Christmas Eve was bright and breezy and with no arrivals we decided to go for a walk. We opted for a walk from the door to Monyash and parked one of the cars there then we headed down to Lathkill Dale via Mill Farm. The wind had picked up by mid morning but once we were down in the dale we were quite sheltered. The water was flowing well when we entered the dale but had dried up by the time we reached the source. We had hoped to have lunch at the Smithy in Monyash but it had just closed so we drove over to Grindleford where we had lunch at the cafe. Then we had a walk around the 
outdoor shops at Hathersage before a quiet evening in. Enjoy the photos. Boxing Day was another fine day but noticeably colder than Christmas Day. No arrivals or departures. Down to Bakewell mid morning and a wander around the shops with coffee at the Tiroler Stuberl before we went to the Agricultural Center to watch the hunt set off from Bakewell. Then we headed to White Lodge car park outside Ashford where we walked along Monsal Dale and up to Monsal Head. The Dale was quite 
muddy in places and by the time we got to the top the wind had picked up again. We bumped into our friends from Chelmorton who were doing a different walk. Heading back we walked over the viaduct, the Monsal Trail was not as busy as we thought it would be, and down to the Dale. Retracing our steps we came across some cows blocking the path so had to make a minor detour. Later in the afternoon our friend left to drive home. Tuesday was a quieter day with time to catch up with chores from the last few days and prepare for the big changeover between Christmas and New Year. One departure. Another cold sunny day. Enjoy the photos from the Monday.
lathkill Dale
Summer’s final picnic?
Saturday 13 August was another dry warm day. A busy day with five departures and four arrivals and three cleaners here, one of which was the one I interviewed on Friday. Most guests here by 4pm but final one arrived at 7.30. For once none of the arrivals were returning guests. Sunday was forecast to be fine but it was cloudy for most of the day with the sun eventually coming out later in the evening. Two 
departures and one arrival with cottage already prepared. Down to Bakewell to get the paper and ended up walking Smudge in the park with Karen and Mark and their dogs. The Bakewell Baking Festival was taking place on the Showground and featured some previous winners of Bake-off. A quiet day at 
home and after the guests arrived later in the afternoon we went down to the tearoom for some cake. Monday was a pleasantly warm sunny day. No departures with one arrival and a cleaner here. Did some gardening jobs with Chris watering plants again. Took advantage of the nice weather with a BBQ in the evening. Tuesday was another warm day with almost wall to wall sunshine. Two departures and two arrivals with a cleaner here. More gardening jobs with both cottages arriving later in the afternoon, including an Italian couple that stay regularly. Having already prepared a picnic we headed to Over Haddon and parked in the car park before walking down the lane to the Dale. This took fifteen minutes because we kept meeting people we know! We walked along the Dale which was very depleted of water, the lowest we can ever remember it, and at Conksbury Bridge we headed back up the hill back towards Over Haddon. Our normal picnic spot had already been bagged by another couple but we found another location further along where we enjoyed the warm evening sun. A hot air balloon passed over, we haven’t seen many of those this year. Back at Over Haddon we stopped for a quick drink at the pub before making our way home.
Another Picnic!
Sunday was a pleasant day weather wise at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). One departure and one arrival but cottage already prepared. A quiet day chatting to guests and jobs around the house. By the time the cottage arrived at 5.30, they have been before, it meant all the seven occupied cottages were previous guests. Monday by contrast was quite a dismal day. Drizzle and rain peppered the day and it turned quite humid. No arrivals or departures and our friends from Yorkshire were calling in for lunch on their way to a stay in a local hotel for a few nights so I popped over to the Chatsworth farm shop to get some lunch. In the afternoon we went to Buxton to do a Morrisons shop and on the way back we called in at our friends at Chelmorton. Tuesday was a better day weather wise with a sunny morning but a bit more cloud in the afternoon. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here. Tuesday handyman here too. I gathered most of the information and figures for the Valuation return, that took all afternoon and guests arrived at 4.30. In the evening we drove over to the Izaak Walton Hotel and met up with our friends for a very nice meal. Wednesday was a fine sunny day with the temperature tempered by the breeze. Cleaner with broken wrist called in for coffee and then Chris went back to her place to do some odd jobs and I followed behind making a detour to the recycling centre and then the Outlet Village before picking him up. It was too busy for lunch at Edensor so we picked up some rolls from Chatsworth farm shop. One arrival here at 3.30. Later in the afternoon it was nice enough for a picnic so we parked at Over Haddon and walked the Dale to Conksbury Bridge. There were sheep along the Dale and Blue disgraced himself again (see separate dog’s blog) then on to our picnic stop for a couple of hours with a lovely blue sky and warm evening sunshine. Evening rounded off with a drink at the Lathkil. Enjoy the photos.
Local news update
autumn colour
Thursday was a quiet day with no arrivals or departures at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here). Chris fixed a broken down pipe, probably dislodged by the winds earlier in the week. For me a day of odd jobs and emails. It was a mild day for October too. Guests said the River Lathkill was flowing again. The post brought an interesting circular from Aldi setting out proposals for a new store on the outskirts of Bakewell. There had been rumours but this was the first official confirmation of the plans that I had seen. Friday was a bit more showery but not cold. Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner here. Plenty to be getting on with and guests here just after 5pm. Saturday was a busy day. Four departures with two arrivals and two cleaners here. Missed the farmers market for a change. Kept Chris busy with jobs like installing the new oven. First guests here by 4pm and second cottage here by 8.30pm. Friend from Chelmorton called in for a few hours during the afternoon as well. Sunday 26 October saw the clocks go back. One departure with two arrivals but cottages already prepared. Got the paper from Bakewell (noticed new men’s clothes shop opened) then invited one of the cottages over for coffee. Chris went round and changed all the heating clocks etc. Read that the Tideswell School of Food had permanently closed. Shame. After final cottages checks day spent catching up with bits and pieces and some preparations in advance for Monday. First cottage here just after 3pm, they have been before, with second one here just before 5pm by which time it was staring to get dark. Don’t like these dark evenings. Roll on late December when the days start getting longer again!
Sunrises and sunsets
mist over Bakewell
Saturday got off to a misty start at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link). Took the dogs for an early walk so I could take some photos. Three departures, one arrival, one cottage staying for a second week and two cleaners here. Time of year when we have a mixture of weeks and short
mist in Lathkill Dale
breaks and over the next week we have a number of short breaks. Chris was well enough to clear the courtyard and gardens of leaves and cut the grass for the first time in a couple of weeks, not that it will need much more cutting. Cottage here at 3pm giving me the afternoon to do other jobs so I stocked up on logs and caught up on paperwork. Sunshine and showers produced some rainbows. Sunday got off to a misty start again but unlike
mist rolling across the fields
Saturday the mist hung around the dales whilst we were in glorious sunshine. More photo opportunities. Despite the lovely day we had the tax returns to complete which we did. Early tea for us and dogs and took them out whilst it was light and got some sunset shots. Off to the village hall to help set it up for the film night. Captain Phillips is one of those edge of the seat films and worth seeing I thought. Monday 13th October was a rerun of the previous Monday. 
Cool, wet and windy. Kept having to pick up plant pots and the clear lawn was covered in leaves again. Two departures and three arrivals and one cleaner here. Usual Monday tasks but at least with Chris better we could share the work load. With all work finished by lunch I could do some paperwork and balance the WI annual accounts in the
Sunday morning
afternoon. Could have gone to the Over Haddon Village Hall Committee meeting in the evening but felt as if I were coming down with a cold so didn’t!
Sunday sunset
Blue against sunset
A lot of rain
Friday 8 August saw one departure but no arrivals at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) and I headed to Bakewell early to get provisions for the weekend. There have been some changes in Bakewell in the last few weeks. The toy shop has moved to the other side of the road and in its place an ice cream parlour has opened. We have taken bets on how long that will last. A branch of Fatface has opened as has a branch of the Grape Tree which was set up by the same team who did Julian Graves. One cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. The rest of the day went in preparations for Saturday including ironing bedding. We had been expecting rain and the first heavy shower arrived just after lunch. 
The heavier rain arrived about 5pm just as Joanna was bringing in the cows for milking. The rain was heavy enough to leave grooves in the gravel in the courtyard and with lightening close by Chris switched off the phones and computers. When I took the dogs out in the evening I noticed the first mushrooms in the fields. Saturday was the calm before the storm with a fine warm day. Six departures, including the German family and one cottage staying for a second week. With six arrivals three cleaners here so a very busy morning. Chris cut the grass and I managed to complete checks and jobs before first arrivals at 3pm. A steady stream of arrivals and all here by 5.30. Five have been before so plenty of 
gossip to catch up with! Had heard that the fish have been taken out of the River Lathkill as the waters are very low, they will be put back in later in the year. Bertha arrived as forecast on Sunday morning, in fact the rain was so heavy that the drains on the hill down to Bakewell couldn’t cope. Apparently the Mountain Warehouse basement flooded in Fridays rain. No departures or arrivals so a day of housework and catchup. A break in the rain at lunchtime was followed by breezier conditions and showers. We recorded one and a half inches of rain from Friday morning to Sunday evening. It was quite windy when I took the dogs out later and more of the same is forecast for the week ahead.
A taste of summer
Friday 16 May was a lot warmer than expected which was a nice way to start the weekend at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Three departures and four arrivals with two cleaners here. It was nice to hear that the Chatsworth Horse Trials were going ahead. Went to Chatsworth farm shop to get provisions for the weekend as some warm weather was forecast and the farm shop has some nice items for picnics. Chris cut grass. First two cottages here by 3.30 with third one arriving about 5pm and final ones, who have been before and were at the horse trials, here at 6pm. It was warm enough to sit outside in the evening but after dinner I had to go to the village hall for a short pre AGM meeting. Saturday was a fine warm day and great for a picnic. 
Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner up. After cleaning completed and I had done my checks we decided to go out for lunch as it was so nice. We took a chance and headed for the tea rooms at Edensor, with the Horse Trials on we weren’t sure how busy they would be but we found a table outside where we could sit with the dogs. 
We then had a little stroll up the hill where we sat overlooking Chatsworth House for a while. We could see where the Trials were taking place but could not see much of what was going on. Back home via a busy Bakewell where cottage, who have been before, had just arrived. Time for a chat and check on emails and phone calls before packing the rucksacks for a picnic. We parked at Over Haddon car park then walked down the lane to the dale. The water level was still high as were the nettles! There were a lot of late evening walkers but luckily no one had nicked our picnic spot overlooking the dale. After a couple of relaxing hours we walked back to the village and had a swift half at the pub before going home. Sunday was another warm day
but the temperature was tempered by a nagging breeze. One departure and one arrival. The cottage had already been cleaned so just final checks to do. Did some outside jobs and guests arrived just after 3pm. A quiet evening in, would have been nice to have dinner al fresco but it was too breezy. Never mind.
Haddon Hall
Thursday 8 May was one of those cool damp spring days at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here). One departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. We had a visit to Haddon Hall planned for the morning which had been organised by the Tourist Board and we were there in time for coffee then a guided tour. Although we go most years a guided tour gave us information which we haven’t had before. With my new camera I was able to take some close up shots which I think have come out fine. Back for lunch and an afternoon of catching up on paper work with guests arriving about 4pm. Some heavy rain later in the afternoon left mist rising from Lathkill Dale and then the sun came out and it presented a nice photo opportunity. Friday was forecast to be showery but we saw very few. Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner here. Chris decided to cut the grass as the forecast for Saturday was not good, we probably will have a couple of empty cottages over the weekend as a result. Gave bluebell bedroom a new look. Went down to Bakewell in the afternoon to get provisions for the weekend and back in time for guests arrival at 5pm, they have been before. Took a number of photos on the evening walk with the dogs including a hare sitting on a wall! The grass is getting very long as you can see. Saturday started fair but deteriorated during the afternoon. Three departures with two arrivals. Had given the cleaners the day off so Chris and I turned one cottage round as one was already done. A busy day for bookings and emails which is unusual for a Saturday. Chris did some painting in a vacant cottage and I did some washing of throws from vacant cottages. Both cottages arrived between 3 and .3.30. A wet evening but prospects of better weather in the coming week. Enjoy the photos
A fine end to the weekend
The forecast for Easter Sunday was cool and overcast at our Bolehill cottages (see here) which it was with a bit of rain in the morning. It did brighten up in the afternoon but it remained cool. One departure but no arrivals and a day of odd jobs as well as doing the VAT returns and reviewing the annual accounts as prepared by the accountant. Monday was a complete contrast. A misty start which soon cleared. Three departures but no arrivals which is unusual for an Easter Monday but many schools are back on Tuesday or Wednesday. 
We decided to go down to Bakewell market in the morning and have coffee. We were expecting it to be busy but we managed to park without difficulty. After a wander round the market stalls and the shops we went to Naughty and Nice for a coffee and piece of cake. They recently won the Derbyshire Cafe of the Year award and are almost next door to Costa Coffee. On the way home we went via Over Haddon to drop some bits from the WI supper off at Lynne’s. 
They had just let the cows out for the first time. Back home we had lunch al fresco as it was warm enough. A couple of hours work in the afternoon before heading out again as it was so nice. We drove down to Over Haddon and called in The Garden Tea Room which has just opened for the season. We had a cup of tea and another piece of cake and even when we left just after 5pm they were still accepting customers. 
We opted to walk down to the dale where the river was still fast flowing and we followed our usual route along to Conksbury Bridge passing a swan who was nest building. From here we walked up to the pub and had just sat down with a drink outside when we felt some raindrops so we went inside. We were joined by Ian who had just finished a shift behind the bar. A nice relaxing day before getting back into the swing of things.
A WI day
Wednesday 16/4 was another fine day not that I saw much of it at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). One departure and one cleaner here. It was the day we were hosting the Lathkill Group WI Spring Meeting at the village hall so I had plenty to keep me occupied including making potato salad for fifty. Luckily Chris gave me a hand. With it being a fine day I decided to get the carpets in one of the cottages cleaned as it was vacant for a couple of nights and it would be the last one to be done. No sooner had we finished cleaning the carpet when someone phoned wishing to book it from that evening unfortunately I had to turn the booking down. Joanna collected me just before 5pm and we picked up Lynne as well and with four others set up the village hall for our meeting. We had a ham salad for main course and trifle for dessert. We had finished setting up by the time the first visitors arrived who were from Bakewell, Monyash, Youlgrave, Great Longstone and Ashford WI’s. We also had a representative from Derbyshire WI HQ who gave us an update on county affairs including new WI s and the WI Centenary Baton Run (more on that another time). One concern is that there was a fire at the Derby Assembly Rooms a few weeks ago which normally stages the Derbyshire WI Autumn Conference so a new venue will be needed as the Assembly rooms are going to be closed for the foreseeable future. I had a number of responsibilities during the evening. I collected the entrance money, sold raffle tickets and helped with serving tea. I also helped with the washing up and later in the evening I gave the answers to the quiz I had done and oversaw the raffle. Our main speaker was a local lady who runs a theatre group and she gave us a talk about all the things that can and do go wrong in productions. She was very amusing and we all enjoyed her talk. Everyone enjoyed the supper and the views over Lathkill Dale and by the time our visitors left and we had cleared up the hall it was 10. 30. It had been a long but enjoyable day. Pity I forgot the camera to take pictures of how the hall looked but here is a picture of my camellia to brighten up the blog.