Well what can we say about Sunday at our Bolehill Cottages (see link) apart from fabulous. Wasn’t expecting it to be that good or warm. One departure and two arrivals with cottages already cleaned. Some guests enjoyed breakfast al fresco. After getting the paper we spent some time doing some gardening before lunch on the patio. Did some more tidying up outside before first guests arrived at 3.30. Chris also gave the dogs a brush outside. We then treated ourselves to a few hours reading the Sunday paper on the patio but the sun kept moving so we had to as well! By the time the second cottage arrived at 5.30pm we were half way down the garden! A hot air balloon rising up from Bakewell kept the dogs occupied for a while and there was a nice sunset. Pity the weather didn’t listen to the forecast for Monday. We were expecting a dull start so weren’t worried. One departure but no arrivals and one cleaner up. By lunchtime we were still waiting for the sun as we had chosen Monday because of the forecast for our annual visit to Chatsworth. Undaunted we set off and had lunch first then as it was still overcast we did the house leaving the dogs (safely) in the car. It had still not cleared up by the time we left the house (each year there is something different to see in the house or we notice something we haven’t seen before) so we collected the dogs and wandered round the gardens seeking out the sculptures from the Beyond Limits exhibition. Also noticed how the leaves were changing colour so wondered if we will get some colourful autumn walks in. Time for tea and cake before the restaurant closed and then drove round to the Farm shop which is experimenting with later opening hours. Still hoping we might see some warmer weather before the week is out. Enjoy Mondays photos, Sundays will appear later.
derbyshire cottages
Chrome Hill
Thursday was another fine dry day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell ( see link). My favourite hills around here are Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill near Longnor. They are reminders that parts of this area was once a coral reef. It was only recently that a concessionary path on Chrome Hill (also called the Dragons Back) was allowed. Initially I had been looking at a walk at the Roaches to catch the last of the heather but when I was looking at walks we haven’t done Chrome Hill came up. We know you need to do it on a still day as at some points you are on a ridge so you don’t want to get blown off! We set off from here reasonably early and parked in the village of Hollinsclough. As we set off we got a good view from the side of our challenge. Having said that the first couple of miles were challenging in their own way as the footpath was a bit indistinct and we missed the turning we needed requiring us to do a little down hill shuffling, Chris on foot and me on my bottom! We walked beside the upper River Dove for a while and at the packhorse bridge picked up a path then a track past a number of outlying farms. We found the concessionary path with no problem. All the walk guides prepare you for a climb, scrambling over rocks at times, and at times a very narrow path. This was all true but it was not as hard as we thought but you are rewarded with some lovely views over the Staffordshire Moorlands on the west side and rolling Derbyshire on the east side. Luckily despite the breeze we found a sheltered spot on the top to have lunch. The walk guides also describe the descent on the steep grassy path but again it was not as bad as we expected, no worse than Kirkdale and we were soon back down and on the lane that went back to Hollinsclough. Luckily there was an adjacent footpath through the fields which had sheep in. The dogs were walking ahead of us and some inquisitive lambs decided to follow them. When Smudge realised he looked at them and they turned and started walking towards Blue but when Blue saw them he turned round and ran back passed us. The lambs scattered but Blue would not come back to us so Chris had to put him on his lead until we cleared the field. Just as we were getting back to the car there was a light shower but nothing to wet the ground. From here we drove over to the Roaches as they were not far away to see the condition of the heather which was passed its best. As we were there we stopped off at the Roaches Tea Room for tea and cake before heading home. So ready for the next challenge! Here are the photos.
Another weekend
Friday 9 August was a pleasant but quiet day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link). No departures but one arrival and one cleaner up. A day of odd jobs including updating leaflets as I have had a new batch of leaflets for the rest of the summer. Went down to Bakewell in the morning which was still busy from the show as a lot of the stands were packing up and leaving. Also a lot of locals who had avoided the place for a few days were back shopping like I was! Guests arrived about 5pm, they are from Australia, we have a real international mix at the moment. I did some preparation for Saturday which was forecast to be the better day of the weekend. To start with the weather didn’t seen to have looked at the forecast as it started cool and dull on Saturday but it brightened up . Five departures and four arrivals and two cleaners up. No problems encountered and Chris had time to cut the grass before lunch. First guests arrived just after 3pm, then like last week there was a gap before the next guests arrived at 4.30 then remaining two between 5 and 6pm. Two cottages have been before including a German couple here for the second time. Another cool evening and it is noticeable that it is getting darker earlier. Hopefully we will get another bite of summer before autumn arrives.
Edensor and Bakewell Food Festival 8/9 June
Saturday was another fine day but just a little cooler than Friday at our cottages near Bakewell (see here). Four cottages out and most guests away by 9.30 and with three cleaners up cleaning was finished by 11.30 and I had done my checks by midday. So guess what! We did something unusual for a Saturday. We went out for a few hours! We had seen signs for Open Gardens at Edensor but hadn’t expected to go as it was on Saturday. Yet we set off just after midday but we were concerned when we joined a long queue on the road to Chatsworth but luckily most were going to a Food Fair at Chatsworth House. There were only a dozen or so gardens to see as the village is quite small but they were interesting and we saw where the Dowager Duchess lived and saw the current Duke and Duchess as they visited some of the fete stalls as it was also the village fete. We had time for some lunch before heading home. We drove back through Bakewell which is hosting its first Baking Festival this weekend. Mowing was well under way at Andrews with rowing and carting also having started. Chris cut the grass and first guests arrived about 3.30. Second cottage arrived about 4pm, they have been before and final cottage arrived about 5pm. Had first request of year for a BBQ. After tea Chris helped Andrew move some cows in our front field to the side field and take some back across the road so that silaging can continue on our side of the road. There will be more musical cows in the next few days as cows are allowed in the silaged fields to eat round the edges and any grass that’s fallen from the collectors. Sunday was another sunny warm day. One departure, our Australians off to their next stop, and one arrival later in the day. In the meantime we thought we’d go down and have a look at the Bakewell Baking Festival, in particular the stalls dotted around the town as the main events were ticketed. As some of the car parks were in use for stalls and marquees we thought we would park at Lady Manners and walk down into town. We took the dogs with us too. Down town we had a walk round the stalls but there wasn’t as many as I thought but I bought a few bits. After lunch outside the Nice Cafe (next to Costa Coffee) we headed off to Chatsworth farm shop to get some more provisions. Back to welcome new guests and spent some time putting in bedding plants. Later in the afternoon I felt it was nice enough to go for a picnic so we packed the food and headed across the fields where the grass had been cut, rowed but not collected as the machine had broken down in the afternoon. A nice couple hours in the evening sun. Enjoy the photos from the weekend.
Back to business
Monday dawned bright and sunny but a breeze took the edge of the temperature at our Bolehill cottages. Two departures and three arrivals and two cleaners up. I had hoped to get out and do some more planting but the morning went in getting cottages ready and cottage related jobs. Chris spent some time pruning and removing some more casualties from the winter and some gutter work. After lunch Chris did his ‘lollipop patrol’ and helped bring the first of the hooligans across from the farm to spend the summer on this side of the road. I went down as backup and took some photos. With cows in three fields Blue is going to feel ‘cowed in’! By the time I could have gone out to do some gardening I had to think about guests arrival. First cottage arrived just after 3pm, they have been before, second cottage arrived about 4pm and final cottage at 5pm. Tuesday was a wet day for most of the time with a brief dryer spell at lunchtime. One cottage out and one cleaner up. So no jobs outside but instead an indoor day and for me in the morning jobs around the house and sorting out various requests from guests and in the afternoon accounts. Glad of a drying room with the number of times I took the dogs out! Had hoped Wednesday would be an improvement on Tuesday but it wasn’t although it felt milder. Late morning I did find time to put some more plants in the border in the car park which had lost quite a few over winter. By lunchtime the rain had set in again so back to indoor jobs. Andrew and Joanna were out for the day so we went down with cow dog (Smudge) to round up the cows for milking. I think the weather meant they didn’t want to hang around so they were all queuing to get in within a couple of minutes. The rain continued on and off during the evening but they are forecasting another fine weekend ahead.
Here they come!
There’s always a straggler or two.
The final steps to summer pastures.
Warning! A warm weekend approaches!
Well so we were told on Thursday. Thursday was a quiet day with no arrivals or departures at our Bolehill Cottages. The forecast had been for a wet day but all we saw was some drizzle although it stayed dreary. Took pictures of the remaining snow as I had expected it to go through the day but in the end it didn’t. Made the most of the day to do some more accounts. Chris went to Over Haddon in the afternoon for his digital workshop and later in the afternoon I popped down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. In the evening we went to the White Lion at Great Longstone for a meal. Quite coincidentally our neighbours from Green Cowden Farm turned up for a meal too! Friday started dreary again but brightened up enough for Chris to go out and get wet by jet washing patio furniture, although he did come in when we had a heavy hail storm. Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner up. I did some jobs in cottages and some more accounts as cottage didn’t arrive until 7pm. A quieter week next week so planning to finish spring cleaning if can. By the time Friday evening arrived the forecast for the weekend had been downgraded. Never mind.
Easter preparations
Wednesday was bright with a few snow flurries at Bolehill. No departures but one arrival later in the day and one cleaner finally was able to get to us. Both of us did some snow clearance around the cottages and the snow overhang fell from Dove roof, flattening some bushes in the process. Will probably have quite a few plant casualties to deal with. After lunch we went down to Bakewell to get some provisions. I had planned to do a big shop this week as well as a trip to the cash and carry but all that has gone by the board. Down in Bakewell we could see they had started work on the Costa Coffee and we found a new cook shop had opened in one of the arcades. The road up from Bakewell to Bolehill was fine apart from the last hundred yards or so where it became a bit narrower and the snow has frozen and made a rutted surface. Cottage arrived about 8pm, they have been before. They had to park in the field and Chris collected them. Thursday was the same weather wise and when the sun did shine you could see more thawing taking place. With having to cancel a number of bookings last weekend the cleaners have time to prepare cottages for the Easter weekend. One departure and two arrivals and one cleaner up. Chris had a final trip to do to Buxton before our tenants arrive on Saturday. While he was away Andrew came up and cleared the bottom of the drive and also the road between us and him. After lunch when Chris came back I spent some time clearing more areas around the cottages and brought a wheelbarrow load of logs down from the log store as it is the only way to get them to us. We still can’t get through the garden gate at the front of the house. Ian came up to clear the drive and car park and Chris supervised what needed doing. They also cleared some more snow from the courtyard. Enjoy the photos of the snow pile in the car park. Wonder how long that will be there for! Also been liaising with guests arriving over the next few days as to conditions so guests know what to expect. We had hoped to be able to us the car park by the close of Thursday but the snow is quite compacted and Chris bought and spread more salt to see if that would help speed up the melting process. During the afternoon heavy duty tractors cleared more snow from the road beyond Bolehill, the piles are higher than our wall and they have finally cleared the road from Sheldon to the main road. We saw the the postman for the first time in a week! Later in the afternoon there was an accident just beyond our gate involving a hay transporter where a car had gone into a snow drift and then another car had gone into the back of the car. No-one was hurt. This caused chaos as cars from Bakewell couldn’t get past and had to turn round and go back. The same was true of cars travelling from Monyash. Both cottages arrived between 7 and 8pm, one has been before. One was brave enough to park in the car park. Here are some pictures of snow clearance.
Back at home
Arriving back at Bolehill on Monday we had not been home long when a cottage arrived. They had a Landrover so were able to negotiate the tricky conditions. In the morning three cottages that had been here over the weekend were able to depart after Andrew had been up to create a passage through the snow. The cleaners had not been able to get up so Chris turned the cottage round. There was still one cottage here for a few more days having arrived before the snow. I could have gone to bowls, if the road had been passable, but cancelled. It was the last one of the season. The road to Monyash beyond our entrance had been blocked by drifting snow until Monday morning and on the local evening news they were advising not to travel north of Bakewell due to bad road conditions. Chris had told ne about a car that had spent Friday night at the bottom of our drive and a lady from Monyash had left her car in our field and walked home. On Tuesday morning I took my camera with me when I took the dogs for a walk and saw a tractor trying to clear more snow off the road to Monyash. The road to Sheldon was still closed. We had a cottage to turn round as the cleaners could not get here and guests arrived about 4pm. They had to park in the field as the car park is not yet clear so Chris collected them and the luggage and delivered them to the cottage. Some welcome sunshine initiated a thaw so hopefully we have seen the last of the heavy snow but already our WI group meeting on Wednesday at Monyash and the WI quiz at Buxton on Thursday are cancelled. Flagg races on Easter Tuesday has also been cancelled. Typical, the first time in years we could have gone. Here are some photos from Tuesday.
A busy weekend
Friday started misty but it soon lifted even if it clouded up again by lunchtime. One cottage out with three back in and one cleaner up. After she finished I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. First cottage arrived about 4pm, they have been before. Chris went later in the afternoon over to Matlock to get the projector used by the Photographic Club recalibrated. While he was a way I went through my baking store cupboard as I still haven’t baked my Christmas cake yet. I am hoping I will have time after next week. Second cottage arrived about 7.30 with final cottage arriving at 9pm, they have also been before. We then sat down and watched the Michael Portillo Great Continental Rail Journey where he travelled from Budapest to Salzburg. It brought back many memories of all the holidays we had in Austria before coming here and it made me want to go back again as the last time we were there was to witness the eclipse of the sun. The heaviest of the rain passed through during Friday night so despite the initial forecast Saturday was mainly dry and bright. No departures but two arrivals both arriving between 3 and 3.30. Another day of odd jobs and I found some time to potter in the garden doing some tidying up. The hanging baskets have lasted well again at our peak district cottages but we will take them down soon. A cold evening so got the fire on for Smudge so he could keep warm!
A mixed weekend
Saturday was a fine but cold after a frosty start at our peak district cottages. Five cottages departed with four returning later in the day. One has been before. Three cleaners up and no problems encountered. Had a few new lamps and shades to put in some of the cottages so got that done. Missed the Farmers Market for once. All cottages arrived by 3.30pm giving me time to get the fire going, for Smudge of course. We had the extra hour on Sunday which gave Chris time to change all the clocks! A bit more drizzly on Sunday so no walk which I was hoping for. One cottage out with one back in but cottage already cleaned. Cottage arrived about 4pm. Made the most of the extra time to catch up on some personal paperwork. Don’t like the dark evenings!