On Tuesday we went to York to sort out the last administrative bits before handing Chris’s parents bungalow back to the housing trust and we had enough time for a little walk around York. Wednesday saw two more cottages arrive at our Derbyshire cottages, both of which have been before. One cleaner up this morning. One cottage arrived just after 4pm and one just after 7pm. A busy evening with a number of phone calls whilst trying to cook and eat dinner. Thursday saw the first time in over a month where we had a window of opportunity for some time off. Deciding the fields were too wet for a walk we opted for a trip to Ashbourne. Got usual chores out of the way first and in the end it was gone midday before we left. We headed first to Fairways Garden Centre just to the south of Ashbourne. The cafe has a good reputation but not only was it busy there was a young mums meeting which meant it was very noisy so we opted for lunch back in town. Not before we had a browse around the garden centre though. On the way back to Ashbourne we stopped at Homebase and had a quick look around the M&S Food that has opened since we were last here many months ago. In town we headed for Patrick & Brookbanks for a belated lunch. After that I made some purchases from their deli including one of their own Xmas puddings which we think are the best we have ever tasted. A wander around town then back home for a roast dinner!
Author: Shirley Swaap
A wet Monday 23 November.
The forecast was for a dry and bright day with a few showers but obviously the weather decided not to comply. When I took the dogs out just after 9am it was fine and when Chris asked what the best day would be for outdoor tasks I said today. By 10am it was raining, it was still raining at 11.30 am when the rubbish was collected and still raining still at 1.30 when the laundry was collected. By now we had had over 3/4 in rain. On the local news in the evening they showed the damage left by a tornado in Derby. No-one was hurt. Four cottages out of our peak district cottages this morning with none back in. One cleaner up to start cleaning cottages for mid week arrivals and strip beds for the laundry. The postman brought next years Peak District Visitor Guide, normally it arrives just before Christmas. Had thought about going to Bakewell market but guessed they would close early. Spent a bit of time with Chris going round the empty cottages making a list of things to do over the next few months when we have vacancies. We had done this on Saturday too. Booked some advertising space in the Country Walking Magazine, will probably booked some space in the WI Magazine too. Get plenty of phone calls from publications looking for our money!
A wet weekend 21/22 November
With the forecast of a wet weekend a time to catch up with various matters. For Chris it was probate matters and for me various bits around the house. Also time to catch up on a few episodes of Spooks. On Saturday there was one departure but no returning guests but one cleaner up as guests are arriving on Sunday. The guests arrived late on Sunday, they have been here before.
A busy Friday 20 November
With one cottage out but five back into our Bakewell Cottages a busy day lay ahead. An early trip to Bakewell for provisions for the weekend. Checked out the river which was fast flowing but no defences in view. Back in time for departing guests and one cleaner up to finish cottages needed for today. The news at lunchtime was worrying with flooding in Cumbria. All cottages ready in time and all guests in by 4.30. Three have been here before. A quiet evening and for the first time for a few nights not kept awake by the wind.
Update Wednesday/Thursday 18/19 November
A quiet day on Wednesday finishing off work in a cottage. One cottage into our peak district cottages today and one cleaner up to turn cottage round. Thursday was also quiet and for the first time in weeks Chris was able to go to Over Haddon in the afternoon for the digital workshop. I was able to to start catching up on accounts which have fallen behind with the events of the last month or so. Also I started to look into the books and role of Treasurer of Over Haddon WI seeing as I am now Treasurer having been voted into the role in my absence last week albeit with my permission. In the evening we met up with the previous owners of Bolehill for a meal. We went to Nonna’s, a recently opened restaurant in Chesterfield. A very nice meal in very nice company.
At Home 16/17 November
Two cottages out this morning with one cottage back into our peak district cottages later in the day. One cleaner up. Usual Monday tasks with laundry and waste collections. With a dryish day forecast more pointing got completed. Minor flooding in the area reported by guests and with more rain forecast will have to keep an eye on the rivers. Cottage arrived about 3pm. Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and I did some housework. One cottage out on Tuesday and I went to Waitrose in Buxton. Final pointing work completed so some internal jobs to finish off before guests arrive on Friday. In evening went across to one of the cottages for a sociable few hours.
Comings and goings 14/15 November
No departures on Saturday from our Bakewell cottages but two arrivals, both arriving around 3pm. One has been here a few times before. One cleaner up and the handyman was up again this morning as work on Bluebell progresses. Friend and I went to the Peak Village Outlet later in the day where, unbeknown to us, it had been the switch on of Xmas lights. It was quite busy and there were some real reindeer there too! A quiet evening in. Sunday was a bright and breezy day so the handyman was up again to do some more pointing work. One cottage out and friend went home. Quite a few flocks of starlings around too but the dogs don’t seem interested in them. More cows going back home and sheep should be here at end of the month. Time to catch up on some jobs around the house.
Latest happenings at Bolehill Farm 12/13 November
My blog for Monday & Tuesday has slipped in before Saturday in case you cannot see it. One cottage arrived on Wednesday. Thursday was another murky day and the lads finished off the pointing on one part of the wall before the rain started. They were able to cover it with a hessian sheet to protect it. A quick dash to Buxton in the morning and a trip to Bakewell in the afternoon, primarily to get my hair cut. Friday was busier with four cottages out of our Derbyshire cottages and two back in. Chris and the handyman did some more work on the pointing before doing some internal work. The forecast was for bad weather to be here by lunchtime but in the end it did not arrive until the evening. Both guests were in well before then. Friend and I headed off to Dunelm at Chesterfield in the evening but I had to drive back in the pouring rain.
The wonders of the internet Sunday 8 November
A quiet day with one cottage out of our peak district cottages. Went down to Bakewell to get the paper and after coffee discussed some plans for a bedroom revamp in one of the cottages. I had sourced a new wardrobe on the Internet but investigating further I found it had poor reviews so I thought I would use the Internet to find another one. I thought it wouldn’t take long but it took hours! I was amazed at the variety of websites that sold wardrobes but bearing in mind there are size restrictions in the bedroom this did prolong the search. This was successful in the end so we will have to see what the end result is. During the afternoon the previous owners called in and we had a sociable couple of hours.
Wot no arrivals? Saturday 7 November
For the first time in ages we had no guest in on a Saturday. With two cottages out of our peak cottages one cleaner came up as we have a number of arrivals on Monday and it was best to keep up to date with cleaning. The handyman came up and helped move the new mattresses into the cottages. Also with two cottages to be taken out of use for a couple of weeks for maintenance there was time for them to plan the work – weather permitting. I made use of some free time to catch up with jobs and having offered some items on ‘Freecycle‘ some were collected this afternoon. A pleasant day – could have gone for a walk if we had thought about it – and the evening also stayed dry for the many firework displays in the evening albeit a bit breezy. Had thought about getting tickets for the display at Chatsworth House but with the initial forecast for Saturday being wet, tickets had sold by the time I was happy with the forecast. This year we went to Eyam (the plague village). Here their display was different. It started with a torchlit parade through the villae with an effigy of a rat. This was placed on the bonfire which literally went off with a bang. Whether this was because bangers were in the rat or the bonfire we don’t know. This was followed by a firework display. Some thought the fireworks were disappointing but I enjoyed it anyway.