cows in the front field

I had been waiting for Thursday 25 September at our Bolehill Farm cottages near Bakewell (see link) for a long time.  It was the day of our WI trip to the Thornton’s Chocolate factory at Somercotes.  We collected Joanna and drove over to the factory which was built on the old Swanick colliery.  After a short video about the history of Thornton’s we had the health and safety check and locked up all our belongings (except purses) and were split into smaller groups to be kitted out.  We had already been informed in advance not to wear jewellery, including watches, only a plain wedding band could be worn, no make-up, perfumes or nail varnish.  Men, there were a few husbands, had to wear facial masks for beards and we all had to wear hair nets, overalls and safety shoes.  Sorry we couldn’t take photos of us kitted up.  We had also been advised that there was a lot a walking and up to 500 stairs to negotiate on the tour!  First stop was where they were doing the hollow chocolates and in this case snow dogs for Christmas.  From here we moved to toffees then centres then enrobing – or in other words covering the centres.  We were able to a lot of the processes in most cases and the scale of the machines involved is quite impressive.   Most processes are now automated but some processes like caramel making are still quite labour intensive.  A brief pause at a tasting station, where we were able to try some chocolates straight of the production line (yum), then we went up to packaging where we watched the boxes of mixed chocolates being made up as well as more time consuming smaller or individual chocolate boxes.  After the tour we dis robed and were taken to the staff shop where we could buy goodies at a discounted price.  We were also given a goody bag.  By now it was past lunchtime but we drove over to the MacArthur Glen outlet centre a couple of miles away where we had a light lunch at the Thornton’s shop.  No need to buy chocolates!  Time for a walk around some of the shops before getting Joanna back for milking.  Although still mild it had been a drizzly afternoon but the months rainfall is still very low.  Sorry no pictures of the day but here’s one anyway.

Twilight cow

Monday was a lovely day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here), it almost felt like summer again. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here.  Thought about going down to the market but might wait until road works finished.  At moment they are back on the Buxton Road but a lot of traders are complaining about the loss of trade since the works began.  Chris cleared leaves from the courtyard, some are already starting to fall, as well as cutting the grass and some other tidying up jobs around the premises.  Spent the afternoon on accounts and had an early tea as Chris was off to the Bakewell Photographic club.  Cottage arrived about 7pm and as it was not quite dark took the dogs for a walk in the grounds.  Tuesday 23rd September was another fine day, last official day of summer, so now daylight hours will be shorter. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here.  A morning of odd jobs and some time in the garden before it started to cloud over.  Cottage arrived about 4pm.  Some more WI work as it is soon the end of the annual accounts (and quarter accounts for Bolehill) and later in the evening we saw some rain.  Wednesday was a lot fresher.  No arrivals or departures but time to spend chatting with guests and a number of odd jobs.  In the afternoon I went to Sainsbury’s via the recycling centre and on the way heard the breaking news that the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire had died.  Sad news.  When I got back Ian was there as he was dropping off some tickets for the Over Haddon Harvest supper.  We have a lot of social activities over the next couple weeks.

I’m innocent!

Friday 19 September was a dreary drizzly day with no departures or arrivals at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).   Down to Bakewell to get hair cut in the morning, they have switched off the temporary traffic lights even if they have not been moved, and get some provisions for the weekend.  Back to find our friend already here for weekend.  One of the dogs, and we think we know who but can’t prove it, pinched some treats from friends handbag when she wasn’t looking.  Out for lunch and went to Scarthin Books at Cromford as we have been sending a lot of book hunting guests there in the last couple weeks. After a browse round the shop we had lunch in their cafe  which serves vegetarian and vegan food.  We took a leisurely drive home stopping off at Massom Mill and various patchwork and needlework shops on the way.  Saturday was another dreary day with some glimpses of sunshine.  Five departures and five arrivals and three cleaners here.  Friend went down to Bakewell for a few hours whilst we got through the major part of the cleaning.  With some early departures we were able to make good progress with only a couple of minor jobs for Chris.  It was too wet to cut the grass.  Three of the arrivals were here between 3and 4pm, two have been before, with final two here by 5pm, one has been before. We enjoyed a Chinese takeaway for tea.  Sunday was a far more pleasant day.  No departures or arrivals but down to Bakewell to get the paper. We went to Longnor for lunch then came back via Hartington.  It was the end of their well dressing week, theirs is one of the last in the calendar, and good news from the cheese shop as they can finally produce Stilton.  Friend left late afternoon and a number of hot air balloons took advantage of the calm conditions for a early evening flights.  Glad the dogs didn’t spot them.  Guests returning from Ladybower told us that the two Lancaster’s had flown over the Derwent Dam and we hadn’t even heard they were going to be there!

I had decided that Wednesday would be the best weekday at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Despite the misty start we thought we would go to Chatsworth to see the outdoor sculptures as well as the latest displays in the house.  Even after coffee there was still no sign of the sun but we set off regardless and opted to visit the house first.  It was busy, perhaps everyone had the same idea, but we enjoyed our stroll throughout the house, noticing the changes from the previous year and looking at the exhibitions for this year which was wartime based.  As the mist had still not lifted after visiting the house we had lunch and instead of eating in the courtyard we ate in the restaurant where we had a pleasant lunch.  So we were disappointed when we left the restaurant and the mist was still there, in fact there was drizzle in the air.  So much for sun from 10am!  Nevertheless we made the most of the gardens taking the dogs with us to view the Beyond Limits sculptures.  As usual a mixture of the interesting and bizarre.  Most enjoyable, and probably the most expensive, was the feature by Xu Bing, a Chinese artist, which was more impressive close up and as it was situated on the private lawns we were allowed to view in small groups.  The sun did make a cameo appearance about 4pm and I had what was probably my last ice cream of the year before we came home.  Thursday was similar weather wise but the sun did make more of an appearance in the afternoon.  A busy morning with bookings and also a couple of cancellations – both were bookings I had taken on Wednesday evening.  We have had a spate of cancellations recently but that’s how it goes.  Otherwise it was a catch up day and I also spent time chatting to guests.  We have a friend coming to stay at the weekend so I had some preparations to do but hopefully we’ll have some time to relax even if it is a busy Saturday.  Enjoy the photos.

winner bird carving

Sunday 14 September was a fair day. One departure and no arrivals at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Decided to go down to Bakewell to have a look at the wood carving competition and didn’t have to queue long to get through the road works.  Found our guest had been awarded the British championship for one of her works.  We left about 11am and the traffic coming into Bakewell along the A6 was stationery as far as the entrance to the Agricultural Centre. We came back via Youlgrave and Over Haddon where we stopped for tea and cake at the Garden Tearoom.  It was almost lunchtime before we got home so a late lunch and jobs around the house in the afternoon.  In the evening we were back at Over Haddon for the first film of the season at the village hall.  The Grand Budapest Hotel was a comedy adventure film and very enjoyable.  Monday started dull and it brightened up a little but we had a few spots of rain during the day.  One departure and two arrivals and one cleaner here.  Chris watered and fed the plants again.  Both guests here by 3.30, one has been before.  Time for some catchup work before an early tea so Chris could go to the first night of the new season at the Photographic Society.  Tuesday was forecast fine but cloudier so it was nice to see the sun out by mid morning and blue skies until late afternoon.  Spent the morning on WI accounts.  After lunch I went down to Bakewell and got some provisions for the next few days.  As it was a bit quieter I was able to come back through Bakewell rather than drive round via Ashford.  I only queued for ten minutes to get through the traffic lights both ways.  It was very warm in Bakewell.  Back home prepared the advert for the 2015 Peak District Visitor Guide before chatting to my friend in Yorkshire.

Friday started dull at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) and although it brightened up it wasn’t as warm as previous days.  Took my sister to Chesterfield Station first thing then came back via Bakewell where I was able to park without any problems.  Got the provisions for the weekend and drove the long way home (via Ashford) as the queue for traffic into Bakewell by mid morning was already past Newholme Hospital.  One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here.  Afternoon went in catch up work and chatting with guests and a couple of them made bookings for next year.  Chris went down to Bakewell to get some maintenance items and got caught in traffic which had been exacerbated by an accident.  Guests arrived about 5pm, they have been a few times before and were here for the National Bird Carving Competition being held in Bakewell.  Still managing to take the dogs out in the evening – just!  Saturday 13 September was a busy day with four departures and five arrivals and two cleaners.  With early departures cleaning was quickly under way and most was completed by midday.  After coffee I popped down to Over Haddon Village Hall as it was village show day and I had decided to enter the limerick category so took my entries down.  Wished I had taken camera to photograph the hall.  A number of minor maintenance jobs for Chris.  Elsewhere cow movement was going on and a late morning passing balloon got the dogs going.  Chris cut the grass after lunch and by 3.30 two cottages had arrived, both had been before.  A gap with next cottage here by 4.30 and final two around 5pm, one has been before. Had hoped to get back to the village hall for the auction of produce after the show, perhaps next year.  A late afternoon balloon got the dogs going again.  Last Night of the Proms so summer must be drawing to a close especially as I have noticed that the leaves are changing colour.