On Thursday we had no arrivals or departures at our peak district cottages so had ‘a day off’. After coffee and loading up the car we headed for the recycling centre at Buxton. We then headed into town and went to the Pavilion Gardens where there was a Catering and Hospitality Trade Fair. Had a chat with some of the exhibitors then had some lunch before coming home. With a number of cottages due in on Friday did what I could to get as much done as possible in advance. Friday was another sunny but breezy day. A number of dogs in at the moment too so our two have had some friends to walk with in the morning. No departures but four cottages due in giving us a full house on Friday night. One cleaner up for final cleaning and I went down to Bakewell for last minute provisions. After final checks spent the afternoon starting on this months accounts in between arrivals. Staggered arrivals with cottages in at 3.30, 4.30, 5pm and 7.30pm. One I collected from Bakewell and one had been before. Evening dominated by Crufts and the terrible news from Japan.
Author: Shirley Swaap
a couple of mixed days
Monday was another bright but cold day with two cottages out and two back in and two cleaners up. A typical busy Monday with laundry and rubbish collections and building inspector up to check on completed work, even though the work finished some months ago. First cottage arrived about 4.30 and second one about 7pm. In evening Chris went to Bakewell for the Photographic Society and I started to sort out this months bills. Tuesday was another sunny day and it felt milder so I couldn’t resist spending some time pottering around the grounds checking on the winters casualties and planting some hedging plants I had applied for under a tree planting initiative. In the afternoon I went to Sainsburys in Matlock, we do have to eat! Wednesday was more cloudy but stayed dry. In the morning I spent some time cleaning sofas and carpets with the Vax cleaner. Two more cottages arrived about 3pm, they have been before. I spent the rest of the afternoon on WI matters. First I had to prepare a report of the Council Meeting last week to read out at that nights meeting. I then spent some time baking cakes as I was doing the catering. Joanna came and picked me up for the meeting. Our guest speaker this evening was a local lady who brought along a collection of antique clothing, mainly childrens. It was very interesting. I was more worried that some of the chocolate from my cakes would end up on the clothes! More signs of spring at our peak district cottages. On Monday I heard the first Curlew and on Wednesday I heard Skylarks for the first time this year.
Sunday’s walk from Beeley
With a sunny day at last (noticed from my blogs the lack of sunshine recently) we decided to go for a walk. One cottage out with one due back in later in the day. Most walks we do are based on suggested walks but today’s was one I devised so if it was horrible it was my fault! We drove to Beeley, another Chatsworth village, and set off across the fields up to Burnt Wood. Looking back we had some nice views towards Edensor and Baslow. Up through the trees and out on the level we now had views across the moorland. We passed Fallinge then headed to where we lost the footpath temporarily, perhaps not being well trodden paths we could not always make them out. Before we reached the Rowsley to Chesterfield road which we have driven along many times, we could see Bolehill in the distance. We picked up an indistinct path down towards Tinkersley. After we passed through the hamlet we stopped in a clearing in the wood to have lunch and have a play with the dogs. Through Copy Wood back to the Rowsley to Chesterfield Road which we crossed then into Rowsley Wood on the Haddon Estate. Then we walked up through Smeltingmill Wood which I thought was like Padley Gorge and at the top we found a waterfall. What a lovely find and no other wakers to share it with! With the disused Burntwood Quarry nearby we found this immense stone structure which we could only think was an old bridge, or possibly rail bridge to do with the mine. Back down a track to fields outside Beeley from where we could just make out Chatsworth House (which opens again next weekend). Not for the first time on the walk we found ourselves having to cross boggy ground on planks of wood. We thought about having a cup of tea at the Old Smithy tearoom in Beeley but with it being so nice there was no room outside for us and the dogs. Back at our Peak District Cottages and a number of emails and telephone calls to deal with including the arriving guests who would now be arriving Monday as their car had broken down.
A walk in the sunshine!
Here are the pictures of the walk from Beeley, not far from our peak district cottages. Words to follow!
February weather stats
Thursday was an ‘at home’ day catching up with jobs having been otherwise engaged in other activities the last few days. Did pop down to Bakewell for weekend provisions. Friday like the last few days started off dull at our peak district cottages and there was still that chilly wind. One cottage out with three back in and three cleaners up to keep up with cleaning. Two cottages arrived between 3 & 4 pm and final cottage arrived just after 5pm. Hoping to get a walk in over the weekend so planned some walks just in case. Saturday was dull and drizzly. No arrivals and departures so another chance to catch up on things. Went down to the auction rooms i Bakewell where one of the regular auctions was: taking place but there was nothing interesting.
February weather stats: there was 4.49 inches of rain with 5th being the wettest with 1.42 inches (2 inches in Feb 2010). Most rain fell at the beginning of the month. Coldest day and night was 19th with lowest temp of 0.1 deg on 1st. Warmest day was 25th with highest temp of 11.7. Warmest night was 4th.
a couple of different days
Tuesday was a lovely day weather wise so shame I was cooped up for most of it. Collected Joanna and we set off to Chesterfield for the Derbyshire Federation WI Spring Council Meeting. This is the first one I have attended and I was attending as Over Haddon’s delegate so I had to take notes. It was a very interesting meeting. After singing Jerusalem we had a speech from the Chairlady and Treasurer then the first of the two morning speakers, the first being the Editor of Derbyshire Life Magazine which is 80 years old this year. She gave us the history of the magazine and told us about how the magazine gets published each month with a small team. The second speaker was the Operations Manager of the National Trust for the Dark Peak and he told us about the work being done on Kinder Scout (old Saxon name meant water over the edge) to restore the peat bogland to its proper state. Time for lunch and time for a bit of fresh air before returning for the afternoon session. First there was any official business with various prizes and certificates before our afternoon speaker. This was Mr Stephen D Smith aka ‘the Rumpole of Rotherham’ who gave us an hilarious account of how he became a Solicitor and some of the more famous clients he has represented. Wednesday was mainly cloudy with a cold north easterly wind at our peak district cottages but it did brighten up later. Not that it mattered as we went to IKEA then onto the outlet centre at Junction 28 (to stock up on choccies!). In the evening it was WI committee. Chris is going to be a WI widower this month!
A varied couple of days
Well the forecast for Sunday changed and the planned walk was put off. Rain turning to showers so a day at home. Two more cottages departed so after a busy half term we are going into a quieter week at our peak district cottages. Monday was a bit more hectic with final two cottages departing but one back in . Two cleaners up to keep on top cleaning. After an early lunch popped down to Bakewell to get some provisions and do some banking and a walk around the market. Got back just after the guests had arrived, Chris had shown them in. Got up to date with the accounts as the next lot of bill will start arriving in the next few days
On the go!
Friday was a busy day at our peak district cottages, more departures than arrivals, but that’s usual for the end of half term week. Four cottages departed with one back in just before 4pm. Two cleaners up to prepare cottages for today and tomorrow and one for luck! Chris continued with some work around the house and the car did a few trips to Bakewell. With me I dropped some stuff off for a jumble sale and filled up with petrol and Chris did a couple of trips to the pluming and builders merchants. I also did a trip to Sheldon to collect Ian who had dropped his car off for some work and with Andrew out there was no-one else to collect him! Had planned to do some accounts but after I did some housework it was time for dinner so Friday gone in a flash! Two cottages out Saturday morning after which I went down to the Farmers Market. A few stall holders missing but came back with more than enough for this week. Had an energy survey done of the cottages with a heat searching detector and this enabled us to see where more insulation is needed. Planned a walk for Sunday on the basis it was supposed to be nice, Saturday turned out much nicer than forecast with no showers from mid morning onwards. One cottage in who I had arranged to collect from Bakewell. It was really busy! Took the dogs for an afternoon stroll and did some accounts before cooking dinner.
a glimpse of spring
Wednesday started damp and dreary again but at least it brightened up in the afternoon and we even had a ray of sunshine! Two cottages out from our peak district cottages with two back in, one of which has been a few times before. Handyman and cleaner here in morning so it was a busy place. I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the next few days as well as do the banking etc. First guests arrived about 3.30 and second ones about 5pm. A busy afternoon for emails and phone calls but at least it resulted in a few more bookings. On Thursday we finally saw our view again for the first time in a week. Although we had declared it a day off with a cottage out, a cleaner up at lunchtime and a cottage back in later in the afternoon it was difficult to go out. In the end the handyman came up and serviced the lawn mower and I did some bits around the house. After lunch and after the cottage was cleaned and finished we put the dog’s cage back in their room with a new duvet. We then treated ourselves to afternoon tea at the cafe in Longnor with a walk around the village. Guests arrived about 6pm, they have been before. Was a lovely spring like day even if the weather is going to deteriorate again it was enough to make you feel spring is on its way – that and the fact the birds woke me up this morning with their tweeting!
Hopton Hall Snowdrops
We had designated Tuesday as a ‘day off’ although with guests arriving in the afternoon it was not a true day off, but with no cleaners or Handyman organised we took a few hours off and headed to Hopton Hall to marvel at the snowdrops. I think we caught them at their best, shame the weather was still so dreary. We may go back in the summer to see the gardens again then even though they don’t allow dogs. Ours stayed in the car. After our wander round the gardens we headed to Ashbourne and had a little wander there. I bought some provisions from some of their delis and we had lunch before heading back to our peak district cottages. Back just before 3pm and the first guests had arrived with the second cottage arriving about an hour later. Took the dogs for a walk around the grounds as they had not had much of a walk before a quiet evening in. Enjoy the pictures!
