Tuesday (21/1) was forecast to be wet and dull at our Bolehill cottages (see link) but in reality it wasn’t too bad.  Painting and floor preparation work continued in Dove and I made a concerted effort to get some accounts done as we need to get the VAT return done soon.  On Wednesday morning I went down to Bakewell to get my hair done and get some provisions for the next few days.  It was sunny in the morning but this gave way to a showery afternoon.  More accounts completed too.  Thursday morning saw us both down to Bakewell for our six monthly dental check up.  It had been sunny up until we left the dentist but as we headed to Ashford for lunch at the tea room it was really getting dark.  We arrived at the tea room just as the heavens opened and there was a terrific hailstorm.  By the time we left the hail was still covering the road and it was quite slippery.  Back home the handyman had arrived for the afternoon but wasn’t happy with Blue as he had escaped when he opened the door and ran into the paddock  and the handyman had to fetch him back. It had turned much colder and the afternoon was a mix of sunshine and showers.  A catch up afternoon and I also popped down to Over Haddon to see one of the WI ladies.  Later in the evening the showers became more wintry in nature and we had a covering of snow by the time we went to bed.

Sunday was a glorious day weather wise at our Bolehill cottages (see here), pity we couldn’t enjoy it. It would have been a lovely day for a walk and the weather window meant the retailers in Bakewell had a good Sunday for January. The fitter came for the final morning in Dove although an accident resulted in a cracked bathroom sink.  For me a day of housework and bookings and in the afternoon I took the dogs for a walk around the fields in the sunshine. This year I have decided to take photos every month of Bolehill to see the changes in nature and I will post them later in the year. I was also delighted to see a couple of our pictures have been accepted in a local calendar, not that you will see any for sale as they were included in a local feed merchants calendar (our pictures were of cows).  In the evening we went to the village hall for this months film night which was the Ghost writer which we enjoyed.  With a quiet few days ahead we decided we would go down to Bakewell market on Monday morning.  Monday saw one of those weather inversions with it being -2 and foggy in Bakewell and +1 and sunny with blue skies at Bolehill.  For photographers a great day to be at Curbar Edge to see the magnificent scenery enhanced by the foggy landscape.  If we hadn’t been involved in Dove we might have joined them.  After our foray to Bakewell Chris joined the handyman to start the re painting in Dove.v In the evening Chris went to the photographic society in Bakewell and I went to the village hall for indoor bowls so the dogs were abandoned again.

Thursday was planned to be a day of accounts at our Bolehill cottages (see link). Work was continuing in Dove with the plasterer back to plaster the bedroom ceiling, now with a loft hatch again, and the bedroom wall.  Bath and shower tray now in with sink in by end of day.  Mid morning the couple we know from Ashford called in for coffee and had a look at the progress.  A number of bookings in the afternoon and paid some more January bills.  My new dinner service I am trialling in the cottages arrived and next thing I knew it was time for dinner and no accounts done. Must be all the cups of tea I am making!  Friday was a similar day. One departure and one cleaner up. Handyman up for the morning and he and Chris completed a number of jobs.  Some bushes outside Dove have had to be pruned for the new extractor fan.  Down to Bakewell later in the morning to get provisions for the weekend. In the afternoon I stocked up on logs and did some paperwork.  Saturday was forecast to be wet but it wasn’t too bad.  Fitter up again and Chris was busy with bits in Dove so I headed over to Buxton to pick up the flooring.  Blue was in the car from a trip with Chris so I think he was quite surprised to find himself going on a trip to Buxton with me.  I talked to him during our journey which probably explains the strange looks I kept getting from him!  Managed to get some accounts done on the afternoon and in the evening we went to the White Lion at Great Longstone for a meal with some friends.  The place wasn’t busy, all the diners seemed to be locals.  Had a very nice meal and pleasant evening.

Monday was another fine day at our Bolehill cottages (see link).   Another busy day with two departures but no arrivals and one cleaner up.   Fitter up to carry on in Dove and handyman up as well.  He started taking down the Christmas lights.  Rubbish and laundry collected and another busy day for emails and bookings.  In the evening I went to the Village Hall for the latest Committee meeting.  Big story in the village was about oil theft as one resident had had the oil syphoned from his tank.  It is a big problem in rural areas.  Tuesday was a colder day.  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner up.  Handyman up too to help Chris with a number of jobs including checking a possible leak on one of the roofs after all the wet and windy weather we have had.  Early afternoon I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next few days and got back just in time to welcome the arriving guests.  This gave me the rest of the afternoon to to catch up with jobs I’d not done on Monday such as ordering a new fridge for one of the cottages and measuring another cottage for new curtains.  Wednesday was mainly damp in the morning with a bit more brightness in the afternoon. After coffee Chris and I set off for Buxton where we called in at our friends in Chelmorton to look at their bathroom flooring as we planned to use the same material in dove kitchen.  Also called in at various builders merchants and electrical wholesalers to pick up some more bits for Dove.  Stopped for lunch in Buxton and it was late afternoon before we got back.  A couple more bookings to round of the day. Half way through the meteorological winter and no severe wintry weather yet. Still conscious of what happened last year though so can’t relax!

Wednesday was a bright and mild day at our Bolehill cottages (see here).  No departures or arrivals but one cleaner up to carry on with cleaning.  For me most of the day went on WI accounts and preparation for the evening meeting as well as some housework.  Paid January bills.  Only one van today with the plasterer hard at work in Dove.  After dinner I collected Joanna and we set up the village hall for the WI meeting.  By now it was raining very heavily.  A good turnout for the first meeting of the year.  Without a president Joanna and I conducted the business part which included me talking through the resolutions that need voting on at the National AGM.  For me it was also a busy evening as I had this years subscription money to collect.  Our speaker was one of the local vets who amused us with his stories of working in a rural practice.   When I got home there were a number of emails that I dealt with before sitting down only to find there were a load more on Thursday morning.  In fact emails and bookings kept me busy all morning and I had the busiest day for bookings for a very long time.  Very unusual for a Thursday.  Fitter and plasterer in Dove.  Found time on Thursday afternoon to stock up on logs.  By Thursday afternoon the River Wye was back on flood alert near Ashford, the fields here are still very soggy.  Even Andrew had to give up on keeping some cows out over winter and took the last of them in just before Christmas.

Sunday was a dismal day weather wise feeling damp and cold. Last two departures from our Bolehill Cottages (see here) so empty for the night. Down to Bakewell for newspaper and called in at Green Cowden Farm to see their new additions (a pair of goats) and stayed for coffee.  Back home plenty to do with our tree and decorations to take down and box up.  I have been sorting out cottage decorations as I have been taking them down and pruning ones that have not used for a while.   A busy day for emails and telephone calls and took a number of bookings.  Monday was a pleasant day, two arrivals and one cleaner up to keep up with cleaning.  With workmen starting on Dove we had three sets of vans on site with fitters, plumbers and plasterers all doing their bit.  We had to make a quick trip to Bakewell as the kitchen worktop had not been ordered and we had to choose a new one!   Both cottages here by 3pm, both have been before.  Another busy day for bookings.  In the evening Chris went to Bakewell for the Photographic Society and I had an evening in dealing with bookings, finally sitting down at 9pm.  Tuesday was another bright day with showers.  In the morning caught up with some bookings and some housework and Chris was tied up with work in Dove.  I had planned on going to Matlock in the afternoon but wasn’t sure how busy we would be for emails and bookings.  In the end I went via the Peak Shopping Village at Rowsley, although I didn’t buy anything.  A walk round Matlock then a walk round Sainsbury’s where I stocked up on groceries.  Back home a few more bookings to deal with before sitting down.  There has been a lot of interest in the sink hole that has appeared at Foolow.  Residents and walkers have been asked to keep away from the hole in case it gets larger, it is already 160 feet wide and nearly as deep and electricity cables have had to be rerouted. It is thought the heavy rain had eroded the land over the old lead mine workings.  I will update the situation if I can find out more.