dog friendly cottages peak district

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post Easter

Monday was Easter Monday.  It rained.  It rained most of the day.  Typical bank Holiday Monday!  One cottage out and two back in with one cleaner up.  No problems encountered and both cottages arrived just after 3pm.  Rained eased off late afternoon so took the dogs for a walk.  We have quite a few dogs here again this week at our dog friendly cottages.  Tuesday was a lot brighter with the threat of showers.  With no arrivals or departures we decided to go to Ashbourne as we haven’t been there for a while.  First stop was the recycling centre then the garden centre where I bought some plants of course!  Then we had a wander round town.  Disappointed to find one of the deli’s closed but still many food shops remaining.  A few new shops to browse as well and luckily only saw one shower which made us wonder if we could have gone for a walk but some of our other guests said they had been caught in a few more showers so it did depend on where you were.  On the way back we did a detour to call in at Bakewell to pick up some supplies from the agricultural store including some compost for my hanging baskets.  I also called in at our WI President as I needed some cheques signing. Wednesday was similar to Tuesday weather wise.  In between showers did some gardening and Chris added some shingle to the paths.  Some evening showers produced a nice rainbow display. After dinner Chris and I collected Joanna and Andrew and us ladies went to the monthly WI meeting while the men went for a drink at the Lathkil.  First they had to help our speaker, a cousin of Andrews, who had come to give us a cookery demonstration, bring in all the goodies from her car.  The advantage was at the end of the evening they were also able to sample her cooking just like the ladies!

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Half Term begins

Friday was very cold, barely reaching 0C with not only the drive a little icy but the courtyard and car park were too so out went Chris with his salt spreader.  One cleaner up ahead of a busier weekend.  Spent the day finalising cottages for Saturday’s arrivals and had hoped to tick off a few more jobs on my list but I found the icy conditions slowed me down a little so I didn’t get as much done as I hoped.  In the afternoon found some sheep in the guests garden and discovered they had breached one of the walls and although when they saw me they leaped back, with green grass in short supply due to snow and ice I expect they’ll be back.  Had a last minute cancellation for Saturday but have had a few enquiries for vacancies, just have to hope some convert to bookings. One cottage in for a couple of nights arriving about 6pm, they have been before but many years ago. A very cold night followed but not as cold as Tuesday night and Saturday dawned sunny but cold.  The sun made it feel warmer than it was but the ground had iced up again so Chris took the dogs for a walk.  With cottages almost finished everything ready by coffee time when Chris’s friend (who was here a few weeks ago) arrived with her brother to pick up some furniture.  We still have stuff to sort out from our parents but we are slowly getting there.  Three cottages arriving today and all have been before.  Two arrived between 3.30 and 4.30 pm with final one about 6.30 pm. All have dogs and we will have a number of collies here too this week at our dog friendly peak district cottages.  Tried taking a picture of the evening sky but it has not come out well but the colours were good.  Also took a couple earlier in the day of icicles so enjoy them.

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A quiet New Year and weather stats

Had hoped either Saturday or Sunday would be dry enough to go for a walk from our peak district cottages but it was not to be.  So both days were spent doing some work (paperwork, accounts, bookings, and housework) and a bit of leisure, for me another jigsaw which I will have to do without the help of friends (did I mention that we always do a jigsaw when our friends are here at Christmas).  On New Years Eve evening we popped round to my friend in one of the cottages and had a couple of drinks although we were back before midnight.

Wish I was there!  I love Salzburg.  Home of ‘Sound of Music’ and Mozart.

Decembers weather stats.  We had 7.29″ rain!!!  In Dec 10 we had only .72″ rain.  Just to put this in focus we had 30.75″ rain during 2011 so nearly a quarter of that fell in the last month of the year.  Wettest day was 29th with 1.05″.  Highest temp 11.1 on Boxing Day which was the warmest day of the month with Xmas Day night being the warmest.  16th was the coldest day and the night of the 17th the coldest night with the lowest temperature of -1.8 on the 18th.  Unfortuantely forgot to record the stats for 2011 as all the data started again from 1st January but can tell you this:

hottest day was 27 June with temperature of 25.4 coldest day was 21 January with a temperature of -4.3
wettest day was 29th December!

With regards to rainfall we had 30.75″ in 2011 as opposed to 26.48 in 2010.  If  December had been as dry as other months we may have had a record dry year but December had as much rain as January, February and March put together.  For further comparison we had 37.16″ in 2009 and 44.16″ in 2008.

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First Christmas arrivals

Back to green scenery on Tuesday although when I took the dogs for their morning walk I could see the hills towards Longnor were still snow capped.  One cleaner up to keep up with cleaning and Chris and I spent most of the day finishing off the cottages.  One arrival, they have been before, arriving about 3pm.  A milder day with a few mild days ahead.  Looks like being the first green Christmas in three years!  On Wednesday morning went down to Bakewell early to get last minute bits for the weekend, which Christmas is this year, just a weekend!  One cleaner up to do public areas and any last minute housekeeping bits.  Four cottages in, all with dogs, at our dog friendly cottages and two have been before.  Two arrived about 3pm with one at 4pm and final one at 5.30pm.  Time to get remaining cottages ready for Friday, bar final bits and also finally iced our Christmas cake!

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A winter wonderland

Woke up Friday to a light dusting of snow but that soon went.  Four cottages out with two back in and one cleaner up.  A quiet weekend cottage wise so Chris and handyman carrying on with jobs around the cottages.  A number of snow showers arrived and departed but then the sun would come out and the snow would disappear, although later in the day the snow left a covering.  First guests arrived about 3.30pm with final guests about 9.30, by which time there was  layer of snow on the ground, they have been before.  Had thought about going to Ashbourne for their Christmas evening but with sub zero temperatures forecast decided best not to go.  On Saturday there was a good couple of inches of snow on the ground and not the hoar frost as expected.  Again in the distance could see green fields at lower levels and for once Chris came out with me and the dogs and took a lot of photos of the snow and dogs at our dog friendly cottages.  See the results here.  Marzipaned the Christmas Cake and typed up the WI programme for next year.  Stocked up on logs for the week ahead and did some baking in the afternoon before starting Christmas Cards in the evening.

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Padley Gorge

It was a lovely sunny start to Sunday with a nip in the air.  Four departures this morning and while I sorted these out Chris went down to Andrew’s to photograph some cows for him.  Once back we went and got the paper and tried to decide where to go for a walk.  I had suggested Lathkill Dale but thought it might be too much in the shade so I then suggested one of my favourite walks from here to Youlgreave but in the end we opted for Padley Gorge so we could see the autumn colours there.  We were lucky to get the last parking space on the road to Grindleford station.  We took the right hand, less defined path up the side of the gorge as you get closer to the water and I did remember there would be a few trickier bits to negotiate.  We did get some nice shots during the day so I hope you like the pictures.  There were a lot of other photographers out as well.  At the top of the gorge we had a fine view to Carl Wark and Higger Tor and we headed towards the Surprise car park but before we reached it headed down the hill in the direction of Hathersage.  We found a spot to eat lunch on Millstone Edge with a nice view of Win Hill, Lose Hill and Mam Tor in the distance.  We then picked up a green path below the Edge we have not used before which headed back to Padley Gorge. I had always heard about the number of ‘abandoned’ millstones below Millstone Edge and was delighted to have finally found them.  Being in a wooded area there were lots of other tracks and at one stage I was not sure which path to take but we ended up back by the gorge, on the other side to where we had climbed up and very soon we were back down in Nether Padley.  We walked along to the Padley Chapel, which was closed, but it was a pleasant diversion in the afternoon sun.  Back at our peak district cottages and with a chilly night in prospect got the log burning fire going. Here is a shot to wet your appetite.

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half term begins

Over breakfast on Thursday we discussed what we could do for the day which weather wise was looking quite nice.  I’ll do the emails and bits and then we can go off somewhere I said.  Well the next thing we knew it was midday so we just ended up going down to Bakewell to get bits for the weekend with the dogs. We then did some jobs around the house. Friday was back to business with three cottages out and two back in.  One cleaner up.  First guests arrived about 3.30 and second ones about 6.30, they have been before. A bit of time to catch up with some accounts whilst waiting for guests as well as preparations for Saturday.  Saturday was a pleasant day of almost wall to wall sunshine at our dog friendly cottages.  Three cottages out with four back in and two cleaners up.  Apart from Chris having to clear a sluggish outside drain no problems encountered.  He used one of Andrews gloves that he uses when he has to do internal examinations of cows – I should have taken a picture of him with his pink plastic long glove!  For once none of the guests have been here before.  Guests arrived between 3.30 and 5.30 and I spent a little time finishing off the work on next years prices before sitting down for the evening.

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More guests

Popped down to Bakewell first thing on Monday to get some plants from the market except the one week I go the stall wasn’t there!  I was down there just after 9am so parking wasn’t a problem but by the time I set off for home at 10 am the car parks were already full!  A lot of traffic would have been to do with the Bakewell Show as we have been noticing a lot of ‘portaloos’ on trailers passing Bolehill heading to Bakewell! It was very warm albeit overcast at our peak district cottages.  One cottage out with two cottages back in and one cleaner up.  A bit of cow rustling as we call it and cows are now in different fields and the drive field is empty so Blue can go into the field to bark at balloons!  Both cottages arrived about 3pm, one having been before we came here and another who has a stall at the Bakewell Show.  He had already set up so he could enjoy Tuesday before the show itself.  Another warm evening to eat al fresco with the dogs finding balloons to bark at.  Time for some gardening too.  Tuesday was another warm day with one cottage arriving in the afternoon and one cleaner up to keep up with cleaning.  Guests arrived about 4pm.  They have been before and are showing their dogs at the Bakewell Show.  Another evening to eat al fresco.  Pity it wont last!

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Is it really July?

One minute it feels like July then suddenly its more like March.  Saturday started wet and you know how I hate wet Saturdays when there is a big changeover.  Five cottages out with six back in and one here for a second week.  Three cleaners up and no problems, apart from getting wet, to report.  Luckily after lunch it did clear up so at least when guests started to arrive it was sunny.  Four of the cottages have been before and five of the cottages arrived between 3 and 4.30pm with the final cottage arriving about 7pm.  We also have a lot of dogs here this week at our pet friendly cottages so Smudge will be happy with all the cottages he can try and sneak snacks from!  We had a wonderful moonrise on Saturday evening so I took some photos.  My little camera isn’t ideal  but hope you get an idea of the colour of the sky bearing in mind it was 9pm.  Sunday.  Well, what can you say about Sunday.  It was a horrible day weather wise so a day for indoor jobs.  Pity, as it was the Winster open gardens so they won’t have had a good afternoon either.

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Farmers Market

Here we are again!  Last Saturday of the month and another trip down to the Farmers Market. Five cottages out and with some early departures cleaning was already underway by the time I left for the market.  It was quite dull but it was supposed to brighten and warm up during the afternoon which it never did.  Never mind, a mini heatwave is expected.  Two cleaners up and an early finish for cleaning gave me time to get my chores done.  A more spread out arrival with four cottages here between 3 & 4 pm, two more between 4 & 5 pm and final one at 7pm.  Three have been before and after a couple of weeks with no dogs we have a number of dogs back in our dog friendly cottages near Bakewell.