With no guests in or out of our Bakewell cottages another day to do bits in cottages and sort some more items for charity. Also went to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. One cleaner up to prepare cottage for tomorrow. On Saturday we had one cottage out and one back in. With cottage already cleaned we had a few hours to spare so we went to Buxton. It’s not often we go out on a Saturday and Buxton was quite busy, we only just managed to get a table for lunch. It’s times like this we remember why we don’t go shopping on a Saturday! Talking to Green Cowden Farm they will be lambing in earnest from next weekend, they already have a few early lambs out in the fields. Their sons have part time work in local pubs and hotels and they have gad a quiet start to the season too. Also our snowdrops are looking very good and we are going to try to get to Hopton Hall near Carsington Water this week as they have extended their opening times for the snowdrop season. Cottage guests arrived just after 5pm and with a sauna request and phone calls a busy evening before sitting down for CSI New York.
Author: Shirley Swaap
Leek
On Wednesday I went to Leek with one of the cleaners and a shopping list. I drove to Leek – getting very brave. There is still a lot of snow along the Buxton to Leek road but all the little bits of snow along our walls have finally disappeared. Came back with most bits. In the evening went to Joanna’s as it was WI committee. Today was another bright cold day. One cottage in to our peak district cottages who have been here before. One cleaner up to turn cottage round. Spent some time finishing off boxing up the old spare crockery for a charity which will collecting bits at the weekend. Chris went to Over Haddon for the digital photography. Could have taken a picture of a nice sunset.
More signs of spring?
Dithered over what to wear today as it looked so nice outside but the weathermen were warning not to be deceived. Still I could feel the warmth of the sun when I took the dogs for their walk and I went out with one layer less of clothes! Another sign of spring this morning when I heard the first curlew. No cottages in or out of our peak district cottages today so a chance to catch up with jobs around the house and cottages. Caught one of the guests sitting outside in the garden area! It was nice enough, even I was tempted to take a cup of tea and sit outside. Popped down to Bakewell to get some provisions and do some banking. First of this year’s new brochures have been delivered with the leaflets for Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall have arrived.
Hello March! Hello Spring?
What a lovely day. Although the air was cold there was some warmth in the sun and it felt like a spring day. We just need it to last! Two cottages out with one back in to our Bakewell cottages. One cleaner up and cleaning quickly done so we did some odd jobs in the cottages and made a shopping list for when we next go on a shopping trip. I replaced the crockery in another couple of cottages. Cottage arrived about 7pm and Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society.
Weather stats for February. Wettest day was 2nd with .34 in and total for month was 2 inches exactly. Warmest day was 5th with night before the warmest night. Highest temp was 6.4 on 5th and lowest temp was -3.9 on 22nd. Coldest day was 17th with the night of the 10th being the coldest.
and the weather forecast is
a bright Saturday with strong winds and rain possibly preceded by snow for Sunday. Saturday dawned bright but by the time I was leaving the Farmers Market it was a bit drizzly. Had a good time at the market as usual and I like the fact that many of the stallholders I visit every month recognise me. I always like to have a quick chat if I can. One cottage into our peak district cottages on Saturday and one cleaner up. By lunchtime it was quite misty and it never really cleared. Cottage arrived about 3.30, he has been here before. Our Dutch family left today. In the evening we went to Buxton to see a Led Zeppelin tribute band. Although not my kind of music they were enjoyable. With bad weather forecast for Sunday we had planned a day in. We are finishing off sorting out Chris’s parents affairs so it was a good a day as any to be at home. There were some initial flurries but by mid morning it had brightened up and the rest of the day remained quite pleasant, in fact a nice day for a walk!
More jobs done in the cottages
Thursday and Friday were relatively quiet at our Bakewell cottages, but we usually have a lull after the February half term before bookings pick up just before Easter. On Thursday one cottage departed and one cleaner came up. I finished hemming and hung the curtains for the main door and dining area in Sheepfold. Chris discovered there was a leak in the roof to the log store, we had been wondering why some of the logs were so wet, so now another job for Chris to do. Went down to Bakewell for some bits and pieces but most food I will get at the Farmers Market on Saturday. Chris went to Over Haddon for the digital workshop and I did some housework. On Friday we had one cottage out with two back in. One has been before. One cleaner up. Chris did some finishing off in Honeysuckle shower room where the pipework has been boxed in and new lino laid. I spent some time putting the new crockery into the empty cottages. First cottage arrived at 3.30 pm and second one at 4.30 pm. The forecast for Sunday is not good so we wait and see what happens.
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A girls night out
Wednesday stayed foggy but the temperature rose above freezing and the snow began to melt. Another day spent on curtains and chores around the house and cottages. Forgot to mention one cottage in to our peak cottages yesterday, a family from the Netherlands who are here for a few days. In the evening Joanna came and collected me and we went to The Ashford Arms in Ashford for the annual WI dinner. We had a good meal (they have an early bird menu of £8.95 for two courses) and I had the Chicken Hartington followed by the Raspberry and Whisky Gateaux. Yum. One of the nice things about these evenings is that I always find out a bit more about Bakewell. Before I forget the new film The Wolfman was filmed at Chatsworth House, the film has not been well received by critics but the special effects used on the house are supposed to be good. The Duke of Devonshire also had a ver interesting article n the Sunday Times Magazine.
Time to catch up
Three cottages out of our peak cottages on Monday with two back in. Dustcart got stuck on snow in the car park so Chris had to throw some grit down so it had traction. We got the cleaner to move her car just to be safe! Handyman up for a few hours too. Both guests in by 3.30 pm so spent some time on accounts. Tuesday was spent doing ‘running repairs’, pinning up curtain hems (most windows/doors are non standard sizes so most have to be adjusted), bits around the cottages and house. As I blog it is snowing again so watch this pace….(Chris has bought another snow shovel so it could be christened tomorrow!)
Pictures of yesterday.
Here are some pictures from our peak cottages of yesterday. One was taken from Derwent lounge window, and another from Lathkill lounge window.
Pictures from Lathkill Dale
Just a few pics including a dog getting washed. That’s the downside to their walks! We can show on a map where the walk is from our Bakewell cottages.