bakewell cottages

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Seasonal jobs

As it was a quiet day at our cottages (click here for details) I thought I would go down to the market, especially as it was a nice day.  Left Chris to walk the dogs and the cleaner to prepare today’s cottage. Had a nice walk round the street market, although it was very busy, but also had a walk round the stalls at the agricultural market as Chris is pricing up some electric fencing.  Back home and finished off in the cottage.  Nice enough for lunch on the patio again but we could see that silaging was happening in the distance (the dark green fields become light green).  Just as we were finishing lunch Andrew brought some more cows over the road and decided to take some back who were closer to calving. These needed separating from the rest of the herd so Chris went down with Smudge and lent a hand (and paw).  After guests arrival, they have been before, we went down to the agricultural supplies in Bakewell to get more pricing on electric fencing and ended up getting what we needed.  This a saved a trip to another supplier so we went for afternoon tea instead!  We chose Edensor near Chatsworth as a new tea room opened there last year and we haven’t tried it out!  Still a nice piece of chocolate cake sitting outside with the dogs looking up to the church was a nice way to spend an hour.  When we got back Chris decided to erect the fence to keep the cows off the drive.  It didn’t take too long.  After tea I took the dogs for their evening walk and it was nice to feel the warmth of the late evening sun and listen to the swallows and in the near distance the sound of the combine as it cut the grass at Andrew’s neighbour.  The machine was still cutting at 10pm, but it was still light.  Andrew is going to wait another week as he usually silages straight after his neighbour but even we can see the grass is not as long as it usually is and an extra week of sun and warmth will help.  Tuesday was another warm day.  One departure with one arrival later in the day.  One cleaner up and later in the morning I headed to Chesterfield to do some personal and business shopping.  Back later in the afternoon, Chris had seen the cottage in but I went and said hello.  Although it was still warm the breeze made it to difficult to eat dinner outside.  Never mind, if the weather carries on this way it can’t be long before we have a picnic!  Here are some photos from Monday.

 Here come the herd
 Always a couple of stragglers
going across the road
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Things to do

Thursday was disappointing weather wise as we had been forecast a better day at Bolehill but it remained dull and cool albeit dry.  Had planned to plant some more plants out but never did.  Still I ordered a new mattress, sourced some cutlery to match existing one as it is now a discontinued line and having spent weeks sourcing new crockery we will have to start again as it is now an end of line product and we cannot get enough sets for the cottages.  Chris spent some time edging lawns and retuning TV’s as the local transmitter had to realign some bands to allow for 4G growth.  All in a days work (plus unblocking a toilet and sorting out a leaking dishwasher).  One arrival with cottage here about 6pm.  On Friday woke up to sunshine. Hurrah!  One departure but no arrivals and one cleaner up.  We had lunch al fresco then Chris came with me to Bakewell.  Andrew had let the cows back into the drive field and Chris is thinking of putting up an electric fence so we went to the agricultural suppliers and priced some fencing up.  We had taken the dogs as well so we all enjoyed a little stroll round Bakewell and an ice cream from Hedgehogs Artisan Ice Cream place as it was so warm.  Bakewell was very busy and I found I couldn’t buy all the provisions I wanted for the weekend as everywhere had sold out of pork pies so we drove round to the Chatsworth Farm shop so I could finish of my shopping!

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The annual orchid walk

Sunday was forecast to be sunny and warm at Bolehill Farm.  I had the option of planting out more plants or going for a walk so I decided we would go for a walk.  First down to Bakewell to get the paper then packed the rucksacks and headed off to Sheldon.  With nature being so late this year we wondered if we had missed the show of cowslips and orchids in Deep Dale.  Well the fields between here and Sheldon were full of yellow flowers – dandelions!  As it was such a nice day the path was busy with walkers but when we got to Sheldon and picked up the path by the church (would like to have taken a photo as it is an unusual church but it was shrouded by trees) it quietened out. Where the path split we took the one across the fields rather than the one that headed to Shacklow steps.  We had some nice views across the countryside and could make out the Hunting Tower at Chatsworth.  Just before the descent to White Ladies Car park at the top edge of Shacklow Woods we stopped for lunch over looking Fin Cop on the other side of the valley.  It was a steep descent, the walk profile looked like we fell off a cliff!  On the way down (slowly) we met a couple of D of E groups making their way up.  At the junction of paths we picked up the one into Deep Dale and were delighted that the orchids and cowslips were still out.  The sign informed us that there were up to a million cowslips in the dale.  Didn’t count them though! Although there were a number of walkers around it was by no means busy bearing in mind it was a nice Bank Holiday Sunday.  We made numerous stops to take photos and before the path reached the Chelmorton road we took one of the paths back to Sheldon .  This was the less steeper of the paths but we found we had to go through a field of cows with calves.  Blue wasn’t happy and although the cows decided to follow us they kept a distance.  We then walked across the fields with a number of stiles before reaching Sheldon and walked down the road to try the new tea room but it had closed.  So we walked back up road to the village hall where they were doing cream teas.  Pity Chris forgot to take a photo!  Then the final stretch back to Bolehill including the uphill bit at Kirk Dale and then we were home.  Just in time for the arrival of the days guests.  A quiet evening in recovering from an enjoyable seven mile walk!  Enjoy the photos.

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Unseasonal weather!

23 May 2012 saw a warm sunny day with the warmest day of the month at Bolehill and a temperature of 23.4 deg C.  A year later we saw a temperature of 6.deg C with squally hail showers, wet snow and a cold wind!  In the morning I went to Buxton to do a supermarket shop and do banking etc.  On the way back I called in at the nursery to see my hanging baskets which are coming along fine.  The owner is despairing of the weather as it is too cold to bring out the bedding plants to sell and many plants are not coming along well because of the low temperatures.  Whilst there one of the heavy hail showers which left the ground white over.  Back home the afternoon went in accounts and later on we were back in Buxton as we had tickets for Made in Brum.  Jasper Carrott hosted an evening of entertainment by a number of ‘mature’ performers who originated from the Brum including Bev Bevan and Geoff Turton.  An enjoyable evening. Friday remained cool but with the promise of a much better weekend.  A windy day with leaves, which have only been on the trees a matter of weeks, blowing around.  The back lawn looked more like October on an autumnal day than May.  Two departures and three arrivals and one cleaner up.  As I didn’t need to go to Bakewell I managed to have everything ready for arrivals before lunch.  First guests arrived just before 3pm, they are from the Netherlands with second cottage arriving at 4.30.  Final cottage arrived about 5pm, they have been before. With a cold night forecast I put a fleece over some of the plants I still haven’t planted in and it sounds like I may have to do so again over the next couple of nights.  The talk is that we may have had the coldest spring for over thirty years.

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A cooler weekend

After Thursday being so mild Friday was on the cool side at Bolehill.  Three departures and two arrivals and one cleaner here. A number of odd jobs in the vacated cottages including putting up a new roller blind and before we knew it it was lunch time.  I had planned to go to Bakewelll in the morning but after first guests arrived at 3pm I then went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  Second cottage arrived about 5pm, they have been before.  In the evening we went down to Le Mistral in Bakewell for a meal.  Saturday was another dull and cool day but at least it didn’t rain.  Three departures and four arrivals and two cleaners up but with early departures cleaning was well under way by 10am.  This gave us time to do some more jobs around the cottages.  The cows were moved from the drive field into a side field so Chris went out and swept the drive.  First cottage arrived at 3pm with two more at 4pm.  Final cottage arrived closer to 6pm, they have been before and their supermarket delivery had already arrived so we had sorted it out for them.  Sunday turned into a lovely day, nice enough to have coffee and lunch outside.  Made the most of the good weather to plant in some more plants and chat to guests who were also making the most of the good weather by sitting out in the courtyard. In the evening we went to Over Haddon for this months film evening which was showing Les Miserables.  All the best films come to Over Haddon!

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Spring has sprung!

Short sleeve tops, washing outside and cows in the fields at Bolehill!  Swallows swooping overhead and the sun not setting until 9pm.  Well spring has truly arrived and there may be more to come.  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  A pottering day for me and Chris oversaw the installation of a canopy over one of the cottage doors.  He also went to the dentist. Early in the evening we went down to Bakewell to vote and came back via Over Haddon where we had a beer tapas enjoying the views over Lathkill Dale and beyond before heading back home.  Friday was a bit cooler but still pleasant.  Three departures with two arrivals and one cleaner up.  I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the weekend, it was busier than it has been of late.  Chris was busy doing a number of painting jobs and cutting the grass.  First cottage arrived at 3.30pm and second one at 5pm. Had a minor diversion in the afternoon when a kite being flown by one of the guests got caught up in the power cables crossing Andrews fields.  I phoned the Electricity company and they sent someone out to cut the kite down!

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The Bakewell Food Festival

Saturday was the first day of the Bakewell Food Festival.  As last years was considered successful it had been extended this year to two days.  It also coincided with the Farmers Market so first thing I went down to Bakewell and wandered round the market before wandering round Bakewell and having a look at the various stalls.  Needless to say I came back with all sorts of food for the next few days! I also went and had a look at the Hartington School of Food where they run cookery courses.  Back at Bolehill there had been one departure and one cleaner up.  Four arrivals due in but two cottages already cleaned and as I had done some final checks on Friday there wasn’t a lot for me to do which gave me a chance to catch up on some paper work.  All cottages arrived between 3 and 4pm, three have been before. On Sunday morning we went down to Bakewell to pick up the paper and for a change parked and had a wander round.  This gave Chris a chance to look at the food stalls as well as try out the Costa Coffee (for QA purposes only!) As we were leaving there was a TVR rally driving past, now that spring is here we will see more car processions like this in the area.  I have also noticed that DofE walkers are back too.  Jobs around the house in the afternoon and it even rained a little bit in the evening.

 The earth in the fields
Very late daffodils
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Getting on with jobs

Wednesday was another fine day at Bolehill.  I can report that Costa Coffee has opened in Bakewell.  One arrival and one cleaner up.  Later in the morning we took the empty hanging baskets over to the nursery at Buxton and Chris got some supplies from the electrical wholesalers.  Had time for lunch in Buxton before getting back for guests arrival, they have been before.  Andrew was out checking the state of the stone walls, they have suffered more than usual this winter and will need to be done before cows can come over to this side of the road.  Andrew reckons farmers are about a month behind and keeping cows in is costing money in feed but the grass is not growing.  We have only had half an inch of rain this month.  After guests arrival we finalised and paid the quarterly VAT return.  Later on Joanna collected me and we picked up another couple of WI ladies and headed to Monyash for our group WI meeting.  After a  lovely supper our speaker cheered us up with a talk on Morecambe and Wise with some clips from shows.   I won a prize in the photo competition!  Thursday was a quiet day so I caught up on accounts.  In the evening we joined one of the cottages for a drink and a natter.  Friday was a lot cooler although still bright and dry.  Four departures and one arrival and Chris and I turned round the cottage after I went down to Bakewell.  Both of us had jobs to do around the cottages and I now only have a couple of jobs left to finish the ‘spring cleaning’.  Guests arrived at 3.30, they have been before.  Found time for some paperwork before tea after which I took the dogs for a walk as it was a pleasant evening.

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Busy bees!

Wednesday was a breezy day at Bolehill, starting misty but brightening up.  A busy morning for the cleaner and me, washing carpets, curtains and other cleaning jobs.  In the afternoon I collected the hanging baskets from the garden and put them in the garage as we’ll be taking them to the nursery soon for filling.  Also popped down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next few days.  The hoardings are down from Costa Coffee but no indication of an opening date yet.  Back home Andrew was up fertilising our fields and called in to say he had found a canary in the fields.  Well we do get all types of wildlife here!  Wednesday night was very breezy as was Thursday morning.  In the morning I went to the Village Hall for a Hallmark 2 Meeting which the Village Hall is trying to attain. One cleaner up to carry on with jobs.  After lunch Chris went to the Village Hall for the digital workshop and with it being so pleasant I was tempted outside to do some jobs.   Quiet day for phone calls and emails until I decided to sit down for the evening but at least I got a last minute booking for the weekend.  Friday was another pleasant day but with a chill in the air.  No departures but three arrivals.  No cleaner as her mum had been taken ill so that left me to finish off making up a couple of cottages.  First of all I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  A couple of bookings during the day too.  Electrician up again as well.  Two cottages arrived between 3.30 and 4pm, both have been before, with final cottage arriving about 9.30pm.

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A cooking weekend

Since we went to Tideswell, about twenty minutes away from Bolehill Farm, last May for the food festival I have been looking for a suitable course to attend.  In the end I opted for a weekend Foundation Course to brush up on my general cooking skills .  So on Saturday I left Chris in charge and headed off to Tideswell for the day.  Here with seven others, a mix of male and female. and ranging in age from 16 to 60’s we set about preparing and cooking a range of dishes, some of which we enjoyed at lunchtime and the rest I brought back for our tea!  Chris saw to the four departures and three arrivals with one cleaner here.  When I got back later in the afternoon I went and caught up with the guests who had arrived, two cottages have been before.  The sunny morning had given way to a wet evening, there is hardly any snow left in the fields now but I was surprised at how much snow was up at Wardlow near Monsal Head, but it is more exposed there.  Mind you with a mild Saturday night most had gone by the next morning.  On Sunday I had a second day at Tideswell and again came home with some prepared dishes that did us for both Sunday and Monday nights.  An exhausting but enjoyable weekend!

 sticky toffee puddings
 bread rising
 Thai chicken coconut soup