From Saturday January 7 we had a quieter period as the post New Year guests started to depart.  For a couple of weeks we had just a few cottages in.  Took advantage of the lull to catch up on accounts and commence the deep cleaning regime in the cottages.  We also found a day to go shopping at the Trafford Center.  We did wake up to some snow on Friday 13th January. Probably about an inch but the cleaner couldn’t make it as she had more in her village.  As usual there was hardly anything in Bakewell as I discovered when Chris dropped me off after lunch to go shopping. Towards the end of January we had more guests particularly at the weekends.  The weather was mixed with a combination of fine mild days and colder days and we had a couple of days of hoar-frost which always makes for good photo opportunities. Some friends came to visit one weekend and Chris even managed to come to the Farmers Market with me.

Weather stats for January.  Highest temp 9.4C on 7th with lowest temp -3.7C on 27th.  Warmest day 7th and night 15th.  Coldest day and night 26th.  Wettest day 15th with .4 in rain.  Total for Jan 17 1.66 in compared to 4.07 in Jan 16.

We missed last years ploughing match due to the rain so we decided we would go again this year as it was a fine day. First thing on Wednesday 5th October I went down to Bakewell for my dancing leaving Chris to see to the departure.  Later in the morning we headed to Ashbourne and down past the village of Lees to the farm where the event was taking place.  It’s more than just a ploughing match and more like a mini Ashover show minus the livestock.  There was still some ploughing in progress so we watched for a while before visiting the trade stands and food and craft tents.  By mid afternoon we had seen everything so we headed home stopping in Ashbourne en route. Thursday was a cool but dry and sunny day.  No departures but one arrival here later in the day.  Most of the day went in accounts and paper work but I also did some housework.  When I took Smudge for an early evening walk I could see that Autumn colours are starting to appear. Friday was overcast and a little damp to start with but it was mild.  Two departures and two arrivals with one cleaner here.  Everything ready by lunchtime and both arrivals were here just after 3pm, both have been before.  Later in the afternoon we went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  Saturday was brighter and milder.  Three departures and three arrivals and a last minute cancellation due to a fall.  Two cleaners here and all cleaning and preparations completed by lunchtime.  All arrivals here by 4pm, two have been before.  Did some more accounts as want to be as up to date as possible by Wednesday when I go down to my sisters for a few days.  Sunday was mainly sunny but with a cool breeze.  One departure but no arrivals and a quiet day for us. Enjoy the photos.

Monday 11 July was a showery day but not cold.  A couple of arrivals and a cleaner here.  Tuesday was dry but a dull day.  Buxton in the morning and a visit from our friends in Ashford in the afternoon. Wednesday felt a bit warmer with some sunshine.  Final dance session in the morning before the summer break although I have signed up for summer school.  Spent some time pottering around the garden in the afternoon and Chris did some painting in a vacant cottage.  Thursday was the best day of the week so we did a walk from Middleton By Youlgrave (see separate blog).  Andrew fly sprayed his cows and some were moved into different fields.  We are expecting the hooligans in the front field any day now, that will be interesting.  Later in the afternoon we went to Over Haddon for tea and cake and a look at the Well Dressings after which we had a quick drink at the pub.  Friday was mainly dry but overcast.  Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend while Chris saw off the departures. Chris managed to cut the grass before the guests arrived in the afternoon.  Saturday was a drizzly day with a busy changeover. A few chores for Chris and a steady stream of arrivals in the afternoon, most of which had been before.  At least we saw some pleasant evening sun.  Sunday was a lovely day with a taste of good weather.  Chris did some gardening and I did some housework but we also found time to relax. Looking forward to the weather in the week ahead!

Monday 16 May was a fine day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  No departures but two arrivals with one cleaner here.  Chris and friend went down to Bakewell market in the morning and to Calver Garden Centre to pick up some turf in the afternoon.  I spent some time on jobs in the cottages and house.  First cottage here about 4pm with second cottage about 4.30, both have been before.  Early in the evening we went to the White Lion at Great Longstone as we haven’t been for a while.  We had a nice meal there before our friend went home.  Tuesday was a warm spring day with a lovely blue sky to start and although it clouded up it stayed mild.  No arrivals or departures and handyman here and he and Chris spent most of the day on outside work as did I.  Later in the afternoon we went to the tea room in Over Haddon where we found some of our guests.  We stayed and chatted with Karen and Mark and then ended up going round to the Lathkil for a swift half and a bite to eat.  By the time we left it was rain lightly.  Wednesday got off to a wet start and despite the forecast the afternoon dried up a little and we even saw some sunshine.  Down to Bakewell first thing for the next course of my dancing fitness.  One departure and one arrival with cottage already prepared.  Jobs around the house with cottage arriving about 4pm.  In the evening I went to the AGM of the Village Hall and will remain on the committee for another year.  Thursday was a quiet day with no arrivals or departures. A pleasant day which went on cleaning the car and then heading to a charity depot in Chesterfield.  My good deed for the day. By the time we got back it was raining but it was still mild.

Wednesday 11th May was a weird weather day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  The promise of rain never materialised but the morning felt humid and the sky looked like a storm was imminent.  It lifted a little in the afternoon to give some glimpses of sun and it felt mild.  One departure with one arrival later in the day.  Down to Bakewell for the last of my dancercise classes and back in time for cleaner.  After lunch we went to Chesterfield to Bookers and Dunelm and back via Over Haddon to call in at the Garden Tea Room although they were not open. Cottage arrived at 6.30, they have been before. Thursday was forecast to be a fine warm day so we opted for a walk.  We usually walk Deep Dale near Sheldon on the May Day Bank Holiday weekend to see the orchids and cowslips but with the cooler weather we knew they were not out then.  We took a chance that the recent warm weather had encouraged them to emerge. We parked at Sheldon and took the path down through Little Shacklow Wood hoping to catch some Bluebells but there were none but there was plenty of wild garlic.  It was quite muddy underfoot. We emerged down by the River Wye and walked along stopping to take picture of the old mill.  As we started to ascend into Great Shacklow Wood there was plenty of wild garlic, then Bluebells and also other flora.  When we reached Deep Dale we were delighted to find that both the orchids and cowslips were out in abundance so we took plenty of pictures and also stopped for lunch.  We completed the circuit by walking almost to the end of the Dale then taking the path back to the village, a good five miles in total.  A detour via Monyash to pick up an ice cream before returning home.  Enjoy the photos.

Tuesday 26 April started sunny but cold at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  One departure with no arrivals and one cleaner here.  After she finished we headed to Chesterfield as we had a number of  items to buy.  First stop Currys for a new microwave oven, only the second one that has broken during our tenure, then we headed into town and had lunch.  By now it had started to rain which subsequently turned to snow.  Last stop before heading home was Dunelm of course.  Driving over the tops there was some lying snow and as the Peak District came back into view we were amazed at how much snow there was.  We made a detour to call in at Karen and Marks’ in Over Haddon before going home.  Apparently snow had briefly settled but it had gone by the time we got back.  In the evening we picked up Karen and Mark and went to the Royal Oak at Hurdlow for a meal.  We haven’t been there for a while and had a good meal.  Weather wise Wednesday was a repeat of Tuesday.  A lovely sunny but cold start and down to Bakewell for my dancercise before picking up a few provisions.  Jobs around the house and catching up from Tuesday saw the afternoon disappear and during the afternoon there was a run of wintry showers.  Thursday followed a similar pattern of weather with a dry and sunny morning but a wet, cold afternoon.  We had a visit to Cromford Mill organised by the Tourist Board to learn about the latest developments and saw the new audio visual display before a guided tour.  I was surprised at how much I learnt despite all the visits over the years.  A late lunch at Cromford Wharf before returning home later in the afternoon.

After a lovely Sunday, Monday 18 April was a dull day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) but at least it stayed dry.  No departures or arrivals which is unusual for a Monday.  A busy morning for emails and general Monday routines and after lunch we drove over to see the cleaner with the broken wrist (she will have to have a further operation so is not happy) and dropped some stuff off at the recycling centre.  On the way back we called in at the agricultural merchants to pick up some compost.  Tuesday was a glorious spring day.  One departure with two arrivals, one having booked that morning and one cleaner here.  Handyman here as well and he and Chris did some outside work as the weather was so nice.  Preparations for the arrivals and jobs in vacant cottages for me.  Both cottages arrived just after 3pm, one has been before.  Have noticed that the grass is starting to grow, some cows may come across to this side of the road as early as this weekend if the nice weather continues.  Bushes and trees are showing signs of turning green but winter hasn’t quite left us yet.  Wednesday was also a lovely day although there was a little bit more of a breeze.  Down to Bakewell for my dancercise first thing then picked up a few provisions before back for a late coffee.  A number of emails and bookings kept me busy until lunchtime after which Chris cut the grass for the first time in weeks.  One departure with one arrival with cottage already cleaned.  Final checks before cottage arrived just after 3pm.  As it was so nice we went down to the Garden Tea Room for a late cup of tea and cake and ended up chatting for a while.