Sunday was forecast to be as nice a day as Saturday  so we thought we’d go for a walk down Lathkill Dale from Bolehill farm which we haven’t done for a while. With snow still piled up at the side of the road we cut across the fields but still had to climb over the gate onto the road as we could not open the gate.  The first snow on the path wasn’t until we got to the track from Mill Farm down to the dale at Haddon Grove. Once down in the Dale the only snow was on the north facing slopes so we had a nice stroll along the Dale all the way to Conksbury Bridge with a brief detour to Bateman’s House.  The river itself was running quite well and parts of the path that we would normally expect to be under water at this time of year were dry but there was also signs of plants emerging after their winter slumber.  For a while we walked with a family who also had two collies so the sight of four collies walking along the Dale in harmony must have been quite impressive.  At the weirs we found a pair of swans nesting so look forward to seeing their young soon. At Conksbury Bridge we picked the path up to Over Haddon, parts of this were still under snow, but parts were bone dry.  We stopped at the Lathkill for lunch and it was nice enough to sit outside and enjoy the view from the beer garden.  Another of the cottages were also enjoying lunch there.  On the way back we called in at our next door but one neighbours for a cup of tea and said hello to the cades (orphan/rejected lambs) so it was late afternoon before we got back.  The dogs had enjoyed the walk too so here are some photos.

Sunday was another day of clear blue skies at our peak district cottages.  One departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. After the cottage was ready we decided we had just enough time to walk to Over Haddon for a quick lunch and be back in time for the guests arrival. It was a lovely day and it would have been nice to go for a longer walk but still it was nice to get out for a short walk.  After lunch at the pub, where we managed to get a table with views towards Lathkill Dale, we walked back getting there just after guests arrived, they also run some holiday cottages so we had plenty to talk about.  When Chris took the dogs for their final walk there was a light dusting of snow but by the time we went to bed it had turned to rain.  Monday was more showery.  No departures but one arrival here by mid afternoon.  They are from Canada and are here for two weeks.  In the evening I went to Over Haddon for indoor bowls and Chris went to Bakewell for the Photographic Club so the dogs were abandoned for a few hours.

Phew!  What a warm day!  Too warm for a walk but not too warm to visit Great Longstone in the afternoon for their open gardens.  First thing went to get the papers and noticed that the bunting was up for carnival week.  The well dressings are up but we planned to see them later in the week.  Chris cut the grass at our  peak district cottages and after an early lunch we headed to Great Longstone.  With about two dozen gardens to visit we had a pleasant couple of hours wandering around the village with the highlight being tea and cake on a patio with wonderful views.  (With it being so clear you could make out Riber Castle and Crich Stand in the distance albeit as pimples on the horizon!)  Back home for a few hours then as it was a pleasant evening we packed a picnic and headed for Over Haddon.  From the car park we took our usual route down to the dale and along to Conksbury Bridge, here we spent a few minutes watching the swans and cygnets before heading up to our usual picnic spot.  Here we ate our meal to the sounds of the river, birds and drums?  Someone down in the dale was playing bongo drums!!   Before going home we stopped at the Lathkil for a drink which we were able to enjoy in the beer garden.  Pity I forgot my camera in the evening but here a couple of pictures from the afternoon.

A warm day albeit mainly cloudy. One cleaner up early to turn cottage round for today’s arrivalsin our peak district cottages. Decided to go for our walk as Smudge wasn’t hobbling any more. Packed up rucksacks and headed for the picnic spot on the lane by Long Rake quarry near Youlgreave. Originally had planned to walk from home but worked out it would be an eight mile walk so by driving to a spot on the route we saved three miles. We set off down the lane then picked up the path to Meadow Grange Farm and down to Lathkill Dale. We stopped and chatted to the owner of the lodge house down by the river as Chris knows her from his Digital Camera Workshop sessions. The house actually does not get any sun for a few months of the year. We walked along the dale towards Monyash stopping to look at some of the relics of lead mining along the dale. At the end of the nature reserve we started to look for somewhere to eat. Smudge decided to investigate the edge of a weir but fell in the water, luckily on the still side but he was not impressed as he does not like water! Found a spot to eat lunch then carried on along the dale. At the footbridge we turned into Cales Dale. We have never walked along this dale before. It was quite narrow but we weren’t there for long as we picked up the Limestone Way back to the car. We didn’t meet as many walkers as we thought for a Bank Holiday but I guess that a lot of people will be making their way back home today. Got home just before our guests arrived. They have been here before. Actually sat down early – 7.30pm but disturbed by the phone. Never mind. Have got the latest Over Haddon Newsletter. The cinema club starts again at the end of September with some good films for the season and we have the annual visit from the Bakewell Silver Band for the Last Night of the Proms to look forward to in a couple of weeks. It’s all happening here!