Tuesday and Wednesday were quieter days at our Bolehill cottages (see link).  Tuesday saw one departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. Various house jobs and accounts.  Cottage, who are regular guests, arrived just after 3pm then I popped down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the next few days. After a wet start the day had brightened up. With over an inch of rain over the last few days the river Wye is on flood alert and a number of roads are subject to minor flooding.  On Wednesday we went to Chesterfield with a shopping list but we came back quite empty handed!  Leaving Bakewell we could see the river was very high and fast flowing so with a dry day it was a helpful respite.  Back in time for one arrival who are regular guests.

Thursday was the best day of the week weather wise.  In the morning we had a funeral to attend at Rowsley Church but early in the afternoon we headed to Grindleford Station and had a bacon bap before walking up Padley Gorge. We usually come in the autumn to catch the changing colours and with a storm expected over the weekend we thought we had better go before the trees lose their leaves.  We think we had timed it right for colour but many leaves had already been blown off earlier in the week.  There were others out taking photos in the gorge too.  At the top we had a lovely view towards Carl Wark and Higger Tor then we walked down the other side of the gorge again taking many photos.  In fact the three mile walk took about two hours! The dogs seemed happy bounding around. Back home another cottage arrived at 5.30.  Later in the evening we headed to Buxton!  This time to the Pavilion Theatre adjacent to the opera house where we saw Ralph McTell.  Biggest decision now is which of the which of the seventy photos I will chose to add to the blog!

Saturday saw one departure from our cottages near Bakewell (see here) with two arrivals.  One cleaner up.  The day started quite misty again but by late morning the mist had lifted and by early afternoon we even saw some sun!  Kept occupied by jobs in the cottages, I wanted to move some furniture round the cottages, but it didn’t look right so it went back. Sometimes you have to do these things.  Overnight some more leaves had come down so Chris was out again clearing leaves and hoovering the lawns with the mower.  Both cottages, who have been before and both already been here this year, arrived between 4.30 and 5pm.  Later in the afternoon a passing shower left a double rainbow and some interesting sky colours but they can go so quickly that by the time you get the camera it is too late.  Sunday was forecast to be a day of sunshine and showers and the morning was quite shower free but we had a few heavy ones in the afternoon.  A catch up day on paper work and housework as well as finalising and paying the quarterly VAT return.  No departures or arrivals.  Monday was quite a miserable day with a lot of heavy showers but still quite mild.  Two departures and two arrivals and one cleaner up.  Usual Monday jobs with cottage arriving about 4pm, they have been before.  In the evening I went to the first session of indoor bowls at Over Haddon and had a good evening.  The wind and the rain had brought down a lot of leaves and some twigs and small branches.  Chris headed to Bakewell for the next session of the Bakewell Photographic Club leaving the dogs home alone!

Well Thursday was the best day in ages at our cottages near Bakewell (see link).  It was dry sunny and warm and ideal for gardening.  Guess what, it was the day we had booked a tour of the Thornbridge brewery so we were inside all afternoon!  In the morning I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend as we have a busy Friday.  After lunch we set off for the brewery where a tour had been organised by Visit Peak District for some of its members . Thornbridge still has a small brewery at the Hall but the new brewery on one of the industrial estates on the edge of Bakewell means they have been able to expand their range of beers as well as bring jobs to Bakewell.  We were able to sample some of the produce and I was presented with a case of beer as my name had been pulled out of the hat in the free prize draw!  After the tour we went to Hassop station for afternoon tea and as it was still pleasant we were able to sit on the concourse and enjoy tea and cake!   By contrast Friday was quite misty and we didn’t see our neighbours farm until late into the afternoon.  It was mild though and stayed dry.  Three departures and three arrivals and one cleaner up.  A couple of cottages already cleaned but there was still plenty to do.  Chris cleared the courtyard and car park of leaves again but the lawns were too wet.  Two cottages arrived between 4and 4.30 pm, one has been before.  Spent some time dealing with this months accounts before sitting down for the evening.  Final guests arrived about 10.30,they have been before so knew to let themselves in.

Tuesday (8th October) saw no departures with three arrivals and one cleaner up at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here). Another mild day forecast but with a cold snap to follow.  Later in the morning I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next few days then final checks on cottages before guests arrived.  Two cottages have been before and they arrived at 4and5pm but having said that we were chatting with the first cottage almost until the second one arrived.  Final cottage, from Australia, arrived just before 8pm.  Wednesday was a contrast feeling cooler with showers.  Had planned to catch up on accounts but the morning went on emails, bookings and carrying out tasks from the reminders file.  One departure but no arrivals.  After lunch feeling in need of a break I headed to the Peak Shopping Village at Rowsley as a new shop which I like has opened.  Didn’t buy anything though.  Back home and after an early tea collected Joanna as we were opening up and setting out the hall for this months WI meeting.  Our speaker had been before and this time spoke about mental illnesses and different treatments both past and present.  It was very interesting.  Thursday was another quiet day, a lot brighter but with a definite nip in the air.  With the changing wind direction leaves were blowing into the courtyard so a job for Chris.  Northerly winds are are what he hates at this time of year!  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner up.  Cottage arrived at 3pm and I managed to get some accounts done.  The quarter finished a few weeks ago and I still haven’t finished the quarter end accounts!

At least we had our views back on Friday at our cottages near Bakewell (see here for details). It was a very mild day with sunshine and showers. Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend and back in time to see departing cottage. One cleaner up. Spent most of the day doing preparations for the cottages arriving on Saturday as well as housekeeping duties. Chris did some outside jobs. Cottage arrived about 8.30 pm. Saturday was another mild day with plenty of sunshine and saw three departures and six arrivals and two cleaners up. With prompt departures cleaning was finished by midday and checks finished by 1.30 as I had been able to do some of the work on Friday. Chris had a busy morning clearing leaves from the car park and the lawns as well as grass cutting. We also moved the new suite into a cottage and relocated the one it was replacing elsewhere. After a late lunch had time to catch up with emails before first guests arrived. A steady procession of arrivals saw all guests here by 4.15. Four have been before and one is here for two weeks, two were here for the second time this year (which was also the case last week) so we had plenty of catching up to do. Got a couple of bookings later in the afternoon and had a quiet evening in. If you are missing the Peak District and haven’t seen it recently here is the Peak District promotional video on You Tube. Count how many places you recognise! There is a TV advert in the offing too so watch out for that.