hail on ground with passing wintry shower

Wednesday 10 December was a fine day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link).  Was expecting some wet and windy weather but it seemed to have stayed further north.  Spent a lot of the day preparing for the WI party in the evening.  One cleaner here doing a bit more painting and carpet cleaning.  We stocked up on logs in the afternoon and the windows were cleaned for the last time before Christmas.  Collected Joanna at 7pm and headed for the village hall where we started to set up the hall for the party.  Soon thirteen of the fourteen members were there to enjoy our final evening as a WI.  Having said that we have already organised some outings as friends.  We had a good spread and my quiz went down well.  Overnight I was woken up at 2am by a hail storm and again at 5am except this time it was much heavier and accompanied by thunder and lightening.

Rainbow from Dove window

Don’t know how Chris slept through it.  When Chris went down in the morning he was worried as he couldn’t find Blue and even worried he might have panicked and jumped through a window.  Eventually Chris found him in the utility room where he could get in but not back out.  The first thing I saw when I looked out of the window was a covering of hail which soon went.  The day deteriorated with showers, some wintry in nature.  For Chris a day of more web work and me a lot of odd jobs.  Later in the afternoon we went down to the Lathkil where we watched John, our neighbour, have his moustached shaved off for Movember.  After dinner we went over to one of the cottages for a couple of pleasant hours to help celebrate the birthday of one of our guests.

We were expecting some wintry showers on Sunday at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Two departures but no arrivals.  After getting the paper from Bakewell I checked the vacated cottages.  We spent some time going through the new website before a late lunch.  By then the first of the wintry showers had passed over and left a dusting of snow.  Housework in the afternoon and kept an eye on the weather as there was a probability of snow falling over night.  I was relieved when we woke up on Monday 8th December that there was only a dusting of snow at Bolehill although Andrew was still green!.  One cottage was able to depart and two cleaners to arrive, one to clean and one to paint!  Laundry was collected as was the rubbish even though the lorry drove over a part of the field to get here.  The sun managed to melt what it shone on but there was a very cold wind.  Glad I went to Bakewell last Monday.  One arrival here about 5.30, they have been a few times before.  The afternoon went in preparations and cottage jobs.  Tuesday was another cold day with some showers in the afternoon.  More painting in the cottages and one arrival in the afternoon.  A morning of odd jobs and after lunch I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the next couple of day. In December the Derbyshire Dales car parks have free parking in the afternoons.  The wind started to pick up in the afternoon and it was noticeable when I went and got a barrow load of logs.  Having just lost the snow and ice weather warnings, weather warnings for wind were about to take effect.

Well we are all entitled to a bit of fun sometimes especially when it’s been busy at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Final bits done in Lathkill for time being and painting finished in living area in Magpie.  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner here on Friday 5th December.  Collected my car from garage and came home via Ashford where I picked up some supplies from the village shop.  A few wintry showers during the afternoon but nothing settled, it was very cold though.  Last of the cows went back across the road for winter so no cows on this side now until spring.  Guests arrived about 4pm, they were here last as B&B guests.  In the evening we went to the Lathkill for a beer tasting evening.  The roads were quite icy as the temperature had dropped below freezing.  We’ve never been to a beer tasting before and tonight there were a range of Blue Monkey beers, a local micro brewery,  available for sampling.  We also had a sausage and mash supper.  There was a good turn out and we joined Ian and some of his friends for the evening.  I won the main raffle prize, a box of selected chocolate beers!  My reward for being the driver!  I made sure I didn’t slip over on the ice on the way back to the car.  Saturday was a fine day on the whole with a few wintry showers in the morning, but a reverse of Friday as it got milder as the day went on.  One departure and they have booked for next year.  Chris spent more time on the new web site, he hopes to publish it before Christmas, and I also spent some time proof reading and testing the new site.  I also drafted a quiz for the WI party.  In the evening we went to the village hall for a quiz night which is one of many events being held to raise funds for equipment for the new children’s playground in the village. We teamed up with Andrew and Joanna but unfortunately didn’t win. Still we all enjoyed the evening.

A lovely blue sky to start the day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). It was just the sight to make you feel happy.  Not even having to spend an hour dealing with a malfunctioning card machine could dampen my cheerfulness.  Then I was asked to go to Buxton to get some electrical cable for Chris and pick up some supplies from B&Q.  I enjoyed my drive over marvelling at the number of sheep out for winter grazing now that most cattle are in for the winter, getting a friendly wave from the oil delivery man for letting him out from a narrow lane.  The blue sky and winter scenery made me decide the day was Cheery Wednesday.  After the electrical wholesalers I popped round to the nursery to confirm that we would be asking them to do our hanging baskets next year.  Called in at B&Q  before driving home.  After lunch we had a flying visit from a couple of workmen who were here when we did our first refurbishment back in January 2004.  Managed to get some ironing done before our next visitors, one of our summer guests called in with a friend to show him around.  Work continued in Magpie with new cooker hood up.  Never managed to get any WI work done which was the plan for the day and only negative aspect of the day was a snowflake appearing in Friday’s forecast!  Thursday was a contrast being cloudy and cold but again a dry day.  One arrival and one cleaner here to prepare for the weekends arrivals.  Mark and Chris finished the kitchen in Magpie so next will be the painting in the lounge/dining area.  I have upgraded the weekends guests as they have been before anyway.  Still didn’t manage to get the WI work done, each time I started something else cropped up. Guests arrived at 3pm, they have been before. Forecast is for wintry showers over the next few days, hope they are not a problem as we have some plans for the weekend which I hope we won’t have to cancel.

At last we saw Derbyshire again on Sunday at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link).  Was nice to have the scenery back even if it did cloud up again later in the day.  One departure after which we went down to Bakewell to get the paper.  We stopped and had a walk around the Christmas market, not as big as last year but nice enough bearing in mind it had nearly not gone ahead.  A quiet day at home doing some odd jobs and stocking up on logs. Phoned our friends in Yorkshire who are coming to stay at Christmas.   Monday 1st December saw me down at the market in the morning.  Last chance before Christmas and Bakewell was doing a steady business.  No departures or arrivals so time for accounts and other jobs.  Cleaner up here painting furniture again and Mark and Chris were tiling in Magpie kitchen.  After lunch I was disturbed when putting the dog treats away and came back to find a packet on the floor, open and eaten!  Have to guess who the guilty part was.  When I went to make dinner I realised I had left one of my shopping bags somewhere in Bakewell but luckily I had something else to cook.  After dinner Chris went to Bakewell to the Photographic Society  and I made the most of the evening emailing friends.  On Tuesday morning after one departure I traced my missing shopping to one of the shops in Bakewell I use regularly and luckily for me they had kept my perishables in their fridge over night.  I made the most of the extra trip to Bakewell by taking four bags of clothes to the charity shops, the result of my tidying up over the last few Saturdays. Back home everyone was hard at work.  Tiling was continuing in Magpie, furniture was being painted in Shippon and Lathkill and the last of the Christmas lights went up.  I did some paper work and odd jobs and researched some possible purchases on the internet.  Took the dogs out late afternoon to catch the nice sunset.

I always look forward to the last Saturday of the month at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) as it is the Farmers Market in Bakewell.  On Saturday 29th November there was also the Bakewell Christmas Market and later in the day the turn on of the Christmas lights.  Additionally there was a couple of craft fairs dotted around Bakewell so there was plenty going on.  Chris said he would take me down to the Farmers Market so we waited until after our guests had departed before heading down to Bakewell.  Usually I set off just after 9 so it wasn’t until after 10 when we arrived in Bakewell and we were both surprised at how busy it already was.  No spaces in the short term car park and with the long term car park filling up rapidly we knew it would be quite a crush in the Farmers Market so reluctantly we carried on and went to Hassop Station for coffee.  From here we went to the Chatsworth Farm shop where I thought I would pick up some provisions for the weekend but again found the car park very busy and Chris reported a queue of two dozen at the till so we came away empty handed.  Thank heavens for the freezer.  We headed back into Bakewell but the late morning traffic was queueing quite some way out of Bakewell so we came back via Ashford.  So I never got to the Farmers Market or the Christmas Market.  Back home jobs around the house and final checks on cottage (already cleaned) where guests arrived at 4pm, they have been before.  It also stayed foggy all day again.

November’s weather stats.  Warmest day and night 1st with highest temp of 14.8 C.  Coldest day 25th with lowest temp on 6th which had coldest night. Wettest day 7th with .87 in rain with 3.57 in for month (2.49 in Nov 2013).

Monday started cold and frosty at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  One departure but no arrivals with one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  A busy day with Mark from Over Haddon here to help Chris start work in Magpie where we are ‘refreshing’ the kitchen.  First thing I had to empty all the contents from the kitchen cupboards. Also our new cleaner up here doing some painting in Lathkill.  Plenty of things to do in the vacant cottages.  Later in the afternoon it looked like being a nice sunset so I walked up to the top field with Smudge and came back down the garden.  In the copse I found some interesting fungi formations and while taking photos Smudge found something interesting in the grass and started digging so he needed a swoosh!  Tuesday 25th November started frosty and foggy and made for a photo opportunity.  Mark and handyman here with handyman putting up the Christmas lights.  Chris and Mark continued in Magpie and new cleaner up here to carry on with some painting.  I had an early hair appointment and headed down to Bakewell where it was still frosty and -2C.  Also did some shopping. Back home for final preparations for cottage arriving later in the day, they have been before and were here at 3.30.  I did some tidying up in the greenhouse while it was dry, it was still misty in the dales and had been a cold day.  In the evening watched a ‘Speed’ with Guy Martin where he attempted to break the hovercraft speed record.  Some of that had been filmed at Carsington Water.  Recently they have been filming some of the ‘Hollow Crown’ at Haddon Hall.

cow at sunset

Friday 21st November was a quiet day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner here.  A day of jobs in the cottages for both Chris and I as well as accounts for me and Chris spending time on the computerised heating system.  He has also done more work on the new website, when he has had the time, which we hope to have live before Christmas.  A dull and cold morning gave way to a cold and wet afternoon and cottage arrived just after 7pm.  Saturday started dull but brightened up during the day.  No departures but one arrival. Spent some time on house jobs and stocked up on logs.  Cottage arrived just after 5pm, they have been before.  Had a chat with my sister too.  In the evening we went to Buxton to see Fascinating Aida (a comedy singing and cabaret act) at the Opera House, a very amusing performance.  We came back via the Wheatsheaf in Bakewell where we called in to wish Ian’s girlfriend a Happy Birthday before retuning to the dogs.  Sunday saw three departures and no arrivals.  Reports back from the Christmas decorations at Chatsworth has been positive on the whole.  The traders at the market have reported good results and there is even a rumour that it might be extended next year.  A morning of cottage related jobs after getting the paper and the afternoon was spent on personal paper work.  After tea we headed down to the Village Hall for the showing of War Horse. Yes it was on TV the previous Sundaybut the BBC hadn’t consulted the social committee who had scheduled the film season back in the summer. I enjoyed the film anyway.

Reindeer display at Market

Wednesday was our day off at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  so we had to make a decision as to whether visit the Chatsworth Christmas market early in the morning or later in the afternoon.  I opted for the latter so we had a quiet morning doing odd jobs.  After lunch we loaded up the car to go to the recycling centre and managed to find room for the dogs.  We also called in at the Peak Outlet Centre before reaching Chatsworth.  The day had been dull and cool but it tried to brighten up by the time we got there.  The coaches were starting to leave but it was still busy and we had plenty of room to wander around the stalls.  I am sure there were more than last year but there was a wide range of goods for sale.  Even had some roasted chestnuts.  Yum.  Rumour has it that next year it will be on for even longer!  By the time we had also done the stables shops we had spent a couple of hours there and it was dark.  On the way home we stopped at the farm shop to get dinner and as the marquee was up I also bought some goods for Christmas.  Heavy bags and light wallet!  Thursday was a bit brighter than forecast.  First thing took the Shogun round to Sheldon for its MOT and back in time to wave goodbye to our two departures.  No arrivals but one cleaner here. Chris spent some time sorting out a problem with the heating system and also gave the grass a final cut for the season, mainly to hoover up the last of the leaves.  I did some paperwork and accounts.  Later in the day I dropped Chris off to collect the Shogun and I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the weekend.

Cow in field

It’s nice to be busy in Novembers at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Sunday was a quieter day and after a misty start it cleared up. One departure but no arrivals.  A day of paper work and in the evening we went to the opera house in Buxton again. This time we saw Henning Wehn, a German stand up comic based in London,  and it was nice to have a good laugh.  First time we have seen a stand up comic at Buxton and the place was packed. Monday was a busier day and cool and overcast too.  One departure and three arrivals and two cleaners here. Everything ready for guests arrivals and all three were here by 3.30.  All have been before and all will be visiting the Chatsworth Christmas Market.  More cows went back home across the road in the afternoon.  Time for preparations for this evening’s Village Hall meeting which I went to after dinner.  Chris went to the Bakewell Photography Club so the dogs were abandoned for a few hours.

Look! She’s taking a picture of us!

Another busy day on Tuesday 18 November. One departure and two arrivals and one cleaner here.  Handyman here too to help Chris with final outside tidying up jobs.  This included planting the shrubs that arrived on Saturday.  Cleaner and I also changed the bedding in the cottages of the two exhibitors at Chatsworth due to their length of stay. The remaining cows on this side of the road were moved around our fields in the afternoon to chomp at what grass is left.  Both arrivals here just after 3pm, one has been before.  Paperwork and emails took up the rest of the afternoon and a quiet evening in front of the fire for us and the dogs.

Where are they?