Author: Shirley Swaap

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Warning! A warm weekend approaches!

Well so we were told on Thursday.  Thursday was a quiet day with no arrivals or departures at our Bolehill Cottages.  The forecast had been for a wet day but all we saw was some drizzle although it stayed dreary. Took pictures of the remaining snow as I had expected it to go through the day but in the end it didn’t.  Made the most of the day to do some more accounts.  Chris went to Over Haddon in the afternoon for his digital workshop and later in the afternoon I popped down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  In the evening we went to the White Lion at Great Longstone for a meal.  Quite coincidentally our neighbours from Green Cowden Farm turned up for a meal too!  Friday started dreary again but brightened up enough for Chris to go out and get wet by jet washing patio furniture, although he did come in when we had a heavy hail storm.  Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner up.  I did some jobs in cottages and some more accounts as cottage didn’t arrive until 7pm.  A quieter week next week so planning to finish spring cleaning if can. By the time Friday evening arrived the forecast for the weekend had been downgraded.  Never mind.

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The first curlew

Monday was another dry day, nearly three weeks without rain at Bolehill Farm if you ignore the snow.  Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner up.  Both cottages here by 4pm which gave me time to phone a friend, cook dinner and then head off to the village hall for the committee meeting.  Tuesday was a quiet day at home catching up on paper work.  One departure and one cleaner up.  In the afternoon popped down town to get some provisions for the next few days.  On Wednesday there was another departure and a cleaner up.  We headed over to Macclesfield as I wanted to look at some furniture shops both for us and the cottages.  We were surprised at how little snow there was on the Cat and Fiddle road. On the way back we came via the A54 rather than Cat and Fiddle which gave us a change of scenery and the opportunity to see Blaze Farm near Wildboarclough, a farm now famous for its Hilly Billy ice cream it makes from its dairy herd (keep suggesting to Andrew he should go into ice cream!)  The farm was very busy with families enjoying the milder weather and the new lambs!  We stopped for lunch at the cafe in Monyash where we enjoyed our bacon butty al fresco!  Back home we spent a few hours tidying up in the garden and courtyard and made a note of casualties I will need to replace.  Luckily the plant auction takes in a few weeks time.  Whilst out in the garden I heard the first curlew of the season so spring must be on its way!  In the evening we went to Buxton House to see a back to back performance by Acker Bilk (in his wheelchair) and in theory Kenny Ball, although his son performed in his place.  Still it was an enjoyable evening.

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A walk in the dale

Sunday was forecast to be as nice a day as Saturday  so we thought we’d go for a walk down Lathkill Dale from Bolehill farm which we haven’t done for a while. With snow still piled up at the side of the road we cut across the fields but still had to climb over the gate onto the road as we could not open the gate.  The first snow on the path wasn’t until we got to the track from Mill Farm down to the dale at Haddon Grove. Once down in the Dale the only snow was on the north facing slopes so we had a nice stroll along the Dale all the way to Conksbury Bridge with a brief detour to Bateman’s House.  The river itself was running quite well and parts of the path that we would normally expect to be under water at this time of year were dry but there was also signs of plants emerging after their winter slumber.  For a while we walked with a family who also had two collies so the sight of four collies walking along the Dale in harmony must have been quite impressive.  At the weirs we found a pair of swans nesting so look forward to seeing their young soon. At Conksbury Bridge we picked the path up to Over Haddon, parts of this were still under snow, but parts were bone dry.  We stopped at the Lathkill for lunch and it was nice enough to sit outside and enjoy the view from the beer garden.  Another of the cottages were also enjoying lunch there.  On the way back we called in at our next door but one neighbours for a cup of tea and said hello to the cades (orphan/rejected lambs) so it was late afternoon before we got back.  The dogs had enjoyed the walk too so here are some photos.

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A busy weekend

Friday was another fine day at Bolehill.  Four departures and four arrivals and one cleaner up as a couple of cottages were already prepared.  With the snow last week my laundry wasn’t collected and to keep up with changeovers I have had to wash some bedding which also means I have had to do some ironing too! Luckily the laundry that was collected on Wednesday came back in the nick of time, just after 2pm, so still had time to make up final bed!  In the morning I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  Two cottages arrived between 3 and 3.30pm and the final two between 4.30 and 5pm, one has been before.  Chris arranged for Andrew to come and remove the pile of snow from the car park on Saturday. It will still be a few weeks before the cows come out, last year it was 14 April.  What farmers need now is some rain!  I noticed how dry and cracked the fields are when I took the dogs out for their evening walk. It was still light at 8pm!  Severn Trent have already issued a drought warning as although the reservoirs are 94% full because it has been so dry so far this year they are starting to get worried.  The Peak Park Rangers have also issued warnings but these are about snow overhangs, or cornices as I have discovered they are called.  Apparently along the Edges ones the size of washing machines have been falling off so they are advising walkers not to walk out onto them and if you are on a path underneath the Edges to be careful!  Saturday was a wonderful spring like day.  With no wind you could feel the strength of the sun.  One departure and four arrivals and two cleaners up and no problems encountered. We used the warmth to carry on clearing more snow and later in the afternoon Andrew came up and moved the pile from the car park to the field for melting.  More of my pots are visible but we have lost some shrubs.  Two arrivals between 3.30 and 4pm, one has been here as a B and B guest.  The remaining two cottages, both of whom have been before arrived between 4 and 5pm.  After tea took the dogs out and took the camera to get some shots of the sunset.  Here are some photos from Saturday.

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Midweek activities

Tuesday saw no departures at Bolehill but one arrival later in the day.  Time to catch up with accounts and kept busy with emails too.  Guests arrived about 6pm and after an early dinner we headed to Buxton for a evening of short films from the Kendal Mountain Festival.  Each year a selection of short films shown at the Festival are selected for a world tour and Buxton Opera House was one of the venues.  It was quite amazing looking at the limits some people push themselves to.  Mind you the journey to Buxton was interesting enough bearing in mind the snow drifts at the side of the road.  Still some milder weather is forecast for later in the week.  Wednesday was technically one of our days off but I couldn’t decide what to do so we went to Chesterfield for a look around the shops.  First we said goodbye to one cottage. Another sunny day but the wind took the edge of the temperature again.  After a walk round Chesterfield we had lunch then I had a stroll round Dunelm before we headed home.  We came back via Over Haddon to see what the road conditions were like.  As with other roads around here parts of the road were passable with care and in other parts there was nothing there.  There was evidence of melting during Wednesday so hopefully this will continue.  In the evening I went down to Joanna’s for this months WI committee.  Thursday was another dry and sunny day but with a cold wind again.  One departure and one cleaner up.  The morning whizzed by and in the afternoon we went to Sainsbury’s in Matlock as I haven’t done a supermarket shop for ages.  Enjoy the photos from Wednesday. 

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Hello April!

Sunday was a day to catch up with a few jobs round Bolehill but with an hour less!  Chris spent some time going round the cottages changing timers and clocks etc.  Another sunny day so more thawing but I have noticed that some of the drifts are now so hard that even I can walk on them.  Interesting to see how long they will be around for.  No departures or arrivals.  Monday was the first of April.   Would like to have put a picture of some new spring lambs here to cheer us all up, noticed Green Cowden have put some lambs out now but, have some more snow pictures instead!  Monday was cold and dull in the morning but brightened up in the afternoon.  Three departures and two arrivals and one cleaner up.  First cottage arrived about 3pm with second one about 6pm.  As the first financial quarter has just finished I have some accounts to catch up with, especially having been away for a week, and managed to get some done in the afternoon.  Here are March’s weather stats

Highest temperature 10.6 C on 5th, the day I was inside all day at the WI meeting!  Warmest day and night was the 3rd.  Lowest temperature was -5.1 C on 11th which was coldest day and night.  Wettest day was 15th with .39 in rain with a total of .94 for the month (.29 in rain 3/12).

 These two are of the Sheldon Road from our field

 

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Easter arrivals

So how did you spend Good Friday?  Chris and I spent a couple of hours in the morning clearing a paths through the car park and into the courtyard at Bolehill.  It meant that our departing guests could get their car up into the courtyard to load up.  It was the first car in the courtyard for a week!  When I took the dogs for a walk a farmer was clearing more snow from the road meaning cars can now drive on both sides of the road.  One cleaner up and the three cottages due in arrived between 3 and 4pm.  One is a regular visitor and the other two had not been here since we arrived.  At least the sun had shone for a lot of the day and helped loosen more snow where Chris had spread salt.  Saturday saw one departure and three arrivals.  Chris dropped me off in Bakewell, as my car was still snowed in,so I could go to the Farmers Market which was quite busy. Time to chat with some of the regulars and exchange snow stories.  The farmer from New Close Farm had been one of the tractors clearing the road earlier in the week as his son was stuck in Monyash and they are in the middle of lambing so they wanted him home!  Green Cowden have almost finished lambing, slightly earlier than expected, but the barns are getting very full as they can’t put any sheep out.  Andrew normally starts to put cows out mid April but as grass hasn’t started to grow yet he is going to be feeding them indoors for a lot longer.  On the way back we called in at Haddon Grove Cottages to see how they were doing and also I haven’t seen the state of the road from the cottages to Monyash since I’ve been back.  All cottages arrived between 3 and 4pm, two have been before.  During the afternoon stocked up on logs, still have to wheel them down by barrow as drifts are blocking the garden entrance and log store.  Also had a chance to chat some of the guests.  Another sunny day so more snow has gone and we can now get cars in and out of the car park and courtyard.  In the evening watched Dr Who as well as the Channel 4 programme Walking through History with Tony Robinson walking down the Derwent Valley having started off at Bakewell.  Spotted the Lathkil Hotel from his stretch from Ashford to Rowsley via Magpie Mine and Haddon Fields.  Here are some photos from Friday.

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Easter preparations

Wednesday was bright with a few snow flurries at Bolehill.  No departures but one arrival later in the day and one cleaner finally was able to get to us.  Both of us did some snow clearance around the cottages and the snow overhang fell from Dove roof, flattening some bushes in the process.   Will probably have quite a few plant casualties to deal with.  After lunch we went down to Bakewell to get some provisions. I had planned to do a big shop this week as well as a trip to the cash and carry but all that has gone by the board.  Down in Bakewell we could see they had started work on the Costa Coffee and we found a new cook shop had opened in one of the arcades.  The road up from Bakewell to Bolehill was fine apart from the last hundred yards or so where it became a bit narrower and the snow has frozen and made a rutted surface.  Cottage arrived about 8pm, they have been before.  They had to park in the field and Chris collected them.  Thursday was the same weather wise and when the sun did shine you could see more thawing taking place.  With having to cancel a number of bookings last weekend the cleaners have time to prepare cottages for the Easter weekend.  One departure and two arrivals and one cleaner up.  Chris had a final trip to do to Buxton before our tenants arrive on Saturday.  While he was away Andrew came up and cleared the bottom of the drive and also the road between us and him.  After lunch when Chris came back I spent some time clearing more areas around the cottages and brought a wheelbarrow load of logs down from the log store as it is the only way to get them to us.  We still can’t get through the garden gate at the front of the house.  Ian came up to clear the drive and car park and Chris supervised what needed doing.  They also cleared some more snow from the courtyard.  Enjoy the photos of the snow pile in the car park.  Wonder how long that will be there for!  Also been liaising with guests arriving over the next few days as to conditions so guests know what to expect.  We had hoped to be able to us the car park by the close of Thursday but the snow is quite compacted and Chris bought and spread more salt to see if that would help speed up the melting process.  During the afternoon heavy duty tractors cleared more snow from the road beyond Bolehill, the piles are higher than our wall and they have finally cleared the road from Sheldon to the main road.  We saw the the postman for the first time in a week!  Later in the afternoon there was an accident just beyond our gate involving a hay transporter where a car had gone into a snow drift and then another car had gone into the back of the car.  No-one was hurt.  This caused chaos as cars from Bakewell couldn’t get past and had to turn round and go back.  The same was true of cars travelling from Monyash.  Both cottages arrived between 7 and 8pm, one has been before.  One was brave enough to park in the car park.  Here are some pictures of snow clearance.

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Back at home

Arriving back at Bolehill on Monday we had not been home long when a cottage arrived.  They had a Landrover so were able to negotiate the tricky conditions.  In the morning three cottages that had been here over the weekend were able to depart after Andrew had been up to create a passage through the snow.   The cleaners had not been able to get up so Chris turned the cottage round.  There was still one cottage here for a few more days having arrived before the snow.   I could have gone to bowls, if the road had been passable, but cancelled.  It was the last one of the season.  The road to Monyash beyond our entrance had been blocked by drifting snow until Monday morning and on the local evening news they were advising not to travel north of Bakewell due to bad road conditions.  Chris had told ne about a car that had spent Friday night at the bottom of our drive and a lady from Monyash had left her car in our field and walked home.  On Tuesday morning I took my camera with me when I took the dogs for a walk and saw a tractor trying to clear more snow off the road to Monyash.  The road to Sheldon was still closed. We had a cottage to turn round as the cleaners could not get here and guests arrived about 4pm.  They had to park in the field as the car park is not yet clear so Chris collected them and the luggage and delivered them to the cottage.  Some welcome sunshine initiated a thaw so hopefully we have seen the last of the heavy snow but already our WI group meeting on Wednesday at Monyash and the WI quiz at Buxton on Thursday are cancelled.  Flagg races on Easter Tuesday has also been cancelled.  Typical, the first time in years we could have gone.   Here are some photos from Tuesday.

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A quick round up

Before I get up to date  I thought I would give a quick résumé of the couple of days at Bolehill before I went away.  Saturday was dull and cold with three arrivals and two departures.  One cleaner up.  Time to get away for lunch and we had a drive over to Hartington where a new cafe had opened, but unfortunately they were busy and short staffed so we had lunch in the Charles Cotton Hotel.  We then inspected the new chocolate shop (purchases made) and visited the Cheese shop and naturally bought some cheese.  All guests arrived between 4 and 5pm, two have been before.  In the evening we went to Buxton to see Blofeld and Baxter (from Test Match Special).  Although not into cricket I still enjoyed the humour. Sunday was similar to Saturday weather wise with one departure and one arrival.  One cleaner up.  Just before lunch we saw the Four Shires Hounds do one of their trails across our land.  They had started at a farm near Monyash and finished in one of Andrews fields.  A quiet afternoon getting ready for my trip and making sure everything was up straight for Chris.  On Monday morning there were two departures and one cleaner up.  Later in the day five arrivals were seen in by Chris, luckily three had been before. Chris dropped me off at Chesterfield after lunch and after a fraught journey I finally arrived at my sisters in Watford later in the evening.  Not for a few days of fun mind you, we had a number a number of things to sort out but did find some time for retail therapy!  Here are some photos from Sunday.