Tuesday was a mixed day weather wise at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link). The photos show the mist starting to rise on Tuesday morning when I took the dogs out for their walk. Three departures and one arrival and one cleaner up. Plenty to do in the morning and after lunch I went down to Bakewell where I met one of our former cleaners for a coffee and a chat. I then got some provisions for the next few days before heading home. By now it was raining. Guest arrived at 5.30. 
Wednesday again was cold and wet. No departures but two arrivals and one cleaner up. After checks were done Chris and I headed to Macclesfield to get some bits for Buxton. It was really murky over the Cat and Fiddle and I was reminded that the Road Safety Foundation have named this road as the most dangerous in the UK. Additionally there were two others in Derbyshire in the top ten and we use them both! 
We stopped at Arighi Bianchi, the furniture store, for lunch at their cafe before heading to the various places we needed to go to. We could have stayed and wandered round the shops but it was too cold and wet. By the time we got back both cottages had arrived, both have been before, and I had phoned them on Tuesday night to let them know we might be out. Thursday was a fine day, sunny and dry in the morning, so after a quick trip down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend I spent a few hours outside tidying up and started to plant some of the spring bulbs. Had planned to spend more time outside in the afternoon but after an hour there was a shower so I came back in and got on with some housework. Still I managed to plant about a hundred bulbs with another two hundred to go!
dog friendly peak district
A Sunday Walk
Sunday (6/10) was a glorious day and worthy of a walk. My knee had been a lot better but not wishing to cause any problems I suggested a short walk from Monyash not far from our Bolehill Cottages (see here for details). In the morning we had two departures and after a chat with some of the guests headed for Bakewell to get the paper. Had coffee on the patio and after lunch headed to Monyash. 
We parked by the church and picked up the footpath through the churchyard that connected with the Limestone Way. We followed this up as it headed to One Ash Grange but before reaching the farm took the path at farm that links back to Lathkill Dale. Along the way we could make out the trees at Bolehill farm but couldn’t see the house. We could also make out the edge of the Dale along which the permissive path runs that gives wonderful views of the Dale. We decided it would make a nice walk in summer to see all the different colours silaging makes on the landscape. 
The path emerges just before the rocky part of the Dale so we had a nice level walk back to the road. Here, instead of turning left and walking into Monyash, we crossed the road and walked along Bagshaw Dale. Despite this being so close we have never walked along it. It was longer than I thought but just a quiet green dale. It emerges at the other end of Monyash and we had the short walk back along Chapel Street to reach the village centre. The Old Smithy was doing a roaring trade in ice cream so naturally I had one! 
Monday was also a warm day. One departure but no arrivals and one cleaner up. Usual Monday jobs in the morning and in the afternoon some preparations for Tuesdays arrivals and the Village Hall Committee meeting in the evening. If you have time have a look at this video about the work in Lathkill Dale and enjoy the photos.
More Buxton!
Tuesday, the first day of the last quarter of the year, was a dull day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link). Had expected to see more of the sun but never mind. A quiet day with plenty to keep us occupied and in the evening we went to the Opera House again this time to see “Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance” which was a show featuring song and dance numbers from theatre and film. It was very good. Wednesday again stayed dull. A morning of odd jobs and in the afternoon I finalised the WI accounts. Chris collected the suite from Belper in the afternoon and in the evening I went to Joanna’s for the monthly WI committee meeting. I had to collect one of the members from Over Haddon as she was unable to drive and it was quite foggy at this end but clear in Over Haddon. Despite the forecast of some decent weather on Thursday morning it remained overcast. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. Needed to do a supermarket shop so headed to Buxton and Chris came with me. Went into town first then Morrisons before heading back home. By now it was raining quite heavily but it was mild. Cottage arrived about 5.30. There are signs of autumn around with leaves changing colours but at least we are supposed to see some sun this weekend!
Buxton and Weather Stats
Sunday was a bright and breezy day at Bolehill cottages (see link). Three departures and one arrival later in the day with cottage already cleaned. For us it was a day of paperwork including tax returns. Guests arrived about 3.30. In the evening we went to Buxton to the Opera House to see the Tenors Unlimited a trio of tenors who were quite entertaining. Monday started dull but brightened up during the day. No departures or arrivals but one cleaner up to catch up from Sunday. After lunch we drove over to Belper to look at a suite then coming back we stopped at Wirksworth as we haven’t been there for a while. We had a walk round the town and the church. The church is Grade 1 listed and is notable for its Anglo-Saxon carvings in particular a coffin lid that is now mounted on on of the walls inside the church. It is also one of the few remaining churches in the UK that performs a “clipping the church” ceremony in which the parishioners hold hands and form a ring around the church once a year. In the evening Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and after a chin wag with my sister on the phone I caught up on some TV programmes I had recorded for me!
As September ends here are the weather stats. The hottest day and night was the 4th with highest temperature 21.9 C on the 4th. The coldest night was the 15th with coldest day the 16th with lowest temperature of 5.1 C on the 15th. The wettest day was the 6th with .65 inches and total for month was 1.96 inches (9/12 had 3.88 inches).
Chatsworth Sculptures
Well what can we say about Sunday at our Bolehill Cottages (see link) apart from fabulous. Wasn’t expecting it to be that good or warm. One departure and two arrivals with cottages already cleaned. Some guests enjoyed breakfast al fresco. After getting the paper we spent some time doing some gardening before lunch on the patio. Did some more tidying up outside before first guests arrived at 3.30. Chris also gave the dogs a brush outside. We then treated ourselves to a few hours reading the Sunday paper on the patio but the sun kept moving so we had to as well! By the time the second cottage arrived at 5.30pm we were half way down the garden! A hot air balloon rising up from Bakewell kept the dogs occupied for a while and there was a nice sunset. Pity the weather didn’t listen to the forecast for Monday. We were expecting a dull start so weren’t worried. One departure but no arrivals and one cleaner up. By lunchtime we were still waiting for the sun as we had chosen Monday because of the forecast for our annual visit to Chatsworth. Undaunted we set off and had lunch first then as it was still overcast we did the house leaving the dogs (safely) in the car. It had still not cleared up by the time we left the house (each year there is something different to see in the house or we notice something we haven’t seen before) so we collected the dogs and wandered round the gardens seeking out the sculptures from the Beyond Limits exhibition. Also noticed how the leaves were changing colour so wondered if we will get some colourful autumn walks in. Time for tea and cake before the restaurant closed and then drove round to the Farm shop which is experimenting with later opening hours. Still hoping we might see some warmer weather before the week is out. Enjoy Mondays photos, Sundays will appear later.
Bakewell Silver Band
Thursday was quite wet and dull during the morning at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link). Problems with my washing machine again but hopefully Chris has finally sorted it out. Two departures and one arrival with one cleaner up. After lunch we headed to Chesterfield to Bookers to stock up on goods and called in at one of the farm shops on the way. By now it was brightening up and the sun came out. We also called in at Screwfix and Dunelm (of course) before heading home. Guests arrived just after 7pm. They have been before. Friday was as promised a fine day. Down to Bakewell first thing leaving Chris to say goodbye to our departing cottage. One cleaner up. At lunch time we met up with our friends from Yorkshire who were passing through en route to a weekend in the Wirral. We met up at Hassop Station for lunch. It was very busy. Spent the rest of the afternoon preparing for Saturday as well as some sewing jobs. Andrew came up and helped Chris put the hanging baskets back up. Cottage arrived just after 8 pm but had a busy evening for bookings. Although Saturday started dull it soon brightened and warmed up. Four departures and three arrivals and two cleaners up. One cottage booked again for next year. Everything ready by lunchtime and Chris cut the grass before guests arrived. Two cottages arrived between 3.30 and 4pm and the final one by 5pm and for once all are new guests. By mid afternoon it was really quite warm, almost warm enough for an ice cream. I did not wear a jacket when we headed to Over Haddon Village hall in the evening. I may not have had front row seats at the Albert Hall for the Last Night of the Proms but I had a front row seats at the Village Hall for the annual Bakewell Silver Band proms night at Over Haddon! After the excellent concert we stayed behind to help clear up and caught up on some village gossip!
August’s weather stats
Monday started dull but brightened up during the day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link). Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner up. Over the last couple of change overs I have removed the summer duvets and replaced them with the usual duvets so I now have one of my bedrooms back! A busy day for enquiries and bookings. One of the guests has recently been on a cruise and knowing my love of travel had brought her computer so I could see her photos. 
Both cottages here by 3.30, one has been before. In the evening I went to the village hall for the latest hall committee meeting. Chris went round to Green Cowden Farm to sort out a computer problem. Tuesday was a warm day with one departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. A day to catch up on WI accounts and paperwork and we found time for a stationery stock check and Viking Order. Guests here just after 3pm, they have been before. We had another lovely evening but we have been warned a taste of autumn is on its way. Hope you like the sunset pictures from Sunday. Here are the weather stats for August.
Highest temp of 27.4 deg C on 1st which was the warmest day and night. Lowest temp of 8 deg C on 31st which was the coldest day with coldest night being 13th. Not often the hottest day is the first and coldest the last day of the month. Wettest day was 3rd with .76 inches rain, although most of that was in the early hours with 2.73 inches for the month, 3.78 inches for August 2012. Highest UV was 8.1 on 5th.
Chrome Hill
Thursday was another fine dry day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell ( see link). My favourite hills around here are Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill near Longnor. They are reminders that parts of this area was once a coral reef. It was only recently that a concessionary path on Chrome Hill (also called the Dragons Back) was allowed. Initially I had been looking at a walk at the Roaches to catch the last of the heather but when I was looking at walks we haven’t done Chrome Hill came up. We know you need to do it on a still day as at some points you are on a ridge so you don’t want to get blown off! We set off from here reasonably early and parked in the village of Hollinsclough. As we set off we got a good view from the side of our challenge. Having said that the first couple of miles were challenging in their own way as the footpath was a bit indistinct and we missed the turning we needed requiring us to do a little down hill shuffling, Chris on foot and me on my bottom! We walked beside the upper River Dove for a while and at the packhorse bridge picked up a path then a track past a number of outlying farms. We found the concessionary path with no problem. All the walk guides prepare you for a climb, scrambling over rocks at times, and at times a very narrow path. This was all true but it was not as hard as we thought but you are rewarded with some lovely views over the Staffordshire Moorlands on the west side and rolling Derbyshire on the east side. Luckily despite the breeze we found a sheltered spot on the top to have lunch. The walk guides also describe the descent on the steep grassy path but again it was not as bad as we expected, no worse than Kirkdale and we were soon back down and on the lane that went back to Hollinsclough. Luckily there was an adjacent footpath through the fields which had sheep in. The dogs were walking ahead of us and some inquisitive lambs decided to follow them. When Smudge realised he looked at them and they turned and started walking towards Blue but when Blue saw them he turned round and ran back passed us. The lambs scattered but Blue would not come back to us so Chris had to put him on his lead until we cleared the field. Just as we were getting back to the car there was a light shower but nothing to wet the ground. From here we drove over to the Roaches as they were not far away to see the condition of the heather which was passed its best. As we were there we stopped off at the Roaches Tea Room for tea and cake before heading home. So ready for the next challenge! Here are the photos.
August bank holiday
Friday is the start of the Bank Holiday weekend for many. For us it is just another weekend at our self catering cottages near Bakewell (see link). Friday saw two departures and one arrival and one cleaner up. The day started warm and sunny but by lunchtime it had clouded up but it stayed dry albeit humid. Chris spent a lot of time out side, first cutting the grass then strimming the edges which get done every now and then but is time consuming. I went over to Chatsworth Farm shop to get provisions for the weekend. Guests arrived about 3.30. I also had a last minute cancellation for Saturday which was not unexpected but the power of the web meant it had partially been relet within a few hours. It was still dry when I took the dogs out for their evening walk but raining by the time we went to bed. Saturday morning was overcast and drizzly with heavier rain at lunchtime before drying up but not brightening up in the afternoon. Luckily we didn’t have the rain that some parts of the country had and I’d hoped we have a winning
streak of Bank Holidays with good weather but it was not meant to be. Said goodbye to four cottages in the morning and two cleaners up to turn cottages round. Six arrivals due in the afternoon. Cleaning finished by 1pm with a 9am start as cottages left in good state. By the time we had lunch and I finished my checks it was 2.30. First three cottages arrived between 3and 4pm, one has been before, with the remaining three arriving between 4.30 and 5.30, one has been before. Spent some time with Chris finalising next years prices, no major changes, some some tweaking here and there, so they will soon be on our web site. One interesting fact to mull on, we lose two hours of daylight between the beginning and end of August.
A busy Saturday
Friday started damp putting us off going for walk as we weren’t sure what we would do but again it turned I to a nice day again at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link). A quiet day but always jobs to do especially with a busy Saturday ahead. With a wet day forecast for Saturday Chris cut the grass. Saturday was quite overcast but the rain again stayed away until later in the day. Six departures and five arrivals and two here for a few more days. Three cleaners up and no major problems but a few minor jobs for Chris including a loose tap and a stuck dishwasher tray. Cleaning finished by 1.30 pm as we were able to commence cleaning just after 9am and by time I had lunch and did my final checks it was 2.45. Four of the cottages arrived between 3and 3.30, two have been before but one of those haven’t been he since we’ve been here. Final cottage arrived about 5.30. A Chinese take away finished the day. Sunday was a pleasant day with a few light showers forecast. No departures but one arrival. After getting the paper from Bakewell we invited one of the cottages around for coffee. I had thought about doing a car boot sale but the risk of shower and overnight rain had put me off. We spent the rest of the morning doing some gardening, or in reality Chris was let loose with pruners and the chain saw and I followed behind him clearing up. I spent some time in the afternoon on housework and later in the evening I had an influx of emails which resulted in a number of bookings.