It’s been very dry so far in August at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Thursday was forecast to be wet later on but it stayed dry until later in the day but we never saw the sun at all. Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend. Back in time for coffee with some of our guests. One cleaner here and a cottage arrived just after 3pm. A day of catch up jobs. Friday was the wet day we were expecting but we were also expecting thundery showers but luckily for the dogs they never materialised. No departures or arrivals so another day of jobs 
around the house, gradually ticking off the summer jobs! After coffee we went down to the agricultural merchants in Bakewell to get some bits including a new pair of wellies for me! I now have a blue pair so we can tell whose boots are whose! After that we went to the electrical warehouse in Buxton to pick up some items. A quiet afternoon which included some preparations for Saturday. In the evening we went to the Lathkil for a summer evening (!) of Tapas and Sangria. It was supposed to be held in the garden but on one of the worst nights of the summer it was held inside 
instead. We went with Andrew and Joanna and there were others from the village there too. Saturday was a far better day, mainly sunny but fresher. Six departures and four arrivals with three cleaners here. With cleaning under way by 10am everything was completed by lunchtime. Chris cut the grass, not that it has grown much. Two cottages here by 3.30, one has been before, with next one at 4.30 and final one at 5.15, both have been before. In the meantime I did some accounts. Sunday was another fine day with a lovely sunrise and some warm sunny spells. No departures but one arrival here just after 3pm with cottage already cleaned. As usual for a Sunday some housework and some down time, we all need some of that!
dog friendly cottages peak district
Ashover Show
Monday was warm day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) but not always sunny. Cloudy in the morning with showers in the afternoon. No departures but our late arrival from Saturday cancelled because of continuing ill health. One of those days that went fast with nothing to show for it! Tuesday was better with long sunny spells. Tuesday handyman here helping Chris with odd jobs. For me some housework and gave the car it’s annual clean! Also got some new fencing going up. Wednesday was a lovely warm day with one departure. A quiet morning and after coffee we packed up the car with some recycling and the dogs and first went to the recycling depot then the peak outlet centre. We were going on to Ashover for the show but as traffic was still heavy around Ashover we stopped for lunch first. We got to Ashover about 1.30 and still had to queue but not for too long. The Ashover Show is always popular with the farming community and locals alike and we always bump into people we know. Andrew and Joanna were manning one of the dairy refreshment tents so we stopped for a cup of tea there. Had a good look around the livestock stands before checking out the old tractors and steam engines. Also had a look round the craft, horticultural and food tents. We also looked at all the machinery stands , not that we need a new tractor. The show is nowhere near as big as the Bakewell show and we had looked around everything after three hours. We came back via the Chatsworth Farm Shop so I could pick up some tea and it was still warm enough to eat outside. What I have noticed is that even some of our lawn is starting to turn brown, it has been a few years since we have seen that and I was shocked to see we have had less than a quarter of inch of rain so far this month. That may change over the next few days. Enjoy the photos from the show.
An evening at Chatsworth
Friday was a sunny day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). No arrivals or departures. Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend. A catch up day as well as preparations for Saturday’s arrivals. Chris did some watering and feeding of plants and baskets again. Saturday was a warm sunny day. Five departures and six arrivals but one phoned to say they would now not arrive until Monday due to sickness. Two cottages here for a further week. Three cleaners here and with some early departures cleaning was under way by 9am so all cleaning and checks finished by lunchtime. As usual on busy changeover days Chris and I helped out with bed making. Chris cut the grass. A rush of arrivals at 3pm with final cottage here by 3.45, two have been before. As it was still so nice I made some salads and we decided on a picnic. We haven’t picnicked at Chatsworth Park for a while and when I checked on the website I realised their gardens were open for the evening so we headed to Chatsworth with the dogs and a picnic. We had a walk around the gardens first, they are already getting the sculptures ready for the Beyond Limits exhibition so we had a preview of some of them. Not often we see the gardens in high summer. We enjoyed our picnic with a violin trio playing in the rose garden. A lovely evening to end a busy day. Sunday was also a fine day. We invited one of the cottages over for coffee which we were able to enjoy on the patio. Later one of our cleaners called in on her way to a walk along Lathkill Dale. Otherwise a quiet afternoon with plenty of warm sunshine. Enjoy Saturday’s photos.
Second silage
Monday was a warm day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) even if it wasn’t particularly sunny. No departures or arrivals so morning on catch up jobs and in the afternoon we went to Chesterfield to Bookers and Morrisons. When we got back they had started silaging with cutting in Andrew’s fields on our side of the road. Tuesday saw one departure and two arrivals with one cleaner here. Down to 
Bakewell just after 9am and the car parks were already quite busy, probably locals like me getting provisions in before the Bakewell show. It is the 185th Bakewell show and 20,000visitors were expected over the course of the three days so Bakewell was best avoided. Tuesday was the main Equestrian day at the show. Back before guests departed. By then they were 
rowing up and collecting in Andrew’s fields. Everything ready in cottages by lunchtime which gave me the afternoon to do some jobs around the house. First cottage here just after 3.30 with second here just after 8pm. Wednesday was a quiet day so did some more jobs on my summer catch up list like washing and reproofing our walking jackets. Spent some time in the afternoon picking blackcurrants and as there were still quite a few left on the bushes 
I phoned Joanna and she came up and picked some too. In the evening we went down to the Bakewell show as there was free entrance after 7pm. Unfortunately the stalls were closed so I saved some money but we did get to have a look at the stock judging that was going on.
July’s weather statistics. Hottest day and night was the 1st which had the highest temperature of 29.8C. Coldest day was 26th with coldest night 30th and lowest temperature of 7.3C on 31st. Wettest day was 4th with .35 in rain. Total for month 1.78 in (2014 1.83 in)
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.
Where has the summer gone?
Friday 24 July was unseasonably cool at out Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). At least we did not have the rain that was experience d further south. It stayed dry but cloudy during the morning and drizzly during the afternoon. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. After lunch I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions and when I got back we completed the VAT Return. Unfortunately at this point our main printer developed a fatal error so we couldn’t print the return out for ourselves but we have submitted it electronically. Realising the printer was on its last legs Chris has been researching a new one. It was raining by the evening when I took the dogs out. The trouble is everyone is wanting to do a second silage or hay making and they need a few dry days in which to do it. Guests held up by bad traffic and finally arrived at 11.30 after we had gone to bed. Saturday was a fine day, not that we could enjoy it. Six departures and five arrivals and three cleaners here. Said goodbye to guests before I went down to Bakewell for the Farmers Market leaving cleaning under way. Cleaning finished by lunchtime and checks finished just before guests arrivals. Chris cut the grass. Three cottages here by 3.30, two have been before with further cottage by 4pm, they have been before and are here for three weeks. Final cottage here by 6pm. Enjoyed a quiet evening. Sunday by contrast was a miserable day. Overcast in the morning with rain and drizzle setting in by lunchtime and it was cold for the time of year. The day went in housework and odd jobs in the vacant cottages. Catastrophe struck when taking the dogs out in the evening as my feet were feeling wet and when I got back I realised my wellies of ten years, complete with puppy bites, were cracked on the soles. Oh well. Something else to replace!
A short walk at Eyam
Eyam Church
Thursday was another fine day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). No departures or arrivals and the morning went in odd jobs. Chris spent some time phoning for quotes as our electricity price plan is due for renewal. After lunch we went to Eyam with the dogs primarily to pick up a pair of glasses that a guest had left behind last week. After we collected the glasses we did the short walk down to Cucklet Delph which was featured in last Sunday’s Countryfile programme. The Delph is a natural amphitheatre where they held church services during the
Cucklet Delph
plague. I had been meaning to do this walk for a while. It didn’t take long but at least we have seen it. We then went back to the hall where we had tea and cake and the dogs were given dog biscuits. It got humid during the afternoon and clouded up but it stayed dry. Back home via Calver Garden Centre. Friday was fine again but with more of a breeze. Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner here. Chris spent time strimming verges and after lunch I caught up with some paper work and chatting with guests. It’s been nice to hear guests
Cucklet Delph
chatting to each other out in the courtyard during the week. Cottage arrived at 5.30. Keeping up with the recent run of fine weather days Saturday was sunny and warm. Five departures and five arrivals and three cleaners here. Cleaning finished by lunchtime and checks completed by time of guests arrival. Chris watered and fed the hanging baskets and cut the grass. Four arrivals here between 3.15 and 3.45, all have been before with final cottage here at 4.30, also a previous guest. Felt quite tired so had a relaxing evening and a take
keeping a watchful eye
away pizza from Riccis in Bakewell. Birchover carnival took place on Saturday and that always finishes with a great fireworks display which we can see from here.
A fine weekend
Thursday was a fine day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). One departure and one arrival with one cleaner here. Andrew came up and fixed our garden post and Chris put in a new garden gate, I must make sure I close it properly next time there are cows in the fields! Chris also spent some time doing some pruning around the gardens. Cottage arrived just after 3pm leaving me with the rest of the afternoon to do some paperwork. It was a pleasantly warm day with more good weather expected. Ideal weather for the hot air balloons that were up in the evening sky. Friday was a warm sunny day but breezy at times. Four departures and three arrivals and two cleaners here. Tuesday handyman here as well as Chris and he spent most of the day logging. After coffee I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. As it was almost lunchtime it was busy.
Completed checks after lunch and two cottages arrived here just after 3pm, both have been before. A few hours were spent on odd jobs and also preparing salads for tea. Had hoped to eat al fresco but it clouded over earlier than expected and it was too breezy. Final cottage arrived at 8pm, they have also been before. Saturday started dull but but soon brightened up. Three departures and four arrivals and two cleaners here. All cleaning and checks completed by lunchtime. Chris cut the grass. All cottages here by 3.45 and all have been before so we had a chance to chat with them as well. Had time for some paperwork before dinner. It did cloud over during the afternoon but had been a fine day overall.
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.
Talking about the weather
Thursday was a cloudy but warm day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). The lightening storm was a real talking point around here as it had been seen all over north Derbyshire and South Yorkshire and we think it was mainly over the Manchester area as planes for Manchester airport were apparently being stacked. No departures but two arrivals and one cleaner here. Down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. A day of cow moving for Andrew and for a change we have no cows in our fields, at least for a few days. Blue is happy! After lunch I went back to Over Haddon to help with a little more petaling, this time I was putting in silver leaf. Again the lightening was a topic of conversation. More storms were forecast for Friday night and as the well dressings would be up by then I was more worried they could be damaged by heavy rain. Back just after 4.30 when both cottages, both of which have been before, had arrived so I had a chat with them. By then it was raining and a couple of hours rain cleared the air and the temperature dropped but some more 
warm weather is forecast. When I took the dogs out in the evening I could see they were hay making towards Monyash. Friday was another warm day but it was sunnier than Thursday. Three departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here. Chris fed plants and hanging baskets and cut the grass and I did some paperwork and accounts. All cleaning and checks completed before lunch. First cottage here at 3.30, they were here last before we arrived, and second cottage at 6pm. Luckily the overnight storm kept a safe distance although it did wake us up, but it did really rain hard.