Thursday and Friday were quieter days with no departures and one arrival on Friday at our cottages near Bakewell (see link). Both days were very pleasant with warm autumnal sunshine and lovely blue skies on the whole. Chris spent a lot of Thursday sorting out the log store which meant I ended up bringing down my first lot of logs for the winter. Hopefully wont need them for a while yet. I spent a lot of the day completing the WI accounts as I will need to send them off soon for auditing. 
Warm enough to have an ice cream on Thursday. Friday saw me down to Bakewell first thing and cleaner was up to do some preparation and cleaning work for the weekend. Chris and I did some odd jobs in vacant cottages and leisure area. Guests arrived just after 7pm. Good news from the Park, they have decided not to sell Stannage Edge and the surrounding estate. Saturday was another fine warm September day although it was a bit misty to start with. 
Three departures off early and two cleaners up. I disappeared down to the Farmer market to get some bits for the next few days. Chris cut the grass and watered the hanging baskets as they were dry again, well we’ve hardly had much rain this month. I did the final checks on the four cottages where arrivals were due. It was one of those Saturdays when all the cottages arrived between 3 and 3.30. Two have been before. This gave me the rest of the afternoon to do other jobs like sort out the laundry. Later in the afternoon John and Sue from Green Cowden popped in and had a cup of tea with us. Here are the pictures from last Sunday.
A visit to JCB
Tuesday turned out to be the day Monday was supposed to be at our Bolehill Cottages (see here). After a misty start the sun soon came through and we were able to have coffee on the patio. Did some jobs round the house in the morning and Chris did some odd jobs in the empty cottages. Nice to have lunch on the patio too. After lunch I did some tidying up around the gardens and green house. Wednesday was again one of those dull overcast days. One departure and one cleaner up. 
We had places booked for a tour of the JCB factory near Uttoxeter early in the afternoon so we set off mid morning stopping at the Fairway Garden Centre just passed Ashbourne for a light bite. The factory is at Rocester (pronounced Roster) and covers nearly two hundred acres. The visit has been organised by the Derbyshire WI and there were fifty of us (mainly couples). First we were kitted out with safety vest and an intercom headset and safety glasses. We had been advised in advance that you needed to wear closed in shoes and that photography was not allowed for a lot of the tour.
After a little film show we left in smaller groups with a tour guide, in our case a retired worker, and our first stop was the factory floor. It was hear the intercom headset came into use as without it we wouldn’t have heard anything he was saying. We saw the process of how the machine is built from the delivery of the sheet steel, through the laser cutting, welding, paint shop, assembly and finally the finished product . We saw the test track where they check each machine as it comes off the assembly line. The tour also included the office facilities. The size of everything was quite awesome. We visited the area dedicated to the history of the company and the shop before finishing with afternoon tea, well it was a WI event! In all the tour lasted about 2 1/2 hours (plus tea) and we walked about four miles so we have been getting the miles in this week. The gloom was still hanging over the Peak District as we came back, it had been much brighter at Rocester where the Limestone Way finishes, perhaps well go back there again and do some walking.
Chatsworth Sculptures
Well what can we say about Sunday at our Bolehill Cottages (see link) apart from fabulous. Wasn’t expecting it to be that good or warm. One departure and two arrivals with cottages already cleaned. Some guests enjoyed breakfast al fresco. After getting the paper we spent some time doing some gardening before lunch on the patio. Did some more tidying up outside before first guests arrived at 3.30. Chris also gave the dogs a brush outside. We then treated ourselves to a few hours reading the Sunday paper on the patio but the sun kept moving so we had to as well! By the time the second cottage arrived at 5.30pm we were half way down the garden! A hot air balloon rising up from Bakewell kept the dogs occupied for a while and there was a nice sunset. Pity the weather didn’t listen to the forecast for Monday. We were expecting a dull start so weren’t worried. One departure but no arrivals and one cleaner up. By lunchtime we were still waiting for the sun as we had chosen Monday because of the forecast for our annual visit to Chatsworth. Undaunted we set off and had lunch first then as it was still overcast we did the house leaving the dogs (safely) in the car. It had still not cleared up by the time we left the house (each year there is something different to see in the house or we notice something we haven’t seen before) so we collected the dogs and wandered round the gardens seeking out the sculptures from the Beyond Limits exhibition. Also noticed how the leaves were changing colour so wondered if we will get some colourful autumn walks in. Time for tea and cake before the restaurant closed and then drove round to the Farm shop which is experimenting with later opening hours. Still hoping we might see some warmer weather before the week is out. Enjoy Mondays photos, Sundays will appear later.
Bakewell Silver Band
Thursday was quite wet and dull during the morning at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link). Problems with my washing machine again but hopefully Chris has finally sorted it out. Two departures and one arrival with one cleaner up. After lunch we headed to Chesterfield to Bookers to stock up on goods and called in at one of the farm shops on the way. By now it was brightening up and the sun came out. We also called in at Screwfix and Dunelm (of course) before heading home. Guests arrived just after 7pm. They have been before. Friday was as promised a fine day. Down to Bakewell first thing leaving Chris to say goodbye to our departing cottage. One cleaner up. At lunch time we met up with our friends from Yorkshire who were passing through en route to a weekend in the Wirral. We met up at Hassop Station for lunch. It was very busy. Spent the rest of the afternoon preparing for Saturday as well as some sewing jobs. Andrew came up and helped Chris put the hanging baskets back up. Cottage arrived just after 8 pm but had a busy evening for bookings. Although Saturday started dull it soon brightened and warmed up. Four departures and three arrivals and two cleaners up. One cottage booked again for next year. Everything ready by lunchtime and Chris cut the grass before guests arrived. Two cottages arrived between 3.30 and 4pm and the final one by 5pm and for once all are new guests. By mid afternoon it was really quite warm, almost warm enough for an ice cream. I did not wear a jacket when we headed to Over Haddon Village hall in the evening. I may not have had front row seats at the Albert Hall for the Last Night of the Proms but I had a front row seats at the Village Hall for the annual Bakewell Silver Band proms night at Over Haddon! After the excellent concert we stayed behind to help clear up and caught up on some village gossip!
Where did summer go?
A cool start to Monday at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link). A busy day with three departures and four arrivals and two cleaners up. Plenty of showers passing through, which was a hindrance to cleaning but we got there in the end. It did feel unseasonably cool though and it is likely to last for a few more days. A nice rainbow in the afternoon when I took the dogs for a bit of fresh air. All cottages in by 4pm, one has been before. Time to chat with friend on phone before an early tea so Chris could go off to the first Bakewell Photographic Society Meeting of the season. 
This gave me the chance to catch up on some TV programmes Chris is not interested in. Tuesday was another cooler day again with showers and rain although we saw some glimpses of the sun. Made the most of the day to catch up on paperwork and accounts but got some bookings too. Wednesday was a brighter and milder day. One departure and one arrival with one cleaner up. Down to Bakewell in the morning to get hair cut and get some provisions for the next few days. Cottage arrived at 3pm. Time for some accounts before an early tea and trip to Buxton Opera House in the evening where we saw a performance by a local folk singer. Weather expected to improve by weekend. I think this is the worst weeks weather we have had for along time.
A breezy weekend
Friday started bright but clouded up by lunchtime at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link) before it started raining mid afternoon. Two cottages out, one a day early as their dog was not well and one cleaner up. Chris out at the village hall for a while sorting out a new router. Always handy when there are skills in the community. Time chatting with guests and preparing cottage for arrival. 
After lunch headed down town to get provisions for weekend. Guests arrived about 5pm, they have been before. Did some preparations for Saturday too. Saturday started quite cool and damp although it did brighten up mid morning. Six departures and seven arrivals and three cleaners up. No problems encountered and Chris had time to “hoover” the lawns before lunch. Four cottages in by 4pm with the remaining two by 5pm, four have been before.
Chris took down the hanging baskets in view of the forecast for Sunday. There was a colourful sunset when taking dogs for their evening walk. An enjoyable evening with one of the cottages joining us for tea. Apparently there was a lovely sunrise on Sunday morning, sorry but I had a little lie in on Sunday so missed it! The forecast for Sunday had been awful but the expected heavy rain didn’t arrive until lunchtime although it was windy from the start. First thing we went down to Bakewell to get the paper and call in at the Agricultural Centre. Here the National Bird Carving Championships were taking place and one of our guests was exhibiting. There was some extremely good exhibits, shame I forgot my camera. Did some baking in the afternoon. The forecast for the week ahead shows the unsettled weather continuing although with a prospect of warmer weather later in the week. I’d just put my sandals away and now they were saying don’t put the t shirts away just yet!
Things that go beep in the day
On Wednesday we had planned to meet up with our friends from Yorkshire at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield but with rain expected we decided to save our outing for a better day. The rain arrived late morning at our cottages near Bakewell (see here) and continued into the afternoon. Over the last few days the business washing machine had been playing up and I had been using my personal washing machine so we went to Chesterfield (taking the dogs for a ride) to do some research on a replacement machine. There we some other items I wanted to research too including new crockery. Back home I prepared for the evenings WI meeting and gave Chris his dinner before collecting Joanna. As we drove round to Over Haddon there was mist rising from the Dale which looked spectacular, wished I had taken my camera. Tonight was the first meeting after the summer and we had organised a Harvest Supper with Lynne cooking some jacket potatoes and the rest of the committee bringing other food items. We enjoyed our supper and entertainment included guess the flavour of the crisps and I was kept busy with paying expenses from the lunches over the summer. On the way back Joanna and I were discussing the lengthening nights, it won’t be long now before the milk cows stay in over night and just come out for the day. Thursday was a much warmer day with some sunny spells. We had been advised of a planned power outage from just after 9am until latest 2.30. We had already advised guests earlier in the week and Chris had reminded them on Wednesday. As the dogs don’t like it when power goes off and everything beeps I took them for a long walk and Chris phoned when it was safe to come back! Chris got the generator out as it hasn’t been used for a number of years so it was a good opportunity to test it. I used the time without a computer to get some tidying up done. Without any power we decided to go out for lunch and went to Hassop Station where we were able to sit outside with the dogs. By the time we got back the power was back on but we kept the dogs in the car for a while we checked everything and Chris powered up the computers (more beeping). Time to catch up with emails before cooking tea. It was still warm when I took the dogs out for a walk in the evening but it looks like we’re in for some stormy weather over the weekend.
A trip to Manchester
On Tuesday we had made plans to go to Manchester. Over the last few years a number of guests staying at our Bolehill Cottages (see here) have enquired about visiting the Lowry Gallery in Manchester. So we thought it about time we did! We could have gone by car bit our guests have always used public transport so we set off to catch the first off peak train from Grindleford. We were early enough to have a cup of tea at the cafe before catching the train. The train from Grindleford was busy
with walkers who were getting off at the next few stops. The advantage of going to Manchester this way (rather than from Buxton) is that you go through the Hope Valley and Vale of Edale so we had wonderful views of the Kinder Plateau. By New Mills all the walkers had left the train. At Manchester Picadilly we walked the short distance to pick up the tram line to Salford Quays where we found the Lowry Centre. 
This area has been redeveloped over the last few years and almost adjacent to the Lowry Centre is the new BBC complex. After we had gone round the Lowry Centre we walked the short distance across the Manchester Ship Canal to the Imperial War Museum (North). A striking building and after we had lunch we toured the exhibitions. After the War museum 
we had a look round the local outlet shopping centre and the foyer to the BBC Centre before catching the tram back into Manchester. We had just missed a train back to Grindleford so we had time to stroll round the centre of Manchester before catching the scenic train back. It brought back memories of London in the rush hour. The dogs were pleased to see us, one of our regular guests had taken them for a walk round our fields with her dog in the afternoon so they had been looked after. Next time we get asked about Manchester we will have first hand experience of getting there.
General snippets
Sunday was a cool day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see link). Although showers were forecast once again they seemed to bypass us. After a busy Saturday time to catch up on personal bits and house work. Also gathered all the information for our tax returns. Over the next few days we have no arrival or departures so we are planning a few outings. Another misty start to the day on Monday with the morning going in chatting to guests, phone calls, emails, and laundry. Chris went down to Joanna’s to sort out their computer. After a late coffee we went over to Buxton without the dogs.
We had a stroll around the shops and lunch out. This was a part of trying to get out as much as possible this week. It is rare we go out on a Monday as we usually have arrivals and departures. By late afternoon the showers were coming in one after the other and it did feel a lot cooler. Back home kept busy with emails and bookings. My spring bulbs have arrived and I have 250 bulbs to find homes for. This week is the first Peak District Cycling Festival so it will be interesting to see how successful that is. One of our guests reported mushrooms back in the fields so will have to get picking. More morning mist photos, our guests go out and photograph them too.
Autumn arrives
Friday gave us a hint of autumn at our self catering cottages near Bakewell (see here). Compared to Thursday we saw temperatures barely into the teens and the first day with rain in nearly two weeks. Time to put the sun dresses away for another year. One departure but no arrivals with one cleaner up. With a busy Saturday ahead found time to get some advanced preparations done and also down to Bakewell which I thought was quieter. Over the summer I usually take the dogs for a walk in the evening but with the nights definitely drawing in Friday was the first night I let them go out without me. So the busiest Saturday we have had for a long time finally arrived.
Six cottages departed with one further cottage moving cottages and seven cottages due back in. Three cleaners up and with a number of cottages away by 9am cleaning got off to a good start. The forecast had been for showers but they held off giving Chris the chance to cut the grass. Cleaning finished by 1pm and after lunch I finished my checks in the cottages by 2.30. Four cottages arrived between 3 and 4pm, two have been before. One cottage arrived about 4.30 and final two just after 5pm, one has been before. With most of the cottages now in for the week I am hoping we can get out and about this week. Finished the day by watching the Last night of the Proms. This to me signals the end of summer so hello autumn. Just got round to reading last Sundays travel section from the Sunday Times and they had an article on how busy Snowden was at the Bank Holiday and they offered some quieter alternatives including Chrome Hill in the Peak District!