Monday 5th August was a cooler day with drizzle on and off at out cottages near Bakewell (see link).  I was expecting worse as the forecast was for rain all day. First thing down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next few days as Bakewell will be busy until the end of the week. The market was unusually quiet, probably down to the weather. No arrivals or departures so time to get on with other jobs. Later in the evening we had a WI committee meeting to finalise our entry in the Bakewell Show. Tuesday morning started dull and mid morning Chris took Lynne and me down to the Bakewell Show ground so we could set up our entry in the WI tent. The ground is quite soggy because of the recent rain and I suggested our cleaner take her wellies with her to the show! Chris and I then went to Ashbourne for the afternoon as it was one of our days off. We had a late lunch before walking round the shops. By now it was a bit sunnier and warmer. It’s always lovely to see such a diverse range of shops in Ashbourne, very few empty ones with the only thing spoiling it is the amount of heavy traffic through the town. It could do with a bypass. Wednesday was a lot warmer and sunnier. In the morning Chris and I caught up with odd jobs and after lunch I headed off to Buxton to do a big shop at Morrisons as well as call in at the electrical wholesalers and get some bits for Chris. Phoned Lynne in the evening to see how we had done at the show, unfortunately we didn’t win anything this time but its taking part that counts.  There was a nice sunset to round off the day and the evening light highlighted the different colours in the fields that have been harvested and silaged.

Thursday 1/8 was supposed to be hot at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) once the cloud had dispersed. First thing down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend and I noticed all the parking signs were in place for the Bakewell Show . As it was our day off I thought it would be nice to go out for lunch and we needed a new hanging basket bracket so a visit to a garden centre was also required. We opted for Edensor tea rooms and by the time we got there the sun had come out and it was really warm. We had the dogs with us (they were able to sit in the shade) and another couple sat next to us who also had a collie so we got chatting. After a nice lunch we drove the short distance to the Chatsworth Garden Centre where we were able to get the bracket and some other bits. It was still very hot back home although there was a bit of a breeze and later in the afternoon the temperature peaked at 27.4 just beating the temperature of a few weeks ago and giving us the highest temperature this year. We had a lazy (!) evening and had a BBQ and sat out for as long as we could. Friday was still a warm day but not as hot. One departure and one cleaner up. The afternoon went in preparations for Saturday and checking leaflets in the leisure area. Chris also cut the grass. We had been invited to Lynne’s for a BBQ in the evening but with showers making an appearance early evening we decided to wait until they had passed. Chris went out and inspected the gutters during a particularly heavy downpour and we had to give the dogs some of their calming drops. We had an enjoyable few hours with Lynne’s family and friends including Andrew and Joanna but another storm brewed up and was passing very closely down the dale so Chris thought we had better go back and check on the dogs. Just as well as when we drove up the drive we could see the power had gone off. The dogs were not happy especially as the power came on then off again. This went on for a while and then went off completely. The beeps were freaking out the dogs, we had to extricate Blue from behind the TV, so in the end we put Blue in the downstairs toilet for a while where he seemed happier and Smudge just followed us around. We got out the lamps and candles (can’t remember the last time we did that) and went round the cottages handing them out. The power still hadn’t come back by the time we went to bed and the recorded message indicated it would be early morning before we got power back.

Friday July 12th (I’ll catch up with the blogs one day!) was a hot day from the start at our cottages near Bakewell (see link). One departure, our Canadians who arrived earlier in the week, they were actually on the balloon that spooked Blue the other evening and got some good shots of Bolehill. They will email some when they get home. Down to Bakewell in the morning to get some provisions for the weekend and get my hair cut. One cleaner up to keep up with cleaning. After lunch one of our friends arrived to stay for the weekend. The dogs like her because she brings them lots of treats! I took her to Chatsworth Farm Shop so we could get some bits for a picnic. I had planned a picnic at Chatsworth but in the end we picnicked on the patio. We were out until nearly 10pm without the need for extra layers. Saturday turned out to be the hottest day beating last Sunday by another degree. I knew it was going to be hot as soon as I opened the reception door and was hit by a wall of hot air. Five departures and three arrivals and three cleaners up. As the hot weather is forecast to continue I have been replacing the normal duvets with lighter duvets and blankets but am still short for full occupancy so will need to buy more. The spare bedroom has disappeared under the volume of normal duvets! For the second week running Chris did not cut the front lawn having given the guests lawn a quick mow last week. The grass is just not growing but the verges are so lush you’d never believe there were stone walls behind them. All cleaning completed by lunchtime. Guests arrived between 3 and 4pm, all have been before. With another very warm evening in store we had a BBQ, the first one in two years! Sunday was still warm but not as warm as Saturday. One departure and two arrivals but cottages already cleaned. Friend left after lunch and Blue managed to find his way into her car again! Both cottages arrived between 3 and 3.30 pm.  With the ground being so dry moorland fires are a risk and we could see one on Sunday afternoon.  A quiet evening eating outside and the warmth is set to continue for another week.  Hurrah!

Saturday was a pleasant day with showers forecast although most missed our cottages at Bolehill (see link). Five cottages departed and five due back in but only two cleaners available. At coffee time we were reminiscing on the fact that in the first few summers the two cleaners used to clean eight cottages and I would often finish my checks at 3pm!  Since a third cleaner joined us to help on busy days it has been much easier all round. With all cottages departed by 9.45 cleaning was under way promptly. For the third Saturday running a departing guest made a booking for 2014. They’ll be back in 62 weeks time -so their organiser told them! Cleaning completed by 1.30 so time for lunch and for Chris to cut the grass. Four cottages arrived between 3 and 4pm with final cottage arriving about 5 pm. One cottage has been before and they are staying for ten nights, we have a few staying for ten nights or more this season. Overnight rain resulted in a damp start to Sunday. One departure and one arrival and a day of spring cleaning for me! Guests arrived about 3pm. Monday saw no departures but one arrival. One cleaner up. In the evening Ian joined us for dinner.  Tuesday was a pleasant day with one departure.  Chris put in some new bath and basin taps in the vacated cottage and I concentrated on WI accounts.  Late afternoon we decided to visit the well dressings at Youlgrave and Over Haddon. There are also well dressings at Tideswell, Litton and Hope. We thought we would make an evening of it and after our stroll round Youlgrave and Over Haddon we called in for something to eat at the Lathkill Hotel. Luckily there was a table available outside so we could enjoy our meal with the views. Enjoy the photos.

Monday stayed dry but cooler at our Bakewell cottages (click here for details).  Silaging continued and was completed by the afternoon.  Had hoped to go for a ride on one of the tractors but never found the time.  A busy day with one departure and three arrivals, one has been before and one cleaner up.  Chris went to Chatsworth House in the morning for a networking session held by the tourist board.  Everything ready for guests and all here by 5pm.  Friends, who stay with us at Christmas, arrived about 4.30 for a few days.  Pity the weather was just breaking.  In the evening we went down to the Bulls Head in Ashford for a meal.  I had planned a walk for Tuesday but the day dawned dreary and a little damp.  We thought we would go to Hardwick Hall but that is closed on a Tuesday so we opted for Lyme Park (of Mr Darcy fame in the 1990’s series).  Although it is not that far away it takes about an hour to get there.  It also meant we had to leave the dogs at home.  It stayed dull all day but at least the rain held off until we were on our way back.  We had a good time walking round the house and gardens as there had been changes since we were last there.  In the gardens they were preparing the beds for summer plants so little colour there but the rhododendrons were good.   Unfortunately Chris felt it was too cold to go into the lake for his Mr Darcy moment!  In the evening we went to Felicinis in Bakewell for a meal.  Enjoy the photos.

Well the weather continued fine sunny and mild over the weekend at Bolehill.  Saturday was a busy day with six departures and three arrivals.  Three cleaners up and cleaning finished by lunchtime.  After a late lunch Chris cut the grass and I finished off in the cottages.  First two cottages arrived between 3and 3.30pm, one has been before, with final cottage arriving about 4pm they have also been before.  Time for some jobs in vacant cottages as well.  Sunday remained fine so we spent some time on outside jobs. Chris did some painting and jet washed the cars, although he was worried the last time he did it snowed!  I planted up some more shrubs and we had lunch on the patio.  No departures but one arrival here about 5pm.  Still light at 10.45pm.  Amazing how quickly you get used to the longer daylight hours.