Woke up to a covering of snow on Sunday morning at our Bolehill cottages (see here). Sorry no photos as by the time the sun got to work it started to melt.  One departure after which we went down to Bakewell to get the paper.  We then went on to visit one of our cleaners as our friends have got to know her over the years.  We came home via the Chatsworth Farm Shop, where they are doing some alterations, and we bought some food which we took home for lunch.  Friends left mid afternoon leaving us to stock up on logs and do some other jobs.  Monday 19 January saw the resumption of work in Derwent.  Usual Monday routines and two cleaners here, one cleaning, one painting.  Plenty for me to do although no arrivals or departures.  In the evening Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and I went to Over Haddon for the village hall committee.  It did try to flurry a bit.  Tuesday was a fine but very cold day.  Two handyman and one cleaner here.  I went down to Bakewell to get my hair cut and get some provisions for the next few days.  Various odd jobs in the afternoon.  Joanna and I had planned to go to the Bakewell WI meeting in the evening but by the afternoon a yellow warming for snow was in place for the evening so we decided against it.  Just as well as by 8pm it was snowing.  Woke up to a very white landscape on Wednesday.  At least four inches of snow lay on the ground but because of the fog we couldn’t see what the rest of the area looked like.  We knew many schools were closed but the road was being kept clear with a regular gritting/snow plough service.  No handyman up so Chris kept himself occupied with computer work for the day rather than carry on in Derwent and I spent the day finishing of the last quarters accounts and finalising the annual accounts.  Took the dogs for a few walks to take some photos so enjoy them.

Thursday 8th January was a bright but cold day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  One arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  One cleaner here to carry on painting and one tradesman here to do a maintenance check on external doors as a number are wider than normal doors and hinges etc need adjusting from time to time.  Jobs around cottages and a number of bookings and emails kept me busy.  Cottage arrived at 4.30, they have been before, after which I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  The breeze picked up during the night and it was quite exhilarating taking the dogs out for their walk on Friday morning.  It stayed very windy during the day but got milder as the day went on.  Two more arrivals and one cleaner up.  My new sewing machine was delivered in the

Me and my shadow

morning, hopefully I will get to try it out over the weekend.  With both cottages due in later in the day made the most of the afternoon to catch up on accounts.  First cottage here just after 7pm with second one just before 8pm, they have been before.  It started breezy on Saturday, not as bad as expected and it was colder than initially predicted but it least it was sunny with the odd shower thrown in for good measure.  Another arrival mid afternoon, cottage already prepared.  Had a number of jobs planned but spent most of the day on bookings so won’t complain.  Found time to phone my sister and will wait to find out what time she has off in March so I can go and stay with her for a few days.  Here are some more photos from our walk in Chatsworth Park when the snow was here.

Saturday 27th December saw a beautiful snowy sunrise at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) BUT I would rather have not woken to snow on one of the changeover days between Christmas and new year.  Chris was out before dawn clearing the snow from the top and bottom of the drive to make it easier for our guests to leave and existing guests to get out and get back!  Andrew had agreed to come up later to clear the rest of the drive.  With snow forecast Andrew had brought the last of the cows in for winter on Boxing Day.  The two departing cottages got away OK but could not get the cars up into the courtyard to load first thing due the volume of the snow. I phoned the guests who were due to arrive later in the day to advise them of the situation.  Of the three cleaners who were due to come up one had been stranded in Buxton overnight, one could not get out of her road and another would wait for Chris to collect her.  In the mean time I started on beds and ovens and when joined by the cleaner we got the cottages

Chris on Boxing Day evening

finished in time for the days arrivals.  Chris meanwhile spent time clearing a path through the snow in the courtyard so guests could move about a bit better.  Andrew came up early afternoon to clear the drive and another cleaner (who wasn’t scheduled to clean on Saturday) came up with her daughter to prepare a cottage for Sunday.  No time for lunch or taking photos but cottages ready for first two arrivals just after 3pm.  Both have been before and final cottage arrived at 5pm, they have also been before.  Felt as if I had spent most of the day taking wellies on and off.  Cannot see the snow going any time soon so will take pictures when I can.

Monday 15 December was a fine but cold day with no arrivals or departures at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Time to start getting the cottages ready for Christmas.  One cleaner up to do some cleaning and I put up the first two Christmas trees in the cottages.  I also have a check list of other jobs that need to be done before Christmas.  Chris did some more work on the web site now it has gone live. Later in the afternoon we took some items to the recycling centre at Darley Dale and called in at one of our cleaners at Rowsley to see her Christmas decorations. She always does a good job in her house.  We came home via Chatsworth Farm shop,where I picked up some tea.  Tuesday was forecast to be sunny and dry but some showers sneaked through the Cheshire gap and arrived throughout the day. One handyman up to help Chris with some preparatory plumbing work for when the new bathroom goes into Derwent.  I had planned to put up two more trees but only got one up but did some more preparations in the cottages.  I also had an advert to place in a magazine for our holiday cottages.  Later in the afternoon I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the weekend.  Wednesday was similar to Tuesday . Again I had hoped to get two more trees up but only managed one.  Four up and four to go.  Still I got some bookings and threw in some accounts for good measure.  A mild but drizzly day.  Chris had some plumbing work to finish and also popped down to the village hall to help with some internet work.  Here are the pictures of the trees in Sheepfold, Bluebell and Dove.

It started nice and sunny again at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) on Monday.  Won’t be saying that for much longer by the look of the forecast.  One departure and one arrival with one cleaner here.  Usual Monday tasks as well as catching up from the weekend.  Made the most of the nice weather to do some extra washing.  Guests arrived just after 3.30.  Later there was one of those sunsets which gives a red hue to everything so I went out and took some photos.  Tuesday 29 July was a little cooler and more cloud was around.  No departures or arrivals and the morning went in a lot of those five minute jobs that keep getting put off.  After lunch Chris and I went to Chesterfield to do a Bookers run. After that we called in at B&Q and Dunelm before heading home.  It was looking ominous and we had some drizzle and the evening felt quite cool when I took the dogs out. Will have to put the heating back on soon at this rate!  Wednesday started cloudy but we had some late afternoon sunshine. Odd jobs again in the morning including some mat washing and the afternoon went in tidying up and checking board games in the leisure area and tidying up the area itself.  A chat with the Dutch guests who are leaving early on Thursday morning and they gave me a bunch of roses which was nice.  Thursday saw two departures and no arrivals but one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  A warm but cloudy start with the threat of thundery showers at lunchtime which didn’t materialise.  Down to Bakewell first thing Friday to get provisions for the next few days.  In the afternoon I got Chris to put some new curtain rails up in Sheepfold and I hemmed some new curtains for the twin bedroom.  It turned out warm and sunny in the afternoon so later we thought we would have a ‘sundowner’ but just as we sat out the clouds rolled in and then it started raining.  In an hour half an inch of rain fell and it thundered so we had two traumatised dogs.  Later it cleared up and when I took the dogs out for their evening walk we watched the mist rise from the dales but as I hadn’t taken the camera I didn’t get any photos.

Friday 25 July was another warm sunny day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link).  Three departures but no arrivals and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  A day of preparing for the weekend especially as we were going away Saturday night leaving the place and the dogs in another pair of hands.  Our first night away for five years!  Saturday was really hot, hotter than expected and we recorded the highest temperature of the year so far at 26 degrees.  Two departures including the Dutch family and four arrivals with one cleaner here.  Down to Bakewell for Farmers Market to stock up on provisions.  Cleaning didn’t take long and neither did final checks so we could get ourselves ready too as we had overnight bags to pack.  Found a new job for myself in washing lampshades, some can actually be washed and dry with no marks. Chris still had to water the hanging baskets again, they are looking very nice.  First two cottages here by 3.30 with another one by 4pm.  One has been before.  Final cottage arrived just after 6pm, this was a German family who are here for two weeks.  We set off just after 7pm to spend the rest of the evening with our friends in Yorkshire.  On Sunday we had a ride on the North York Moors Railway planned. We had a good day with our friends and some of their other friends, most of which we knew, helping our friends celebrate their wedding anniversary with lunch on the train (they are volunteers on the North York Moors Railway).  On the return leg of the train journey we were pulled by the Sir Nigel Gresley.  Although cooler than of late it was still a very pleasant day.  In our absence another cottage, already prepared, arrived.  I had already emailed them detailed instructions, it’s not often we are not there to meet guests.  Back late Sunday night after a very nice day.  Look forward to the next break!

Tuesday 22 July was another hot day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link).  No departures or arrivals and I spent time sorting out a spare bedroom in the morning and after lunch went to Peak Village then Bakewell which was very busy.  In the evening a hot air balloon passed over, we have been seeing quite a lot of them recently. With another hot day forecast on Wednesday and being too hot for a walk we opted for the Chestnut Centre near Chapel en Le Frith which is about thirty minutes away but does not allow dogs.  (They had a quiet day at home)!   We stopped at the cafe at Monsal Head for coffee and cake (sorry no photos) before driving to the centre.  I would recommend being there for early afternoon to see the feeding of the animals and we spent an enjoyable few hours looking at the otters, owls and deer.  Headed back via Brough to get some more weed killer from the agricultural merchants and also detoured via the Longstones to see their well dressings.  In the evening we abandoned the dogs again and went down to Piedaniels for a meal, their set meal being very good value.   Thursday was another at home day doing bits around the house.  No departures but Dutch couple here for a second week and another cottage here for a few more days.  Still hot and Chris is spending a couple of hours every day watering plants.  Green Cowden Farm were hay making.  After lunch I finished last quarter’s accounts and we did the VAT returns.   As a reward later in the afternoon we went on a picnic, this time walking across to Kirk Dale.  We got to the end of Andrew’s first field when we saw that the water trough was empty which was worrying as the field had cows in.  The water board had been checking pipes in the area because of low pressure so we phoned Andrew and also walked back home to check our water levels in the holding tanks. With everything OK we then set off for a second time on our picnic.  It felt really hot as we enjoyed the evening sun with the silence punctuated by baling machines.  At this rate farmers will soon be silaging again. Enjoy the photos.

It was raining when we got up on Saturday 19 July at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link) and it rained constantly during the morning.  Four departures, one has booked for next year, but only one arrival but two cleaners up to keep up with cleaning.  Due to the rain only did what was necessary in the cottages so I did not get too wet so spent time on accounts and housework.  Saturday was also Sheldon fete day which we would like to have gone to and could have done but because of the weather didn’t.  A brief respite in the rain mid afternoon before the next round of storms and again all the computers went off so dogs not happy. Cottage finally arrived about 6pm, a Dutch family, but at least it had stopped raining.  After all the rain Sunday was another sunny day, not as warm as recently but very pleasant all the same.  No departures or arrivals so took advantage of the nice afternoon to go to Winster to see the open gardens.  We had been a number of years ago so it was nice to have another wander around the village with the dogs.  They were allowed in most gardens many of which are on a number levels as the village is on a hillside.  Some of the lanes are quite steep and very narrow and we visited the church which we have not done before.  Many of the gardens had refreshments and we bumped into some of our guests enjoying a cream tea in one garden.  We enjoyed refreshments in some of the gardens too and we finished at the garden with the steepest slopes and best views (we could see Bolehill) before heading home and a quiet evening in.  Monday was another warm day.   Two departures and four arrivals and one cleaner up as some cottages had been cleaned on the Saturday.  Chris spent most of the morning watering the plants.  A busy morning with usual Monday jobs and final checks on cottages but everything ready for guests arrivals from 3 to 5 pm with final cottage arriving at 630. One had been before.

Sunday was another fine day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here). One Australian family departed and one Australian family arrived just after 4pm. One cleaner here to turn round cottage.  Down to get paper and surprised bunting already down.  Carnival night is one of the few nights of the year it is lively in Bakewell but the street cleaning team had been out early and done a good job.  After doing final check on cottage spent the day on personal jobs and dipping into the Tour De France.  Particularly wanted to see the climb at Holme Moss as we have driven to Holmfirth that way.  Woodhead Pass was the closest it got to us.  One cottage went to see the Tour pass through High Bradfield on the outskirts of Sheffield and our handyman was almost housebound as his road was carrying traffic diverted away from the tour’s route.  Monday was a warm day with two departures and one arrival.  One cleaner here.  Nice enough to eat lunch al fresco and after cottage arrived, just after 3pm, they have been before, we went to the Calver Garden Centre to get some turf to repair a patch in the lawn.  Time for tea and cake too!  Tuesday was forecast to be a day of sunshine and showers and with no arrivals or departures I decided to go to Chesterfield.  Apart from a supermarket shop I had a number of other items to get from Wilkinson and Argos.  Despite the forecast no showers materialised in Chesterfield but there was one in my absence at home. Wednesday was another pleasant day with no departures but one arrival.  No cleaner as cottage prepared.  They arrived just after 3pm and have been before.  With a WI meeting in the evening I had some paper work to do but also found some time to do some general tidying up.  Spent time chatting with guests too especially with the scheduled visit by the Queen to Matlock and Chatsworth House the next day. This was going to result in some road closures and Chatsworth House would be closed for the day.  I was hoping to go and see her arrive at Chatsworth depending on the weather as the forecast kept changing.  Collected Joanna  in the evening and we went to the Village Hall.  One of our favourite WI evenings as it was a cookery demonstration with samples to taste afterwards!