Wednesday was the day of the Ashover (Agricultural) Show but the forecast was for a day of heavy rain although it was dry in the morning with threatening skies.  We couldn’t make up our mind whether to go or not but in the end set off for Chesterfield with a view that we could always go on to Ashover.  In the end we didn’t and in the end the rain didn’t start until about 2.30.  Never mind there’s always next year! (Apparently Sky TV were there filming for a new comedy series and also were in Matlock on Friday).  Thursday and Friday saw housework and odd jobs with a trip down to Bakewell on Thursday afternoon followed by a trip to the Peak Village Outlet Center.  I thought Bakewell was busy as usually Thursday afternoon is quiet.  Both Thursday and Friday were disappointing weather wise and overall it has been a disappointing week for our guests at our peak district cottages.  No consolation that the forecast is better for next week.

Here are a couple of the photos but to see the rest follow the link. Hopefully we will get a chance for another heather walk from our peak district cottages soon.

First Monday for ages with no guests so used the day to pay this months bills and keep accounts up to date.  With Tuesday forecast to be a nice day I planned a walk on the Roaches but had a chat with Sally Mosley who organises walks in the area and she suggested Abney Moor if we wanted to see some heather.  We haven’t walked up there so it was an opportunity to explore another part of the peak district.  We parked just outside the hamlet of Abney not far from Hathersage and our peak district cottages and picked up the path above Abney Clough down to Stoke Ford.  We have been at this point before when we did a walk from Eyam, at this point Abney Brook and Bretton Brook converge and become Highlow Brook.  We followed the path parallel to this until it went down to the brook.  Up and past Highlow Hall where we once stayed many years ago when it was a B&B before we had even thought of moving to the area.  Across the road to Abney and picked up the track round to Offerton Hall.  As we walked along the track there were some stunning views of the Hope Valley and we could see the heather on the hills.  At Offerton Hall we picked up the bridle path and then a minor footpath up onto Abney Moor.  Here there were extensive tracts of heather although some had been burnt off after last season.  We found a nice spot to have lunch although we had to put the dogs on their leads at one stage as they kept running after the gliders they could see in the distance.  The path back to Abney was a bit indistinct at times but we were soon back at the car.  With the Derbyshire and Lancashire Gliding Club the other side of Abney we went to have a look.  One of my WI colleagues works there but it was her day off but we stayed and watched a few take off and land.  After that we drove back to Hathersage for afternoon tea at the Riverside cafe and then onto the agricultural merchants at Brough for some weedkiller.  A quiet evening in with a surprise visit from Andrew and Joanna with a special request.  Watch this space!

Saturday started dry but clouded up mid morning to brighten up in time for guests arrivals.  All eight in today with six cottages out and three cleaners up.  Once again an early start to cleaning which led to a timely finish for both the cleaners and myself.  It brightened up enough for Chris to give the lawns a tidy up cut as it had not grown much this week.  Six of the cottages arrived between 3 and 4 pm with one arriving about 5pm and the final cottage, from Belgium, at 7pm.  Two cottages have been before and one is in for 10 nights.  Felt a little fresher in the evening and Sunday was on the whole fair with some showers in the afternoon.  A quiet day for us but found the time to do the advert for next years Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Visitor Guide.  With no guests in or out until next Saturday at our peak district cottages we may even have a few days off!

Here are some of the photos from the silaging plus some views around our peak district cottages

Thursday was a bit more dreary at our peak district cottages after the warmth of Wednesday.  A quiet day at home with one cottage out.  No point in going down to Bakewell as many shops close on the Thursday of the Show.  When took the dogs out noticed that one of the branches of one of the trees had come down in the garden area. No dinner al fresco on Thursday!  Friday was a better day. By 9am the cutter was in one of Andrew’s fields behind us and silaging was under way.  One cottage out and one cleaner up which relieved the pressure of Saturday.  Popped down to Bakewell which was busy, not only from residents and tourists but also show traders who are packing up and going home. Having seen all the portaloos go down to Bakewell now they are all going back! One consequence of the show is that traders often call in with offers on goods not sold at the show.  After lunch we removed the branch from the garden with the aid of a sledge so it did not gouge the grass!  Chris had to pop down to Bakewell to get a tool bit but of course came back with more because some the agricultural suppliers still have show offers!  I took some pictures of the rowing up and then the collecting which started just after 3pm not realising Chris had hitched a lift with Andrew on one of the runs. They managed to finish by 8pm especially as rain was forecast for Saturday morning.  Had noticed over the last couple of days smoke from the Youlgreave area and at first just thought it was a farmer having a ‘bonfire’.  As it seemed to go on Chris asked Andrew about it and Andrew said it was one of things that farmers dread at this time of year – the hay combusting.  It can smoke for days and of course there is the loss of winter feed and hay to replace it as a consequence.  Not the first time round here that has happened in recent years. Got a phone call from one of my cleaners to say she couldn’t make it on Saturday and having stood down my relief cleaner for Saturday I had to make a number of phone calls to get another here which luckily I did.

Saturday was another fine day with seven cottages out and six cottages back in.  One was a last minute booking, just passing and saw the sign and phoned to see if we had any vacancies for a couple of nights.  Four cleaners up and no problems encountered especially as once again cleaning was well underway by 10am.  Four cottages arrived between 3 and 4 pm, three have been before, one arrived about five pm with final cottage arriving at 9pm, they have been before.  Two of the cottages have already been here once this year!  Sunday also turned out very nice again.  Did some tidying up around the house as well as some time to relax and Chris did some pruning around the gardens and grounds of our peak district cottages.