I’m innocent!

Friday 19 September was a dreary drizzly day with no departures or arrivals at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).   Down to Bakewell to get hair cut in the morning, they have switched off the temporary traffic lights even if they have not been moved, and get some provisions for the weekend.  Back to find our friend already here for weekend.  One of the dogs, and we think we know who but can’t prove it, pinched some treats from friends handbag when she wasn’t looking.  Out for lunch and went to Scarthin Books at Cromford as we have been sending a lot of book hunting guests there in the last couple weeks. After a browse round the shop we had lunch in their cafe  which serves vegetarian and vegan food.  We took a leisurely drive home stopping off at Massom Mill and various patchwork and needlework shops on the way.  Saturday was another dreary day with some glimpses of sunshine.  Five departures and five arrivals and three cleaners here.  Friend went down to Bakewell for a few hours whilst we got through the major part of the cleaning.  With some early departures we were able to make good progress with only a couple of minor jobs for Chris.  It was too wet to cut the grass.  Three of the arrivals were here between 3and 4pm, two have been before, with final two here by 5pm, one has been before. We enjoyed a Chinese takeaway for tea.  Sunday was a far more pleasant day.  No departures or arrivals but down to Bakewell to get the paper. We went to Longnor for lunch then came back via Hartington.  It was the end of their well dressing week, theirs is one of the last in the calendar, and good news from the cheese shop as they can finally produce Stilton.  Friend left late afternoon and a number of hot air balloons took advantage of the calm conditions for a early evening flights.  Glad the dogs didn’t spot them.  Guests returning from Ladybower told us that the two Lancaster’s had flown over the Derwent Dam and we hadn’t even heard they were going to be there!

I had decided that Wednesday would be the best weekday at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Despite the misty start we thought we would go to Chatsworth to see the outdoor sculptures as well as the latest displays in the house.  Even after coffee there was still no sign of the sun but we set off regardless and opted to visit the house first.  It was busy, perhaps everyone had the same idea, but we enjoyed our stroll throughout the house, noticing the changes from the previous year and looking at the exhibitions for this year which was wartime based.  As the mist had still not lifted after visiting the house we had lunch and instead of eating in the courtyard we ate in the restaurant where we had a pleasant lunch.  So we were disappointed when we left the restaurant and the mist was still there, in fact there was drizzle in the air.  So much for sun from 10am!  Nevertheless we made the most of the gardens taking the dogs with us to view the Beyond Limits sculptures.  As usual a mixture of the interesting and bizarre.  Most enjoyable, and probably the most expensive, was the feature by Xu Bing, a Chinese artist, which was more impressive close up and as it was situated on the private lawns we were allowed to view in small groups.  The sun did make a cameo appearance about 4pm and I had what was probably my last ice cream of the year before we came home.  Thursday was similar weather wise but the sun did make more of an appearance in the afternoon.  A busy morning with bookings and also a couple of cancellations – both were bookings I had taken on Wednesday evening.  We have had a spate of cancellations recently but that’s how it goes.  Otherwise it was a catch up day and I also spent time chatting to guests.  We have a friend coming to stay at the weekend so I had some preparations to do but hopefully we’ll have some time to relax even if it is a busy Saturday.  Enjoy the photos.

winner bird carving

Sunday 14 September was a fair day. One departure and no arrivals at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Decided to go down to Bakewell to have a look at the wood carving competition and didn’t have to queue long to get through the road works.  Found our guest had been awarded the British championship for one of her works.  We left about 11am and the traffic coming into Bakewell along the A6 was stationery as far as the entrance to the Agricultural Centre. We came back via Youlgrave and Over Haddon where we stopped for tea and cake at the Garden Tearoom.  It was almost lunchtime before we got home so a late lunch and jobs around the house in the afternoon.  In the evening we were back at Over Haddon for the first film of the season at the village hall.  The Grand Budapest Hotel was a comedy adventure film and very enjoyable.  Monday started dull and it brightened up a little but we had a few spots of rain during the day.  One departure and two arrivals and one cleaner here.  Chris watered and fed the plants again.  Both guests here by 3.30, one has been before.  Time for some catchup work before an early tea so Chris could go to the first night of the new season at the Photographic Society.  Tuesday was forecast fine but cloudier so it was nice to see the sun out by mid morning and blue skies until late afternoon.  Spent the morning on WI accounts.  After lunch I went down to Bakewell and got some provisions for the next few days.  As it was a bit quieter I was able to come back through Bakewell rather than drive round via Ashford.  I only queued for ten minutes to get through the traffic lights both ways.  It was very warm in Bakewell.  Back home prepared the advert for the 2015 Peak District Visitor Guide before chatting to my friend in Yorkshire.

Friday started dull at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) and although it brightened up it wasn’t as warm as previous days.  Took my sister to Chesterfield Station first thing then came back via Bakewell where I was able to park without any problems.  Got the provisions for the weekend and drove the long way home (via Ashford) as the queue for traffic into Bakewell by mid morning was already past Newholme Hospital.  One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here.  Afternoon went in catch up work and chatting with guests and a couple of them made bookings for next year.  Chris went down to Bakewell to get some maintenance items and got caught in traffic which had been exacerbated by an accident.  Guests arrived about 5pm, they have been a few times before and were here for the National Bird Carving Competition being held in Bakewell.  Still managing to take the dogs out in the evening – just!  Saturday 13 September was a busy day with four departures and five arrivals and two cleaners.  With early departures cleaning was quickly under way and most was completed by midday.  After coffee I popped down to Over Haddon Village Hall as it was village show day and I had decided to enter the limerick category so took my entries down.  Wished I had taken camera to photograph the hall.  A number of minor maintenance jobs for Chris.  Elsewhere cow movement was going on and a late morning passing balloon got the dogs going.  Chris cut the grass after lunch and by 3.30 two cottages had arrived, both had been before.  A gap with next cottage here by 4.30 and final two around 5pm, one has been before. Had hoped to get back to the village hall for the auction of produce after the show, perhaps next year.  A late afternoon balloon got the dogs going again.  Last Night of the Proms so summer must be drawing to a close especially as I have noticed that the leaves are changing colour.

Down to the Farmers Market first thing on Saturday from our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Some of the usual stands were missing but there was a display of the proposed White Peak loop which would complete a cycle circuit around the the White Peak.  It is hoped that work on the link from Matlock to Rowsley will start next year. Plenty of traffic heading to Chatsworth with 60,000 visitors expected over the weekend!   Three departures and three arrivals and one cleaner here.   A bit drizzly at times in the morning but bright enough in the afternoon for Chris to cut the grass and feed the hanging baskets.  Cleaning and checks completed well before gusts arrived.  First arrived at 4pm, next at 5pm and final one at 6.30.  All have been before.  Time for paper work and chats with guests in between arrivals.  Sunday was a pleasant day.  One departure but no arrivals.  Invited one of the cottages for coffee and a chat in the morning and after an early lunch we did some bits around the house. took a break to go into the fields at the back to watch the display of the Hurricane and Spitfire over the Chatsworth Fair.  The Countryfile programme in the evening was from the Staffordshire Moorlands and featured Lud’s Church and the Roaches which we pass on the way to Leek.  Monday started a bit wet but brightened up mid morning.  Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here.  Usual Monday chores and everything ready by lunchtime.  Chris seemed to spend most of the day helping others with web site problems.  I spent the afternoon on accounts and  getting a room ready for our friends from Yorkshire who are coming to stay for a few days.  First guests here just after 3pm and second cottage here just after 4pm.  Catching some nice sunsets at the moment but soon it will be too dark to take the dogs for a walk after dinner.

August’s weather statistics.  Highest temp of 21 on 4th which was warmest day and 5th warmest night.  Lowest temp of 6.3 on 24th with 25th coldest day and 23rd coldest night.  8th was wettest day with .72 in rain with 3.57 in for August (2.73 in for Aug 2013).

A damp and dreary start to Tuesday at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link) and began to think it would be a rerun of Monday but we saw some sunshine later in the day. With no departures but one arrival (cottage already prepared) decided to have a blitz on housework – it needs to be done.  Cottage arrived about 5pm, they have been before.  Chris did some decorating jobs around the house and despite yesterday’s weather, watered the hanging baskets.  Enjoyed another nice sunset when took dogs out. Wednesday started dull but soon brightened up and by lunchtime it was beginning to feel like summer again!  Bits and pieces in the morning and went to Buxton to do a supermarket shop in the afternoon. Thursday 28 August was a pleasant day.  Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here.  Later in the morning I went down to Bakewell taking two guests with me as their car had broken down and was being repaired. Got some provisions for the next few days.  A couple of times it clouded over but we didn’t see any showers and it felt much warmer than of late.  First guests arrived just after 4pm, they have been before, as have the second cottage that arrived just after 5pm.  Both are here to visit the Chatsworth Country Fair which starts Friday. In the evening spent some time chatting to one of the guests who had walked on Kinder Scout, they showed us the route they took.  My next challenge is to do that walk!  Friday saw three departures and three arrivals and one cleaner.  A busy morning with some bookings and final checks on cottages.  A fine but breezy start with a deterioration later in the afternoon.  First guests arrived at 3pm with further guests at 4and 5.30.  All are here for the first time.  Chris had to water plants again and in the evening I took the dogs out and got caught in a downpour!