Another bright start and after our guests had departed we thought we’d go out for a few hours. Went down to Cromford Wharf for coffee then had a wander round Arkwrights Mill before heading round to Masson Mill for a bit of retail therapy. Back home at our derbyshire cottages for a bit of admin work (paying VAT, paying tax bills) before heading to Buxton. Amazed at how much snow there was still on the side of the roads and also on the pavements in Buxton. Had a meal at the Lone Star (a TexMex restaurant) before crossing the road to the Opera House. Tonight we came to see Kit and the Widow who have been described as Victor Borge, Flanders & Swann, Hinge and Brackett all rolled into one. They were very funny and I will never be able to listen to Nessum Dorma without thinking of the rendition performed tonight!
Author: Shirley Swaap
A lot going on Saturday 23 January
They said if you woke up to mist it would stay misty, but if you woke up to sun it would be sunny. We woke up to mist but within a couple of hours the sun was shining. One cleaner up today to turn round a couple of our peak cottages round in case of need. I took our friend down to Bakewell to the auction room. It was the first auction of the year, postponed from a few weeks ago because of the weather, and was a general and collectors sale. Plenty of interesting bits but we left before we found ourselves bidding for anything! Back home Chris was trying to sort out the fire problem. It ended up taking quite a few hours but hopefully it is sorted. He also fixed the water pipe up at the stables. Since before Xmas I have had to take water up to the chicken from the kitchen, firstly because the cold froze the pipes then we had a burst pipe so had to switch the water off up there. Now it is fixed I can leave water for the chicken from the stable tap. Usually Saturdays are very quiet for phone calls and emails but today was an exception. Encouraging.
A murky day Friday 22 January
A murky day outside but plenty going on, relatively. One cottage in our peak district cottages later in the day and having washed the curtains etc I had time to iron them and hang them back up. One cleaner up to turn cottage round. Another quiet weekend. Went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend during which time the guests arrived. In the evening the guests in the cottage came round to say that the log burning stove was making a smell so that is something for Chris to look at tomorrow.
A couple of quiet days Wednesday/Thursday 21/22 Jan
Wednesday saw the departure of one cottage from our peak district cottages. Helped Chris down with the last of the outside lights but otherwise the day went in jobs around the house and cottages. Have been cleaning throws and cushion covers and some curtains. Also took a number of bookings. On Thursday one of our friends arrived for a few days. I had spent the morning doing housework but also with the handyman up and doing some work in one of the cottages I took the opportunity to wash the curtains in there. In the evening we went to the Red Lion at Litton. There is still a lot of snow along the road sides and we still have snow lying in the lee of some walls. More cold weather is on the way.
Chesterfield Tuesday 19 January
A misty start at our peak district cottages which never really cleared. First thing our Banking Business Manager called in for a regular chat and review. Late morning we set off for Chesterfield with a long shopping list. Roadworks and accidents meant it took longer to get there than usual. A trot round the shops looking at microwaves, kettles (two went over New Year) and fridges. We did come back with a microwave and two kettles from Currys. Had a nice lunch at the Peacock coffee lounge before doing the rounds of Wilkinson’s and the likes. No time for Dunelm today but called in at Morrison’s on the way back. First time I have done a big supermarket shop since 8 December! No wonder my cupboards have been looking bare!
A better Monday 18 January
Something more like a normal Monday. One cottage out and one back into our pet friendly cottages. Postman arrived (he had made it up the drive on Saturday) and our rubbish got collected again after three weeks. The laundryman was able to get up the drive too. The cottage had already been cleaned so just had some checks to do. With access to cottages easier I was able to get some jobs done. Chris was able to get most of the outside lights down. After all the cold weather it almost felt spring like although in reality it was probably more like normal temperatures for the time of year. Our guests arrived about 3pm. In the evening Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and took a couple of the cottage guests with him. I caught up with end of year filing of paperwork and accounts before sitting down just before 10pm.
Some time off Sunday 17 January
A nice day was forecast and we felt we could do with a few hours off from our peak district cottages. First did a bottle bank run down to Bakewell and also got a paper. Still a bit icy in the courtyard. Then we decided what to do. A combination of icy tracks and soggy fields meant a walk was out so we drove over to Hathersage. Still a lot of snow around. It seemed like everyone else had the same idea too as initially we couldn’t find anywhere to park. We were thinking about coming back home when we found a space. We had a wander around Hathersage and a bite to eat at the Cintra cafe before returning home. We did see the Mountain Rescue Team head out too. One cottage departed and one arrived about 5pm.
The thaw continues 16 January
Woke up to rain again but also a landscape that was not completely white! Sheep will be happy. Icicles have gone now. One of our cleaners made it up today, she said the worst part was the last bit of our drive. She had plenty of problems in getting or not getting to her jobs over the last couple of weeks. Two cottages done, just as well as one of our Bakewell cottages was subsequently booked later in the day. Now that getting to most of the cottages is easier did a number of jobs in them (plus my daily checks). Also spent some time doing accounts.
Friday 15 January
Woke up to the sound of something we hadn’t heard for a long time – rain. So got wet when taking the dogs out. Will be a long thaw. As the rain gauge is frozen I could not tell how much rain we had had but later in the day I noticed it had started to register again. With one cottage due in to our peak district cottages we cleaned that before lunch. The handyman did not come up because he was helping sandbagging in Eyam. The frozen brook cannot take the water coming down from the hills so there is a risk of flooding in parts of the village. After lunch we went down to Bakewell. The drive was still a bit icy as was Andrews drive when we collected the post. The car park in Bakewell was also still quite icy but the streets themselves were fine. Guests arrived about seven and managed to get up the drive into the car park as did we when we got back from Bakewell.
The thaw begins? 14 January
The snow was still there when we got up on Thursday but by mid morning we could the sound of dripping as the snow began to melt and drip of the rooves of our peak district cottages. More worrying for the handyman was the icicles falling of the trees and hitting the velux window. Chris put some cardboard over the widow on the outside to lessen the impact. With one cottage due in Chris and I cleaned the required cottage. I think we make a good cleaning team. Perhaps an alternative career option to fall back on if needed! The guests managed to get up the drive and into the car park. Chris went and collected tho post from Andrews and managed to get the car back into the car park. Hopeful signs.