Wednesday started early at our peak district cottages with Blue scratching at the kitchen door at about 5am.  Assumed he needed a quick trip in the garden so donned wellies and overcoat and went out into a howling blizzard.  Could not believe how much snow there was.  Back inside I had just got the dogs settled and went into the office when the power went off.  This sent all the computers beeping and this sent Blue back to scratching the door.  Decided this is what must have spooked him in the first place.  Had to find the emergency torch and when I found that and got hold of Blue I realised I had lost Smudge.  Knew he had to be inside and found he had sneaked into the office when i was trying to find my way out.  Was a little while before they settled and I could go back to bed although I couldn’t get back to sleep.  When we got up we could see that there was a blizzard outside and we went to check the drive as we had two cottages departing.  Both at the top and the bottom of the drive the snow had drifted and as soon as we walked into the field we could feel the power of the wind.  I found it difficult to see as the snow was blowing horizontally but it was obvious we would need Andrew to dig us out and for the first time in bad weather the road was very difficult to drive on and as the morning went on it got a lot worse. We got a call from James at Haddon Grove Cottages who was stuck with some other cars near our entrance as by mid morning the snow had drifted across the road.  Chris went down and with some other drivers helped some cars that had gone off the road.  James came up for a coffee then set off back home to Sheffield via Over Haddon.  He had got to his cottages without too much of a problem as this side of Sheffield had not been hit so hard and neither had Bakewell.  We knew the A6 and A515 had already been closed as had the Buxton-Leek road and Snake Pass.  By lunchtime there were some abandoned cars along the road.  Some cars were turning round but others tried and persevered with some more ending up stuck or off the road.  Chris reported the situation to the council but during the course of the day neither a gritter nor a snowplough was to be seen.  It wasn’t until gone 3pm that Andrew could get to us and when the drive was cleared the cottages finally departed although we did give them the option of staying another night.  For the cottages already in most made the most of just relaxing and some walked round the fields to see what was happening and we did acquire a snowman!  I also checked our store cupboard just in case anyone needed some extra food!  Should have had a WI committee meeting in the evening but this was cancelled.  We measured 7 inches of snow on our patio table and because of the wind snow was banked up against walls but was patchy in other places.  The news did say that Derbyshire had been worst hit and that it had been the worst April snow for 30 years!  Chris has posted some pictures on Facebook but click here for some that I took.

Monday was unusual in that we had no departures but one arrival at our peak district cottages who have been before.  Usual jobs but we went to Buxton at lunchtime to get a few bits and had lunch out and back in time to greet guests.  A bit cooler and dull but stayed dry.  Chris went out in the evening to the Bakewell Photographic Society and I had the evening in with the dogs.  Tuesday started a bit brighter with showers forecast during the day.  One cottage departed and one cleaner up.  I spent the morning catching up on WI accounts.  Ian came up early afternoon, just after it started raining and helped spread the gravel around the courtyard and car park with Chris doing the raking.  It still needs raking in places but the rain was getting heavier so they stopped.  We also collected a replacement washing machine for the guests laundry area and Chris installed that.  A lovely sunset and some guests went out to enjoy it.  There had been a threat of snow on Tuesday but this had slipped back to Tuesday night and the amount expected to fall had risen from a covering in places to more of a general covering.

Talking of weather here are the statistics for March:
Warmest day was 28th with highest temperature 18C on 27th which had the warmest night
Coldest day and night was 4/3 with lowest temperature 0.3C on 6/3
We had .29 in of rain (March 2011 was also dry with .52 in) with wettest day4/3 with .25in.
After that it didnt rain for nearly four weeks!

Friday was still a pleasant day although more like it should be for the time of year.  With all the curtain washing a few days ago it meant there was a lot of ironing so I could put the curtains back up.  Two cleaners up to keep up with cleaning and one cottage in arriving about 8pm.  They have been before.  I spent a lot of the time during the day doing odd jobs in our peak district cottages.  We had a delivery of gravel which we hope to spread around the courtyard and car park early next week.  Saturday saw three departures with three arrivals and two cleaners up.  Chris and handyman finally finished roofing work.  A little cooler and suddenly that snow word has appeared in the forecast again.  All three cottages here by 4pm, all have been before.  Sunday was a sunnier day with three cottages in which were already cleaned.  Chris finished putting up the parasols around the cottages and also cut the grass.  I did the final checks in the cottages and put some hanging baskets with spring bulbs around the courtyard but otherwise a quiet day at home.  All cottages here by 4pm and all have been before.

It’s summer!  Out came the T shirts.  Make the most of it while we can.  So that meant Wednesday was washing, washing, washing!  Washed curtains and door mats and Chris and handyman carried on with roofing work at our peak district cottages.  Went down to Bakewell in the afternoon to get provisions for the next few days.  Had planned a supermarket shop but with good weather made the most of opportunity for outside work.  One cottage arrived later in day.  On Thursday, after two cottages departed, we went to the Heights of Abraham. With summer staying for one more day we thought it about time we visited it and dogs are welcome too.  Having done trains and trams the dogs can now add a cable car to their list of transport methods they have tried.  We drove to Matlock Bath and parked at the station then did the short walk to the entrance.  We naturally assumed that Blue would enjoy the ride and Smudge wouldn’t except it was the other way round.  Smudge looked out the window and Blue laid on the floor for most of the way.  I enjoyed the cable car ride which had far reaching views over the local countryside.  Reminded me of all the holidays we had in Austria.  At the top of the ride we made our way to the terrace cafe to have a drink and decide on our plan for the day.  We had a view down to Matlock Bath and could just make out he Pavillion.  First we visited the Who, Why What exhibition which had information about the estate and building of the cable car and you can try out a static emergency rescue equipment.  (Don’t fancy trying the real thing!)  We had a look at the exhibition of aerial photos of the Peak District and noticed it was nearly time for one of the tours down the Great Masson Cavern.  I let Chris do this whilst I stayed with the dogs.  I did have a look at the film tour of the cavern so for those who feel claustrophobic you can see inside it without having to go in.  The tour lasts about 30 minutes and I walked with the dogs to where the tour exited on the hillside to wait for Chris.  This meant leaving the park for a few minutes but we sat in the sun admiring the view wishing we had brought a packed lunch with us (didn’t to save on bringing a rucksack).  From our spot we could see Crich Stand, Riber Castle and along the Derwent Valley towards Chatsworth.  Back to the park we made our way to the Prospect Tower which we climbed to get some views over the area.  We then walked down the hillside past the summer house, the oldest building on the site and to the lower cafe area where I had an ice cream before I visited the Nestus mine which was an old lead mine.  A late lunch and a final look round the facilities which make for a great family day out with the Children’s Woodland Adventure area and Explorers area so activities for children too.  Took lots of photos. Eventually we took the cable car back down and had a walk along the promenade at Matlock Bath before heading to Matlock.  Here we called in at Sainsbury’s to do some shopping then back home.  Back to Spring tomorrow.  Goodbye summer.  Come back soon!

It’s not often we go to Bakewell Market but decided we would make the trip on Monday.  One cottage out with one back in later in the day and one cleaner up.  Another fine day with the mist in the valley making for some nice photos.  It was quite busy by the time we got to the market mid morning but we had a wander around and stopped for coffee.  Back home in time for lunch on the patio again.  Guests arrived about 4pm and after dinner I went down to Over Haddon for the final session of indoor bowls.  I’ll be going back in the autumn.  Tuesday was a very warm day and I had arranged to go to Leek with one of my former cleaners.  We had a great day with a good old natter and I actually bought myself somethings!  Back at our peak district cottages Chris and the handyman started the annual check and work on roofs while the weather was fine

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Sunday started bright and sunny and first thing the mist as settled in the dales making for some nice pictures from our peak district cottages.  With the clocks having changed Chris had his changing clock routine to go through.  One cottage departed and we decided to go to Haddon Hall as it had a Peak District Artisans Fair with a nominal entry fee to Haddon Hall.  On the way there we did some recycling.  We have never been to Haddon  Hall so early in the year and with trees not yet in leaf a lot more of the Hall was visible so we took a lot of photos.  We had also watched the John Sergeant programme on photography the previous night and seen the photos of Haddon Hall (as well as Chesterfield and Eyam).  We had a good look at the wares on display and I bought some cards.  The only disappointment was that the gardens were not open as it would have been nice to see the views from the terrace.  After a late coffee we set off back for home through Bakewell which was very busy but before we reached home we called in to Green Cowden Farm to see how lambing was going on.  Whilst we were there a sheep gave birth to two lambs but we stayed a distance so as not to frighten her.  I tried taking some pictures of the cades (rejected lambs or a triplet that cannot be cared for by mum) but they were bouncy so none of my photos came out well.  Chris has put his good one on Facebook.  The weather is good enough for the lambs to go out into the fields in a couple of days and there are already some out. Back home had lunch on the patio with the clearest of views before our guests arrived, they had been before as B and B guests a number of years ago.  Time for some jobs around the house before sitting down for the evening.

Here are the pictures from Haddon Hall

Friday started foggy again so dogs were on leads for their morning walk but the mist had evaporated by lunchtime and it was another fine afternoon.  No departures with one arrival but with cleaning up to date no cleaners at our peak district cottages. A trip down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  A day to catch up on some odd jobs and prepare for the weekend.  A couple of packages arrived with most of this years leaflets so I spent some time putting those in the leisure area and removing last years ones.  Cottage arrived about 4pm.  Saturday started quite foggy again and like Friday it had cleared by lunchtime.  A busier day with five departures and two arrivals.  No-one seemed in a hurry to depart and eventually the two cleaners were able to make a start.  Cottages arrived between 4 and 5 pm, one has been before.  A quieter week ahead before Easter so last chance to get some jobs done.  Andrew has been working away over the last week or so getting the fields ready for the cows to come out.  There has been slurrying, fertilising and chain harrowing going on so I am waiting for my phone call to let me know the cows have been released for the summer.

As promised Thursday was a fine day and at last we went for a walk.  Sandwiches and dogs packed we set off via Hartington to Alstonefield not far from our peak district cottages.  Just out of Monyash I got Chris to stop the car so we could take a picture of a lamb lying on its mum’s back.  It was alive as it jumped off just after we went.  At Alstonefield we parked in the little (voluntary donation) car park.  From here we walked to the church and picked up a path heading south out of the village.  Down a steep bank (with an alternative route) then picking up a track towards Stanshope I realised we had done the walk before but I couldn’t remember when.   From Stanshope we headed down Hall Dale to arrive at Dovedale.  At this point we digressed slightly from the planned route as we should have walked south a little and crossed the bridge to the right hand side of the river but there was a path on the left hand side too (not passable after heavy rain so the sign said) so as it has been dry we thought we would try it.  The advantage was we were the only ones on this side of the river but the disadvantage was that it was a lot more rocky with a few and not level.  We got a good view of the caves known as Dove Holes and when we found ourselves on an elevated spot we had lunch before  reaching Milldale.  The path continued to climb before a steep drop down into Milldale so I came down very slowly for the last few yards, on my rear for a part of the way, muddy trousers are better than a broken ankle!  We walked over the Viators bridge, made famous by Izaak Walton in his book The Complete Angler, and had a look at the millrace with others enjoying the warm spring sunshine. I then remembered the last time we had walked here was on a New Years Eve not long after we had moved here.  The last stretch back to Alstonefield involved a steep climb so we took that slowly until we could see the church.  We had some nice views back to Dovedale.  On the way back we stopped at Hartington to pick up some cheeses and at Monyash w stopped for an icecream!  In the evening Joanna collected me and together with our WI President we went to Buxton for one of the rounds of the annual Derbyshire WI quiz.  We were one short in our team but manged third place just two points behind the winners, it was that close.  Well, there’s always next year!  Anyway, enjoy the rest of the photos of the day’s walk