Thursday was our day off at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) even though we had one arrival. The cottage was already prepared and guests not expected until the evening. Anticipating that the heather would be in its glory I had planned a walk in the Goyt Valley which is one of the heather hot spots. When we got there though we found it still was not fully out so we drove out of the valley via Derbyshire Bridge onto the Cat & Fiddle road and stopped at the Peak View Tearoom for coffee. From here we had a scenic drive via Winnats Pass and Castleton to Hathersage where we had recently walked. We were pleased to see that the heather here was really good so we donned our walking boots and set off on the same route along Millstone Edge we did a couple of weeks ago. We found a different lunch spot with lovely views over the Hope Valley but with a steep drop if we had lost our footings! Before we got to Higger Tor we headed down and took a lower footpath along the bottom of Millstone Edge passing a number of oldd workings. We crossed the main road and walked a green lane through the old Bolehill Quarry where there were plenty of millstones before heading back to the main road and car park. We took plenty of pictures of the heather so enjoy. On the way home we stopped in Hathersage to browse the outdoor shops. It had stayed cloudy most of the day but at least the sun came out before we left the heather. It turned into a pleasant evening and guests arrived just before 9pm.
Peak District cottages
Arrivals and departures
For a while now at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) we have had mainly weekly bookings but for a few weeks we will have more short breaks so will be busier. The cleaners are happy with this as they can earn more money. Monday was a dull day at although it stayed dry and was mild. One departure and three arrivals and one cleaner here as one cottage was already prepared. Usual Monday routines and also did some accounts. First cottage here at 5pm, they have been 
before with remaining cottages here just after 7pm. Tuesday was another dull day with some light showers, could have been worse. Each time I looked at the forecast it changed. One departure. Tuesday handyman here and he and Chris did some pruning jobs around the properties. In the afternoon I went to Sainsburys in Matlock. Took the dogs out for their evening walk and stayed to watch 
the sunset, Chris joined me and we went as far as we could on Andrews fields to get the best shots. At least we saw some warm sunshine on Wednesday morning. Two departures and one cleaner here with one arrival. With a couple of empty cottages I took the chance to get some extra jobs done. With bookings, cancellations and enquiries the morning soon went. It clouded up in the afternoon and the rain arrived about 5pm and our guests just before 6pm. A lot of emails in the evening but no nice sunset to photograph.
A weekend of two halves
It’s been very dry so far in August at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). Thursday was forecast to be wet later on but it stayed dry until later in the day but we never saw the sun at all. Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend. Back in time for coffee with some of our guests. One cleaner here and a cottage arrived just after 3pm. A day of catch up jobs. Friday was the wet day we were expecting but we were also expecting thundery showers but luckily for the dogs they never materialised. No departures or arrivals so another day of jobs 
around the house, gradually ticking off the summer jobs! After coffee we went down to the agricultural merchants in Bakewell to get some bits including a new pair of wellies for me! I now have a blue pair so we can tell whose boots are whose! After that we went to the electrical warehouse in Buxton to pick up some items. A quiet afternoon which included some preparations for Saturday. In the evening we went to the Lathkil for a summer evening (!) of Tapas and Sangria. It was supposed to be held in the garden but on one of the worst nights of the summer it was held inside 
instead. We went with Andrew and Joanna and there were others from the village there too. Saturday was a far better day, mainly sunny but fresher. Six departures and four arrivals with three cleaners here. With cleaning under way by 10am everything was completed by lunchtime. Chris cut the grass, not that it has grown much. Two cottages here by 3.30, one has been before, with next one at 4.30 and final one at 5.15, both have been before. In the meantime I did some accounts. Sunday was another fine day with a lovely sunrise and some warm sunny spells. No departures but one arrival here just after 3pm with cottage already cleaned. As usual for a Sunday some housework and some down time, we all need some of that!
Ashover Show
Monday was warm day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) but not always sunny. Cloudy in the morning with showers in the afternoon. No departures but our late arrival from Saturday cancelled because of continuing ill health. One of those days that went fast with nothing to show for it! Tuesday was better with long sunny spells. Tuesday handyman here helping Chris with odd jobs. For me some housework and gave the car it’s annual clean! Also got some new fencing going up. Wednesday was a lovely warm day with one departure. A quiet morning and after coffee we packed up the car with some recycling and the dogs and first went to the recycling depot then the peak outlet centre. We were going on to Ashover for the show but as traffic was still heavy around Ashover we stopped for lunch first. We got to Ashover about 1.30 and still had to queue but not for too long. The Ashover Show is always popular with the farming community and locals alike and we always bump into people we know. Andrew and Joanna were manning one of the dairy refreshment tents so we stopped for a cup of tea there. Had a good look around the livestock stands before checking out the old tractors and steam engines. Also had a look round the craft, horticultural and food tents. We also looked at all the machinery stands , not that we need a new tractor. The show is nowhere near as big as the Bakewell show and we had looked around everything after three hours. We came back via the Chatsworth Farm Shop so I could pick up some tea and it was still warm enough to eat outside. What I have noticed is that even some of our lawn is starting to turn brown, it has been a few years since we have seen that and I was shocked to see we have had less than a quarter of inch of rain so far this month. That may change over the next few days. Enjoy the photos from the show.
An evening at Chatsworth
Friday was a sunny day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). No arrivals or departures. Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend. A catch up day as well as preparations for Saturday’s arrivals. Chris did some watering and feeding of plants and baskets again. Saturday was a warm sunny day. Five departures and six arrivals but one phoned to say they would now not arrive until Monday due to sickness. Two cottages here for a further week. Three cleaners here and with some early departures cleaning was under way by 9am so all cleaning and checks finished by lunchtime. As usual on busy changeover days Chris and I helped out with bed making. Chris cut the grass. A rush of arrivals at 3pm with final cottage here by 3.45, two have been before. As it was still so nice I made some salads and we decided on a picnic. We haven’t picnicked at Chatsworth Park for a while and when I checked on the website I realised their gardens were open for the evening so we headed to Chatsworth with the dogs and a picnic. We had a walk around the gardens first, they are already getting the sculptures ready for the Beyond Limits exhibition so we had a preview of some of them. Not often we see the gardens in high summer. We enjoyed our picnic with a violin trio playing in the rose garden. A lovely evening to end a busy day. Sunday was also a fine day. We invited one of the cottages over for coffee which we were able to enjoy on the patio. Later one of our cleaners called in on her way to a walk along Lathkill Dale. Otherwise a quiet afternoon with plenty of warm sunshine. Enjoy Saturday’s photos.
Carl Wark and Higger Tor
Thursday was forecast to be a fine day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) so it was disappointing when we had some early showers. I had planned a walk in Monks Dale near Millers Dale but with the showers we worried it might be too slippery under foot as it is rocky in places. It is one of a number of ‘dog friendly’ walks which have no or few stiles and are shorter in length. Plan B was a four mile walk near Hathersage around Carl Wark and Higger Tor. We parked at Surprise View car park where it was still cloudy but brightness was in the distance. The heather was not quite out, not that we were expecting it to be, so we have made a note to come back in a couple of weeks time when it should be at its best. We set off from the car park to the first viewing point then followed a fence that ran parallel to Millstone Edge. The path was easy going and as we had not arrived until nearly 1pm it wasn’t long before we stopped for lunch with wonderful views along the Hope Valley. We could make out Win Hill, Lose Hill, Mam Tor, Winnats Pass and the Hope Cement Works! The path continued to the bottom of Higger Tor which we skirted and picked up another path towards Carl Wark, an old fortified hill. A number of years ago we did a longer walk here and that time we climbed both hills. We also skirted Carl Wark and headed down to Burbage Brook. During the walk we had been able to make out Stanage and Burbage Edges. At the brook we picked up a minor path along the brook rather than the Sheffield Boundary path. There were highland cattle grazing on the opposite bank. By now the sun was coming out and it felt a lot warmer. When the path emerged at the main road we crossed it onto the Longshaw Estate then carried following the brook down to Lawrence Field. It was busy here with families enjoying the sunshine. We then picked up a sunken path that took us back to the main road and the car park. Home via Monsal Head as we wanted to avoid Bakewell and the show traffic. At least it was a nice evening. Enjoy the photos.
Second silage
Monday was a warm day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) even if it wasn’t particularly sunny. No departures or arrivals so morning on catch up jobs and in the afternoon we went to Chesterfield to Bookers and Morrisons. When we got back they had started silaging with cutting in Andrew’s fields on our side of the road. Tuesday saw one departure and two arrivals with one cleaner here. Down to 
Bakewell just after 9am and the car parks were already quite busy, probably locals like me getting provisions in before the Bakewell show. It is the 185th Bakewell show and 20,000visitors were expected over the course of the three days so Bakewell was best avoided. Tuesday was the main Equestrian day at the show. Back before guests departed. By then they were 
rowing up and collecting in Andrew’s fields. Everything ready in cottages by lunchtime which gave me the afternoon to do some jobs around the house. First cottage here just after 3.30 with second here just after 8pm. Wednesday was a quiet day so did some more jobs on my summer catch up list like washing and reproofing our walking jackets. Spent some time in the afternoon picking blackcurrants and as there were still quite a few left on the bushes 
I phoned Joanna and she came up and picked some too. In the evening we went down to the Bakewell show as there was free entrance after 7pm. Unfortunately the stalls were closed so I saved some money but we did get to have a look at the stock judging that was going on.
July’s weather statistics. Hottest day and night was the 1st which had the highest temperature of 29.8C. Coldest day was 26th with coldest night 30th and lowest temperature of 7.3C on 31st. Wettest day was 4th with .35 in rain. Total for month 1.78 in (2014 1.83 in)
A fine weekend
Friday was another fine day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). A breeze lowered the temperature but it remained dry. Off first thing to Bakewell to get my hair cut and get provisions for the weekend. Two departures and no arrivals and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Chris spent a lot of the day on gardening duties including grass cutting, strimming and weed killing. Some cows were moved back into the front field. I spent most of the afternoon preparing the empty cottages for Saturdays arrivals. Little Cowden Farm have managed to cut the
hay and Andrew was hoping to start a second silage this weekend but everyone is too busy. They started the second silage at Lynne’s. Saturday started fair but turned cooler with showers in the afternoon. Two departures and six arrivals with one cottage still here for another two weeks . One cleaner here and with a lot of the work already done the remaining cleaning and checks were completed by lunchtime. This gave me the afternoon to catch up on emails. First cottage not here until 3.45, then four more arrived at regular intervals until 5pm, two have been before and one 
was last here before we arrived. Final cottage here at 7pm, an Italian couple who are here for two weeks and for the fourth time! At least it brightened up again in the evening. Sunday was forecast to be sunny and warm and although it started cloudy it did brighten up but the sun really didn’t materialise until later in the day and the breeze kept the edge of the temperature again. Nevertheless after getting the paper we went to Chatsworth Farm Shop to get some picnic items. A quiet day but I got my picnic later in the day over at Kirkdale even if the sun did play hide and seek!
School’s out!
At least Monday 27th July was better weather wise at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). One departure and three arrivals and one cleaner here. The morning seemed to whiz by with bookings, laundry and rubbish collections. Cleaning finished by lunchtime. Feeling milder than Sunday with passing showers. First 
guests here by 3.30, with second cottage at 3.45 and final cottage at 4.30. Can tell the school holidays have began as we have families here now. In the evening went to the village hall for the postponed management committee meeting. Tuesday was a nice day weather wise. One departure and one cleaner here. Went down to Bakewell later in 
the morning to get provisions for the next few days. Bakewell certainly felt busier. Tuesday handyman here too and he and Chris finally finished logging. Blogging, paperwork and bookings in the afternoon and Andrew had to remove a cow that decided it would rather munch roadside than in the fields. Wednesday was sunny and dry but still cool for the time of year. One 
departure and one arrival and one cleaner here. Apart from that the rest of the day went in completing the non business rates form for the Valuation Office. Can think of better ways to spend a day but it is done now. Cottage arrived at 3.30. Thursday was dry and sunny and felt a lot 
warmer. Two departures with no arrivals and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. We went for a late lunch at Bonsall, home of the hen racing world championships, then had a wander around the village looking at the well dressings, probably passed their best but interesting to have a look. We left the dogs at home as we were going to go onto Hopton Hall but in the end we had a look at a plant centre in Bonsall where I bought 
some plants. Back via Monyash (passing Pikehall where the Y Not music festival will take place over the weekend). In the evening we went down to Bakewell and tried Riley’s (which has replaced Le Mistral) for a meal which we 
both enjoyed.
Where has the summer gone?
Friday 24 July was unseasonably cool at out Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). At least we did not have the rain that was experience d further south. It stayed dry but cloudy during the morning and drizzly during the afternoon. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. After lunch I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions and when I got back we completed the VAT Return. Unfortunately at this point our main printer developed a fatal error so we couldn’t print the return out for ourselves but we have submitted it electronically. Realising the printer was on its last legs Chris has been researching a new one. It was raining by the evening when I took the dogs out. The trouble is everyone is wanting to do a second silage or hay making and they need a few dry days in which to do it. Guests held up by bad traffic and finally arrived at 11.30 after we had gone to bed. Saturday was a fine day, not that we could enjoy it. Six departures and five arrivals and three cleaners here. Said goodbye to guests before I went down to Bakewell for the Farmers Market leaving cleaning under way. Cleaning finished by lunchtime and checks finished just before guests arrivals. Chris cut the grass. Three cottages here by 3.30, two have been before with further cottage by 4pm, they have been before and are here for three weeks. Final cottage here by 6pm. Enjoyed a quiet evening. Sunday by contrast was a miserable day. Overcast in the morning with rain and drizzle setting in by lunchtime and it was cold for the time of year. The day went in housework and odd jobs in the vacant cottages. Catastrophe struck when taking the dogs out in the evening as my feet were feeling wet and when I got back I realised my wellies of ten years, complete with puppy bites, were cracked on the soles. Oh well. Something else to replace!