Wednesday was our day off with no arrivals or departures at our self catering cottages near Bakewell (see link). Had considered a walk but I have been having a problem with a knee so a walk was discounted. Instead we went over to Hathersage for a few hours, without the dogs again. We have always known about the alleged burial place of Little John (of Robin Hood fame) at Hathersage church and yet all the times we have been to the 
village we have never been to the church. This was one of the focal points of our visit and we walked the short distance from the main road to the church which has views to Stannage Edge (in the news as the National Park authority has plans to sell or lease it off). Hathersage church was also where Jessica Ennis got married a few months ago. After a walk round the church we went and found the reputed grave before walking back down to Hathersage and lunch. When in Hathersage we always have a wander round the outdoor shops, most of which are dog friendly. We didn’t have anything to buy but it was nice just to look. 
In the evening we had our first WI committee meeting after the summer break. A lot to get through as we have to start thinking about next years speakers. Thursday was another warm day. No departures or arrivals so we headed off to Matlock where Chris wanted to get some guttering and I did a Sainsbury’s shop.
After lunch in Matlock and a visit to some of the shops we came back to find Andrew had moved the cows from the front field to one of the side fields. He was also taking delivery during the afternoon of bales of feed for the winter. Chris fixed the guttering as rain was forecast for the next few days and I did a number of household jobs. Probably had my last ice cream for the year!
August’s weather stats
Monday started dull but brightened up during the day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see link). Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner up. Over the last couple of change overs I have removed the summer duvets and replaced them with the usual duvets so I now have one of my bedrooms back! A busy day for enquiries and bookings. One of the guests has recently been on a cruise and knowing my love of travel had brought her computer so I could see her photos. 
Both cottages here by 3.30, one has been before. In the evening I went to the village hall for the latest hall committee meeting. Chris went round to Green Cowden Farm to sort out a computer problem. Tuesday was a warm day with one departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. A day to catch up on WI accounts and paperwork and we found time for a stationery stock check and Viking Order. Guests here just after 3pm, they have been before. We had another lovely evening but we have been warned a taste of autumn is on its way. Hope you like the sunset pictures from Sunday. Here are the weather stats for August.
Highest temp of 27.4 deg C on 1st which was the warmest day and night. Lowest temp of 8 deg C on 31st which was the coldest day with coldest night being 13th. Not often the hottest day is the first and coldest the last day of the month. Wettest day was 3rd with .76 inches rain, although most of that was in the early hours with 2.73 inches for the month, 3.78 inches for August 2012. Highest UV was 8.1 on 5th.
The Red Arrows
After the fine weather of the last few weeks Sunday was cool, overcast and breezy at our cottages near Bakewell (see here). The last few years we have seen the Red Arrows in glorious sunshine at Chatsworth so this year we decided to try a different viewing point especially as the performance was at lunchtime rather than in the afternoon. We had opted for Baslow Edge some time ago and without the dogs after the barking everyone had to endure last year. We set off just before midday having planned our route but just as we left Bakewell on the Baslow road we found ourselves in queuing traffic for the show and at this point it was still two miles to Chatsworth for those who were going there. We turned round and picked up the Calver road only to find traffic queuing from Hassop roundabout to get to Chatsworth but having cut across this we got to Calver crossroads without any problems. We turned onto the Baslow road and hit the queues for Chatsworth at Calver Mill but luckily this is where we turned off and headed up past the car park for Curbar Edge and on to find a parking spot by the Sheffield Road. Here we picked up the path to Baslow Edge but by now we also realised we were not the only ones to have this idea. Well we weren’t expecting to be alone but we weren’t expecting masses of people. We found our spot with half an hour to go which gave us time for lunch in a spot out of the wind as other families and people also bagged their places and had lunch. The heather was still in a good condition up here too. We were able to see them make their approach from miles away and we were treated to a wonderful display. Being higher up there were a couple of times when the planes were practically over head and being higher up we could also see the number of cars at Chatsworth. Too soon the show was over and we headed back to the car passing the Longhorn cattle. We had a clear run home and spent the afternoon on house jobs and a number of bookings. One of our guests said it took them an hour to get to Chatsworth from here (normally fifteen minutes at most). In the evening we had another lovely sunset but I’ll save those photos for another day, you can enjoy some of the photos I took of the Red Arrows here, although for a change I did also make sure I enjoyed most of the display. Hope the Longhorn Cattle did too!
Chatsworth Country Fair
Chatsworth Country Fair is always a well attended event, most of our guests staying at our cottages near Bakewell (see here) will be attending over the three days. The event is usually held on the weekend following the Bank Holiday weekend and has grown from two days to three days over the last few years. Additionally the Red Arrows have been the highlight for many since they started making appearances a few years ago. This year they are displaying on Sunday lunchtime so we all have that to look forward to. Friday was a warm day and we saw two departures and two arrivals with one cleaner here. Both cottages arrived between 3 and 4 pm, one has been before. With a busy weekend ahead spent some time preparing for Saturday. With the recent good weather many farmers have been silaging again and Andrew is waiting for a field to be cut and baled. Saturday itself was a lot cooler. First thing down to Bakewell for the Farmers Market. Four departures with five arrivals and two cleaners up. A number of jobs including swapping a couple of sofas and Chris unblocking a drain. Cleaning finished by 1pm, as an early start to cleaning had been made. By the time I had lunch and done the final checks etc it was 2.30. So it was a wait until first guests arrival at 3.30. Two more cottages in by 4pm. Two have been before, both at the same time when we had the heavy snow just before Easter. Just after 4pm we went over to a cottage for a cup of tea with one of the guests who were already here with me leaving and returning after showing in the final two cottages at 5pm and 5.30. One is here for two weeks. We were happily chatting away and then we suddenly realised it was 7pm! I could have cooked dinner but we had a pizza from Ricci’s in Bakewell. I’d forgotten how good they taste.
Chrome Hill
Thursday was another fine dry day at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell ( see link). My favourite hills around here are Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill near Longnor. They are reminders that parts of this area was once a coral reef. It was only recently that a concessionary path on Chrome Hill (also called the Dragons Back) was allowed. Initially I had been looking at a walk at the Roaches to catch the last of the heather but when I was looking at walks we haven’t done Chrome Hill came up. We know you need to do it on a still day as at some points you are on a ridge so you don’t want to get blown off! We set off from here reasonably early and parked in the village of Hollinsclough. As we set off we got a good view from the side of our challenge. Having said that the first couple of miles were challenging in their own way as the footpath was a bit indistinct and we missed the turning we needed requiring us to do a little down hill shuffling, Chris on foot and me on my bottom! We walked beside the upper River Dove for a while and at the packhorse bridge picked up a path then a track past a number of outlying farms. We found the concessionary path with no problem. All the walk guides prepare you for a climb, scrambling over rocks at times, and at times a very narrow path. This was all true but it was not as hard as we thought but you are rewarded with some lovely views over the Staffordshire Moorlands on the west side and rolling Derbyshire on the east side. Luckily despite the breeze we found a sheltered spot on the top to have lunch. The walk guides also describe the descent on the steep grassy path but again it was not as bad as we expected, no worse than Kirkdale and we were soon back down and on the lane that went back to Hollinsclough. Luckily there was an adjacent footpath through the fields which had sheep in. The dogs were walking ahead of us and some inquisitive lambs decided to follow them. When Smudge realised he looked at them and they turned and started walking towards Blue but when Blue saw them he turned round and ran back passed us. The lambs scattered but Blue would not come back to us so Chris had to put him on his lead until we cleared the field. Just as we were getting back to the car there was a light shower but nothing to wet the ground. From here we drove over to the Roaches as they were not far away to see the condition of the heather which was passed its best. As we were there we stopped off at the Roaches Tea Room for tea and cake before heading home. So ready for the next challenge! Here are the photos.
Photo opportunities
Tuesday was another fine day at our self catering cottages near Bakewell (see here). The day got off to a misty start with me (and others) out there to get some photos. One departure and two arrivals and one cleaner up. Rubbish collected but laundry won’t be collected until Wednesday. A number of jobs to do in the empty cottages. 
First cottage arrived just after 3pm, they have been before and second cottage arrived just after 5pm. Caught up with friend on phone. Took camera with me for some amazing colours at sunset. Wednesday was another fine day. No departures but one arrival and one cleaner here. Went down to Bakewell in the morning to get some provisions for the next few days. Guests arrived just after 3pm. They have been many times before so had a natter before they settled in. We then went over to Monyash to view the flower festival in the church and as it was so warm I had an ice cream from the Smithy Cafe. We did a short circular walk to the church and back so the dogs also stretched their legs. Hope you enjoy these photos, I have kept some back for future use.
A picnic at Lathkill dale
Bank Holiday Monday was sunny and warm from the start at our self catering cottages near Bakewell (see link). Four departures but only one arrival with one cleaner up and cottage soon ready. Andrew’s day got off to a bad start with a couple of escaping heifers but they were soon bought back. Cows are now back in the field in front of the house so Smudge and Blue can enjoy cow watching. Warm enough to have lunch on the patio. Guests arrived at 3pm and after we had a good natter, as they have been a number of times before, we headed to Chatsworth Farm Shop to pick up some picnic supplies.
I had decided on a picnic and as I wasn’t expecting the good weather to last I needed some picnic food. We then packed up the rucksacks and headed for Over Haddon. From the car park we walked down to the dale, which was dry at the clapper bridge, then picked up the path to Conksbury Bridge. Further down the dale water had returned and there were many families enjoying the evening sunshine and warmth. We made our way up to our picnic spot where the dogs were kept busy chasing swallows. A hot air balloon also caused some woofing. After our picnic we headed to the Lathkill Hotel for a swift half where we were joined by one of our cleaners. With the nights drawing in that was probably our last picnic for 2013.
Bakewell Secret Gardens
If it’s Bank Holiday Sunday then it must be Bakewell Secret Gardens. Sunday started dull but brightened and warmed up in the afternoon at our cottages near Bakewell (see link). First thing down to Bakewell to get paper then with one departure and one arrival later in the day Chris and I turned the cottage round. 
After lunch we drove down to Bakewell and was surprised to be able to park in one of the main car parks. This year the open gardens were mainly in the centre of Bakewell and the Milford area but we also came across the Alpacas below the Monsal Trail. We had time to make a cake stop at the Nice and Naughty Coffee shop next to Costa Coffee. Whilst wandering around I overheard a conversation that indicated I wasn’t the only one caught out by the Farmers Market being next Saturday, that made me feel better! Back home and guests arrived just before 7pm. At least more good weather is forecast in the days ahead.
August bank holiday
Friday is the start of the Bank Holiday weekend for many. For us it is just another weekend at our self catering cottages near Bakewell (see link). Friday saw two departures and one arrival and one cleaner up. The day started warm and sunny but by lunchtime it had clouded up but it stayed dry albeit humid. Chris spent a lot of time out side, first cutting the grass then strimming the edges which get done every now and then but is time consuming. I went over to Chatsworth Farm shop to get provisions for the weekend. Guests arrived about 3.30. I also had a last minute cancellation for Saturday which was not unexpected but the power of the web meant it had partially been relet within a few hours. It was still dry when I took the dogs out for their evening walk but raining by the time we went to bed. Saturday morning was overcast and drizzly with heavier rain at lunchtime before drying up but not brightening up in the afternoon. Luckily we didn’t have the rain that some parts of the country had and I’d hoped we have a winning
streak of Bank Holidays with good weather but it was not meant to be. Said goodbye to four cottages in the morning and two cleaners up to turn cottages round. Six arrivals due in the afternoon. Cleaning finished by 1pm with a 9am start as cottages left in good state. By the time we had lunch and I finished my checks it was 2.30. First three cottages arrived between 3and 4pm, one has been before, with the remaining three arriving between 4.30 and 5.30, one has been before. Spent some time with Chris finalising next years prices, no major changes, some some tweaking here and there, so they will soon be on our web site. One interesting fact to mull on, we lose two hours of daylight between the beginning and end of August.
Saving Lathkill dale
Wednesday and Thursday were again fine days with Thursday being a lot warmer at our cottages near bakewell (see here). Wednesday saw one arrival later in the day with one cleaner up. I went down to Bakewell in the morning to get some provisions for the next few days, I thought Bakewell was quite busy. After lunch I caught up on paperwork and accounts as well as final check for cottage. Chris spent some time with one of his photography friends but came back for an early tea. After that we went to the village hall in Over Haddon for a meeting about the River Lathkill. We went to one a few years ago and this was a follow up. In the last few years there has been a scientific study of water flow of the river specifically with a view to where the water goes. This is of great concern to a number of parties for as those of you who visit the river regularly ( and there are up to 10000 visitors a year who do) know it does run dry and up to four times a year they have to move the fish. We both learnt a lot more about the river and the catchment area and plans for returning the water from the Lathkill catchment area to the Lathkill river itself. This will be reversible if there are any unforeseen effects. The chief cause is the Magpie Sough which was dug in the late 19th century and the plans to remedy this were discussed. 
The plans have the support of the Park and major estates in the area (Haddon Chatsworth and Melbourne) as the catchment area is on their land. It now needs local support and some environmental studies before the next phase so watch this space. Thursday was a nice sunny day with a nice sunset. One departure with no arrivals. Andrew Joanna and Ian were up to fly spray cows in the morning after which they joined us for coffee. The cows have been let into the paddock to do some chomping but will be on the move again shortly. We had thought about going for a drive in the afternoon to see the heather at the Roaches but it started to look ominous so we didn’t go. When the weather is nice and I have the office door open I often find myself chatting to guests as they come and go. I had a good afternoon catching up with bits and pieces so that was a positive thing but on the negative side I realised I had got dates wrong for the Farmers Market which I thought was this Saturday (24th) but it is next Saturday (31st) so I have no food in for the weekend. Oops!