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Spring has sprung!

Short sleeve tops, washing outside and cows in the fields at Bolehill!  Swallows swooping overhead and the sun not setting until 9pm.  Well spring has truly arrived and there may be more to come.  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  A pottering day for me and Chris oversaw the installation of a canopy over one of the cottage doors.  He also went to the dentist. Early in the evening we went down to Bakewell to vote and came back via Over Haddon where we had a beer tapas enjoying the views over Lathkill Dale and beyond before heading back home.  Friday was a bit cooler but still pleasant.  Three departures with two arrivals and one cleaner up.  I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the weekend, it was busier than it has been of late.  Chris was busy doing a number of painting jobs and cutting the grass.  First cottage arrived at 3.30pm and second one at 5pm. Had a minor diversion in the afternoon when a kite being flown by one of the guests got caught up in the power cables crossing Andrews fields.  I phoned the Electricity company and they sent someone out to cut the kite down!

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A walk on the Edges

Wednesday had been forecast to be a fine day at Bolehill but by Tuesday it had changed to clouding up by lunchtime with the possibility of showers in the afternoon.  Despite this we opted to go for a walk.   I had chosen one of the classic Peak District walks based on the Edges but with an extension should the weather hold.  It was certainly a warm morning, we even removed our jackets on the walk.  We parked at the (currently free) car park by the Robin Hood Inn and picked up the path below Birchen Edge.  We haven’t done this walk for a number of years and last time we did it was winter and the ground was boggy in places so I thought with it being so dry we wouldn’t have to worry about wet boots.  We kept to the lower path although we could have climbed up to the ridge and had a closer looked at the Nelson monument and the Three Ships Stones (named after Nelsons Three Ships).  The area that could have been boggy was fine and we crossed the Baslow-Sheffield road and picked up the bridleway leading up to the Wellington Monument.  On the way we passed some Longhorn cattle, the guide stoop on the old Chesterfield road and a new stone sculpture.  By the time we got to the Wellington monument it had clouded up but we decided to add Baslow edge to the walk rather than head back to the car.  First we admired the view to Chatsworth and considered it an option to watch the Red Arrows from when they appear at Chatsworth later in the summer.  By the time we had walked along Baslow Edge the sun had come back out again.  We picked up the path below Baslow Edge which again can be quite boggy but apart from a few little damp spots it was easy going under foot.  We lunched at a nice sunny spot on one of benches along this part of the walk, if we stood up we could see Chatsworth. We then started walking back up to the Wellington monument but before reaching it picked up the path that descended through Yeld Wood to the Sheffield Road.  We had to pass the couple of houses that have their own bridge from the road.  As we walked up to Gardoms Edge it felt very warm again we had some lovely views of the local area including Nelsons Monument and the Three Ships.  As it was such a nice afternoon we stopped at Hassop Station for afternoon tea and had a nice piece of cake.  Some more cows were out out and stayed out overnight.  In the evening it was my turn to host the monthly WI committee meeting.  Enjoy the photos.

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I’ve never felt so disheartened…

…on letting the cows out Andrew said on Monday morning.  Well it was a dreary morning at Bolehill although it did brighten up. So the cows are now out during the day time with what little grass there is. Monday saw one departure and two arrivals, both have been before.  One cleaner up and the day just seemed to fly past with no opportunity to get much else done.  Guests arrived between 3.30 and 4.30pm. At least I took some bookings in the evening.  Tuesday was a fine day.  Chris went over to Buxton in the morning for some gas safety check and when he got back I went to Sainsbury’s in Matlock.   Spent the morning catching up on WI accounts and housekeeping duties. One departure in the morning.  Early forecasts indicate we could have some nice weather over the weekend.  That would be nice but here are Aprils weather stats anyway.

Highest temp 15.6 deg C on15th with lowest temp -2.2 on 2nd
Warmest day was 24th and night 15th with coldest day 2nd and night 1st
Had a mere .65 in rain with wettest day 12th with .14 in rain compared to 3.21 in rain April 2012
The sun is getting stronger with a UV of 7.7 on 24th

Here are some pics from Monday

 Cows in the field
Blue finds something interesting in the bushes

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The Bakewell Food Festival

Saturday was the first day of the Bakewell Food Festival.  As last years was considered successful it had been extended this year to two days.  It also coincided with the Farmers Market so first thing I went down to Bakewell and wandered round the market before wandering round Bakewell and having a look at the various stalls.  Needless to say I came back with all sorts of food for the next few days! I also went and had a look at the Hartington School of Food where they run cookery courses.  Back at Bolehill there had been one departure and one cleaner up.  Four arrivals due in but two cottages already cleaned and as I had done some final checks on Friday there wasn’t a lot for me to do which gave me a chance to catch up on some paper work.  All cottages arrived between 3 and 4pm, three have been before. On Sunday morning we went down to Bakewell to pick up the paper and for a change parked and had a wander round.  This gave Chris a chance to look at the food stalls as well as try out the Costa Coffee (for QA purposes only!) As we were leaving there was a TVR rally driving past, now that spring is here we will see more car processions like this in the area.  I have also noticed that DofE walkers are back too.  Jobs around the house in the afternoon and it even rained a little bit in the evening.

 The earth in the fields
Very late daffodils
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Getting on with jobs

Wednesday was another fine day at Bolehill.  I can report that Costa Coffee has opened in Bakewell.  One arrival and one cleaner up.  Later in the morning we took the empty hanging baskets over to the nursery at Buxton and Chris got some supplies from the electrical wholesalers.  Had time for lunch in Buxton before getting back for guests arrival, they have been before.  Andrew was out checking the state of the stone walls, they have suffered more than usual this winter and will need to be done before cows can come over to this side of the road.  Andrew reckons farmers are about a month behind and keeping cows in is costing money in feed but the grass is not growing.  We have only had half an inch of rain this month.  After guests arrival we finalised and paid the quarterly VAT return.  Later on Joanna collected me and we picked up another couple of WI ladies and headed to Monyash for our group WI meeting.  After a  lovely supper our speaker cheered us up with a talk on Morecambe and Wise with some clips from shows.   I won a prize in the photo competition!  Thursday was a quiet day so I caught up on accounts.  In the evening we joined one of the cottages for a drink and a natter.  Friday was a lot cooler although still bright and dry.  Four departures and one arrival and Chris and I turned round the cottage after I went down to Bakewell.  Both of us had jobs to do around the cottages and I now only have a couple of jobs left to finish the ‘spring cleaning’.  Guests arrived at 3.30, they have been before.  Found time for some paperwork before tea after which I took the dogs for a walk as it was a pleasant evening.

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A walk from Eyam

The week at Bolehill started with three departures and three arrivals and one cleaner up.  Chris went down to the market in Bakewell whilst I finished off in the cottages.  Two cottages arrived at 3pm and one at 4.30pm. Another nice day although it clouded up in the afternoon.  In the evening I went to the village hall for a pre AGM meeting and acceptance of the annul accounts.  Apparently I missed an unusual sunset.  As Tuesday was forecast to be a fine day I scheduled us in for a walk.  I had selected a six mile circular walk from Eyam heading to Foolow then Grindlow and back to Eyam which was quite gentle but with a number of stiles.  Although we had the blue skies, sun and warmth we also had a keen wind.  We parked in Eyam in the free car park ( yes, there are still some free car parks around) and walked passed Eyam Hall (now managed by the National Trust) before heading up New Road and out of Eyam towards Foolow.  The path followed field paths and green lanes all the way to Foolow and we had views up to Eyam Edge and Bretton and across to Longstone Edge in the other direction.  The dogs were able to stay off the leads for most of the way as we encountered no livestock and the stiles were all easy as the walk had two dozen to cross!  At Foolow we walked through the hamlet and then took another path across fields to the hamlet of Grindlow.  Here we picked up a minor lane down to a silly place to have lunch.  Silly Dale!  Silly Dale was sheltered from the wind so we found a spot for lunch where we had views up and down the dale.  We could also see a few gliders from the gliding club.  At Stanley House we started on the return journey to Eyam.  At this point we had a good view to the Peter’s Stone in Cressbrook Dale.  There were sheep and lambs in the first few fields so the dogs stayed on their leads and we also passed Brosterfield Hall where the dogs went for their training, I wonder if that’s why Smudge paused for a moment.  We had a short bit of road to walk on before walking along the A623 for a couple of hundred yards.  We picked up the final path to Eyam which skirted an old quarry and before we knew it we were back at the car.  We thought we would stop at the cafe at Monsal Head for a cup of tea but it was closed so we went onto to Ashford and had a cup of tea and piece of cake there.  Enjoy the photos.

 Looking back to Eyam
 Heading to Foolow
Looking up to the Barrel Inn at Bretton
 Foolow Cross
 View to Wardlow from Silly Dale
 A quiet moment
 Peter’s Stone
 Posing for the camera!
Former quarry
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A little bit of this and a little bit of that

That’s the weekend at Bolehill summed up then.  Saturday was another dry sunny and spring like day.  One departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. So by mid morning everything was ready which gave us the rest of the day to get with lots of jobs.  Chris cut the grass for the first time and touched up some paint on door thresholds and outside furniture as well as more power washing of outside furniture.   I did some more jobs on the spring cleaning lists in empty cottages, nearly finished this years jobs now, as well as a bit of plant culling.  Two weeks to the plant auction!  I also did a number of jobs around the house which gets neglected during the first couple of months when we concentrate on the cottages.  Guests arrived at 4pm, they have been before.  In the evening I took the dogs for a walk, noting just how cracked the earth is in the fields and enjoying a peaceful sunset.  Initially I had hope we would get a walk in on Sunday but the closer to Sunday we got the quicker the rain was forecast to arrive.  So as Chris had a few jobs in the cottages to get done it was another day of a little bit of this and that.  In the end the rain didn’t arrive until late afternoon so we could have gone for a walk but never mind.

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Busy bees!

Wednesday was a breezy day at Bolehill, starting misty but brightening up.  A busy morning for the cleaner and me, washing carpets, curtains and other cleaning jobs.  In the afternoon I collected the hanging baskets from the garden and put them in the garage as we’ll be taking them to the nursery soon for filling.  Also popped down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next few days.  The hoardings are down from Costa Coffee but no indication of an opening date yet.  Back home Andrew was up fertilising our fields and called in to say he had found a canary in the fields.  Well we do get all types of wildlife here!  Wednesday night was very breezy as was Thursday morning.  In the morning I went to the Village Hall for a Hallmark 2 Meeting which the Village Hall is trying to attain. One cleaner up to carry on with jobs.  After lunch Chris went to the Village Hall for the digital workshop and with it being so pleasant I was tempted outside to do some jobs.   Quiet day for phone calls and emails until I decided to sit down for the evening but at least I got a last minute booking for the weekend.  Friday was another pleasant day but with a chill in the air.  No departures but three arrivals.  No cleaner as her mum had been taken ill so that left me to finish off making up a couple of cottages.  First of all I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  A couple of bookings during the day too.  Electrician up again as well.  Two cottages arrived between 3.30 and 4pm, both have been before, with final cottage arriving about 9.30pm.

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Spring is here?

Monday was a lovely day at our Bolehill cottages.  Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner up. Took advantage of the mild weather to wash some door mats and the cleaner found time to wash some carpets.  Electrician was back to carry on with his testing work.  I also did some jobs from my spring cleaning list in the cottages.  Guests arrived about 4pm and I then did some paperwork .  Andrew started fertilising his fields, a sign things are getting ready for the cows to come out. In the evening Chris went to the photographic club in Bakewell and I caught up with some TV programmes I wanted to watch (that Chris didn’t).  Tuesday was yet another lovely day.  Again one departure and one cleaner up but no arrivals.  Electrician back again too.  After guests departed I headed off to Over Haddon where I collected one of the WI ladies and we headed to Ashford where we attended a WI event.  Here along with 100 or so other Derbyshire WI ladies we had a morning learning about fruit growing with an afternoon session on baking fruit dishes (with a lovely WI buffet lunch) in between!  Back home had a number of phone calls and emails to deal with and found time to talk to my friend in Yorkshire.  Nice to look out and see green fields again and I’m sure the daffodils are finally starting to grow!

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A cooking weekend

Since we went to Tideswell, about twenty minutes away from Bolehill Farm, last May for the food festival I have been looking for a suitable course to attend.  In the end I opted for a weekend Foundation Course to brush up on my general cooking skills .  So on Saturday I left Chris in charge and headed off to Tideswell for the day.  Here with seven others, a mix of male and female. and ranging in age from 16 to 60’s we set about preparing and cooking a range of dishes, some of which we enjoyed at lunchtime and the rest I brought back for our tea!  Chris saw to the four departures and three arrivals with one cleaner here.  When I got back later in the afternoon I went and caught up with the guests who had arrived, two cottages have been before.  The sunny morning had given way to a wet evening, there is hardly any snow left in the fields now but I was surprised at how much snow was up at Wardlow near Monsal Head, but it is more exposed there.  Mind you with a mild Saturday night most had gone by the next morning.  On Sunday I had a second day at Tideswell and again came home with some prepared dishes that did us for both Sunday and Monday nights.  An exhausting but enjoyable weekend!

 sticky toffee puddings
 bread rising
 Thai chicken coconut soup