An update on the last few days. On Tuesday Chris went to York as his mother’s health deteriorated again and unfortunately she passed away late in the afternoon. I had spent the day catching up on things and went to Morrisons in Buxton. One cottage departed and one cleaner up. Chris came back that night and Wednesday went in starting the ball rolling following his mum’s death. Chris’s brother brother arrived Wednesday evening and they went back up to York on Thursday morning. Also the duck finally passed away. On Thursday three cottages left our peak district cottages with two due to return. One cleaner up to do two cottages. I had to go to the dentist for an impression to be done for my crown and while I was in Bakewell I got my provisions for the weekend. First guests arrived just before 3pm and second cottage just before 5pm. I spent most of the afternoon preparing for tomorrow and catching up on accounts before Chris arrived back.

With a nice day forecast we got up early and headed up to Ladybower Reservoir from our Peak district cottages after picking up a paper in Bakewell. Parked by 9.45 and you need to be as there were hardly any spaces left at Fairholmes car park. I was surprised at how low the water was. We walked along the base of the Derwent Dam before taking the lane along Ladybower reservoir before heading up to the moors near Wellhead.

By now it had clouded over and disappointingly we didn’t see much more sun for the rest of the day. This was a shame as the sun would have highlighted some of the lovely colours. We decided we were probably still about a week too early to see them at their best but with some stormy weather forecast in the week ahead it is possible a lot of the leaves will have gone by this time next week. We have done this walk before, I reckon about four or five years ago, but we did it in reverse. Up on the moors we could see a number of fires burning and realised there was some controlled burning of heather. We had some nice views back down Ladybower Reservoir and then gradually up Derwent Reservoir to Howden Dam and beyond. We took the path down towards Abbey Bank, stopping for lunch looking towards Howden Dam. We then reached the shore of Derwent Reservoir and headed back to the car park. At the dam we made a detour to the West Tower where there was a display about the Dambusters. This is run by volunteers and only ope Sundays. It was an interesting display and here was a life size version of the bouncing bomb. Bought a DVD about the history of the Dambusters and some of the recent reunions. Set off for home but stopped at the Riverside Herb Center for a cup of tea and piece of cake! A quiet evening catching up with phone calls and emails. Enjoy the pictures.

A bright sunny day albeit on the cool side. Three cottages out with three back into our Peak District cottages. All have been before so a ‘quiet’ day for me. Two cleaners up and no problems encountered just a nice handbag (with a packed lunch) left behind. The owner phoned up when she got home and I will keep it for her when she returns again next year. With cleaning finished well on time had a chance to do a few odd jobs around the place. Chris cleared leaves and cut the grass. All cottages arrived between 3 & 4 pm. Time for some paper work and paid the VAT bill. A quiet evening in and planned a walk for tomorrow as it will probably be the only opportunity for the next week or so. We have a busy week ahead with multiple changes and our annual inspection so plenty to do!

Thursday was quite dismal although it did brighten up occasionally. A day of bits and pieces with Chris going to Over Haddon in the afternoon for the digital camera workshop. Friday was a bit busier with three cottages out and two back into our peak district cottages. One cleaner up to do two cottages and apart from some spilt water no problems encountered. Went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. Both cottages, who have been before, arrived between 5 & 6 pm. A quiet evening in after preparing for tomorrow which will be a quiet Saturday.

There were no departures from our peak district cottages on Friday. The only goings are the in calf heifers gradually going back across the road as their date of confinement approaches. The young cows are already back across the road and some of the milk cows are not coming out any more. So the number of cows roaming the fields is getting less. Soon there wont be any out at all. Popped down to Bakwell to get bits for the weekend and in the afternoon we worked on next years prices. Saturday turned into a beautiful day. We had five departures with three cottages coming back in of which two have been here before. A chance to do a number of jobs before the first guests arrived. Two cottages arrived between 3&4 pm and the final cottage just after 5pm. Cooked a roast dinner before sitting down or the evening.

Planned to go to Chesterfield with my big shopping list for our peak district cottages today.
Chris volunteered to come too but we had to change our plans slightly when one of the cottages reported a problem with a dishwasher. Chris had a look at it and declared it dead so our trip now included a mission to find a new dishwasher! The trouble is most places have them on show but can only deliver within a few days. Luckily the Co Op had one we could take away. We also called at my favourite furniture store where we bought a table and chair set for one of the cottages. We tried a cafe just off the market place for lunch, The Peacock, which we had walked past many times and where we enjoyed our lunch. Got most of the bits on my list before we headed back and installed the new dishwasher before the guests returned. In the evening I went with Joanna to the monthly WI committee meeting.

Monday saw two cottages depart from our Bakewell cottages with one return and one cleaner here to turn the cottage around. A misty morning turned into a fine day and guests arrived just after 3pm. Popped down to Bakewell for a few bits and called into the dentist to make an appointment as I lost a part of a tooth when down at my dads a few weeks ago. As it happened they had a spare appointment a few minutes later so I was able to be seen without coming back. Bad news was that the tooth will need crowning. Chris went down to the Bakewell Photographic Circle in the evening in his capacity as projectionist for the society. Tuesday was a quieter day with me taking a trip to Sainsbury’s in Matlock while Chris made the weekly trip to York. One cleaner up to turn round the remaining cottage which is empty for a few days. I spent the afternoon working on next years price list which should be published in the next few days.

Well we had thought about a walk as the forecast was pretty good but Chris wanted to clear the leaves from our peak district cottages courtyard first but we had to wait for a few showers to pass over. By then it was lunchtime so by the time Chris had cleared the leaves (ably assisted by a dog) it was too late to go for a walk. Still with being away on and off over the last few weeks I have plenty of paper work and bits from dads place to sort out. Oh and its the end of the VAT quarter so Chris and I spent some time on the end of quarter accounts. Has to be done!

Before I forget here are the stats for weather at our Peak district cottages for September. We had 1.66 in of rain of which 1.07 fell on the first three days of the month with the 2nd having 0.52 in. Last September we had 4.27 in of rain. The warmest day was the 8th with the highest temp of 20.6. with the night of 7/8th being the warmest night. The coldest day was 17th with the lowest temp of 6.7 on 21/9. The coldest night was 24/25th. The highest UV was 6.2 on the 8th. Also the pics for Tideswell are athttp://www.bolehillfarm.co.uk/photo/tideswell_flowers/index.html