Some days I wonder where the time goes at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Monday saw one departure and one arrival with one cleaner here.  A procession of vehicles saw rubbish collected, laundry collected, groceries delivered and a parcel for Chris. I always mentioned about my trips to Dunelm but Chris is entitled to his pleasures such as a Screwfix delivery and this time a new drill!  Time to catch up on some WI work before guests arrived later in the afternoon and after dinner I went to the Village Hall for the Village Hall AGM.  As it didn’t last long I went down to Bakewell afterwards to get some bits for the WI lunch on Wednesday. Tuesday was a bit more overcast but the highlight of my day was 7.15 am when my new washing machine arrived.  No departures or arrivals and Chris went to Matlock later in the morning to take some stuff to the recycling depot and to a DIY merchant.  After lunch we went to the nursery to see how our hanging baskets are coming along.  I also picked up some bedding plants for my new planters that the handyman has made for the courtyard.  Wednesday was a busy day but not with Bolehill business. First thing made a load of smoked salmon sandwiches for the WI lunch and Joanna collected me just after 11am to go and set up at the village hall.  They had started silaging at Lynne’s, we noticed the cutters out late on Monday night, but they hadn’t got much done Tuesday so Wednesday turned out to be a good day for them.  Our visiting WI enjoyed the sandwiches and cake we laid on for them and by the time we finished tidying up it was nearly 3.30 by the time I got home.  While it was warm and dry enough I planted out some of the bedding plants and took some pictures of the bluebells in the copse with an audience of cows. I got Chris to cut the grass the forecast looked more unsettled.  I cooked an early tea which was interrupted by a Virgin Hot air balloon going overhead and trying to land in the fields behind but it took off again and carried on. I was then back to the Village hall to attend a meeting with Baslow Village Hall committee members who are trying to get the Hallmark Two status.  A nice sunset on the way home but didn’t have the camera handy.

Tuesday was a day of changeovers at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link).  Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here.  Rubbish collected but laundry will be collected on Wednesday.  A cooler overcast day with some showers but brightening up in the afternoon. Both cottages arrived just after 3.30 and this gave me time to do some accounts for this month.  Wednesday was a fine spring day.  Said an early goodbye to the Australian couple who are heading to the Lake District but hope to visit us again in 2015.  Just after 9am we set off to Hope as we had a visit to the Construction Works arranged by the tourist board.  Hope Construction recently came on board as a Patron to Visit Peak Distinct.  After signing in and being issued with all the protective equipment we were taken by bus to see the quarry. It is HUGE to say the least and although not visible from Hope there is a lane from Bradwell that passes around the quarry.  The big trucks looked so minute against the quarry.  We were lucky to have very knowledgeable guides with us.  On the way back down to the main factory we passed the building where the process begins and the large boulders are emptied into a crusher. We were taken to the main office where we saw the control room and we learnt about the work they are doing to cut carbon emissions and also what they are doing to make their processes less environmentally damaging.  Their power bills bought tears to our eyes!  From here we were able to ride up in the external lift to the top of the Reheating Tower, which is the building we see from the road, with the chimney stack behind.  I am not keen on heights but gritted my teeth to go up in the lift as from the roof we had wonderful views of the Hope Valley and we could make out Mam Tor and Lose and Win Hills.  Safely back on  solid ground we then had a walk along the gangways where you could feel the heat emitted from the furnaces.  A short walk back to sports club where we assembled to hand back our hard hats etc and enjoy a lunch they had provided for us.  Now we know what goes on at the plant. We then popped round to the agriculture merchants at Brough to get some weed killers then on to Hathersage to have a wander round the outdoor shops.  I bought myself some new lightweight walking trousers.  Back via Hassop Station where we had afternoon tea.  The dogs were pleased to see us back but the handyman had been here so at least they had not been home alone! Enjoy the photos.

Monday saw three departures and three arrivals at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link).   A dull day with less rain than expected which was nice.  Two cleaners up but no handyman this week as no real availability in cottages.  Just finished checks before guests arrived.  Two here between 3 and 3.30pm with final one about 4pm.  In the evening I went to Over Haddon for the Village Hall Committee Meeting and Chris went to the photographic society so the dogs were abandoned again.  Tuesday was a much brighter day.  Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner up.  Down to Bakewell early afternoon to get provisions for the next few days and had time to catch up on jobs from the last few days.  We often get items left behind and recently we have had a spate of boots being left behind.   I packed two pairs that were being couriered back, again guests paid for it.  Makes a change to phone chargers.  Later in the afternoon we took the dogs down for their annual health check and vaccinations.  They always behave well at the vets but Chris always complains at the bill after afterwards!   The dogs always get weighed too, Blue is fine but Smudge is a little overweight, not that I think he listened.  He was very disappointed the nice vet didn’t give him a treat.  Back home and guests had arrived, they have been before so knew where to go so I had a chat with them before I sorted dinner out.

Sorry!  I have just realised I have missed this blog!

We had expected more snow on Tuesday night (11/2) at our Bolehill cottages but luckily it did not materialise.  Chris and I carried on with jobs in cottages and cleaner starting preparing cottages for weekend arrivals.  Handyman had problems getting here though as there had been snow on the moors near Sheffield.  We had been given an amber warning for wind later in the day and as the afternoon progressed the wind roared away.  A very large plant pot was blown over as well as a number of smaller pots and Joanna wondered if we should call off the WI meeting.  We decided to go ahead but drove carefully to Over Haddon as there were a number of small branches down and I had to get out of the car once to move a bag of rubbish that had blown into the road.  Despite the appalling weather we had a full turnout for the meeting.  Our speaker was a personal trainer who gave us an informative and amusing talk on the work he does.  A number of us (including me) acted as volunteers to try out some of the exercises he uses.  At least Thursday gave us a respite and we had a nice sunny day.  In the morning I had some WI work to do and then it was back into the cottages.  Chris and the handyman finished mid afternoon so Chris offered to take me out for afternoon tea.  An offer I cannot refuse!  We ended up at Hassop Station as it was not too busy but there was still time to do things in the cottages when we got back.

Tuesday (21/1) was forecast to be wet and dull at our Bolehill cottages (see link) but in reality it wasn’t too bad.  Painting and floor preparation work continued in Dove and I made a concerted effort to get some accounts done as we need to get the VAT return done soon.  On Wednesday morning I went down to Bakewell to get my hair done and get some provisions for the next few days.  It was sunny in the morning but this gave way to a showery afternoon.  More accounts completed too.  Thursday morning saw us both down to Bakewell for our six monthly dental check up.  It had been sunny up until we left the dentist but as we headed to Ashford for lunch at the tea room it was really getting dark.  We arrived at the tea room just as the heavens opened and there was a terrific hailstorm.  By the time we left the hail was still covering the road and it was quite slippery.  Back home the handyman had arrived for the afternoon but wasn’t happy with Blue as he had escaped when he opened the door and ran into the paddock  and the handyman had to fetch him back. It had turned much colder and the afternoon was a mix of sunshine and showers.  A catch up afternoon and I also popped down to Over Haddon to see one of the WI ladies.  Later in the evening the showers became more wintry in nature and we had a covering of snow by the time we went to bed.

Sunday was a glorious day weather wise at our Bolehill cottages (see here), pity we couldn’t enjoy it. It would have been a lovely day for a walk and the weather window meant the retailers in Bakewell had a good Sunday for January. The fitter came for the final morning in Dove although an accident resulted in a cracked bathroom sink.  For me a day of housework and bookings and in the afternoon I took the dogs for a walk around the fields in the sunshine. This year I have decided to take photos every month of Bolehill to see the changes in nature and I will post them later in the year. I was also delighted to see a couple of our pictures have been accepted in a local calendar, not that you will see any for sale as they were included in a local feed merchants calendar (our pictures were of cows).  In the evening we went to the village hall for this months film night which was the Ghost writer which we enjoyed.  With a quiet few days ahead we decided we would go down to Bakewell market on Monday morning.  Monday saw one of those weather inversions with it being -2 and foggy in Bakewell and +1 and sunny with blue skies at Bolehill.  For photographers a great day to be at Curbar Edge to see the magnificent scenery enhanced by the foggy landscape.  If we hadn’t been involved in Dove we might have joined them.  After our foray to Bakewell Chris joined the handyman to start the re painting in Dove.v In the evening Chris went to the photographic society in Bakewell and I went to the village hall for indoor bowls so the dogs were abandoned again.

Thursday was planned to be a day of accounts at our Bolehill cottages (see link). Work was continuing in Dove with the plasterer back to plaster the bedroom ceiling, now with a loft hatch again, and the bedroom wall.  Bath and shower tray now in with sink in by end of day.  Mid morning the couple we know from Ashford called in for coffee and had a look at the progress.  A number of bookings in the afternoon and paid some more January bills.  My new dinner service I am trialling in the cottages arrived and next thing I knew it was time for dinner and no accounts done. Must be all the cups of tea I am making!  Friday was a similar day. One departure and one cleaner up. Handyman up for the morning and he and Chris completed a number of jobs.  Some bushes outside Dove have had to be pruned for the new extractor fan.  Down to Bakewell later in the morning to get provisions for the weekend. In the afternoon I stocked up on logs and did some paperwork.  Saturday was forecast to be wet but it wasn’t too bad.  Fitter up again and Chris was busy with bits in Dove so I headed over to Buxton to pick up the flooring.  Blue was in the car from a trip with Chris so I think he was quite surprised to find himself going on a trip to Buxton with me.  I talked to him during our journey which probably explains the strange looks I kept getting from him!  Managed to get some accounts done on the afternoon and in the evening we went to the White Lion at Great Longstone for a meal with some friends.  The place wasn’t busy, all the diners seemed to be locals.  Had a very nice meal and pleasant evening.

Monday was another fine day at our Bolehill cottages (see link).   Another busy day with two departures but no arrivals and one cleaner up.   Fitter up to carry on in Dove and handyman up as well.  He started taking down the Christmas lights.  Rubbish and laundry collected and another busy day for emails and bookings.  In the evening I went to the Village Hall for the latest Committee meeting.  Big story in the village was about oil theft as one resident had had the oil syphoned from his tank.  It is a big problem in rural areas.  Tuesday was a colder day.  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner up.  Handyman up too to help Chris with a number of jobs including checking a possible leak on one of the roofs after all the wet and windy weather we have had.  Early afternoon I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next few days and got back just in time to welcome the arriving guests.  This gave me the rest of the afternoon to to catch up with jobs I’d not done on Monday such as ordering a new fridge for one of the cottages and measuring another cottage for new curtains.  Wednesday was mainly damp in the morning with a bit more brightness in the afternoon. After coffee Chris and I set off for Buxton where we called in at our friends in Chelmorton to look at their bathroom flooring as we planned to use the same material in dove kitchen.  Also called in at various builders merchants and electrical wholesalers to pick up some more bits for Dove.  Stopped for lunch in Buxton and it was late afternoon before we got back.  A couple more bookings to round of the day. Half way through the meteorological winter and no severe wintry weather yet. Still conscious of what happened last year though so can’t relax!