Up early Sunday 15th June and took the dogs out first thing just as Joanna was bringing the cows in for milking across the way from our Bolehill Cottages (see here).  A quiet drive over to Hope Sports Club to do the car boot sale and there by 7 am.  There are closer ones but the ones at Hope are always very busy and with views towards Win and Lose Hills you get scenery as well.  Everything was going well until 11.30 when the heavens opened.  No-one was expecting that so it was a quick dash to load up the car but I got quite wet, thank heavens for the drying room when I got home.  Final check on cottage due in and they arrived just after 3pm. They have been before. It stayed quite murky through the afternoon but silaging finally finished late in the afternoon.  Monday was a better day with a sunny start.  Two departures and three arrivals and two cleaners here.  A busy morning but after first arrival at 3pm there was a break of a couple of hours before the next two cottages arrived so had a chance to catch up with paper work.  With cows dispersed from the nearby fields to eat around the edges of the silaged fields I was able to take the dogs further afield for their evening constitution.  Tuesday was forecast to be fine and it stayed dry. Handyman up and he and Chris did some (severe) pruning of trees around the car park and grounds.  I headed to Buxton for a few hours and on the way back picked up the last of the bedding plants (four dozen geraniums and one dozen marigolds) to put out later in the week.  The hanging baskets are establishing themselves and it is nice to see some colour in the courtyard.  Later in the afternoon a group of hooligans escaped their field and started munching in the front field.  They  were a nuisance as they would not go back so later Andrew came up and we helped round them up and got them back. When I took the dogs out in the evening I noticed three cows had jumped the wall again and were back in the front fields.  ASBO’s all round then.

Friday 13 June was another pleasant day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link).  Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner here. I went down to Bakewell later in the morning to get provisions for the weekend and with a couple of nice days forecast I also went to the Chatsworth Farm shop.  Silaging continued during the day without  interruptions although there was a threat of showers.  Knowing the guests, who have been before, wouldn’t be here until later in the afternoon I spent some time doing some outside work and general paperwork.  Had both lunch and dinner al fresco and in the evening Chris went to Over Haddon where he is helping out with a new website for the Village Hall.  He has also spent a lot of time recently working on a new website for us so watch this space.  Saturday saw four departures with two arrivals and one cottage staying on for a second week.  A little dampness to start with but that soon cleared and it turned into a fine albeit cloudy day. Two cleaners here and good progress made with a number of early departures. Chris cut the grass and I did the final checks on the cottages required for Saturday and Sunday.  Both cottages here by 4pm and with some time available I loaded up my car as I had decided to do a car boot sale on Sunday. Silaging continued through the day but a breakdown of both the collector and one of the carts caused delays in the afternoon.  Later in the evening we went down to Ashford to see the flower festival in the church and the well dressings which were up to their usual standard. As it was such a nice evening we took advantage of the hog roast from New Close Farm that was being held at the Working Men’s Institute.  Washed down with a Thornbridge beer what better to finish the evening! Enjoy the photos.

Wednesday was another fine day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link).  No arrivals or departures so a quiet day with time to plant out more bedding plants.  Discovered I was missing a vital ingredient for lunch so we cheated and went to the tea rooms at Ashford.  As they allow dogs in the garden we took our two with us and enjoyed the lunch time warmth.  Despite a forecast of potential showers none materialised although it did cloud over from time to time.  In the evening I collected Joanna and we went to the Village Hall for our monthly WI meeting.  Our speaker was a local master farrier who gave us a very interesting and amusing talk of his life as a farrier.  We have also arranged to visit his museum in September.  Thursday was also forecast to be a fine day and I had planned a walk as we had no arrivals or departures. The walk in a book was described as stimulating!  We parked at the Matlock town car park near Sainsbury’s then walked a few yards up Snitterton Road, over the railway bridge and then we were into open countryside.  With a climb ahead we had views back to Matlock and over to Riber Castle.  The path followed the contour of the hillside and although wooded for a while we could still get glimpses of the Derwent Valley below and High Tor on the other side.  The path came out on a lane above Matlock Bath and the first building we came across a private chapel.  We went to investigate and found a group were being given a tour so we were able to have a quick look round. From here we picked up another woodland path that passed under the cable car to the Heights of Abraham and came out at the hamlet of Upperwood.  We walked along the lane until we picked up another path which started us on our return journey.  We stopped for lunch in a field looking up to Black Rocks at Cromford.  The path bought us out at Bonsall where we picked up another lane back to a path through woodland that emerged at the top of the Heights of Abraham.  We stopped and looked at the new viewing platform and views before continuing back to Matlock.  After this long walk on a fine day we stopped at a farm just outside Matlock for an ice cream then we called in at Bolehill’s former owners for a chat.  Back home they had been taking advantage of the warm weather and had commenced silaging. Enjoy the photos.

Sunday 8th June was forecast to be another day of sunshine and showers at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link).  A bright and warm start and we got the paper before I took the dogs for a walk.  No departures or arrivals and a day of jobs around the house and garden.  I planted up some bedding plants and hang up new curtains in the vacant cottage.  A few lighter showers later in the afternoon otherwise it remained pleasant.  On Monday morning I thought I would head down to the market as there were no departures.  Forecast was for a dry morning with showers and rain in the afternoon.  Luckily I had taken a jacket with me as it clouded over and on the way back to the car it started to rain.  As I got back to the car there was some thunder so I hoped the dogs were OK.  It took a few minutes to get through the traffic in Bakewell but as I headed up the hill the water coming down the hill told me it had been raining heavily at home. Dogs were worried because it was thundering so we put Blue in the downstairs toilet where he is happy during storms.  Smudge just followed us around.  Cleaner here to prepare cottage for the days arrival.  The thunder and rain rumbled on until after lunch so our guests came back with tales of getting very wet!  Time for jobs around the house – I have decided I will do a car boot sale next weekend – and I found some time for accounts.  Guests arrived at 3.30.  Also spoke to our friends in Yorkshire later in the day, we usually speak weekly.  A nice evening when taking the dogs out.  Tuesday was a quiet day with no arrivals or departures so time to catch up on work such as WI accounts.  There were showers forecast from late morning but in the end we didn’t see any until later in the afternoon.   After lunch I went to the nursery in Buxton and collected  more plants.  I had hoped to plant them out when I got back but it wasn’t long before the first of the showers arrived.  All being well silaging will continue on Thursday.

Friday was the day of sunshine at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here.  A warm morning and it was nice to hear the sound of cutters on the other side of the road.  With a grocery delivery in the morning I had enough provisions to last the weekend so after the cleaning and checks I spent some time potting out the plants I had bought the other day. Guests arrived about 3pm, they have been before.  One of the other cottages left later in the evening as the forecast for the morning was not very good. We kept an eye on the silaging that was taking place on Andrews side of the road and they didn’t finish until gone 11pm.  25 acres down, 100 more to go – when the weather permits.  The forecast indicated a wave of storms in the early hours then another wave between about 10am and 1pm, which was the worse time for us.  During the evening the forecast changed and the earlier wave seemed to be arriving later so in reality the first wave arrived about 8am and lasted an hour which caught some of the early departures.  Chris did an early lollipop duty so some of the cows on this side of the road could go and nibble any grass around the edges of the fields that had been cut.  Most of the seven departures had gone by 9.30 so cleaning got off to an early start and early finish. The rain eased mid morning but came back again with a vengeance for a couple of hours around the middle of the day so I got a little wet but all checks done by 2pm.  A 3pm rush with three arrivals one of which has been before with a further two at 4pm, one of which had been before and final arrivals just after 6pm.  The afternoon turned out very nice but another heavy shower after dinner left a spectacular rainbow which I took some photos of when I took the dogs out. Later as it started to go dark it was interesting to watch the mist rise from the dales.

Monday was a fine day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) despite the forecast.  No departures but two arrivals and one cleaner here.  A busy morning, Chris did some strimming and I put up some new curtains.  Arrivals here just after 3pm, one has been before.  Time for some accounts too.  Some heavy showers in the evening catching some of the guests out who were walking back from Over Haddon.  Tuesday was forecast to be showery but after a cloudy morning we had a  fine afternoon.  I spent the morning going through the house having a clear out so after lunch went to the recycling centre at Darley Dale and came back via Peak Shopping Centre as a treat not that I bought anything in the end.  I also called in at the Chatsworth Garden Centre and Farm shop.  Wednesday was probably the worst day of the week weather wise.   No departures or arrivals so had time to do some more catching up, mainly WI accounts and our accounts.  In the afternoon we went over to the nursery and collected the hanging baskets and some more plants.  As there was a dry interlude when we got back we hung the baskets up.  All we need now is the nice weather to bring them on.  In the evening Joanna collected me for this months WI committee meeting.  A lot to discuss including a number of forthcoming events.  A cool evening followed by a cool but dry day.  Were hoping for something more sunny and warm as had hoped for a walk  on Thursday. With it still overcast mid morning we decided in the end to go to Leek.   It was much brighter and warmer by the time we got back.  As it was our day off we went out in the evening and ended up at Carriages in Newhaven where we enjoyed a very nice meal.  A lovely sunset hopefully boding well for Friday.

The last day of meteorological spring was a fine day although it got off to a dull start at our cottages near Bakewell (see details of Bolehill Cottages here).  Seven departures and six arrivals and three cleaners here.  I went down to the Farmers Market first thing and once back got stuck into helping with cleaning as Chris did and then doing the final checks.  Most done by 2pm after which Chris cut the grass and I did the last of the final checks.  The poor lawn mower is not very well so will have to go to the lawn mower doctor.  A steady procession of arrivals from 3pm to 5.30, two of which have been before. It was nce to take the dogs for a walk in the evening sunshine.  Sunday was a very pleasant day with a lot of warm sunshine.  One departure after which we went to Bakewell to get the paper and from there we headed for Tissington for the well dressings. We thought we would take the scenic route so went via Winster. Unfortunately the back road into Tissington was closed so we had to go round via Fenny Bentley.  We aimed to get there before 11am so we would be ahead of the crowds and coaches which we were.  There was no vehicle access to the village so we had to park in the field and pay (money goes to charity). We had a nice stroll around the village, stopping for a coffee as well, and of course taking many photos.  Back in time for lunch then a quiet afternoon enjoying the nice weather and Chris did a little bit of pruning.  Another unsettled week is forecast but not as bad as the previous week. Enjoy the photos.

Weather stats for May.  The highest temp was on 19th with 21.2 deg C.  19th was warmest night with warmest day being 16th.  Lowest temp was 2.1 deg C on 3rd with 2nd being coldest day and night..  May saw 4.09 inches rain with 22nd being wettest with .65 inches.  (May 2013 3.54 inches).

Thursday 30 May was forecast to be a better day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link) but in fact it turned out to be worse than the previous couple of days. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here.  Originally had planned to go and get some more plants and start planting them out but instead I made the most of the dreary day and caught up with paperwork and WI accounts. The weather is also affecting the farmers.  Green Cowden has cancelled the sheep shearing as the fleeces are too wet to shear and the grass is ready quality wise for Andrew to be silaged but it is too wet.  Ever seen a picture of a calf with a broken leg in plaster?  Here is one we went to see down at the farm and as we went  later in the afternoon Chris helped bring the cows in for milking, not that they needed much encouragement.  At least Friday was a better day weather wise. Perhaps not good enough for a walk, as we had one departure and no arrivals, but good enough for Chris to go out and do some weed spraying. Before we got down to work we helped bring the last of the cows across from the farm. My role was to keep the cows in one field from getting to near to the gate so that the other heifers could get in. Luckily they chose to follow me (must have thought I had some corn) and I managed to hold their attention long enough for the heifers to get into the field. I had some items I wanted to get from Chesterfield so I headed off there for a couple of hours retuning mid afternoon. I then did a little bit of paperwork and some preparations for a busy Saturday. As the cloud had lifted it was nice to see the scenery again in the evening when I took the dogs out.

Alarm went off at 7.30 at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link).  Bank holiday what bank holiday!  Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here.  A bright start enhanced by the arrival of an old motor bike and side car that had been booked by one of the guests for a ride around the Peak District.  Planted out some bedding plants during the morning as by lunchtime it had clouded up but the rain held off until late afternoon.  First cottage arrived just after 4pm and second cottage at 5.30.  An early dinner then we drove over to Monyash to have a look at the well dressings during a respite in the rain. Tuesday was forecast to be wet all day but in fact it stayed dry albeit cloudy and cool.  One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here.  A number of odd jobs around the place and there was some cow moving going on in the afternoon. Guests arrived about 4pm and I managed to get some accounts done.  Wednesday was forecast to be wet from start to end but like Tuesday it stayed mainly dry with a little drizzle but it was cool and overcast.  One departure and one arrival and having given the cleaner the day off Chris and I turned the cottage round.  Later in the morning we went down to Bakewell to do some banking and to get some provisions and stayed to have lunch.  Back home Chris did his lollipop duties to help bring more heifers over for the summer. Blue is truly surrounded!  Chris did some painting of benches in the garage, we have moved some garden furniture in there as it probably is the only way he will get the painting finished.  I did some more paperwork and guests arrived about 4pm, they have been before.  Our guests have not had the best of weeks weather wise.

The forecast for Thursday was a wet day at out Bolehill cottages (see here) so I thought we could do the cash and carry run as one was due. We headed over to Bookers via Screwfix then had lunch at Eyres the furniture shop in Chesterfield before doing a bit of shopping and coming back via Dunelm (of course).  We just got back home when the heavens opened so we had to unload the car in the rain.  I took the dogs out for their evening walk in the rain, not helped by one of the young heifers jumping into our field.  We tried to usher it back in but it stood its ground so I gave her an ASBO. She later jumped back in to join the rest of the gang.  We had to go back to Bakewell to vote so we stayed in town and had dinner at Le Mistral.   At least it had stopped raining by then.  Friday was  a cool day but at least it stayed dry.  Four departures  and two arrivals and two cleaner here. Also nipped down to Bakewell for final provisions for the weekend. First guests arrived just after3pm and final ones just after 5pm, they have been before.  Also found time to do some preparations for Saturday.  Saturday was quite a wet day.  Luckily it didn’t start raining until mid morning so most of the cleaning was out of the way, it was me who got the wettest when doing the final checks.  Two departures and three arrivals and two cleaners here.  With further arrivals on Sunday I wanted to get as much done as I could on Saturday.  All arrivals were here later in the afternoon arriving between 4.15 and 5.30, one has been before.  Sunday saw no departures but three arrivals but apart from very last minute checks everything was ready.  A damp morning with an improving afternoon.  A typical bank holiday weekend in other words.  Cottages arrived between 3 and 5 pm, one has been before.  A day of odd jobs and it was nice to see some evening sunshine.