Monday 10th March saw two departures and two arrivals at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  A misty start but it cleared by mid morning and it was a much clearer day than Sunday.  One cleaner up and both cottages here just after 3pm, one has been before.  Chris went to Buxton to pick up some items for work in Derwent and in the evening I went to Over Haddon for indoor bowls.  Tuesday saw two more departures and with Derwent now vacant I helped clear the kitchen so Chris and handyman could start work on the kitchen refurbishment.  They removed the work top and tiles in the kitchen and some electrical work was also undertaken including adding some power points (we had the electrician here).  In the afternoon the High Peak Hunt came across the fields for the final ride out of the season but I didn’t have time to get some good photos. Wednesday saw another misty start and again it cleared during the morning.  I went down to Bakewell to get my hair cut and pick up some provisions for the next few days. In Derwent Chris put up some new lights in the kitchen and dining area which meant climbing into the loft.  I had some work to do for the WI meeting in the evening and later in the afternoon the builder who did work in Dove came over to prepare the new work top for Derwent.  Our speaker for the WI meeting was a local young farmer who had spent some time working in Canada and Australia on farming work placements so it was interesting hearing about the difference in farming practises. Thursday was a lovely day – ideal for a walk if we hadn’t been doing work in Derwent.  Builder up to fit work top and cut hole for extractor fan.  Late morning Chris and I headed to Buxton as it was the local tourism conference.  Although we weren’t going to the conference there was the opportunity to start picking up leaflets for the year and do a bit of networking.  After a late lunch we came back via the nursery where we have put our order in for hanging baskets for the summer.  A quiet evening in and with a couple of late bookings we are now full for the weekend!

Blue decided to go AWOL again from our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) first thing on Thursday morning, he must have heard us talk about going shopping.  Chris had to drive out and luckily found him at the Magpie Mine, we assumed he followed some walkers in that direction.  We had decided to go to the Trafford Centre not far from Manchester Airport.  It’s about an hours drive from here and a lot of locals go there (as a change to Meadowhall in Sheffield) so we thought it was about time we did too.  We have a shopping trip every now and again to ‘proper shops’ as I call them and we have a good mooch about.  Bought a new camera so we will have to see if the pictures on the blog are any better!  Back late afternoon and a few jobs in the cottages in advance of Fridays arrivals.  Friday started damp but by mid morning the sun was out and it felt quite spring like.  One cleaner up and three cottages due to arrive later in the day so the morning and early afternoon went in cottage jobs.  Went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend but also called at Chatsworth Farm Shop to get a few provisions.  First guests arrived at 3pm with second ones at 5pm.  Time for some paperwork before dinner with final guests here by 10pm.  Saturday saw one departure and one arrival with one cleaner here.  A day of accounts with a few bookings.  The forecast had been for a fine day but it stayed more overcast here than expected although guests that went walking all talked of a fine day. Guests arrived just after 3pm, they have been before so it was nice to have a chat with them.  With another fine day forecast for Sunday thoughts turned to a walk.

The first weekend of meteorological spring was one of two halves at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Saturday started foggy but it cleared a lot quicker than Friday and I had a lovely walk with the dogs (at least I could see where Blue was). I was taking photos  and I could feel the warmth of the sun on my hands (couldn’t photo that) and I noticed buds on some shrubs too.  Still time for winter to bite remembering what happened last year.  One departure and one arrival and one cleaner up.  Time for chatting with guests and jobs around the house as well as some accounts.  Guests arrived just after 4pm, they have been before.  Also had a busy day for bookings, unusual for a Saturday.  In the evening we went out with a former work colleague of Chris who was passing through the area.  We went to the Packhorse Inn at Crowdecote, somewhere we haven’t been for a while.  It was busy but we enjoyed our meal.  It’s not often we eat out on a Saturday night.  It was nice to catch up and reminisce.  Sunday saw one departures and in contrast to Saturday, Sunday was dull dreary and it rained in the afternoon. Time for more accounts and house work. A quiet evening in ahead of a busy week.  Enjoy the photos.

Weather stats for February.  Highest temp of 9.8 deg C on 23rd which was warmest day and night.  Lowest temp of -0.7 deg C on 11th which was coldest day and night.  The 8th was the wettest day with .83 in rain and we had 6.27 in rain for the month compared to 1.63 in for Feb 2013.

It was quite a surprise to wake up to fog on Friday morning at our Bolehill cottages (see here    ) as it had not been predicted.   At least there was no snow on the last day of meteorological winter.  Took the dogs for their morning walk but headed in the opposite direction to avoid the slurried field.  As it was so foggy I didn’t see the walkers on the footpath and only heard them at the last moment.  Of course our two went over to say hello to them so I blew the whistle for them to return.  Smudge soon came back but in the fog I couldn’t see where Blue was so dashed to catch up with the walkers who were walking at quite a pace.  They had got to the mine rake stile by the time I caught up with them but I still couldn’t see Blue.  The walkers at the back shouted forward and finally Blue emerged having been leading the group.  I was not happy with him.  After coffee I did the final checks in the cottages and Chris helped me finish of Bluebell as he had finished in the shower room.  The fog lifted mid morning and it turned into a nice sunny afternoon but it was still cool.  After lunch I put some more new crockery in a cottage.  It takes time as I give the new crockery a rinse before putting it in the cupboards and I need to box up the old crockery. Four cottages due in, three arriving between 4and 4.30, one has been before. With the prospect of a photogenic sunset I took the dogs for a late afternoon walk before getting back in time for the final cottage arrival at 6pm.  A quiet evening to end a busy day.  Enjoy the sunset photos.

With the alert still in place at our Bolehill cottages (see here) on Thursday morning contingency plans swung into action.  The cleaner came up to get as much done as she could and I planned my weekend shopping trip for Thursday rather than Friday. The morning just seem to whiz z by, not helped by both dogs being sick after their morning walk.  This was due to them exploring the field that had been slurried the evening before and sampling the delights!  Chris had started a small job in Bluebell that had expanded into repainting the shower room so while he was waiting for the paint to dry we went down to Bakewell for lunch and to get the weekend’s provisions.  The subject of holidays came up but seemed to get lost in other discussions.  If I haven’t already mentioned it I am going to spend a few days with my sister soon.  Back at the cottages I stocked up on logs again and did some preparations for Fridays arrivals.  By now the alert had gone as the weather system was going further south.  Apart from a few sharp showers it had been a sunny day albeit a bit cooler than of late.  The late evening forecast still hinted of the possibility of snow first thing Friday morning but also mentioned that the Northern Lights were visible in our region. For once I took the dogs for their late night comfort break and confused Blue by going in the wrong direction.  I headed for the highest point of our land but wasn’t sure if what I could see on the horizon was a faint glow from the  Northern Lights or not.  Mind you it was a good night for star gazing.

Wednesday was our “day off” from our bolehill cottages (see link) with one departure and no arrivals.  With an improving forecast we thought we would head to Hopton Hall to view the snowdrops as we had heard they were at their best.  We took a short detour to view the wind turbines at Carsington Pastures which we understand will be operational soon.  It was quite busy at Hopton Hall but it was understandable as the sun was now out.  A part of the normal route through the gardens was closed due to boggy ground but we made a detour to the tea room for a late coffee and cake before finishing the walk.  We had taken the dogs but they weren’t allowed in the gardens (but they did have a little walk around the parking area).  We then went onto Ashbourne for a wander around town and lunch calling first at the out of town retail park.  As we still had time in the car park when we got back to the car we took the dogs for a walk along the Tissington trail which starts/finishes in Ashbourne so at least they had a little walk.  Last time we walked through the tunnel as far as the Mayfield car park but we had time to walk a bit further and admire the landscape from this end of the trail.  Back to business on Thursday with a busy day.  Two departures and three arrivals and one cleaner up.  With wet weather clearing mid morning guests had a better day than initially forecast.  Two cottages arrived between 3and 3.30 and final one about 4.30, they have been before.  With a quieter spell ahead accounts will be my priority for the next few days. Enjoy the photos.

Sunday was forecast to be dry with sunshine and so it was at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link).  Knowing it would be busy and with many field paths still sodden we decided to go out later in the day and see the water at the dams.  Apparently the force is at its highest for years.  One departure and then went down to Bakewell to get the paper.  I wanted to have a look at the river which was running very high and amongst the debris caught at the rapids was a white plastic chair.  First time seen something like that.  We had a little walk around Bakewell looking at the damage to the bridge from the accident before going home.  A morning of household chores and time to chat with guests too.  We set off just before 3pm and the traffic queueing into Bakewell was as far back as Newholme hospital.  When we got to Fairholme car park it was still busy but more cars were departing than arriving.  We went first to the west tower as we know the Derwent valley museum is usually open on a Sunday with a display about the dam busters but we got there just as it was closing.  We walked back round to the dam where water was cascading over at such a force you could hardly hear anything.  I couldn’t hear if my photos were taking so had to keep checking.  We had a short walk round the lanes nearby before heading back to the car.  We then parked near the sink holes at Ladybower reservoir.   Again despite the fact it was getting late there were many people taking photos of the water flowing into the sink holes. We walked along the dam wall to the other end and by the time we got back to the car it was getting dark.   We could have gone to the film night at Over Haddon but didn’t have enough time to eat and get there after dealing with all the phone calls and emails (Sunday evening is a busy time) so had a quiet night in.  Enjoy the photos.

Friday started dry at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) but deteriorated from mid morning.  Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend and post some items back to guests that have been left behind.  This included a pair of boots.  Four arrivals expected although one later decided to arrive on Saturday because of the weather.  One cleaner up and final cleaning and preparations for arrivals.  A bit of wet snow late morning but that soon turned to rain.  The wind picked up during the afternoon and we had waves of heavy rain too.  First guests arrived just after 4pm with next cottage just after 5pm.  A long gap with final cottage arriving at 11pm.  Kept awake by the weather during the night but it eased off during Saturday.  Not as wet as expected which was nice when I was finishing off in the remaining four cottages.  All ready by lunchtime.  A rush of arrivals with all five cottages here between 3 and 3.30pm, three have been before so there was plenty of catching up to do.  So we have a full house again.

If you haven’t seen it, bearing in mind it is not being shown in all areas, here is the full length Visit Peak District TV advert just to remind you of what you are missing!