Friday 27 May was a pleasant spring day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) and for once it looked like the weekend would be nice.  Had anyone told the weather it was a Bank Holiday Weekend?  Three departures and one arrival with two cleaners here. With early departures all cleaning and checks completed by lunchtime.  Made the most of the nice afternoon by making a start on planting out my purchases from Thursday.  The hanging baskets are also ready for collection.  Cottage arrived about 5pm.  A disturbed evening as the cows seemed particularly troublesome as they managed to break through the electric fence twice and we needed to get Andrew up to round them up.  Discovered the electric fence had short circuited so that was fixed.  Saturday was a busy day. Down to Bakewell first thing for the Farmers Market which was busy.  Back home to three departures and five arrivals with two cleaners here.  A lovely day weather wise, warm and mainly sunny.  All cleaning completed before lunch and final checks completed just after lunch.  Chris cut the grass again. Andrew is starting silaging on Sunday, the earliest he has silaged for a number of years, and you can already see where this is happening in the far distance. Additionally they will be shearing sheep at Little Cowden Farm on Sunday so it’s all go!  A rush of arrivals between 3 and 3.30 saw four cottages arrive, three have been before. Planted in some more plants. Final cottage arrived at 5pm, they have been before. Then we headed to Monyash as the well dressings had gone up.  Even though it was late in the afternoon it was still busy.  Must have been the nice weather.

Monday 23rd May was a pleasant day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  One departure and two arrivals with one cleaner here.  A busy morning but all cleaning and checks completed by lunchtime.  Afternoon spent on paperwork, mainly preparations for the evening’s village hall committee meeting.  Both cottages here between 4.30 and 5pm, one of which has been before.  Tuesday saw a glorious morning.  No departures but one arrival with cottage already prepared.  Handyman here and he and Chris continued with outside jobs.  After coffee I went to Sainsburys in Matlock and back for a late lunch.  Cottage arrived just after 3pm.  Later in the afternoon we went to Ashford to view the well dressings and flower festival in the church which was very colourful.  Called in to see the couple we know and stayed for a cup of tea and a chat.  Wednesday was a quiet day so a chance to catch up on jobs around the house.  Down to Bakewell first thing for my dancercise after which I got a few provisions for the next few days. A cool, murky day but at least the forecast looks as it will improve which would be nice for the bank holiday weekend.  Cows were let into our front field today, must make sure I close the gate from the garden into the field this time!  Thursday was at least drier and milder although it stayed cloudy for most of the day.  One departure then we went to the Chatsworth Garden Center so I could pick up some bedding plants, know what I’ll be doing over the weekend. Driving through Chatsworth we decided the lambs were feeling particularly kamikaze as many were wandering out onto the road.  Cleaner here at lunchtime and afternoon went on various jobs.  Cottage arrived about 7pm.  Lovely to hear so much birdsong around at the moment, even the guests are commenting on it.

Friday 20 May was another pleasant day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Two departures and two arrivals with one cleaner here.  Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend.  The Dreams and Ice Cream shop now sells soaps and smelly things and the new Chinese Restaurant is open.  Jobs around the cottages in the morning and accounts and paper work in the afternoon.  Both cottages arrived between 4 and 4.30, both have been before.  It had started to rain by the time I took Smudge out for his evening walk.  Chris spent some time in the evening sorting out his friend’s computer in Over Haddon.  Saturday was forecast to be wet and it got off to a cloudy but dry start.  Three departures and two arrivals with two cleaners here.  With early departures cleaning was underway by 9am and all cleaning and checks completed by lunchtime.  By then it had started raining and it continued through the afternoon with some heavy bursts.  The afternoon went in accounts and paperwork.  First day of  Ashford’s Well Dressings so hope they survived the rain.  First cottage here just before 4pm with second cottage just before 6pm, both have been before.  At least it dried up in the evening.  Sunday by contrast was dry and mainly sunny.  One departure and one arrival with cottage already prepared.  Down to Bakewell to get the paper then a quiet morning on housework.  After lunch Chris cut the grass again as it seems to have shot up and he also did some strimming.  Cottage arrived at 3pm.  In the evening I collected Andrew and Joanna and we went to the Village Hall for the film the Lady in the Van which we enjoyed.  On the way back there was a lovely sunset but the colours had gone by the time I got home so unfortunately no photos.

Friday 13 May was a fair day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  One departure and one arrival with one cleaner here.  Down to Bakewell  first thing to get provisions for the weekend.  A day of jobs around the vacant cottages and home with cottage arriving about 4.30. Saturday was the busiest Saturday for a long time.  Dry and sunny but with a cool breeze.  Six departures and four arrivals with three cleaners here.  All cleaning finished before lunch with checks  completed before first arrival at 3pm.  All cottages here by 4pm, three have been before. Our friend from York arrived for the weekend and we rounded off the evening with a Chinese take away.  Sunday turned out to be a much better day weather wise than forecast.  A lovely sunny mild spring day with one departure and one arrival with cottage already cleaned.  We decided to go for a walk and parked down by the River Wye in the free parking spaces near Cressbrook.  From here we walked along the road and by the mill picked up the concessionary path to Litton.  It was still a little boggy in Water Cum Jolly but it was quite scenic.  At Litton Mill we climbed up to the Monsal Trail and started to walk back to Bakewell.  Just before the Litton Tunnel we headed uphill on the old Monsal Trail. From here we had wonderful views over the Monsal Trail where it was out of the tunnels and of the Wye Valley and surrounding settlements.  We also found some Bluebells.  Once back onto the Monsal Trail we walked up to Monsal Head and had lunch at Hobbs Cafe.  Overall about five miles.  Back home in time for cottage arriving at around 4pm.  We then took our friend down to Over Haddon and introduced him to the Garden Tea Room after which we had a swift half at the Lathkil Hotel which was busy due to the nice weather.  Enjoy the photos.

Sunday 8 May saw a lovely summer day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Blue skies and warm sunshine from the off.  Can’t believe from winter jumpers to summer dresses in a week!  We also noticed that the trees suddenly seem to be in leaf.  No departures but one arrival later in the day.  Down to Bakewell to get the paper and on the way back noticed Andrew was going to move some more cows across the road so Chris gave a hand.  Jobs around the house and garden and later in the afternoon we packed up a picnic and headed to Kirk Dale on the way to Sheldon where we enjoyed our food and the warm evening sun.  Smudge enjoyed his dinner al fresco too.  Cottage arrived in our absence at 7.30, they have been before.  Monday was another sunny, warm day but the wind took the edge of the temperature.  One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here.  A busy day with emails and phone calls which resulted in a number of bookings.  Squeezed some cottage and garden jobs in between.  Chris also cut the grass.  Cottage arrived at 5.30.  Had to issue a group ASBO to the cows that came over last Monday.  When I took Smudge out in the evening we found one cow in the wrong field, a bit later most of them were to be found in our front field, we think a gate had accidentally been left open.  The grass is always greener…  Tuesday started dry but by mid morning it was raining and it rained for most of the day.  Two departures with one arrival and one cleaner here.  Cottage jobs in the morning and accounts and paperwork in the afternoon.  Can’t complain as it was the worst weather day for over a week.

Thursday 6th May was similar to Wednesday weather wise at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  No departures or arrivals.  We had thought about a walk in Deep Dale to see the orchids and cow slips but one of the cottages had walked there on Wednesday and they still weren’t out so we made the most of the nice day with outside jobs.  It was even warm enough to have lunch on the patio.  Friday felt warmer with a lack of a breeze.  Hard to believe that this time last week we woke to snow.  Down to Bakewell first thing to get hair cut and pick up provisions for the weekend.  Two departures and one cleaner here with two arrivals expected in the afternoon.  First one here at 3.30 and second one arrived about 5pm, both have been before.  We then set off to Tissington to see the well dressings.  It was a lovely evening as we made our way around the village admiring the works of art.  We were about to leave when we came across a hot air balloon being made ready for a flight so we stayed and watched it set off.  On the way back we stopped at Carriages at Newhaven for a meal.  We have not been there for a while and the owners are retiring at the end of the month.  Saturday was another warm day but with a breeze.  Three departures and four arrivals and two cleaners here.  A number of jobs in the cottages with everything finished by lunchtime.  First cottage here at 3.15 with the remaining three arriving between 3.30 and 4pm, all have been before.  It clouded up later in the afternoon with some rumbles of thunder and a little rain but nothing too much for Smudge to worry about. Enjoy the pictures.

Bank Holiday Monday at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) started dry and was quite sunny and mild in the afternoon with a few passing showers at lunchtime.  No departures but one arrival with cottage already prepared.  Spent the morning on jobs around the house and concentrated on paperwork in the afternoon after final check on cottage which arrived at 4.30, they have been before.  We also helped bring the first of the cows over the road to our fields for the summer.  Took my camera but discovered the memory card was full so didn’t get any pictures.  They were no problem except for one who has been given an ASBO as she would not go with the others and it took five of us to coral her into the right field.  Still Smudge is happy because he can cow watch.  Also saw the first swallow on this side of the road.  Tuesday was brighter and warmer than Monday and dry too.  One departure but no arrivals with one cleaner here.  Jobs around the house in the morning then after lunch got a call to help bring the next set of cows over but at least my camera was working.  Went to Morrisons in Buxton after that.  A busy day for emails and bookings too.  Braved putting winter wardrobe away and getting the summer wardrobe out. Wednesday dawned sunny and mild but with a little breeze.  One departure but no arrivals.  Down to Bakewell first thing for my dancercise and afterwards got a few provisions before back mid morning.  Made the most of the quiet day to catch up on paperwork and some accounts.  It was a lovely day and it felt like spring had finally arrived.

April’s weather stats.  Highest temp 13.5C on 21st with warmest day 13th and night 3rd.  Lowest temp -1.1C on 28th with coldest day 26th and night 27th.  Wettest day 6th with .37 inches rain with total for April 2.36 inches (April 2015 0.9 inches)

Friday 22 April saw one departure and one arrival with one cleaner here at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  A cooler day and a bit more overcast but at least it stayed dry.  A lot of the day went on preparations for Friday’s and Saturday’s arrivals and also as it is likely to be cool for a little longer, we stocked up on logs.  Cottage arrived at 3.30.  Finalised last quarter’s accounts and completed the VAT return.  Dry, sunny and cool on Saturday.  It’s as if winter just doesn’t want to let go.  One departure and two arrivals with one cleaner here.  After completing checks in cottages I made the most of the day by doing some more decluttering in the house.  It will be the last chance on a Saturday for a while.  Chris also did some jobs in the house.  First cottage here just after 3pm with second one here about half an hour later, both have been before.  When I took Smudge out I noticed just how dry it has been recently as the ground is already starting to crack in places.  Sunday felt cooler and although mainly cloudy it stayed dry until late in the afternoon when we had a few showers.  One departure but no arrivals and the day went on jobs around the house and preparations for the week ahead. Monday was a busy day and felt quite cold.  Down to Bakewell first thing to go to the market and get provisions for the next few days.  Three departures and three arrivals and one cleaner here.  All three cottages arrived around 4pm, two have been before.  Time to prepare for the evening and an early dinner before heading to Over Haddon for the Village Hall Committee meeting.  The temperature was showing below zero when I returned home.

Thursday 21st April was the last of the spring like days at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) so with no departures or arrivals we headed off to Hathersage for a walk on Stanage Edge.  When we looked we realised we had last done this walk in 2007. We parked at Dennis Knoll where there is free parking beside a track leading up to the Edge which we took.  It was a steady climb with great views along the Hope Valley the higher we got even if it was a little hazy. We walked a little way along the Edge then picked up the track to Redmires Reservoirs so that we could see the new Stanage Pole that had been erected the previous weekend to mark the 65th anniversary of the Peak District National Park.  There are many thoughts about the point of the original pole and it is generally accepted that it was erected as a boundary marker between Derbyshire and Yorkshire or the old kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria.  From here we could make out the Redmires Reservoirs and Sheffield beyond. Retracing our steps back to the Edge we paused for a break before we picked up the track down to the a car park and picnic area.  From here we crossed the lane and picked up the path that skirted North Lees Hall (reputedly the inspiration for Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre) and headed on a path to Greens House before taking the path back to Dennis Knoll.  A short drive back to Hathersage for a late lunch at Cintras which has a garden so Smudge was able to sit with us.  After a wander round the outdoor shops I took the opportunity to pick up some provisions for the weekend from the Hathersage shops saving me a trip to Bakewell on Friday morning.

Enjoy the photos.