On Sunday I decided to do another part of the Limestone Way but closer to home as we had a cottage arriving in the afternoon, although they have been here before.  With a fine day forecast we packed the rucksacks and headed to Flagg picking up a paper at Ashford.  The Limestone Way runs along the main street in Flagg so we parked near where the Way emerged from its stretch along the lanes from Monyash.  After a short while we reached the tea room in Flagg so took the opportunity to stop for a coffee.Where the Way left the main street we headed on across country to cross the minor road we use to get to Chelmorton and then followed a track parallel to the Limestone Way.  Chris wasn’t particularly impressed by the thought that most of the stretch of the Way from Flagg to Taddington was tarmacked road or track. Where this track crossed the path from Chelmorton to Taddington we turned right and took this path to Taddington.  It is in this part of the White Peak that the stone walls are considered to be at their best.  There were certainly plenty of walls as we had a total of 2 dozen stiles to negotiate!  At this point of the walk we had some views to the south but the hazy atmosphere (it was suggested this was ash in the air) prevented far reaching views.  As we reached Sough Top the views changed towards the north and it was just below the top that we stopped for lunch.  Here we looked down on Taddington and across to Tideswell and around to Longstone Edge.  We should have been able to see towards the dark peak but could not make any particular features out.  After lunch we made our way down to Taddington then picked up the minor road out of Taddington back to Flagg briefly before picking up the paths again.  An easy going walk but with a lot of stiles!  Back home before guests arrived.  Time to catch up on emails and phone calls at our peak district cottages before a quiet evening in.

plus one of Friday’s sunset.  Story to follow in next day or so.

A couple of quiet days and a chance to catch up on housework and paper work and WI matters.  One cottage in to our peak district cottages on Tuesday bringing us up to full occupancy again. The handyman has been up for a few days re pointing the paved area by the reception which was damaged by the winter. The first of my plants have started to arrive so I found some time to spend in the greenhouse too. On Wednesday evening I collected Joana and we went to WI.  Our speaker tonight came from ‘Friends of the Peak District’ who gave us an informative talk on the work they do.  (We have recently become Corporate ‘Friends of the Peak District’).  Did you know that there are as many people employed in farming as in quarrying in the Peak District.  One of the greatest issues facing the park today is off roading.  I had to give the vote of thanks.  Although it has stayed dry it has been cool with a nagging north easterly wind so on Thursday we had a shopping day as I felt it was too cool for a walk.  We went to Junction 28 Outlet Centre via Scotland nurseries just outside Matlock.  We also went on down to Ikea just outside Nottingham. A lot is being made of the dust cloud that is affecting aviation so with the potential for interesting sunsets I took the dogs for a late walk but it was too cloudy.

Thursday stayed dry for the daylight hours and I went with one of the cleaners to Macclesfield.  I drove so I can tick off another town I have driven to and parked in.  Most of the snow has gone from over the tops but there were still a few pockets of the stuff lurking in hollows.  The road to Macclesfield, the A 537, is one of the worst roads in the UK for accidents (if you have driven on it you will understand why) and they are in the process of installing speed cameras along the length of the road from Buxton to Macclesfield.   The main purpose at Macclesfield was to visit TJ Hughes.  They have a good household department and I bought some saucepans, a toaster and a set of casserole dishes for the cottages.  We had time to visit some of the other shops before heading home.  In the evening I went to Buxton with Joanna and two others from Over Haddon WI to take part in the local heat of the Derbyshire WI annal quiz.  We did very well finishing in third place.  There were a few heavy showers over night which woke me up and Friday was more showery than expected.  Three cottages out of our peak district cottages with one back later in the day so a chance to put the bits I bought yesterday into the cottages.  Also took more curtains down for washing, these will be the last to be washed before the autumn.  A box of leaflets were delivered and I will putting those out tomorrow. Guests arrived about 9.30pm.

Just how we prefer to be.  A nice spring morning on Tuesday.  Could hear a pheasant and a curlew when took the dogs for their walk.  No cottages out but two back into our peak district cottages today.  As they were already cleaned I just needed to do the final checks.  Went down to Bakewell for a haircut and get some provisions and banking etc.  By the afternoon it had clouded over and by 4pm it had started to rain.  Cottages arrived between 3 & 4 pm.  A busy day for enquiries and bookings.  In the evening went to Buxton to see the Sopranos at the Opera House.  It was a very enjoyable performance.  Wednesday stayed mainly dry.  Two cottages departed with one returning later in the day.  One cleaner up to clean.  A day of catching up and planning forward. Guests arrived just after 4 pm and later in the afternoon went down to Bakewell with the bottles for recycling.  Finally sat down just before 9.30 having paid any remaining bills for this month and applied to have our rubbish collected again next financial year.

A bright start although we had some rain later.  One cottage out with two back in and with two more into our peak district cottages tomorrow three cleaners were up at various stages to turn cottages round.  A kitchen planner came and measured the kitchen which we will refurbish after we have built the extension.  Laundry and rubbish collected today, which reminds me I have the forms to fill out so we can get the rubbish collected from April.  Time to do a few more bits in the cottages before first guests arrived about 3pm.  Left Chris to meet second cottage whilst I went to Morrisons as starting to run out of bits!  Back in time to cook dinner and said hello to second cottage.  Made sure I sat down for Flashforward.

Well we need the rain, but the forecast is better for the next few days.  Green Cowden Farm are about half way through lambing so will have to go and see the cades (orphans and lambs rejected by mothers) in the next week or so.  No departures today but two cottages in to our peak district cottages with one cleaner up to turn round cottages.  A chance to do some odd jobs too.  We are starting to get this years leaflets in so I am removing all old leaflets from the cottages.  We shall be going to the ‘leaflet swap’ in just over a weeks time. Both cottages arrived within minutes of each other not long after 3pm.  One has been before. A busier day today with bookings and enquiries but still have some vacancies over Easter following some cancellations.  With a nice day forecast tomorrow have planned a walk so looking forward to that.

A nice bright day with sunny spells but a little breezy.  Two cottages out of our peak district cottages.  Went down for the paper and took the dogs for a late walk.  We usually let the dogs out later in the morning and they usually wander back after a stroll but this morning Blue went AWOL again but we guessed where he was heading and luckily Chris found him just where the footpath crosses the Sheldon Road with some walkers who were just about to phone us.  He was a bit subdued for the rest of the day. I spent a little time in the garden and greenhouse, and later in the day I ordered my bedding and hanging basket plants.  Easter is approaching and the daffs aren’t out and by then the snowdrops will have gone.  With winter only just fading away the grass is looking more like it does in a summer drought.  Checking the rainfall we have only had three inches of rain this year, although the figure is distorted by the snow.  The ground is already cracking up in places.  This wont help the farmers who need the grass to be growing for grazing.  So no blog for a few days  Back at the end of the week.

Friday and Saturday were relatively quiet with two cottages out on Friday with two back into our peak district cottages later.  One cleaner up today who was delighted that one of the comments on her cleaning was that it was ‘immaculate’.  I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for weekend and to be back before lunch so I could finish any last minute jobs before guests arrived.  Having discovered that I can successfully wash single duvets in my washing machine I will do the rest, but the doubles are just too big so I will have to get them done elsewhere.  First cottage arrived just before 4pm and second one about 5pm, they have been here before.  Cooked a roast dinner before sitting down.  I felt better on Friday but by Saturday Chris had the cold bug.  Looked like it could have been a nice day for a walk, but the forecast is also fine for Sunday.  With no cottages in or out on Saturday I took the opportunity to get up to date with accounts (its the end of the VAT quarter at the end of the month) and bits around the house.  Bar any unforeseen events (like 5 inches of snow) I shall be going to my sisters on Monday for a few days so I want to make sure there is nothing for Chris to have to worry about.  I’ll be leaving him and the cleaners a list of what needs doing while I’m away.  Sat down to watch Blue’s favourite programme – Crufts!

Life at Bolehill means you always have to be prepared to change your plans for the day and Wednesday and Thursday were a good example.  Had planned to go to Macclesfield on Wednesday with one of the cleaners but she couldn’t make it.  So having ruled the day out meant I suddenly had some hours back.  So I washed some curtains, headed down to Bakewell for some provisions and prepared for the WI. Ian was harrowing in the fields, the first sign of preparing the fields for the cows, but when he came in for a cup of tea he said it would be at least a month before they come out.  (Our lawn is also looking in a sorry state).  I asked about my namesake cow and discovered that she had died from mastitis so I will have to adopt another.  One cottage out of our peak district cottages and one arrived in the afternoon, they have been here before.  In the evening went to WI with Joanna.  Our speaker was a local gentleman who did his own version of ‘Desert Island Discs’ which we all enjoyed.  By the time I got back I was starting to feel a little poorly so by the time I woke up in the morning I decided I was not well enough to go to Macclesfield so we will have to decide on another day again!  One cottage in this afternoon and one cleaner up this morning to prepare some cottages.  Chris went to Over Haddon in the afternoon for the digital photography and I did some WI bits and some housework.  Sat down for Country House rescue.  This reminds me that Chatsworth House opens again this weekend.  This year more of the House is open and with some new lifts more of the House is accessible.  Also the Dowager Duchess, the last of the Mitford sisters, is 90 this year so there is a special exhibition in her honour.  I also spotted that the Antiques Roadshow is being fimes there in July.  I am sure we will go, especially with it being so close to us.  (www.bolehillfarm.co.uk/photo/chatsworthhouse/index.html)