For once we had no arrivals on a bank Holiday Monday at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). With a warm sunny day forecast once the four departing cottages had left we packed the rucksacks and headed to Sheldon to do our annual walk up Deep Dale to see the early purple orchids. This walk can be done from Bolehill (about 7.5 miles) or from Sheldon (5.5 miles). There are a network of paths down to the River Wye from Sheldon and we opted for the one at the far end of the village near Kirk Dale. This path runs parallel to the dale and we got good views over Ashford and toward Longstone Edge. Once by the river we walked along passed the old mill and up into Shacklow Woods. The wild garlic was almost in flower in places, if it had been we would have been able to smell it, and there were some bluebells out too. As the path dropped down to the White Ladies car park we took the path up into Deep Dale. It was still sunny and warm and we found a spot to have lunch. Although there were plenty of cowslips around there were few orchids. Normally this is the best time of the year to see them but this year there is a drought of them. Never mind, it is a nice walk anyway. From the top of Deep Dale we picked up one of the paths back to Sheldon. By now it had clouded up a bit. From Sheldon we drove round to Monyash which was busy, there were loads of bikes at the cafe but I managed to get my ice cream! There was a lovely sunset but by the time I spotted the colours in the sky it was too late. Enjoy the photos.
Peak District cottages
A mixed weekend
Friday was a pleasant day weather wise at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here). The keen breeze kept the edge of the temperature. One departure with two arrival and one cleaner here. Used the morning to check vacant cottages for Saturday’s arrivals and in the afternoon did some accounts. Chris gave the lawns a cut. Cottages arrived between 3.30 and 4pm and it was a nice evening for walking the dogs. Saturday was the last auction down at the Bakewell Saleroom ahead of redevelopment (still waiting to hear about Aldis) and I went down early to see if there were any interesting plants at the gardening auction but there weren’t so I was back before the two cottages departed. One cleaner here. All cleaning and checks completed by lunchtime. Six arrivals 
with three here between 3and 3.30, one at 4.30, one at 5 and final one at 5.30. Three have been before. For the 2nd of May it was a cold and wet day so got wet taking the dogs for the evening walk but better weather is forecast. Sunday saw a wet but milder start than Saturday. No departures or arrivals and after getting paper from Bakewell we had a quiet day. From lunchtime there was a lot more sunshine and it was warmer but there were a few passing showers giving us some rainbows. At least the guests could get out and about and make the most of the day.
Shopping days
It was snowing at 7.30 on Tuesday morning at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). It didn’t last long on the ground but through the morning we had some wintry showers. Apparently Snake Pass was only passable with care. A busy day with one departure and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Tuesday handyman up here to do some more outside jobs and we had a posse of tree surgeons and workmen pruning or felling trees parallel to the power lines. I know have a better view from my desk! Odd jobs for me in the morning and in the afternoon I went to Sainsbury’s at Matlock. Another lovely clear evening so great for photographs when I took the dogs out for their walk. Another showery day was forecast for Wednesday so we opted for a trip to Sheffield. It has been about a year since we last went and had a good mooch about the centre of Sheffield. We managed to find the John Lewis car park for once, usually the back roads and one way systems defeat us but not this time. The Snooker World Championships are taking place at The Crucible so there were lots of TV vans there. We had lunch in one of the cafés behind the town hall and came back via Edensor Tea room for a late afternoon tea. Thursday 30th April was a cold day with showers in the 
morning but brighter in the afternoon. No arrivals or departures. In the morning we went to see the accountant who lives just outside Great Longstone for a chat about the accounts. After lunch we did some odd jobs before helping bring the first of the cows over the road for summer. They came across without any problems although Andrew has marked out one he reckons will have an ASBO before the week is out! Went down to Bakewell to get food etc for the weekend. Had an early tea then collected Joanna and we went to Buxton for the annual WI quiz representing Bakewell . We came second by two points.
A foodie weekend
I had been looking forward to Saturday at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) as it was the Farmers Market and Bakewell Food Festival. Two departures and two arrivals and cleaner here while I was down in Bakewell. Had a wander around the Farmers Market after which I had a look around the food festival. A lot more stalls than last year and it was getting busy by the time I left for home. Cleaning finished by midday and after checks had an early lunch. A few showers from lunchtime onwards and we stocked up on logs in between showers as we are expecting some cooler weather. First guests here at 3pm and second ones here at 4.30, both have been before. Finally completed the VAT return so now I can think about starting this quarters accounts. Initially the forecast for Sunday was wet and cold it turned out dry sunny and cold. One departure after which we went down to Bakewell to get the paper. We had a wander around the Food Festival with the dogs and there were a few different stalls and a few new ones compared with Saturday. It was warm in the sun (but cool in the shade) so we came back via Over Haddon to have coffee at the Garden Tearoom but they were closed. The rest of the day went in housework for me and Chris did some outside painting jobs. Monday was another sunny day with blue skies and a cool breeze during the morning but it clouded up in the afternoon. One departure and one arrival with one cleaner here. A number of bookings and a disrupted lunch (three times) as laundry, rubbish and post all arrived within a few minutes of each other much later than usual. Cottage arrived at 3.30. Chris spent the day on various jobs around the vacant cottages and I spent time doing the first draft of the prices and dates for next year as we are already getting enquiries.
More warm days
Another sunny warm April day on Thursday at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). A day to catch up with jobs around the house and cottages and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Chris spread some weed and feed over all the lawns as rain was forecast over the weekend but half way around the spreader broke (it also serves as the salt spreader) but luckily the agricultural merchants in Bakewell had one on offer so Chris had a new toy to play with! Two arrivals, both been before and both arriving just after 3pm so we popped down to Monyash to get some fresh milk and an ice cream. They’re getting to know me at the cafe! Another lovely sunset. 
Friday 24 April started fine and warm but clouded up from lunchtime onwards, still we have had another nice week. Pity the forecast is deteriorating. One departure and one arrival with cottage already prepared. Chris did some outside painting of woodwork and I finally got my mind around some WI accounts. Cottage arrived just after 3pm giving me the rest of the afternoon to plan the following weeks cleaning rota and get in touch and confirm the dates – I do check beforehand in case there are any days they cannot do. I am temporarily losing one of my cleaners but luckily the cleaner who broke her wrist should be returning shortly. A little bit of drizzle in the evening, the ground is so dry there are cracks everywhere, looks more like July than April, we have only had a half inch of rain so far this month! Oh, and the Pennine Way is 50 years old!
Linacre Reservoirs walk
I had planned a walk from Linacre Reservoirs for Wednesday. They are between Baslow and Chesterfield so not far from our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) but are just outside the Peak District. It was a gloriously sunny and warm day for April and the air quality was very good. As we were driving to the reservoirs I thought we should have done a walk on the Edges. We were following a walk by Sally Mosley who composes walks for Derbyshire Life and writes in the Peak Advertiser. She lives in Over Haddon and had talked to our WI. After parking at the reservoirs we picked up a path passing the lower reservoir and headed out to Old Brampton. Here we stopped and looked in the church and also at the clock face that has 63 minutes on it! From here we crossed the minor road that goes to Chesterfield via Ashgate (I sometimes drive this way to Chesterfield) and headed cross country. We enjoyed the rolling countryside views and could make out the crooked spire of Chesterfield parish church in the distance. Picking up a quiet lane we passed a number of farms, mainly equestrian, before we headed back to the minor road. From our lunch spot outside Hollins we could make out the reservoirs. Soon we were on the banks of Birley Brook which led to the upper reservoir. No longer supplying Chesterfield with water the Reservoirs are run by Derbyshire County Council and Severn Trent Water for recreation purposes. The woodland was mainly deciduous so in autumn would be worth a visit for the colours. Bluebells were starting to come through so in another couple of weeks will look very nice. After the middle reservoir we headed back to the car after a five and a half mile walk. We came back via Chatsworth Farm Shop where we picked up some tea and bumped into our friends from Ashford. Still had enough energy for a walk in the evening with the dogs and had a nice sunset as a reward . Enjoy the photos.
Some varied days
Monday saw a foggy start at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) but the sun soon got to work on it and by mid morning we had wonderful sunshine. Three departures (all had been here for a week) and one arrival with two cleaners here to keep up with cleaning. A busy Monday though with rubbish and laundry collections and I did some more updating of guest guides. Chris did some painting jobs in vacant cottages. Guests arrived at 4pm. In the evening I went to the village hall committee meeting and Chris set up the projector for the Photographic Society
although he didn’t stay for the meeting. A nice sunset as I drove to the hall. Tuesday 21st April was a glorious sunny warm day. Blue tried to join a couple of guests for breakfast and left a trail of wet footprints across their kitchen floor but that was soon sorted. My plan had been to do WI accounts (I still have some to finish from the old WI) in the morning and go to Sainsbury’s in the afternoon. Instead I opted for odd jobs in the morning including washing some door mats to 
dry in the nice weather and pottering in the garden in the afternoon. I also went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next couple of days. Chris and handyman spent the day on outside jobs. The first hot air balloon of the season passed by the back of us early in the evening, luckily the dogs did not spot it. Later I collected Joanna and we went to the Bakewell WI where the speaker was the Manager of the Bakewell Show so we learnt a bit about its history and what goes into putting on the show.
A quiet weekend
Thursday was a fine day but cooler than of late at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). A quiet catch up day spent on accounts and housework. Chris went down to the Village Hall to install some computer equipment for them and I rounded off the day walking the dogs. Although the cows are out during the day they are back in the sheds overnight for the moment. The grass is most probably at its greenest but the ground is very dry and cracked in places so it won’t be long before farmers will be asking for rain. Friday 17 April was another fine day with a cool breeze. Two departures but no arrivals and two cleaners here keeping up with cleaning. Down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. The rest of the day went on jobs in vacant cottages and I finally finished last quarter’s accounts. Chris cut the grass. Saturday saw almost wall to wall sunshine but the wind took the edge of the temperature. Three departures and two arrivals and two cleaners here to keep up with cleaning. We spent some time updating the guest folders, particularly places to eat, but no sooner do we update it then something else changes. A little bit of paper work for me before guests arrived, first one at 4.30 and second one at 5.15, both have been before. Still nice and sunny when took the dogs out in the evening. Sunday was forecast to be cool and showery but it turned out brighter than forecast. No departures or arrivals and Chris did some odd jobs in vacant cottages while I caught up on personal paperwork and planned the week ahead.
A walk from Longnor
Tuesday 14 April was another a fine warm day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). With a full house and no departures or arrivals I had the day to catch up on other jobs in the morning as well as going down to Bakewell to get some provisions. A new restaurant has opened where Le mistral was so will report back in due course. I spent a few hours in the afternoon doing some gardening. Not quite as warm as last Tuesday but still a lovely day for our guests. Handyman up here today and he and Chris gave the outhouse a clean and repainted it. Lovely sunset, pity I forgot to take camera with me when I took the dogs out. Got that early morning call on Wednesday so by 9am we were down at the farm to see the cows come out for the summer. As Wednesday was forecast to be a nice day I had chosen one of our regular walks (and one of my favourite ones) to start our walking season. We headed to Longnor and set out along the River Manifold before heading up to the ridge via Over Boothlow. Down the hill and across the River Dove to Crowdicote and despite the recent dry spell there were still some swampy bits around. Through Crowdicote via the path to the green lane down from High Wheeldon. Along this part of the route we had views towards my favourite hills of Chrome and Parkhouse Hills. Over the River Dove again and then we stopped for lunch. From here it was just a short climb back up the ridge to Longnor. Just under four miles with a couple of ascents and descents. Too early for cake so we drove to Hartington where we picked up some cheese for tea. We came back via Monyash where we called into Tagg Farm just off the A515 where they have started selling milk from their Jersey cows straight to the public. As it was still nice we finished off with an ice cream from the Smithy! Enjoy the photos of the day.
A cool weekend and busy Monday
Saturday felt a lot fresher at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here). After a couple of hazy days the air quality was good again. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here. With a busy day on Monday spent some time preparing cottages for Monday arrivals. Cottage arrived at 3pm after which I did some accounts. A busy day for bookings which is unusual for a Saturday and it was nice to take the dogs for a walk around the fields in the evening. Despite the forecast of showers later in the day it stayed dry. Sunday 12 April was a cool day and quite windy at times too. Two departures but no arrivals. A quiet morning and at lunchtime we thought we would go for a bacon butty at the Smithy Cafe in Monyash. Compared to last Sunday it was a lot quieter at the cafe. Jobs around the house in the afternoon and after an early dinner we went to the village hall for this months film which was Mr Turner. Monday was brighter and a bit milder. One departure and seven arrivals with two cleaners here to clean three cottages so a busy day but everything was ready in time for arrivals. Four cottages here between 3 and 4pm, two by 4.30pm and final one by 7pm. Five have been before, of which one was here last before we were here. More fine weather is forecast for the next couple of days and we are waiting for that all important phone call as the cows will be coming out any day now.