A sunny warm start to Wednesday but with heavy showers promised for the afternoon we made an early start and by 9.30 we were walking down from Lady Manners School to the Bakewell Showground.  Knowing the traffic could be bad (although in recent years the organisers seemed to have got the park and ride sorted to ease the problem) we could see the car parks were already busy.  The Granby Road car park in Bakewell was being used for coach drop offs. This is the first time for a few years we have both been and the dogs came too.  We had a wander around the stalls (plenty of pet stalls and a free sample of dog food pleased Smudge) before arriving at the dog show just in time to see one of our guests compete in one of the classes.  Had a look around the produce tent and WI tent and of course the craft and food tents.  Had a bite to eat from one of the food stalls (as well as a cider) and then went to look at the livestock section.  Blue naturally didn’t want to visit the cows!  Having felt we had seen everything we walked into town and were surprised to see how busy it was, probably many were  having a break from the Show (pass outs were available).  We had a coffee before walking back up the hill to the car where we found we were close to the coach park.  With no sign of the heavy showers we decided to have an early BBQ at our Bakewell cottages, the first this year!  We had finished and were just enjoying the balmy evening when we heard the first rumble of thunder.  There was still not a black cloud in sight until I walked into the garden and realised they were behind us!  The heavens just opened but we were back inside in seconds.  The rain lasted about an hour and Chris donned my raincoat to make sure the gutters were OK.  After the rain stopped we went outside and realised Andrew and family were bringing a few more cows across the road so we invited them in for a cup of tea and a chat about the Show.

Late as usual but here are a couple of pictures on the walk from our cottages near Bakewell

These show from top Haddon Hall with Bakewell in distance, Bolehill Farm on the horizon (below tree line centre top – yes it is there!) Chris on the Stanton Cricket field which we can see from our house – with binoculars, the dogs at the stones, Peak Rail along the Derwent Valley and Peak Tor near Rowsley.

…still worrying but by Friday lunchtime the threat of a horrendous Saturday has disappeared… but watch this space.  On Friday we had three cottages depart from Our Bakewell cottages but none coming in.. The enquiries had stopped as soon as the bad weather was forecast.  Still one cleaner up to keep up with cleaning.  I finally found time to get on with Xmas trees and another two went up as well as preparing two cottages for Sunday arrivals.  Woke up to a very frosty Saturday, had to look hard to make sure it was not snow, and luckily there wasn’t but there was a hoar frost.  I know other parts of the country have suffered heavy falls of snow.  Chris took me down to the Farmers Market and it did try to flurry a couple of times.  Laden with some food for the week and for next weekend, we came home.  The handyman called in to be paid after which Chris and I spent the rest of the day doing a number of jobs in the cottages and garage as well as doing some more finishing bits in Sheepfold and putting up another Xmas tree.  Spoke to my friend in Yorkshire who should be coming down next Thursday all being well.  She’s looked at the 10 day forecast and it will stay cold with the possibility of more snow but ten days is a long time in the world of weather.  And by the way winter officially starts on Tuesday!

Tuesday was one of those classic wintry days with mist/fog in the dales but bright and sunny at our Bakewell cottages.  Will add some photos.  Two cottages out and two back in with one cleaner up.  I had expected to do the cleaning but one of the cleaners was able to make it at the last moment. One of my regular cleaners is not well and has been hospitalised for tests.  She is not sure when she is going to be able to work again so although I can manage with the existing team for the time being I may have to look for a replacement in the spring.  Later in the morning I popped down to a foggy Bakewell.  I thought it was quite busy.  The new Chatsworth butchers and deli has opened so Bakewell now has three butchers, but the range the Chatsworth shop sells is limited and probably aimed at the tourists rather than the residents.  In the afternoon I did some accounts and the guests arrived about 4pm.  One has been before.  The handyman was up again doing some outside work while the weather held and the builder came to finish the last bits and take away any remaining tools.  Wednesday was a complete opposite with it being cold and damp for most of the day.  My voice had gone quite croaky and I spent the day working through a list of jobs including the WI accounts and sourcing some furniture on the Internet.  Handyman up to do some odd jobs in the vacant cottages and I took a couple of last minute bookings for the weekend.

Friday was the bigger changeover day with one out and four back in and two cleaners up to keep up with cleaning.  A quick trip down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  Of the guests who arrived two have been before and one is the son of existing guests.  Arrival times were staggered but in between arrivals did some accounts.  First arrival was just before 3pm, next at 6pm, then 7.30 pm and 9pm.  With a last minute booking for Sunday also organised a cleaner for Saturday.  Chris and the handyman spent some time doing bits in the laundry room.  Saturday was one of those lovely crisp wintry days.  The ‘hooligans’ have gone back and we now are down to the last two dozen or so pregnant cows.  Andrew came up as they had knocked the electric fence over – the battery had gone dead, so he erected it close to our garden wall so they are not tempted to nibble anything although most leaves have now gone.  The cows will have all gone home in about four weeks time after which the sheep will arrive.  Took the dogs for their early morning walk but with the cows more spread Blue was never sure if he would find a cow in the next field!  One cleaner up to prepare Sunday’s cottage after which we decided to go down to Bakewell for lunch.  It was quite busy but we found a table at The Tiroler Stuberl.  I could pretend I was on holiday in Austria!  A walk around town followed and we had a look at the new art and craft gallery before heading home.  With a nice sunset Chris went and took some pictures from our Bakewell cottages whilst I greeted the new arrivals who have been before.

Sunday started wet and windy at our Bakewell cottages and as predicted it cleared up by lunchtime although it stayed breezy.  We waited until later in the morning before deciding what to do.  We felt it was still too windy for a walk so opted for the Open Gardens of Bakewell.  Being on a Bank Holiday Sunday we have always tried to avoid going into Bakewell but studying where the gardens were we decided we could do it without actually going into Bakewell itself.  We drove down the road and parked outside Lady Manners School then using paths walked down towards the Church.   All the gardens were in the area surrounding the Church so we had a pleasant few hours wandering around gardens.  In one some metal cats that were swaying in the breeze caught the attention of the dogs, the dogs were allowed in all the gardens and as usual got their fair share of attention.  The only disappointment was that dogs were not allowed in the churchyard so we could not enjoy a cup of tea and cake (especially as one of the WI ladies was serving teas) so we walked the short distance down into Bakewell and found a spot where we could sit outside with the dogs.  Bakewell was busy as expected and after a little wander round we walked back up to Lady Manners to pick up the car.  A quiet evening but noted when I took the dogs out for their evening stroll that the evenings are drawing in.  Never mind.