Thursday was a bit more fresher and with our friends departing after lunch no walk today.  In the morning I went down to Bakewell with our friends as they wanted to get some bits to take home and I needed some bits for the weekend.  We noticed that the new kebab shop had opened but we did call in at the New Close Farm Shop.  After lunch Chris hosted the digital workshop in the games room and I did some housework.  Friday was a quiet day at our peak district cottages catching up on housework and washing.  Also gave my plants their weekly feed – that takes some time, but the baskets are starting to bloom and add colour to the courtyard.  Also did some preparation work for tomorrow.

After a seven mile walk on Tuesday I had planned another walk of similar length on Wednesday.  With another warm day forecast I was in shorts again, although Chris declined but took them with him just in case.  With our friends and dogs we headed for Ilam where we parked in the village and then headed through the grounds of Ilam Hall and down to the river Manifold.  We followed this upstream for a while before picking up the track to Casterne Hall. This is open to the public for a limited time during the summer months and has been used for films and photo shoots.  From here we carried on up across fields to Stanshope where we had the choice of walking to Milldale or Hall Dale.  We chose the latter and at the first shady spot we stopped for lunch.  For the most Hall Dale is a gentle descent to Dovedale but there is one tricky bit just before you emerge in Dovedale.  For midweek we were surprised at how busy it was, there was an A level Field Trip and we stopped and completed a survey for some of the pupils.  For a while I walked with some of the pupils and chatted to them about their work.  The Stepping Stones were very busy, mainly I guess because of the good weather, I was hoping for a photo opportunity but that was not to be.  As we crossed the fields heading back to Ilam I was starting to lag behind but managed to finish the walk.  After dropping our bags in the car we walked back to Ilam Hall for a cup of tea at the NT tearoom.  It has a wonderful view to Thorpe Cloud.  In the evening we went round to The Cock and Pullet at Sheldon near our peak district cottages.  The proprietors of New Close Farm in Over Haddon were there, they have just opened their new farmshop in Bakewell so I shall be calling in to see it.

Tuesday started cloudy but warm and I had planned a walk for us and our friends from Hathersage, a short distance from our peak district cottages.  We were able to park in the main car park then headed across the fields to Leadmill Bridge to pick up the path along the River.  This is a part of the Derwent Valley Heritage Walk and we headed in the direction of Bamford. There was some aerial activity which we couldn’t see because of the clouds but when something did emerge we thought it was one of the Red Arrows.  When the path crossed the main road we carried on following the path until we came to a intersection where we could pick up a path towards Bamford.  By now the sun was coming out so we found a shady spot where we could have lunch.  We then headed into Bamford via the old mill which like many in the area have been converted into flats and houses.  Out of Bamford we took paths that would eventually takes us back to Hathersage.  On this side of the river, as we were away from the river, the paths were more ‘undulating’ and the narrowest of kissing gates that we’d ever encountered that even poor Blue couldn’t work out how to get through it! As we neared Hathersage we had some nice views up to Stanage Edge and caught sight of North Lees Hall, which is reputed to be the inspiration for Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre.  In Hathersage we stopped for refreshments and a quick visit round the outdoor shops where Chris bought some shorts!  In the evening we went to Le Mistral in Bakewell where we had an enjoyable meal.

Sunday was predicted to be the hottest day of the year and it turned out to be just that.  It had felt warmer on Tuesday with a breeze on Sunday taking the edge of the perceived temperature.  In the morning we went down to get the papers and whilst in Bakewell we went and admired the well dressings. Sunday went in a mixture of tidying up loose ends from Saturday and accounts for end of quarter.  In the evening I suggested a picnic at Lathkill Dale so we made our way to our usual picnic spot after which we had a swift half at the Lathkill Hotel.  They had just finished taking down the well dressings in the village.  Monday was still pleasantly warm at out peak district cottages and in the afternoon our friends, who normally join us at Christmas, arrived for a few days so we had a BBQ in the evening with some of the meat bought at the Farmers Market.

Friday was another sunny warm day with one cottage out of our peak district cottages and one cleaner up.  With two sets of Australian guests in tomorrow (I got all the towels ready) as well as six other cottages I had to get a lot of preparation to do but also found some time to do bits around the house.  In the evening Chris went and helped clear the village hall and with Andrew’s help brought a lot of tables and chairs back. The sun shone again on Saturday with seven cottages out and eight back in and three cleaners came up.  First thing down to the Farmers Market for a quick dash round the stalls.  Next month it will be the 10th anniversary of the market. Cleaning was progressing well and first interviewee visited. Cleaning finished ahead of schedule.  Second interviewee did not turn up.  With it being so dry Chris did not cut the grass.  Rush of arrivals with seven cottages in by 3.30pm.  Final cottage arrived about 5pm.  After dinner went to Baslow Church for the summer concert by the Baslow Choir.  Good as usual with the Plague of Bells (from Eyam) hand bell ringers making a appearance.  Got caught in a shower coming back home, a welcome bit of rain.

Wednesday was an at home day and with the weather holding at our peak district cottages I washed another duvet.  Did some bits around the garden and put the last of the plants in – finally!  Chris tidied up the garage and sheds – we have said we will store some tables and chairs from the village hall while it is being rebuilt.  Unfortunately my Saturday cleaner will be leaving me this summer and I have placed an ad for a replacement.  I have started to get some phone calls and will see a couple of people on Saturday.  Meals al fresco again.  On Thursday went to Buxton in the morning for baking and a shop at Morrison’s.  After lunch Chris went to Over Haddon for his digital workshop and I went down to Bakewell for a hair cut.  In the evening went back to Buxton to the Opera House to see Bat out of Hell- The Symphony with the powerful voice of Steve Steinman.  We enjoyed him so much when we first saw him at Buxton a few years ago that we went to see him again – and still enjoyed it.

Pictures of the Youlgreave well dressings and flower festival.  The one of the butterflies is the Over Haddon well dressing, near our peak district cottages.  My handiwork is on the lower panel.

Another fine sunny day on Tuesday, feeling even hotter than yesterday.  With well dressings on display in Over Haddon and Youlgreave I thought we could do the circular walk from our peak district cottages that takes in both villages and Lathkill and Bradford Dales.  Rucksacks were lighter as there was no need for jackets and as it was warm enough I was wearing shorts!  I can’t remember the last time I wore shorts.  The only down side is that at every stile there seemed to be nettles and of course I can have allergic reactions to nettles.  As we set off Smudge bounced down the drive, probably delighted that he didn’t have to go in the car, as for Blue we had to put him on the lead as there were cows in the drive field.  When we got to Over Haddon we turned down the lane for the dale deciding we would visit the well dressing on the route back.  We crossed the river and walked up the other side towards Meadow Grange Farm.  At the top we stopped and admired the vista back towards Over Haddon and Bolehill Farm.  As we set off again we noticed Blue was limping.  We checked his paw and leg but couldn’t find anything and although we tried setting off again he was still limping so we decided to go back home.  At this point it was easier to go back to Over Haddon and I waited in the shade with Blue by the river with Chris walking back home with Smudge and driving back to pick us up.  We drove round to see the well dressing and I was pleased to see my bit was holding up.  After lunch we did a bit of gardening before driving over to Youlgreave.  The well dressings are usually very good and it is best to see them as soon as possible.  Sadly some of them seemed to be suffering from the effects of heat, or at least we assumed that as some of the clay had fallen away from the boards.  I was thinking of all the hard work that had gone into them.  We also had a walk around the church, the first time we had been inside as it had a flower festival.  Another dinner al fresco and it looks like the good weather will continue for the time being. Pictures to follow.