So on Wednesday 9 November we woke up to snow.  Luckily not as much as forecast, perhaps a couple of centimeters at most, and this gradually melted during the day.  I rearranged my dance class for Thursday evening. One departure and one arrival with cottage already prepared.  Made the most of a quiet day to catch up on personal paper work and blogging.  A couple of walks with Smudge to take photos.  Another cold day so the fire went on early. Cottage arrived at 7pm, they have been before.  At least Thursday was brighter and milder.  No departures but two arrivals and one cleaner here.  Both arrived between 3 and 4pm, both have been before.  One is a trader at the Chatsworth Christmas Market which starts on Saturday and will be here for almost three weeks.  In the evening I went to my rescheduled dance class.  Friday was a sunny day and it felt milder in the sun although the wind was still keen.  No departures but two further arrivals and a cleaner here.  Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend.  Time for odd jobs around the cottages and paperwork.  Both cottages here between 6 and 7pm, both have been before and one is another trader at the Chatsworth Christmas Market.  Saturday started drizzly but it had brightened up by the afternoon.  No departures but one arrival with cottage already prepared.  As  result I was able to go with Karen and Penny from Over Haddon to Haddon Hall in the morning where there was a craft fair raising funds for the local community transport.  It was really busy and a wonderful way to see Haddon Hall and help a local charity at the same time.  Back for lunch and afterwards we stocked up logs before guests arrived, they have been before. 

Friday 4 November was a fine day.  One departure with three arrivals and one cleaner here.  All cottages here between 3 and 4pm, two have been before.  Most guests were here with dogs to avoid fireworks.  Saturday was a sunny but cold day with a biting wind.  Two departures and two arrivals with one cleaner here.  One cottage here just after 3pm with the second one about 4.30.  Stocked up on logs and saw to some paperwork.  Sometimes I don’t know where the time goes.  In the evening we headed to Over Haddon to see the firework display and then we joined some of the locals at the pub for for a drink afterwards.  Sunday started overcast and there were a few passing wintry showers in the morning but it brightened up a bit in the afternoon.  No departures or arrivals and after getting the paper I spent the morning on housework and we spent the afternoon with some friends.  Monday was drier but still cold.  A busy day with five departures and one arrival and one cleaner here. Chris spent a lot of the day clearing leaves, most have fallen from the trees now.  In the evening I went to Over Haddon for carpet bowls.  The gritters had been out when I drove back and there is snow in the forecast!  Tuesday saw a frosty start with a lovely sunrise.  One departure but no arrivals with one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  A busy morning for emails and bookings and in the afternoon we went to Chatsworth House for afternoon tea as a way of celebrating the fact we will have been here 13 years on Friday.  Back via the Farm Shop where I picked up some provisions as we were not sure how much snow we would wake up to on Wednesday morning!

Monday 31 October saw a sunny start with a wonderful vista across the mist filled dales. Five departures and one arrival with two cleaners here.  It was an unexpectedly warm sunny day so in the afternoon I spent some time in the garden rather than doing accounts.  Chris cleared some more leaves from the car park and grounds.  The day ended up being the warmest day of the month.  In the evening I went to the Village Hall for carpet bowls.  Tuesday was a colder day.  No departures or arrivals but a cleaner here to carry on with cottage cleaning.  A day of odd jobs and after lunch we went to the recycling center and back home via the Peak Outlet village.  The gritters were out for the first time that evening. What a contrast to Monday!  Wednesday was a sunny cool day.  Down to Bakewell to start next dance routine and afterwards went for coffee with some of the ladies. Chris had some bits to get in Buxton so we went and had lunch there.  It was nice enough to sit outside the No 6 tearoom opposite the Pavilion Gardens and we had a walk around the gardens admiring the colours.  Unfortunately I had forgotten my camera.  Work is progressing on the Crescent with scaffolding in place.  On the way back we picked up some items from an electrical wholesaler.  Thursday was cold and damp after a promising start.  No departures but two arrivals with cottages already prepared. Last minute checks and first cottage here at 3pm and second one at 9pm. One of the cottages came over for coffee in the morning and it was nice to have a chat.  Leaves are falling from the trees now but I think we have had some of the best Autumn colours in years.

Weather stats for October Highest temp 17.8 C on 31st which was warmest day with 29th being warmest night.  Lowest temp 4.8 C on 24th which was coldest day with 23rd coldest night.  Wettest day was 18th with .43 in rain.  1.17 in for October 16 compared to 1.75 in October 15

Half term week and with all cottages in for most of the week there was time for some catch up jobs and forward planning. Sunday 23rd October was a fine but cool day.  No departures but one arrival with cottage already prepared.  A quiet day overall but in the evening we went to the Village Hall where Sally Moseley was giving a talk on the Peak District.  Always nice to find there is still something I don’t know about the area. In lieu of payment attendees were invited to donate to the Buxton Mountain Rescue. Monday was still cool with no arrivals or departures.  Spent time updating websites we are listed on with next years prices.  Always takes longer than you think.  Also did some accounts and the VAT Return.  In the evening I went back to the Village Hall as it was the first of the carpet bowls sessions for the season.  Tuesday started misty but it lifted to give us a fine mild sunny afternoon. Another day of paperwork and personal accounts.  Wednesday was also a pleasant day. Dancing first thing then coffee with some of the other ladies and it was nice enough to sit outside the cafe. In the afternoon we decided to go for a walk in Chatsworth Park and thought we would try the Edensor tea room for lunch. It was too busy so we drove around to Beeley and had lunch at the cafe there instead. Then back to Carlton Lees car park and from here we walked to Chatsworth House admiring the autumn colours.  A bit more sunshine would have made for better photos but it was a warm afternoon, warm enough for an ice cream at Chatsworth House.  A stroll back to the car park then a quick wander around the garden center and farm shop before a quiet evening in.  Enjoy the photos.

Autumn isn’t complete without a visit to Padley Gorge to admire the Autumn colours.  Always difficult to gauge the exact time to visit and although we were a week or two early we enjoyed our little excursion. We left after morning coffee on Thursday 20 October and found there were no parking spaces at Grindleford station so we parked further up the road near the Longshaw Estate and walked down the gorge first. There were a lot of photographers out trying to get the best shots and our walk was punctuated with many stops for photos.  At the bottom of the gorge we stopped for lunch at the station cafe before walking back up the gorge on the other bank.  Apart from one shower the day was sunny but tempered by a cool breeze.  When we got back to the car we decided to drive round to Ladybower via Hathersage to see what the colours were like there. They were coming through but we will wait a couple of weeks before going back. In the evening I went down to Bakewell for another dance session.  Friday was a bright and busy day. Four departures and four arrivals with three cleaners here.  All work completed by lunchtime. Chris found time in the afternoon to clear the lawns of leaves and stock up on logs. Two cottages here by 3.30 with remaining two arriving between 4.30 and 5pm.  All have been before.  Saturday was another fine day weather wise.  Two departures and three arrivals and one cleaner here.  Two cottages here by 3.30 and the final one by 4.30, two have been before.  In the evening we went to the Buxton Opera House for the first time in a long time to see the Tideswell Male Voice Choir performing a version of Les Miserables.  A very good performance was enjoyed by the full house.  Enjoy the photos.

Monday 10th October was fine but cool in the breeze.  One departure but no arrivals with one cleaner here.  Jobs in empty cottages in the morning and completed last quarters accounts in the afternoon. Tuesday was cool and overcast with passing showers, some heavy.  A number of visitors for coffee in the morning and we decided to go out for lunch.  No spaces at the Craft Center at Calver so we went round to the Garden Center at Calver Sough where we did find a table, albeit outside but under cover.  From here we went to visit one of our cleaners who has moved house.  Back later in the afternoon when I prepared for my trip to my sister.  On Wednesday morning I went down to Bakewell as usual for my dancing then back home and after lunch Chris drove me to Chesterfield station where I caught a train down to my sister returning Monday lunchtime. Chris coped admirably in my absence as usual!  On my return there were two arrivals to greet later in the afternoon, one of which has been before.  In the evening we went to the Over Haddon Village Hall for a harvest supper so at least I did not have to cook.  Tuesday was cold and wet.  No departures or arrivals so I caught up on paper work that had accrued in my absence.  Wednesday saw me down at Bakewell for dancing again leaving Chris to bid farewell to two departures. Chris made the most of the dry sunny morning to do some leaf clearing and in the afternoon I went to Sainsburys in Matlock to do some shopping. A last minute cancellation leaves us with a vacancy for next week, hopeful it will go, even at this late stage.

The last day of September was a pleasant, sunny day with no departures or arrivals. Down to Bakewell in the morning to get hair cut and provisions for the weekend. Autumn is approaching so the afternoon went on preparation jobs with logs being stacked and summer garden furniture and umbrellas being put away.  Chris also did some strimming in the garden.  Saturday was a lot cooler but despite the forecast we didn’t see any rain until the evening. Arriving guests told of the heavy rain they had driven through so we were lucky.  Seven departures and three arrivals with three cleaners here.  All work completed by lunch time and all cottages here by 4.30, two have been before. Still taking Smudge out for evening walks, even if it is by torchlight!  Sunday was a sunny, mild day.  A quiet day with no arrivals or departures so we caught up on jobs around the house. Monday was also a fine day, one of those mornings with mist sinking into the dale leaving blue skies behind.  No departures but two arrivals and one cleaner here.  Both cottages here just after 3pm, both have been before so we spent some time on accounts.  In the evening I went to Over Haddon for the Village Hall Committee meeting.  Tuesday saw another fine day.  No departures but one late booking arriving later in the afternoon.  Cottage already cleaned so just bed to make up and last minute checks.  The afternoon was spent completing tax returns. In the evening I went to the Village Hall for a defibrillator awareness session as Over Haddon has just had a defibrillator installed near the car park.

Weather stats September: 13th was warmest day with highest temperature of 25.4 C but also the wettest day. Warmest night was 5th.  Coldest day and night was 30th with lowest temp of 6.7 C. Total rain 1.95 inches (1.02 inches 9/15).