Sorry for the delay in blogs. A couple of reasons, I woke up Thursday (13/6) with Sinusitis and Chris has moved my blog onto a different platform and software. We hadn’t planned anything on Thursday with our friends because of the weather forecast. As it turned out the rain held off until lunch time but our friends went down to Bakewell in the morning and then home in the afternoon after lunch here. They were going home in the evening in any case. We had one arrival in the afternoon. Later in the afternoon some of the young heifers found their way into the drive field as the gate had been left open. Chris went to try and move them back but being youngsters they went all over the place and pulled down the electric fence (which was off). I had to go out and help sort out 200 metres of electric fence that was all over the place. As they have had no experience of electric fences yet they don’t know the implications of when the fence is switched on. Andrew reckons once they realise what an electric fence does they will keep away from them – even if they are switched off. The joy of cows! Didn’t help me feel any better by having to traipse around the field winding up a fence. Friday was a better day weather wise. Three departures and two arrivals. One cleaner up. Felt well enough to go down to Bakewell for provisions for the weekend. First guests arrived at 3pm with second ones about 5pm. Another pleasant weekend is forecast.
A walk from Ilam
Ilam Hall
Wednesday was forecast to be a fine day with rain later in the day so we set off for Ilam stopping first at Ilam Hall for coffee with views towards Thorpe Cloud from the garden. From the Hall we took the lane that lead to Blore, using field paths as short cuts where we could. At Blore crossroads we passed the fields used for the Sheepdog Trials and walked down the lane past the church. Further along at Martin Hill we picked up a path that headed for our lunch stop, Mapleton. The first few fields were fine but then we came across a field with some cows. Nothing new there but these ones seemed quite agitated especially when they saw the dogs. The bull wasn’t bothered but some of the cows chased after Smudge, even he was surprised as he’s used to ones that obey him. Blue had to be put on a lead but eventually we all got through the fields and the cows wandered off. We walked down through the parkland surrounding Okeover Hall before crossing the River Dove and finding a spot in the Okeover Arms garden for lunch. We were last in the village a couple of years ago and it’s under new management with dogs and walkers welcome. The church is worth looking at. After lunch we set off across the fields and picked up a path along the River Dove heading back to Ilam. At Coldwall Bridge we cross the bridge and picked up the Manifold Trail passing the confluence of the Dove and Manifold. Apart from a short stretch at the beginning this six mile walk had been relatively level. Soon we were back at Ilam. It was still warm and although there was an ice cream van there I opted for stopping at Monyash to buy one but half way there the heavens opened. The forecast said rain at 4pm and it was just after 4pm! So no ice cream in the end. In the evening we decided to go to Piedaniels for one of their set meals which we all enjoyed. I could have gone to WI but missed it.
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- Ilam Hall
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- Okeover Hall
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- River Dove at Mapleton
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- lunch stop
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- wild garlic beside path
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- Coldwall Bridge
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- Ilam Cross
Edensor and Bakewell Food Festival 8/9 June
Saturday was another fine day but just a little cooler than Friday at our cottages near Bakewell (see here). Four cottages out and most guests away by 9.30 and with three cleaners up cleaning was finished by 11.30 and I had done my checks by midday. So guess what! We did something unusual for a Saturday. We went out for a few hours! We had seen signs for Open Gardens at Edensor but hadn’t expected to go as it was on Saturday. Yet we set off just after midday but we were concerned when we joined a long queue on the road to Chatsworth but luckily most were going to a Food Fair at Chatsworth House. There were only a dozen or so gardens to see as the village is quite small but they were interesting and we saw where the Dowager Duchess lived and saw the current Duke and Duchess as they visited some of the fete stalls as it was also the village fete. We had time for some lunch before heading home. We drove back through Bakewell which is hosting its first Baking Festival this weekend. Mowing was well under way at Andrews with rowing and carting also having started. Chris cut the grass and first guests arrived about 3.30. Second cottage arrived about 4pm, they have been before and final cottage arrived about 5pm. Had first request of year for a BBQ. After tea Chris helped Andrew move some cows in our front field to the side field and take some back across the road so that silaging can continue on our side of the road. There will be more musical cows in the next few days as cows are allowed in the silaged fields to eat round the edges and any grass that’s fallen from the collectors. Sunday was another sunny warm day. One departure, our Australians off to their next stop, and one arrival later in the day. In the meantime we thought we’d go down and have a look at the Bakewell Baking Festival, in particular the stalls dotted around the town as the main events were ticketed. As some of the car parks were in use for stalls and marquees we thought we would park at Lady Manners and walk down into town. We took the dogs with us too. Down town we had a walk round the stalls but there wasn’t as many as I thought but I bought a few bits. After lunch outside the Nice Cafe (next to Costa Coffee) we headed off to Chatsworth farm shop to get some more provisions. Back to welcome new guests and spent some time putting in bedding plants. Later in the afternoon I felt it was nice enough to go for a picnic so we packed the food and headed across the fields where the grass had been cut, rowed but not collected as the machine had broken down in the afternoon. A nice couple hours in the evening sun. Enjoy the photos from the weekend.
Plan C – Lyme Park
Monday stayed dry but cooler at our Bakewell cottages (click here for details). Silaging continued and was completed by the afternoon. Had hoped to go for a ride on one of the tractors but never found the time. A busy day with one departure and three arrivals, one has been before and one cleaner up. Chris went to Chatsworth House in the morning for a networking session held by the tourist board. Everything ready for guests and all here by 5pm. Friends, who stay with us at Christmas, arrived about 4.30 for a few days. Pity the weather was just breaking. In the evening we went down to the Bulls Head in Ashford for a meal. I had planned a walk for Tuesday but the day dawned dreary and a little damp. We thought we would go to Hardwick Hall but that is closed on a Tuesday so we opted for Lyme Park (of Mr Darcy fame in the 1990’s series). Although it is not that far away it takes about an hour to get there. It also meant we had to leave the dogs at home. It stayed dull all day but at least the rain held off until we were on our way back. We had a good time walking round the house and gardens as there had been changes since we were last there. In the gardens they were preparing the beds for summer plants so little colour there but the rhododendrons were good. Unfortunately Chris felt it was too cold to go into the lake for his Mr Darcy moment! In the evening we went to Felicinis in Bakewell for a meal. Enjoy the photos.
The National Arboretum 5/6/13
We’ve been meaning to visit the National Arboretum for a while as it can be reached in about ninety minutes from our cottages near Bakewell (click here). Although it started dull the forecast was for it to brighten up which unfortunately it didn’t. One departure and one cleaner up. Andrew was up to release cows into the paddock and field behind us so they can chomp that down. He cannot decide when to silage but silaging is definitely well under way in the area. We set off mid morning so had plenty of time to wander around the 150 acres (which includes a lake) – and it is still growing. There are no admission charges, but donations are appreciated, and in lieu of entrance fees they charge for the car parking. There are over 200 memorials and not all are military, like one for the Police and the RNLI, and not all military ones relate to the UK, the Polish one was interesting. We found the WI wall where we had a chat with one of the volunteers who was doing some work nearby. The ‘Shot at Dawn’ (306 stakes to represent those shot at dawn during WW1 for ‘cowardice or desertion’) and Far East POW tributes were quite moving and there was also a 9/11 memorial. It will certainly be worth another visit in a few years time to see how the 50,000 trees are maturing. Here is a link to some of the photos I took. We came back via Ashbourne which was a quicker route than taking the A6 which we had done in the morning. After tea Joanna collected me for our monthly WI committee meeting.
Seasonal jobs
As it was a quiet day at our cottages (click here for details) I thought I would go down to the market, especially as it was a nice day. Left Chris to walk the dogs and the cleaner to prepare today’s cottage. Had a nice walk round the street market, although it was very busy, but also had a walk round the stalls at the agricultural market as Chris is pricing up some electric fencing. Back home and finished off in the cottage. Nice enough for lunch on the patio again but we could see that silaging was happening in the distance (the dark green fields become light green). Just as we were finishing lunch Andrew brought some more cows over the road and decided to take some back who were closer to calving. These needed separating from the rest of the herd so Chris went down with Smudge and lent a hand (and paw). After guests arrival, they have been before, we went down to the agricultural supplies in Bakewell to get more pricing on electric fencing and ended up getting what we needed. This a saved a trip to another supplier so we went for afternoon tea instead! We chose Edensor near Chatsworth as a new tea room opened there last year and we haven’t tried it out! Still a nice piece of chocolate cake sitting outside with the dogs looking up to the church was a nice way to spend an hour. When we got back Chris decided to erect the fence to keep the cows off the drive. It didn’t take too long. After tea I took the dogs for their evening walk and it was nice to feel the warmth of the late evening sun and listen to the swallows and in the near distance the sound of the combine as it cut the grass at Andrew’s neighbour. The machine was still cutting at 10pm, but it was still light. Andrew is going to wait another week as he usually silages straight after his neighbour but even we can see the grass is not as long as it usually is and an extra week of sun and warmth will help. Tuesday was another warm day. One departure with one arrival later in the day. One cleaner up and later in the morning I headed to Chesterfield to do some personal and business shopping. Back later in the afternoon, Chris had seen the cottage in but I went and said hello. Although it was still warm the breeze made it to difficult to eat dinner outside. Never mind, if the weather carries on this way it can’t be long before we have a picnic! Here are some photos from Monday.
Here come the herd
Always a couple of stragglers
going across the road
A pleasant weekend
Well the weather continued fine sunny and mild over the weekend at Bolehill. Saturday was a busy day with six departures and three arrivals. Three cleaners up and cleaning finished by lunchtime. After a late lunch Chris cut the grass and I finished off in the cottages. First two cottages arrived between 3and 3.30pm, one has been before, with final cottage arriving about 4pm they have also been before. Time for some jobs in vacant cottages as well. Sunday remained fine so we spent some time on outside jobs. Chris did some painting and jet washed the cars, although he was worried the last time he did it snowed! I planted up some more shrubs and we had lunch on the patio. No departures but one arrival here about 5pm. Still light at 10.45pm. Amazing how quickly you get used to the longer daylight hours.
Things to do
Thursday was disappointing weather wise as we had been forecast a better day at Bolehill but it remained dull and cool albeit dry. Had planned to plant some more plants out but never did. Still I ordered a new mattress, sourced some cutlery to match existing one as it is now a discontinued line and having spent weeks sourcing new crockery we will have to start again as it is now an end of line product and we cannot get enough sets for the cottages. Chris spent some time edging lawns and retuning TV’s as the local transmitter had to realign some bands to allow for 4G growth. All in a days work (plus unblocking a toilet and sorting out a leaking dishwasher). One arrival with cottage here about 6pm. On Friday woke up to sunshine. Hurrah! One departure but no arrivals and one cleaner up. We had lunch al fresco then Chris came with me to Bakewell. Andrew had let the cows back into the drive field and Chris is thinking of putting up an electric fence so we went to the agricultural suppliers and priced some fencing up. We had taken the dogs as well so we all enjoyed a little stroll round Bakewell and an ice cream from Hedgehogs Artisan Ice Cream place as it was so warm. Bakewell was very busy and I found I couldn’t buy all the provisions I wanted for the weekend as everywhere had sold out of pork pies so we drove round to the Chatsworth Farm shop so I could finish of my shopping!
Back to business
Monday dawned bright and sunny but a breeze took the edge of the temperature at our Bolehill cottages. Two departures and three arrivals and two cleaners up. I had hoped to get out and do some more planting but the morning went in getting cottages ready and cottage related jobs. Chris spent some time pruning and removing some more casualties from the winter and some gutter work. After lunch Chris did his ‘lollipop patrol’ and helped bring the first of the hooligans across from the farm to spend the summer on this side of the road. I went down as backup and took some photos. With cows in three fields Blue is going to feel ‘cowed in’! By the time I could have gone out to do some gardening I had to think about guests arrival. First cottage arrived just after 3pm, they have been before, second cottage arrived about 4pm and final cottage at 5pm. Tuesday was a wet day for most of the time with a brief dryer spell at lunchtime. One cottage out and one cleaner up. So no jobs outside but instead an indoor day and for me in the morning jobs around the house and sorting out various requests from guests and in the afternoon accounts. Glad of a drying room with the number of times I took the dogs out! Had hoped Wednesday would be an improvement on Tuesday but it wasn’t although it felt milder. Late morning I did find time to put some more plants in the border in the car park which had lost quite a few over winter. By lunchtime the rain had set in again so back to indoor jobs. Andrew and Joanna were out for the day so we went down with cow dog (Smudge) to round up the cows for milking. I think the weather meant they didn’t want to hang around so they were all queuing to get in within a couple of minutes. The rain continued on and off during the evening but they are forecasting another fine weekend ahead.
Here they come!
There’s always a straggler or two.
The final steps to summer pastures.
The annual orchid walk
Sunday was forecast to be sunny and warm at Bolehill Farm. I had the option of planting out more plants or going for a walk so I decided we would go for a walk. First down to Bakewell to get the paper then packed the rucksacks and headed off to Sheldon. With nature being so late this year we wondered if we had missed the show of cowslips and orchids in Deep Dale. Well the fields between here and Sheldon were full of yellow flowers – dandelions! As it was such a nice day the path was busy with walkers but when we got to Sheldon and picked up the path by the church (would like to have taken a photo as it is an unusual church but it was shrouded by trees) it quietened out. Where the path split we took the one across the fields rather than the one that headed to Shacklow steps. We had some nice views across the countryside and could make out the Hunting Tower at Chatsworth. Just before the descent to White Ladies Car park at the top edge of Shacklow Woods we stopped for lunch over looking Fin Cop on the other side of the valley. It was a steep descent, the walk profile looked like we fell off a cliff! On the way down (slowly) we met a couple of D of E groups making their way up. At the junction of paths we picked up the one into Deep Dale and were delighted that the orchids and cowslips were still out. The sign informed us that there were up to a million cowslips in the dale. Didn’t count them though! Although there were a number of walkers around it was by no means busy bearing in mind it was a nice Bank Holiday Sunday. We made numerous stops to take photos and before the path reached the Chelmorton road we took one of the paths back to Sheldon . This was the less steeper of the paths but we found we had to go through a field of cows with calves. Blue wasn’t happy and although the cows decided to follow us they kept a distance. We then walked across the fields with a number of stiles before reaching Sheldon and walked down the road to try the new tea room but it had closed. So we walked back up road to the village hall where they were doing cream teas. Pity Chris forgot to take a photo! Then the final stretch back to Bolehill including the uphill bit at Kirk Dale and then we were home. Just in time for the arrival of the days guests. A quiet evening in recovering from an enjoyable seven mile walk! Enjoy the photos.