and get provisions for the weekend. Two departures and no arrivals and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Chris spent a lot of the day on gardening duties including grass cutting, strimming and weed killing. Some cows were moved back into the front field. I spent most of the afternoon preparing the empty cottages for Saturdays arrivals. Little Cowden Farm have managed to cut the
hay and Andrew was hoping to start a second silage this weekend but everyone is too busy. They started the second silage at Lynne’s. Saturday started fair but turned cooler with showers in the afternoon. Two departures and six arrivals with one cottage still here for another two weeks . One cleaner here and with a lot of the work already done the remaining cleaning and checks were completed by lunchtime. This gave me the afternoon to catch up on emails. First cottage not here until 3.45, then four more arrived at regular intervals until 5pm, two have been before and one 
was last here before we arrived. Final cottage here at 7pm, an Italian couple who are here for two weeks and for the fourth time! At least it brightened up again in the evening. Sunday was forecast to be sunny and warm and although it started cloudy it did brighten up but the sun really didn’t materialise until later in the day and the breeze kept the edge of the temperature again. Nevertheless after getting the paper we went to Chatsworth Farm Shop to get some picnic items. A quiet day but I got my picnic later in the day over at Kirkdale even if the sun did play hide and seek!
School’s out!
At least Monday 27th July was better weather wise at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). One departure and three arrivals and one cleaner here. The morning seemed to whiz by with bookings, laundry and rubbish collections. Cleaning finished by lunchtime. Feeling milder than Sunday with passing showers. First 
guests here by 3.30, with second cottage at 3.45 and final cottage at 4.30. Can tell the school holidays have began as we have families here now. In the evening went to the village hall for the postponed management committee meeting. Tuesday was a nice day weather wise. One departure and one cleaner here. Went down to Bakewell later in 
the morning to get provisions for the next few days. Bakewell certainly felt busier. Tuesday handyman here too and he and Chris finally finished logging. Blogging, paperwork and bookings in the afternoon and Andrew had to remove a cow that decided it would rather munch roadside than in the fields. Wednesday was sunny and dry but still cool for the time of year. One 
departure and one arrival and one cleaner here. Apart from that the rest of the day went in completing the non business rates form for the Valuation Office. Can think of better ways to spend a day but it is done now. Cottage arrived at 3.30. Thursday was dry and sunny and felt a lot 
warmer. Two departures with no arrivals and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. We went for a late lunch at Bonsall, home of the hen racing world championships, then had a wander around the village looking at the well dressings, probably passed their best but interesting to have a look. We left the dogs at home as we were going to go onto Hopton Hall but in the end we had a look at a plant centre in Bonsall where I bought 
some plants. Back via Monyash (passing Pikehall where the Y Not music festival will take place over the weekend). In the evening we went down to Bakewell and tried Riley’s (which has replaced Le Mistral) for a meal which we 
both enjoyed.
Leek and Hayfield
Wednesday started off a bit dreary at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell see here. No departures or arrivals. I had planned to go to Leek with one of the cleaners but she couldn’t make it so Chris and I went instead. We haven’t been to Leek for a while and drove there via Longnor where we stopped for coffee. Wednesday is market day in Leek so it was quite busy and after a wander around the shops we had lunch before heading back home for mid afternoon. Chris had arranged to provide some computer advice at the village hall and as he had to go back later we stopped at the pub for a quick drink. Thursday was mainly cloudy but stayed dry. One departure and a number of 
bookings first thing but finally we set off to Hayfield which I had planned to visit for some time. Hayfield is about thirty minutes away if traffic is OK and is an interesting village. It is where the Kinder Trespass started from and it was the birthplace of Arthur Lowe (Dad’s army). More recently it was used in filming for the BBC series The Village. From the Sett Valley Trail car park on the edge of the village we crossed the A624 and walked through the village picking up the bridleway that led to Middle Moor. There were some nice views back to Hayfield and the surrounding 
countryside and over to Kinder Scout. Close to a shooting hut we picked up a footpath along White Brow on the upper reaches of the Kinder Reservoir where we found our first heather of the season. Here we stopped for lunch before reaching William Clough. It was along the Clough that the Kinder Trespass took place in 1932. We then walked back along a lower pathway beside the reservoirs before we reached the River Kinder. Here we could have followed the river back to Hayfield but we took a higher path threading our way through a number of farms before arriving back in Hayfield. It was too late for tea and cake as the cafes were closing so on the way home we stopped at Hassop Station and had an early tea instead! Enjoy the photos.
Another Picnic!
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.
Always something to do
Monday was a dull day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) with some drizzle and rain in the afternoon. One departure and two arrivals and two cleaners here to keep up with cleaning. All cleaning and checks completed by lunchtime. Both cottages here by 3.15, one has been before. This gave us the afternoon to start emptying Chris’s study and other jobs. At least it was drier by the evening. Tuesday was not as bad a day as forecast. There were some long sunny spells in the afternoon and somehow we missed the showers. A last minute booking in the morning for the evening saw me scurrying around to finish cleaning a cottage and do final checks on another. First cottage here just after 3pm, they have been before, after which I went to Bakewell to get some provisions for the 
next few days. Second cottage arrived at 8pm. I noticed that there is some hay making taking place in the distance when I took the dogs out. Wednesday was a fair day, cool with some drizzle and we even saw some sunshine later in the afternoon. No departures but one arrival later in the day so I only had the final checks to do. The rest of the morning went on accounts and I finalised last quarters accounts. A surprising number of bookings for a Wednesday which was nice. I also spent some time looking at the Valuation Office Agency form that we have to complete for business rates for the cottages every few years. I think it will take some time to complete as it is asking for a lot more information than last time. Chris has almost completed emptying his study. Cottage arrived 10pm. Here are the photos of the Over Haddon well dressing.
Gardening days
Tuesday 9th June was a dry day with some sunny spells at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). No departures or arrivals but one cleaner here to complete cleaning from weekend. Tuesday handyman here and he and Chris helped Andrew sheet over the silaging before doing more logging. I spent most of the day planting out bedding plants. Wednesday was a warmer day but breezy. Originally we had thought about going for a walk but as I still had lots of bedding plants to put out I thought I would make the most of the nice day. Andrew came up to move more cows around and chatting to him they have had a good quantity and quality so may not need to silage again this year. Later in the afternoon we went to Hassop Station for afternoon tea. Thursday was a warm day with the breeze keeping the edge of the temperature. Two arrivals with cottages already prepared. Later in
hanging baskets waiting to go out
the morning we went to the nursery and collected the hanging baskets as well as more plants! After lunch we hung up the baskets and Chris watered them as well as everything else I had been planting out over the last few days. Cottages both here by 4pm, one has been before. Friday was forecast to be the best day of the week but deteriorate from the evening. Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner here. I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend and also went to Chatsworth Farm Shop to get some provisions. After lunch and final checks I caught up on work that I had put aside while dealing with plants and also some preparations for the weekend. Chris cut the grass as Saturday was expected to be wet and guests arrived at 4pm. They have been before.
Silaging begins
Friday 5th June was a warm and humid day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) with a risk of showers although we never saw any. Hard to believe in the space of a few days the temperature has more than doubled. One cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Down to Bakewell in the morning for a hair cut and get provisions for the weekend. After lunch I started planting out some of the bedding plants I bought last week and I also had more arrive in the post. Chris finished 
repairing the front lawn for the time being. Saturday was another dry and sunny day although the breeze kept the edge of the temperature. A busy day with seven departures and four arrivals and two cleaners here. With early departures cleaning was under way by 9am and all cleaning and checks were completed by lunchtime. I did some jobs in vacant cottages before the first of the 
arrivals. All here by 3.45pm, two have been before. Chris cut the grass and I had a sense of déjà vue when I was summonsed to the top of the guest garden. The lock on the gate into the field had jammed and Chris could not close the gate and there was a group of cows eyeing up the garden! Smudge and I held the cows at bay while Chris fixed the gate. They started silaging at Andrew’s mid morning with cutting going on until 8pm in the fields behind us.
Minninglow and weather stats
The weather forecast for Thursday 4th June was warm and sunny at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell see here so with no arrivals (but one departure) we went for a walk. A lazy start to the day and had coffee before we packed up the car and headed to Minninglow car park not far from Pikehall. We did this walk not long after we first had the dogs and at that time Minninglow was not accessible to the public. Now there is a permissive path so we had been thinking about going again for a while. From the car park we set off along the High Peak Trail with nice views over the white peaks and marvelled at the engineering that went into the building of the Minninglow Embankment which is a listed structure. About a mile after setting off we found the new permissive path then headed up to Minninglow Hill. After years at looking at the Hill with its distinctive ring of trees we were finally able to explore the barrow within the trees which has neolithic burial chambers. From the top we were able to get some wonderful views and with binoculars we could pick out Bolehill! We found a spot to have lunch then headed back down and under the High Peak Trail and picked up the path for Roystone Grange. Here we had a look at the old pumping house before taking the track that lead to the minor road to Pikehall. We crossed this and walked along the lane before cutting across fields to pick up the High Peak Trail for the last leg back to the car park. The walk was about five miles in total. Back home via Monyash where it was still warm enough for an ice cream! Enjoy the photos.
May’s weather stats. Highest temp 18.1 deg C on 11th with 11th being warmest day and 10th warmest night. Lowest temp of 1.4 deg C on 1st with 1st being coldest night and 2nd coldest day. Wettest day 20th with .6 in rain with total for May 3.61 inches (4.09 May 2014).
Tissington well dressings
Friday was another pleasant spring day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). One departure and three arrivals and one cleaner back from holiday here to catch up with cleaning. Chris spent time strimming and cutting the lawns while it was nice. Everything ready by lunchtime and I had the afternoon to do some preparations for Saturday as well as chat to guests. First cottage here at 3.45 with second cottage at 6.15 and final cottage at 9pm. One has been before. Noticed that it is still light at 9pm, the longest day is not too far off. Saturday was a fine day although the wind took the edge of the temperature. Three departures and five arrivals and two cleaners here. All cleaning and checks completed by lunchtime. Four cottages here by 3.30 and final one at 4.15. All have been before so we spent some time chatting to guests. Had some time to do some paper work before dinner and a nice walk in the evening with the dogs. Sunday was a cool cloudy day with a little drizzle. One departure. After getting the paper Andrew and Joanna joined us for coffee. In the afternoon we went to the Izaak Walton Hotel for afternoon tea. It has recently reopened and being just outside Thorpe has some nice views of Thorpe Cloud and towards Dove Dale. From here we went to to Tissington to have a look at the well dressings. As it was later in the afternoon the crowds had gone so at least we could get close to the wells and take photos.