Friday 22nd August was a busy day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here.  Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the long weekend.  The day went in preparations for arriving guests, preparations for Saturday and chatting with guests.  Chris was doing jobs in the house and watered the baskets again.  Like most of the week just gone showers passed us by apart from a few light ones in the morning.  After a cold night  Saturday started fine.  Six departures and five arrivals and three cleaners here.  With some early departure we were able to get a good start on cleaning. Chris managed to cut the grass and I finished the checks with time before guests arrived.  Two here between 3and 3.30, one had been before, and three arrived just before 5pm , two have been before.  At least Sunday was a pleasant day.  Jobs around the house in the morning and in the afternoon we did our usual August Bank Holiday outing and visited the open gardens of Bakewell.  People come from quite a way to do the open gardens. Proceeds go to charity.  Took the dogs as usual, although we didn’t take them in all the gardens, but we enjoyed our stroll around Bakewell.  The trail passed the Old House Museum which is worth a visit so we promised ourselves we would do that again.   Finished at the Naughty and Nice cafe before heading home.  Monday was probably the worst August Bank Holiday Monday I have known.  Cold misty and wet.  Looked more like November than August.  Three departures and three arrivals and two cleaners here.  Managed to get everything done without getting too wet despite the rain. Guests, all new to Bolehill, arrived between 3and 4pm.  At least it wasn’t raining so hard when I took the dogs out in the evening.

Had planned a heather walk for Wednesday 20 August from our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) but with the forecast showing showers from lunchtime we stayed at home and found other things to do.  Probably too late now to get any other heather walks in.  Chris is still working on the new website and I did some proof reading on what he has done so far.  Mid morning the rowing up machine started work on Andrews fields and after lunch the grass was collected so that is Andrew’s second silage done for this year.  This is the first time in three years he hasn’t had to supplement grass with extra feed.   Found time for housework and spent time chatting with guests.  A couple of times the sky clouded up or we could see showers in the distance but we didn’t see any rain here until late afternoon so we probably could have gone for a walk.  That’s the problem with showers.  One cottage braved a BBQ in the evening.  Another showery day was forecast for Thursday so we opted for a drive over to Macclesfield.  On the way over the Cat and Fiddle we were treated to some vistas of heather.  We stopped at the Peak View cafe for coffee then visited the Arighi Bianchi store which I always enjoy browsing around.  It has a nice cafe too.  We had some bits to get from town and ordered the bathroom flooring for Derwent as we are not likely to be back before Christmas. On the way back it drizzled a bit and it continued to do so during the evening.  Some of the heifers had been moved into the silaged fields to munch round the edges. It had been a cool day and I have noticed how quickly it is getting dark in the evening.

Mid August at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) and it was much cooler on Sunday but despite the forecast we had very few showers although it was breezy.  No arrivals or departures so a day of jobs in vacant cottage and house.  Monday 18 August stayed mainly dry with a few showers at lunchtime.  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner here.  Thought Andrew might start silaging but there was no machinery in evidence.  Chris went out to prune some bushes and spent most of the day pruning shrubs and bushes around the gardens and courtyard.  I spent some time on paper work before cottage arrived about 5pm.  The forecast for Tuesday was showery but in fact it turned into a pleasant day although with a cool breeze.  No arrivals or departures  so took advantage  of the dry morning to do some outdoor work.  After lunch we went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the next few days.  There will be some disruption to traffic over the next couple of months as new gas pipes are laid and certain roads are closed.  When we first moved here they were laying new sewage pipes and there were a couple of months diversions then.  On the way back home we popped into Green Cowden Farm and stayed for a cup of tea and a chat.  They had sold some sheep and got a reasonable price but prices are low at the moment with one of the reasons being Ramadan when less lamb is eaten.  By the time we got home silaging was under way so I took the dogs for a walk in the cut fields.  They are only cutting two fields this time so the mowing was finished by the evening.  Look at the difference in the height of grass in twenty four hours!  Another lovely sunset too.

Thursday was a fine day with some showers later in the day at our Bolehill Cottages near bakewell (see here).  Feeling a little warmer than Wednesday.  No departures or arrivals so had planned to spend the morning doing WI work but ended up spending most of the morning chatting to guests.  The afternoon went in odd jobs and later on Chris needed to go to B&Q to get some items so I went too.  As it was late by the time we had made decisions and purchases we thought we would eat out.  On the way back we stopped at the Church Inn in Chelmorton but it was full.  Remembering that the Bulls Head in Ashford had new management we drove there.  We both enjoyed our meals so we need to update our eating list. It was raining heavily by the time we left and after feeding the dogs I was going to take them out but ended up chatting to guests.  At least it had stopped raining by the time I eventually took them out .  A weather warning for rain had been forecast for Derbyshire for Friday 15 August but the rain seem to pass us by although it did look very threatening at times.  Three departures and one arrival and two cleaners here.  Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend. Most of the day went in jobs around the cottages and preparations for Saturday. With unseasonably cool weather forecast I have stared putting the heavier weight duvets back in the cottages.  Cottage arrived about 5pm.  A busy day Saturday with five cottages out and six back in and two cleaners here with one cleaner on holiday. Luckily early departures and tidy cottages and Chris and I mucking in meant cleaning was completed by midday.  This left me time to finish my checks whilst Chris watered the hanging baskets and cut the grass.  Were expecting a sunnier day but at least it stayed dry.  There were lots of swallows around.  Three cottages here between 3 and 3.30, two have been before, with two more around 5pm and final cottage about 7pm.  It was quit breezy by the evening with a warning of a windy Sunday to follow.  Listened out for bleating lambs when I took the dogs out in the evening but couldn’t hear any as Saturday saw the lambs being separated from their mothers at Green Cowden Farm.

It was less breezy on Monday at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link).  No departures but one arrival, our friends from Ashford who are staying for a few days while they have some work done on their house.  A busy day for emails and bookings but I also found time to start work on next years prices and some accounts.  A clear night so a good view of the super moon.  It felt fresher on Tuesday.  We had a late  morning appointment with the dentist after which we stayed for lunch at Byways.  Also got some provisions for the next few days and tried a ice cream at the new parlour.  Still be interested to see how long it lasts.  As we had a quiet afternoon I caught up with some accounts.  A couple of heavy showers passed through.  All eyes were on the forecast for Wednesday.  Promising to be the best day of a showery week it was also the Ashover show.  We decided we would go if it stayed relatively dry but it did get off to a cool and showery start.  Chris watered the hanging baskets for the first time in a few days and I spent some time tidying up around the green house and chatting to guests.  It brightened up mid morning and after an early lunch we headed to Ashover and parked easily.  An enjoyable afternoon with the dogs wandering around the stands and bumping into people we knew.  We didn’t see any of our neighbours although they were there.  The locals prefer the Ashover Show to the Bakewell Show as it is a proper agricultural show.  Only one downpour and luckily we were in the horticultural tent at the the time.  Before we left I visited the food tent so I could grab any bargains as they often reduce the prices rather than take stock back.  On the way out we stopped at the cattle tent but disappointingly a lot had already been loaded up for their journeys home but I had a look at the sheep before they went. Enjoy the photos.

With no arrivals or departures on Monday 4 August at our Bolehill cottages (see here) I went down to the market to get provisions for the next few days.  With the Bakewell Show taking place there would be limited parking in the centre of town on Wednesday and Thursday and many shops close on the Thursday so I thought it best to stock up.  Another pleasant day with usual Monday tasks and a lot of cow movement and fly spraying of cows in our front field.  Chris spent a lot of time outside mowing the lawns, watering plants and feeding plants and strimming edges. In the afternoon I did some preparations for our friends who were coming to stay. I also had some preparations for a village hall committee meeting that evening. Tuesday was a bit cooler and cloudy.  I had planned to go to Buxton in the morning before our friends arrived but never made it but as they were coming that way we went and met them for lunch in Buxton then had a walk around the town.  By the time we headed home it was raining but it cleared up in the evening when we went to the Packhorse Inn at little Longstone for a very nice meal. We haven’t eaten there for ages and it is a dog friendly pub.  Wednesday was the first day of the Bakewell Show and we had got tickets for our friends.  We had one departure and one arrival to deal with and in the morning I went to Buxton to do a Morrisons shop.  It was sunny and warm when I got back but within minutes we were watching a heavy storm pass over which drenched show goers.  One cleaner here after lunch and time for some odd jobs before friends came back and we had a relaxing evening.  Guests were delayed by heavy traffic and arrived about 6pm. Our friends departed on Thursday morning and with an uncertain forecast we headed to Leek for a few hours.  There was plenty of heather out at the Roaches as we passed, this is a few weeks earlier than usual.  The sky looked threatening on a couple of occasions but we didn’t see any rain.  Back later in the afternoon via the Smithy at Monyash where I picked up a nice cream.  Another nice sunset in the evening but they are starting to get earlier!

Friday 1st August was forecast to be wet from lunchtime onwards at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) but in reality it rained on and off during the day so unable to dry washing outside for the first time in a long time.  Two departure and one arrival and one cleaner here.  Spent the day putting up curtains in Sheepfold and preparations for Friday’s and Saturday’s arrivals.  Chris had hoped to cut the grass but couldn’t.  Cottage arrived at 6.30. For the first time in ages I had to wear my raincoat to take the dogs out in the evening.  Saturday saw two departures and six arrivals with one cleaner here as other cottages were already prepared.  Expected a wet day but after a wet morning it brightened and warmed up in time for the first guests arrivals.  A steady stream of arrivals between 3pm and 5.30 pm, four have been before so it was nice to catch up on news.  Our of the arrivals three have already been here this year and one is here for two weeks.  Additional our German family is here for another week.  A showery forecast for Sunday but in the end it wasn’t too bad.  We decided to go to Peak Rail as they were having their 1940’s weekend.  We had been a couple of years ago and thought we would go early as they have a re-enactment later in the day which involved guns being fired and the dogs didn’t like this.  Unfortunately during the morning they were letting of some of the guns intermittently and Blue didn’t like that so we left by midday.  One of our cleaners was at a steam gala the other side of  Matlock so we thought we would drive there but when we saw her car heading in our direction (she said it wasn’t as good as usual) we  changed our minds. So we had a leisurely drive stopping at Matlock Garden Centre, Ogston Reservoir and stopping at Edensor tea room for lunch.  A quiet afternoon doing bits round the house.

July’s weather stats:

Highest temp 26.1 deg C on 26th July with warmest day 26th and night 18th.  Lowest temp on 5th of 8.7 deg C with 5th being coldest day and 6th the coldest night.  Wettest day 31st with .52 inches rain, which fell in an hour and total 1.83 inches for month. (2013 3.52 inches).

Wednesday 16 July saw the continuation of the fine weather at out Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Went down to Bakewell first thing to get my hair cut and get some provisions for the next few days especially as I am running low on ice creams!  Spent time in afternoon chatting with guests which is often the case when we have a number of return guests but it is also nice to see guests chatting to each other too.  After a hectic couple of hours on Tuesday evening caught up with emails and bits.  Thursday saw the highest temperature of the year so far with two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here.  First guests, a Dutch couple who have been before, arrived just after 3pm.  The second cottage, who have also been before, arrived about 5pm. We had tickets for an event at Chatsworth in the evening so set off about 7pm for a picnic and firework display in the gardens of Chatsworth.  This had been organised by the tourist board with the Dukes permission.  It was a lovely evening and we found a nice spot to listen to the jazz band and enjoy our picnic.  We had time for a stroll around the gardens and grounds and said hello to some other accommodation providers that we knew before the short firework display.  A lovely sunset so enjoy the photos. Friday was the day I was waiting for weather wise as the forecast was for 28degress here but it never materialised.  It remained cloudy and cool until later in the day. Dutch couple from last week departed and we had one arrival later in the afternoon so one cleaner here.  The overnight forecast was for intense storms so Chris spent about half an hour switching off computers etc which traumatised the dogs as they don’t like machines that beep.  Luckily apart from some rumbling and grumbling and a few flashes there was nothing to worry about except my computer wouldn’t start on Saturday morning!

I have always been aware of the village of Shirley the other side of Ashbourne ever since we moved to our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell  (see here).  I also have a book of walks that has a five mile circular walk from Osmanston to Shirley.  Although a bit cloudy to start with on Tuesday 15 July we set off and headed to Osmaston parking in the village hall car park.  Osmaston has some thatched houses, unusual for Derbyshire, and the walk sets off along a bridle way, also known as the Bonnie Prince Charlie Walk, through Osmaston Park.  The first interesting building we came across was an old mill which was built in an alpine style complete with waterwheel.  Continuing on we came across a field of poppies, before taking the lane into Shirley.  The walk heads off before going into the village but we chose to take a look around.  We came across the pub and decided to have lunch there although we had packed sandwiches.  The pub looked old fashioned on the outside but was very modern and busy on the inside.  We sat outside in the small garden with the dogs and had some nice sandwiches.  After a stroll around the village (I was looking for a ‘Shirley’ road sign so I could take a picture of it but couldn’t find one) we picked up the Centenary Way. On this part of the walk we went through a number of crop fields, it’s amazing how the agriculture could be so different and yet it was only about twenty five miles away from Bakewell.  By now the sun had come out so it felt warm.  We soon turned off onto another path heading back to Osmanston.  This passed the remains of Osmaston Hall (a chimney tower) which was demolished in the 1960’s.  After we got back to the car we had a scenic drive around to Shirley and found a road sign to photograph.  Then onto Ashbourne where we picked up some tea from M&S.  On the way home we realised we hadn’t visited the well dressings at Over Haddon so swung by and parked in the car park.  We had time for late tea and cake at the Garden Tea room where we had a chat with the owners before walking round to the well dressings.  We also stopped t the pub for a beer tapas before finally making our way home.  Just as well I wasn’t hungry as there were a number of emails and phone calls waiting for us which resulted in three bookings before bedtime!  Enjoy the photos.