On Thursday, (14/11) after saying goodbye to a cottage at our Bolehill cottages, (see link) we had another familiarisation visit organised by Visit Peak District. This time it was to Casterne all near Ilam. We have walked passed this property a number of times, and having recently decided to open to the public, we had booked a tour of the hall. Being a sunny morning, albeit cold and breezy, the house was quite bright on the inside. We were welcomed with coffee and cake and after a talk by the owner we were invited to wander around the house and ask any questions. As usual we met up with others that we knew. After the tour we stopped at nearby Ilam Hall for an early lunch. As a National Trust property we would expect them to be closed for winter but we noted their cafe was going to be open until 23rd December despite the fact the leaflet said it would be closed. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so I could not take pictures of the hall or Thorpe Cloud with blue skies but here is a picture of the hall that Chris took. In the afternoon I organised some advertising for 2014, this advertising being of the printed variety rather than web based as we still do limited print advertising. Friday started dull but brightened up. No departures but one arrival later in the day but one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Jobs around the cottages and with a brighter afternoon more tidying up outside and some tender plants went into the green house. Found time to plant another hundred bulbs, just another 150 to go! Some housework and a quiet evening in. Guests arrived just after 10 pm.
Things to do
Monday was a quiet day at our Bolehill cottages (see link). Two departures and no arrivals and one cleaner up. When taking the dogs for their early morning walk noticed there was the usual Monday morning traffic with farmers taking their livestock down to the market. At this time of year anything between 2-3000 sheep can go through the market plus cattle. Although no arrivals time went in cottage preparations for the next few days and the cleaner has started on her winter cleaning routines. Each week between now and Christmas she will be doing extra cleaning jobs in the cottages In the evening I went to Over Haddon for the Village Hall committee meeting. Good news in that the toilets in the car park will remain open this winter thanks in part to the parish council and also to Natural England who have footed the cost. At least walkers using Lathkill Dale will have some toilets to use. Tuesday was a colder day but it was dry and sunny. One departure then we set off to Buxton and Chapel en le Frith to do some sourcing of materials for the refurbishment of Dove early next year. Also went to check on the progress of our other project in Buxton before heading home. Took a number of bookings during the day so that was good. In the evening we went to Piedaniels for a celebration meal as we have now been here ten years. They have a good value set meal for during the week. Wednesday saw one departure and three arrivals and one cleaner up. The Chatsworth Christmas Market starts Thursday for ten days and like last year we are quite busy because of it. One of the arrivals on Wednesday is showing there and is booked in here for nearly two weeks. Another of the arrivals are regular guests and are here because of it and the final cottage, new guests are here just for a break. All were here by 4pm. Spent some time researching advertising for next year.
A Sunday walk
Remembrance Sunday was forecast to be a dry but cold day. Two departures from our Bolehill cottages (see link) with one arrival and cottage already cleaned. The autumn colours have been good this year so we headed to Ladybower reservoir where we were expecting to find them at their best. We arrived late morning, avoiding the Remembrance Service parades, but still found a parking spot. At this point we discovered we had forgotten the dogs’ harnesses and leads and usually I have a spare set in the car. Unfortunately Chris had taken the bag out which had them in but luckily we had some bungee leads so we improvised! We set off passed the dam and headed down the lane to Wellhead where we took the track up to Pike Low stopping many times to take photos. We were surprised at how few people there were up on the moors and we found a spot out of the breeze to eat lunch. My screen saver has a picture of me with the dogs the last time we sat there for lunch about eighteen months ago on a warm sunny spring day. From our lunch spot we started the gradual descent passed the ruins of Bamford House to Abbey Bank then the waterside track back to the car park. There were more people out walking and cycling at this stage despite the fact the sun was starting to go down. Back home by 4pm, guests had already arrived and I went and said hello. A quiet night in and pleased to say my knee survived the six mile walk although I think Blue’s joints creaked more than mine. Enjoy the autumnal colours in the photos.
An autumnal weekend
Friday started of cold but sunny and we were expecting another fine day at our Bolehill cottages (see link) but by lunch time the drizzle had extended further north than expected. I had hope to go out and plant more bulbs but I ended up doing housework instead. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. Cottage arrived just after 4pm. Paid this months accounts and got the fire going for Smudge, something I expect I will be doing a lot more over the next few months. Saturday saw two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner up. Mixed day weather wise but it got off to a cold start and we heard about a few accidents locally due to black ice. Cottages arrived between 3 and 4pm, both have been before. We had a couple of hail showers during the afternoon and it stayed on the cold side. Rounded off the day with some baking. Some belated local news in that the River Lathkill emerged from the cave on the 18th October and was in full flow a week later. A few weeks ago a car crashed into one of Andrews wall, we never heard it even though it was in the evening. The driver drove off but took herself to the fire station to be cut out of the car. Andrew is getting the wall rebuilt as it means the cows can’t use the field until he does. Won’t be long now and we should be getting the sheep in our fields, so long as they done eat my bushes this year I’ll be happy.
Bits and pieces
Tuesday was a mixed day weather wise at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link). The photos show the mist starting to rise on Tuesday morning when I took the dogs out for their walk. Three departures and one arrival and one cleaner up. Plenty to do in the morning and after lunch I went down to Bakewell where I met one of our former cleaners for a coffee and a chat. I then got some provisions for the next few days before heading home. By now it was raining. Guest arrived at 5.30. 
Wednesday again was cold and wet. No departures but two arrivals and one cleaner up. After checks were done Chris and I headed to Macclesfield to get some bits for Buxton. It was really murky over the Cat and Fiddle and I was reminded that the Road Safety Foundation have named this road as the most dangerous in the UK. Additionally there were two others in Derbyshire in the top ten and we use them both! 
We stopped at Arighi Bianchi, the furniture store, for lunch at their cafe before heading to the various places we needed to go to. We could have stayed and wandered round the shops but it was too cold and wet. By the time we got back both cottages had arrived, both have been before, and I had phoned them on Tuesday night to let them know we might be out. Thursday was a fine day, sunny and dry in the morning, so after a quick trip down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend I spent a few hours outside tidying up and started to plant some of the spring bulbs. Had planned to spend more time outside in the afternoon but after an hour there was a shower so I came back in and got on with some housework. Still I managed to plant about a hundred bulbs with another two hundred to go!
Ten Years ago…
…on 11/11/03 Chris and I moved into Bolehill Farm (see link). Where have those ten years gone! This post is out of sequence but I thought I would mention this special anniversary. Won’t be celebrating today as I have a committee meting this evening but I am sure we will raise a glass to this milestone soon.
A bit of quietness and Octobers weather
Sunday saw three departures at our Bolehill Farm cottages (see here) and with no arrivals the car park suddenly looked empty. A showery and cold day and we were joined at coffee time by one of the Over Haddon residents who had been metal detecting in our fields during the week. So far he had found a lead ingot and what looks like a buckle with the Chatsworth emblem. 
We took our friend to Edensor Tearoom for lunch. It was busy there, and we came back via the Farm Shop where the Christmas marquee was open. After we got home our friend departed and we hope to see her back soon. A busy afternoon and evening with phone calls and emails and bookings. Monday was a fine day with one departure and no arrivals and no cleaner. The lovely sunrise made the trees behind the cottages look as if they were on fire so I went out and got a couple of photos before the effect disappeared. After a busy week I caught my breath and worked out what needed doing during the week. With no arrivals I made the most of the free afternoon to go and do a big shop at Morrisons, after all I have to start thinking about Christmas baking. In the evening Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and I went to Over Haddon for the indoor bowls. I didn’t do as well as last week though!
October Weather stats. Two days tied for the wettest, 21st and 29th had .65 in each with October being the wettest month since last December with 5.4 in (Dec 12 had 3.61 in). No wonder the fields are so gloopy. The highest temp was 17.8 deg C on 4th which was warmest day with 3rd being warmest night. Lowest temp was 2.7 deg C on 30th with 29th being coldest day and night.
A hectic weekend.
Friday on the whole was wet and cold at our cottages near Bakewell (see link). Three departures and three arrivals and one cleaner up. Hate changeovers when raining but you just got to get on with it. A friend arrived late morning to stay for the weekend. She hasn’t been for a while and now has a puppy. Only Smudge was here and after a little sniffing he wasn’t bothered by an extra four paws pattering around. First guests arrived early leaving their car to go for a walk from here and managed to dodge the showers getting back here just after 3pm. Later in the afternoon the rain finally eased and I took some pictures of the mist rising from the dales. When Chris and Blue got back from Buxton Blue had a little sniff at our guests and decided he wasn’t impressed with another four legged friend in the house and over the weekend would have the occasional growl at the puppy. 
Second cottage arrived about 5.30. After tea I went to Joanna’s via Over Haddon to pick up one of the other committee members for our monthly WI committee meeting. A lot to discus with the AGM approaching and the need to formalise next years programme. Third guest arrived just after 9pm when I was away and Chris saw them in. Saturday was less hectic with two departures and two arrivals and less showers. One cleaner here. It had brightened up by lunchtime but during the afternoon the breeze picked up and later in the evening it was very windy and the showers returned. First cottage arrived just after 3pm. We had thought about going to Over Haddon for the fireworks but with the deteriorating weather decided not to. We went to the Bulls Head in Monyash for a drink but ended up staying for a meal. Guests, who have been before, arrived while we were out. Back home I fed the dogs then took them out on long leads just in case they heard a firework and it frightened them. We didn’t hear any but could see some in the distance so at least some displays went ahead.
Changes
Luckily for us the storm bypassed our cottages near Bakewell (see here for details) with the south of the country faring worst (and parts of Europe too). Two departures (with one departing later on Sunday to avoid travelling in the bad weather) and three arrivals and one cleaner up. Usual Monday jobs. First cottage arrived just after 3pm they were here last 20years ago, remaining two cottages arrived between 4 and 5pm. In the evening went to the village hall for indoor bowls and I did very well for a change. The milk cows are now in for winter so there is less black and white. We still have the maternity wing and hooligans on this side of the road and Andrew still has some cows about to calve and youngsters on his side of the road out in the fields. Tuesday was a bit cooler with quite a cold night. One departure and one arrival with cottage arriving here about 3pm, they have been before. Down to Bakewell before lunch for some provisions. Time for some accounts and housework. Wednesday was mainly dry, hopefully the ground can dry out a little bit. One departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. A catch up day and more housework. Just after lunch I saw the Air Ambulance take off from Lathkill Dale and earlier I had seen a couple of rescue vehicles drive by. It turned out that a walkers vein had ruptured and the emergency crew had to carry him to a place where the Air Ambulance could pick him up from. He is recovering. Cottage arrived at 4 pm. Thursday saw two departures and three arrivals and one cleaner here. With both cottages one by 9am I made a quick dash down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. At least Thursday was a much brighter day. All cottages arrived between 3 and 4pm, one has been before. In the evening we should have gone to a show in Buxton but that was cancelled so it gave me an evening to sit down and rest!
The start of a busy week
To put things into perspective we have twenty changeovers in the next eight days at our cottages near Bakewell (see link). Friday started wet with three departure an two arrivals and one cleaner up. By lunchtime it had dried up and felt quite warm. As it had dried up Chris went out and cleared more leaves from the car park. After final checks had lunch then somehow the afternoon disappeared. Did some housework and preparations for the weekend. Guests arrived at different ends of the day with first guest just after 3pm and second one about 8pm. It turned breezy and wet again over night. On Saturday morning said goodbye to three cottages before disappearing down to Bakewell to the farmers market leaving Chris in charge. Two cleaners up to keep up with cleaning. No problems encountered and checks for arriving cottages done by lunchtime. First cottage arrived just after 3pm and second one about 5pm, they have been before. Time for some paperwork before a quiet evening. Sunday saw two departures and three arrivals and one cleaner up and cleaning completed with assistance from Chris and myself. Added to which there were a lot of clocks and timers to change with the clocks having gone back. 
With the area on amber alert for high winds and comparisons being made to the 1987 storm (I lived through that) Chris did a lot of securing of outdoor items and took down most of the hanging baskets. They have lasted well. A busy afternoon with regular checks on the weather. Guests all arrived between 6&7pm after which we went to the village hall for an evening of folk music by a trio called Lady Maisery. They were nominated for a Radio 2 award last year. An enjoyable evening of singing with a little bit of clog dancing and diddling thrown in for good measure. It had been a breezy day and we went to bed wondering what would happen over night.