pet friendly cottages

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Ashover Show

IMG_0932_1Monday 8 August was a cooler day with a few light showers.  No departures but a couple of arrivals and a cleaner here.  Did some accounts in the afternoon.  Down to Bakewell on Tuesday morning to get hair cut and buy some provisions. One cleaner here with a further departure and arrival. Another cool day with some showers.  More accounts in the afternoon and in the evening took Smudge for a nice long walk in the fields.  Wednesday dawned sunny and mild and stayed that IMG_0920_1way until later in the afternoon.  Just what was needed for the Ashover show.  Set off late morning with the aim of having lunch at a cafe on the way but with the main road to Ashover closed due to an accident we couldn’t reach the cafe. Using a map we managed to negotiate the minor lanes to arrive at the back of the show and drive straight into IMG_0899_1one of the car parks in the quickest time we have ever done!  Spent an enjoyable few hours wandering around the show bumping into people we know and looking at the exhibits and animals.  Set off home late afternoon stopping at the Peak Village on the way.  Noticed the heather was coming out up on Beeley Moor.  One arrival in our absence and by the evening we had a little rain.  Thursday was dull but still mild.  No arrivals or departures and a quiet day.  In the afternoon I went to Sainsburys in Matlock and in the evening I returned to dance classes for a summer session of three classes. Friday saw a warm sunny day with a departure and arrival.  One cleaner here and interviewed another for Saturdays. Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend.  A quiet afternoon with paying bills and preparations for Saturday.

 

 

 

 

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A warm spell of weather

IMG_0176_1Welcome to my new style of blog where I will sum up the events at Bolehill Farm in a weekly blog but will write special one off blogs as appropriate.

First I need to start catching up with this month.  During the week of 6th June we saw the fine weather continue.  With Tuesday being our day off we headed to Lea Gardens for our annual visit although we were a few weeks later than usual.  Nevertheless the gardens were still a rainbow of colours.  Whilst we were in the area we headed to Wirksworth as we hadn’t been there for a while.  We walked down to the station and had a look at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway which is a short heritage line between Wirksworth and Duffield. The line uses diesel trains and has recently been awarded a grant for further work to the rolling stock and a visitor center. We also managed to sneak a night away visiting our old neighbours in Hertfordshire, it was lovely to catch up with them.  The weather broke on Friday giving us a very wet day with some localized flooding in Bakewell and Monyash.  Saturday saw a busy changeover on a muggy and overcast day and although the weather wasn’t too bad by the end of the weekend we had had almost a months worth of rain in the previous few days.

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A brief break

As you may be aware it has been quite eventful at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell over the last week or so with the loss of Blue (see Smudge’s tribute to his brother here).  After a brief planned stay with my sister I am back and blogging will resume shortly.

 

In the meantime here are Augusts weather statistics

Highest temp 23.5C on 22nd which was warmest day and night.  Lowest temp 8.1C on 16th with 31st coldest day and 15th coldest night.  Wettest day 26th with .46 inches rain with 1.69 inches for August (3.57 inches August 2014).

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A memorable day

IMG_2877Thursday 2nd October saw the funeral of the dowager Duchess of Devonshire. I was collected from our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here) by one of my cleaners and her family so we could get to Edensor early.  We parked at Pilsley before walking into Edensor as the road through the estate was being closed from 10 until 2 for the funeral procession.  Got to Edensor just after 10am and there were  seats set out and three big TV screens as well as a book of condolence and tea and coffee.  The cleaners son is from Pilsley school and the school children were going to line a part of the route from the house to the church with other estate staff.  While we were waiting I saw one of our regular guests who had made the journey especially for the funeral.  He told me he had contacted the house and they had laid on first class transport from London to Chesterfield for him and others who had expressed a wish to attend the funeral and then bussed them from the station to the church.  The green by the church filled up quickly and I soon joined the those by the road side waiting for the cortège.  The church bell started tolling as the cortège left Chatsworth and it was half an hour before it came in sight.  Suddenly there was a pouring of people over the hill (they had watched the procession leave Chatsworth first) and soon there were plenty of people lining the route.  As the cortège passed I was surprised to see Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall behind the Duke.  There had been rumours he would attend.  After the cortège and family there were the estate workers in their respective uniforms and after all the staff had gone through the Edensor gates we followed on.  Standing room only for the short service and after the committal we all walked back to the house where refreshments were laid on.  I thought there was just going to be tea and cake but we were greeted with a glass of champagne and sandwiches and cakes and a jazz band.  The sun came out and there was a lovely atmosphere.  As we sat down in the shade by the terrace we realised that Charles and Camilla were near by chatting to the Duke and guests.  We thought they would go somewhere private but they were happy chatting to everyone and we managed to get Charles to shake hands with my cleaners son!  The bodyguards were always close by but were friendly  and we chatted to some of them and I also chatted to a reporter from the Daily Express.  He took my details but I never saw anything published.  Chris came and picked us up mid afternoon.  Didn’t need to worry about cooking tea as we had tickets for the Harvest Supper at the Village Hall.  We went with Andrew and Joanna and the hall was full with villagers and locals and we caught up with people we hadn’t seen for a while.  It was a lovely way to finish a memorable day.  Here are the photos.

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The rain before the sun

IMG_0815By Sunday morning (11 May) there had been over an inch of rain during the last 24 hours at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link). Down to Bakewell to get the paper first thing after having a chat with guests before we went.  I had planned for a personal day but was overtaken by emails and phone calls so didn’t get much personal stuff done, but did get a number of bookings.  A showery cool day with a few heavier outbursts.  The ground has become quite waterlogged again and we are wondering if the Chatsworth Horse Trials will go ahead even though the weather should start to warm up mid week.  Chris did some more painting in Bluebell which he continued with on Monday. Monday saw two departures and three arrivals and two cleaners up.  My time was consumed with laundry, cottages and emails. IMG_0809 Another day of sunshine and showers, feeling mild in the sun and cool after the rain.  First arrivals here just after 3pm with remaining two cottages not long after, both have been before.  It was very clear in the evening so was able to take some nice photos looking to the edges when I took the dogs out.  Tuesday started off quite pleasantly with a little bit of warm sunshine.  We got an early morning phone call from Joanna.  The milk cows had broken a fence on the way to the field they should have gone in and were now quite happily munching in one of the silage fields.  With Andrew having gone to market Joanna and the apprentice were struggling to get the cows back into the shed to get them back out IMG_0821to the right field so Chris and Smudge went off to help them.  Back at Bolehill the electrician came up to do the final electrical checks on the vacant cottages.  By mid morning the first of the showers passed through and for the next few hours we had a succession of showers but it brightened up later in the afternoon. Caught up with some paper work and chatted to guests as they came and went.  Later in the afternoon I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the next few days.  A quiet evening in as it will be the last one in for me for a few days.

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White, wet and windy

Best way to describe Thursday Friday and Saturday 1st Feb at our Bolehill Cottages (see link). Wintry showers were forecast for Thursday.  The morning went in jobs about the cottages.  Luckily I had stocked up with logs in the morning as by mid afternoon the flurrying snow was starting to settle.  It took the handyman two hours to get home as he has to go over the moors and the roads were quite bad.  We had planned to go down to Bakewell for a meal in the evening but I wasn’t so sure.  As usual though once we set off down to Bakewell there was no snow below Green Cowden farm.  We decided to try Le Mistral as we haven’t been there for a while.  We had a really nice meal so will have to upgrade our recommendation for it in our guest guide.  By the time we got home most of the snow had gone.  Friday saw rain, lots of it.  Until Thursday the 1st had been the wettest day of a wet month but that changed on Friday. One arrival and one cleaner up and work progressing in Dove.  Popped down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  Time for more jobs in the cottages in the afternoon as guests weren’t expecting to arrive until later in the evening and they arrived about 7pm.  It was nice to wake up to sunshine on Saturday.  A quiet day at home with the weather better than forecast at first as we had been expecting rain from mid morning.   The wind steadily increased during the day so I got more logs in before the weather deteriorated but in the end the rain didn’t arrive until the evening.  Our guests had gone for a walk in Lathkill Dale and reported that parts of the dale were flooded.  I spent most of the day in jobs around of the house and Chris spent some time sorting out Ian’s laptop.  At least the forecast for Sunday was good.  Here are some pictures of the dogs in the snow while it was here.

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Chatsworth Country Fair

IMG_4023Chatsworth Country Fair is always a well attended event, most of our guests staying at our cottages near Bakewell (see here) will be attending over the three days.  The event is usually held on the weekend following the Bank Holiday weekend  and has grown from two days to three days over the last few years.  Additionally the Red Arrows have been the highlight for many since they started making appearances a few years ago.  This year they are displaying on Sunday lunchtime so we all have that to look forward to.  Friday was a warm day and we saw two departures and two arrivals with one cleaner here.  Both cottages arrived between 3 and 4 pm, one has been before. With a busy weekend ahead spent some time preparing for Saturday.  With the recent good weather many farmers have been silaging again and Andrew is waiting for a field to be cut and baled.  Saturday itself was a lot cooler. First thing down to Bakewell for the Farmers Market.  Four departures with five arrivals and two cleaners up.  A number of jobs including swapping a couple of sofas and Chris unblocking a drain.  Cleaning finished by 1pm, as an early start to cleaning had been made.  By the time I had lunch and done the final checks etc it was 2.30.  So it was a wait until first guests arrival at 3.30.  Two more cottages in by 4pm. Two have been before, both at the same time when we had the heavy snow just before Easter.  Just after 4pm we went over to a cottage for a cup of tea with one of the guests who were already here with me leaving and returning after showing in the final two cottages at 5pm and 5.30.  One is here for two weeks.  We were happily chatting away and then we suddenly realised it was 7pm!  I could have cooked dinner but we had a pizza from Ricci’s in Bakewell. I’d forgotten how good they taste.

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Ashover show

Wednesday was forecast to be a fine day with isolated showers at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link). Wednesday was also Ashover Show which a lot of locals enjoy going to including all our cleaners.  This meant Chris and I said goodbye to the couple who have been here for just over two weeks then we cleaned the cottage!   Two arrivals expected but luckily not until later in the day.  This gave us the opportunity to have an early lunch then head over to Ashover ourselves.  On the way we noticed the heather was starting to come out on Beeley  Moor so we will have to do a heather walk soon.  Going in the afternoon meant we avoided the morning queues and drove straight into the car park.  After an hour or so crowds thinned out as the early arrivals went home leaving later arrivals like us more space.  We had a good wander round the fields checking out all the machinery, food and craft tents and the competition tents.  Like the Bakewell Show there were cattle and sheep shows, dog and horse competitions but unlike Bakewell no rows of shopping tents.  Despite the crowds we bumped into our cleaners who were enjoying the show as well . I managed to have my ice cream before the isolated shower arrived! Like the Bakewell Show later in the day vendors in food tent were selling off their wares so naturally I picked up a couple of bargains.  Back home in time for guests arrivals, first just after 6pm and second just after 7pm.  Enjoy the photos.   Thursday was a quiet day. No departures or arrivals so time to catch up from the last few days.  It always amazes me where the days go.  Went down to bakewell to get provisions for the next few days.  Forecast had been for a wet afternoon but it held off until much later in the day giving our guests another fine day.

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The National Arboretum 5/6/13

We’ve been meaning to visit the National Arboretum for a while as it can be reached in about ninety minutes from our cottages near Bakewell (click here).  Although it started dull the forecast was for it to brighten up which unfortunately it didn’t. One departure and one cleaner up.  Andrew was up to release cows into the paddock and field behind us so they can chomp that down.  He cannot decide when to silage but silaging is definitely well under way in the area.  We set off mid morning so had plenty of time to wander around the 150 acres (which includes a lake) – and it is still growing.   There are no admission charges, but donations are appreciated, and in lieu of entrance fees they charge for the car parking.  There are over 200 memorials and not all are military, like one for the Police and the RNLI, and not all military ones relate to the UK, the Polish one was interesting.  We found the WI wall where we had a chat with one of the volunteers who was doing some work nearby.  The ‘Shot at Dawn’ (306 stakes to represent those shot at dawn during WW1 for ‘cowardice or desertion’) and Far East POW tributes were quite moving and there was also a 9/11 memorial.  It will certainly be worth another visit in a few years time to see how the 50,000 trees are maturing. Here is a link to some of the photos I took.  We came back via Ashbourne which was a quicker route than taking the A6 which we had done in the morning.  After tea Joanna collected me for our monthly WI committee meeting.

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I shouldn’t be let loose at auctions!

On Saturday morning we said goodbye to three cottages at Bolehill and two cleaners came up to turn them round. I drove down to the Auction House at Bakewell and had a look at what was on offer at the Garden and Plant Auction.  I decided there were some lots of interest but they were not due to be sold until the afternoon so I came back and had coffee and an early lunch and checked on the progress of cleaning before going back.  I bid for a number of lots and at the end of the sale when I rounded up my purchases I realised I was not going to get them all in the car!  When I phoned Chris three of the cottages had already arrived so he came down and collected the rest of the plants.  I bought a mixture of shrubs, some pots which were already planted up for the summer and some bedding plants (see picture below). We were back by 4pm and the remaining two cottages arrived between 5 and 6pm.  Of the five arrivals three have been before.  Sunday was a lovely day and after getting the paper from Bakewell Chris and I spent most of the day doing bits around the courtyard and gardens.  It was the first real chance to do some pruning, take out some dead shrubs and start planting in the new ones, after all I have about six dozen plants to find a home for.  Chris also cleaned out our pond, luckily the fish survived the winter.  It was nice enough to have coffee and lunch outside.  Monday was similar, a lovely Bank Holiday Monday for a change, bearing in mind that five weeks earlier on Easter Monday there was still plenty of snow around!  There was one departure and one arrival and one cleaner up.  Guests arrived about 3pm and then some more planting !  It was even nice enough to make the trip to Monyash for one of the ice creams from the Old Smithy.  Worth the petrol!