4.30am and traffic already on the Snake Pass. We were still in bed at Bolehill when that was tweeted but we were out of the house by 9am and heading to Ladybower Reservoir. On Wednesday night we had drawn up Plans a,b,c d e and f just in case but by the time we got to the car park at plan A we were onto plan G. Traffic was still entering the road to the dams so we thought we would see how far we could get. We had got quite some way when we saw they were turning cars around but letting them park on the road. We were only a mile from the Fairholmes car park and despite the fact it was only 9.30, we were surprised we had got so far and were able to park. We had heard that the road would be closed as soon as Severn Trent, who own the land, felt there was a safety risk. When we got to Visitor Centre it was very busy and we could already see loads of people on the hillside, so they must have been the ones on the Snake Pass at 4.30am! Unfortunately we could also see that the place we planned to watch the event from was busy but as we had plenty of time time we thought we would have a longer walk. So we walked past the bottom of the Derwent dam where there were TV and radio crews setting up and walked along the reservoir towards Howden Dam. We were surprised at how many people had already sought out their viewing spots. At least it was dry, sunny and mild compared to the last few days. At Abbey Bank we started the climb up to the moors with nice views back towards Howden Dam. When we reached one of the spots where we have had lunch in the past we realised this could be a good viewing spot. There was already two small groups in situ and after a discussion we decided we would stay there and watch the fly past from there. So we had two hours to wait but two hours with a nice view and time for lunch. As the time approached a number of helicopters took to the air and as one flew down the reservoir we could see it had cameras underneath it. We were in a great spot to see the Lancaster and Spitfire in the distance gradually come together and then then head down Howden Reservoir over the dam and beyond followed by two Tornadoes. They did three runs and we were able to see them fly round, regroup and fly down again. I used my camera and the new camera to take photos and videos so they may not all be in strict time order. Then they were off to fly down the Derwent Valley to do a flypast at Chatsworth (plans e and f!) so we continued the walk passing other spots we had considered and passing loads of people who were making their way back to where they started their journey from. By the time we got back to the car the crowds had gone and we had a good journey back home. We did stop at the Calver Sough Garden Centre en route and it was here that we had the first shower of the day. Glad they had held off for so long. Later in the the evening we went down to Andrew and Joanna’s. They were hosting a cow judging evening so we went and had a look. I took some photos but because I did not use the flash they did not come out so well. Here are the photos of the walk and flypast.
Peak District cottages
Shopping!
Monday was a day of sunshine and showers at Bolehill including a heavy hailstorm. Three departures and two arrivals and one cleaner up. The morning also saw laundry collected, rubbish collected, oil delivered and leaflets from the Chestnut Centre delivered. First guests arrived at 3pm and second guests arrived just after 7pm. One of those afternoons that seem to fly past with nothing to show for it. When I took the dogs out for their evening walk the air was crystal clear but nippy! At least Tuesday was not as bad as forecast. Chris was able to mow the lawns in the morning even if he got caught in a hail shower. He has also had to put up the electric fence to stop the cows from getting into the paddock area. One had already found her way in and was given an Asbo. In the afternoon I had an excursion down to Bakewell to get some provisions, petrol and compost. It started to rain just before 4pm. One cottage in arriving just before 5pm. They are from Australia. It was wet overnight into Wednesday and cold too, but at least it didn’t snow. We opted to go shopping and usually at this time of year we go to Lea Gardens and Junction 28 but today we ventured a little further and went to Lakeside Outlet at Doncaster. This is just off the M18 and took an hour to get to so no longer than going to Junction 28. It is bigger than Junction 28 but it has a Thorntons and Cadburys so I was happy. When I took the dogs out in the evening one of the other guests said they had been to Lea Gardens and had enjoyed it. Our cherry tree is usually in blossom by now but I reckon it is still another week before it flowers.
Tissington Well Dressings
It’s that time of year again. The season of well dressings begins with Tissington. Friday saw one departure with three arrivals at Bolehill and one cleaner here. I popped down to Bakewell in the morning to get some provisions for the weekend. A dull and wet morning turned into a brighter afternoon and after the last cottage arrived at 5 pm (one has been before) we decided to head over to Tissington. The wells were up to the usual high standards but arriving later in the afternoon meant there wasn’t the crowds. We wandered round with Chris subjecting Blue to sitting in front of the wells as it was his blog. We also called into the butcher who was still open and while we were chatting the heavens opened so the poor dogs, especially Smudge, had to endure the rain whilst looking in at all the meat on display! Heading home we decided to call in at Carriages, an Italian restaurant at Newhaven. The dining area consists of two old rail carriages decorated in period style on either side of the bar area. The last time we ate there was before we bought Bolehill so it was time we paid it another visit. They have a good choice of pasta and Italian dishes and a bar menu and luckily for us they had a table available. A nice meal and a chat with the owners before driving home. Saturday was a mixture of sunshine, dullness and showers. Four departures and three arrivals and two cleaners here. All cottages here by 3.30pm, all have been here before so it gave me the rest of the afternoon to research some products as I need to look at replacing some items in the cottages such as crockery. Sunday started dry but by mid afternoon the rain had set in and it felt a lot colder so a day of jobs around the house.
Here are some photos of Castleton that I found when I downloaded the well dressing photos.
Looking up to Back Tor and Lose Hill
Looking up to Win Hill
Looking up to Mam Tor
Tissington Hall
Spring slides away
Tuesday remained spring like at Bolehill and with less of a breeze it felt warmer. One departure and one cleaner up. Took advantage of no arrivals to go out for a few hours. Had thought about a short walk but risk of showers had appeared in the forecast so we had a little drive out to Castleton where we had a wander around. As it was sunny and warm we couldn’t find a place to eat lunch outside with the dogs as all the tables were taken so we headed to Hassop Station for lunch via the agricultural stores at Brough where Chris picked up some weed killer. Back home I found a little more time to plant out some plants and tidy up as rain was forecast for Wednesday. Wednesday started dull and dump but it brightened up in the afternoon. One cottage out and I headed down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the next few days and get my hair cut. A quiet afternoon and in the evening I collected Joanna and Lynne for the latest WI meeting. May’s meeting always sees the voting on the resolutions to be tabled at the National AGM. We also had a speaker, a local lady, well known in the area, who spoke to us about the voluntary double mastectomy she fought to get many years ago as she was convinced breast cancer ran in the family after the death of many close female relatives. With medical advances, particularly in genetics, it has been discovered the females in her family carry a faulty gene that results in breast cancer so her daughter has had the operation too. She was instrumental in setting up a national helpline for hereditary breast cancer. Thursday was more autumnal with over half inch of rain in the afternoon and evening. One departure and one cleaner up. One arrival about 3pm and spent the afternoon on accounts. In the evening I went to Over Haddon again this time for the Village Hall AGM.
I wonder what they are discussing.
I shouldn’t be let loose at auctions!
On Saturday morning we said goodbye to three cottages at Bolehill and two cleaners came up to turn them round. I drove down to the Auction House at Bakewell and had a look at what was on offer at the Garden and Plant Auction. I decided there were some lots of interest but they were not due to be sold until the afternoon so I came back and had coffee and an early lunch and checked on the progress of cleaning before going back. I bid for a number of lots and at the end of the sale when I rounded up my purchases I realised I was not going to get them all in the car! When I phoned Chris three of the cottages had already arrived so he came down and collected the rest of the plants. I bought a mixture of shrubs, some pots which were already planted up for the summer and some bedding plants (see picture below). We were back by 4pm and the remaining two cottages arrived between 5 and 6pm. Of the five arrivals three have been before. Sunday was a lovely day and after getting the paper from Bakewell Chris and I spent most of the day doing bits around the courtyard and gardens. It was the first real chance to do some pruning, take out some dead shrubs and start planting in the new ones, after all I have about six dozen plants to find a home for. Chris also cleaned out our pond, luckily the fish survived the winter. It was nice enough to have coffee and lunch outside. Monday was similar, a lovely Bank Holiday Monday for a change, bearing in mind that five weeks earlier on Easter Monday there was still plenty of snow around! There was one departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. Guests arrived about 3pm and then some more planting ! It was even nice enough to make the trip to Monyash for one of the ice creams from the Old Smithy. Worth the petrol!
A walk on the Edges
Wednesday had been forecast to be a fine day at Bolehill but by Tuesday it had changed to clouding up by lunchtime with the possibility of showers in the afternoon. Despite this we opted to go for a walk. I had chosen one of the classic Peak District walks based on the Edges but with an extension should the weather hold. It was certainly a warm morning, we even removed our jackets on the walk. We parked at the (currently free) car park by the Robin Hood Inn and picked up the path below Birchen Edge. We haven’t done this walk for a number of years and last time we did it was winter and the ground was boggy in places so I thought with it being so dry we wouldn’t have to worry about wet boots. We kept to the lower path although we could have climbed up to the ridge and had a closer looked at the Nelson monument and the Three Ships Stones (named after Nelsons Three Ships). The area that could have been boggy was fine and we crossed the Baslow-Sheffield road and picked up the bridleway leading up to the Wellington Monument. On the way we passed some Longhorn cattle, the guide stoop on the old Chesterfield road and a new stone sculpture. By the time we got to the Wellington monument it had clouded up but we decided to add Baslow edge to the walk rather than head back to the car. First we admired the view to Chatsworth and considered it an option to watch the Red Arrows from when they appear at Chatsworth later in the summer. By the time we had walked along Baslow Edge the sun had come back out again. We picked up the path below Baslow Edge which again can be quite boggy but apart from a few little damp spots it was easy going under foot. We lunched at a nice sunny spot on one of benches along this part of the walk, if we stood up we could see Chatsworth. We then started walking back up to the Wellington monument but before reaching it picked up the path that descended through Yeld Wood to the Sheffield Road. We had to pass the couple of houses that have their own bridge from the road. As we walked up to Gardoms Edge it felt very warm again we had some lovely views of the local area including Nelsons Monument and the Three Ships. As it was such a nice afternoon we stopped at Hassop Station for afternoon tea and had a nice piece of cake. Some more cows were out out and stayed out overnight. In the evening it was my turn to host the monthly WI committee meeting. Enjoy the photos.
I’ve never felt so disheartened…
…on letting the cows out Andrew said on Monday morning. Well it was a dreary morning at Bolehill although it did brighten up. So the cows are now out during the day time with what little grass there is. Monday saw one departure and two arrivals, both have been before. One cleaner up and the day just seemed to fly past with no opportunity to get much else done. Guests arrived between 3.30 and 4.30pm. At least I took some bookings in the evening. Tuesday was a fine day. Chris went over to Buxton in the morning for some gas safety check and when he got back I went to Sainsbury’s in Matlock. Spent the morning catching up on WI accounts and housekeeping duties. One departure in the morning. Early forecasts indicate we could have some nice weather over the weekend. That would be nice but here are Aprils weather stats anyway.
Highest temp 15.6 deg C on15th with lowest temp -2.2 on 2nd
Warmest day was 24th and night 15th with coldest day 2nd and night 1st
Had a mere .65 in rain with wettest day 12th with .14 in rain compared to 3.21 in rain April 2012
The sun is getting stronger with a UV of 7.7 on 24th
Here are some pics from Monday
Cows in the field
Blue finds something interesting in the bushes
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
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.
A walk from Eyam
The week at Bolehill started with three departures and three arrivals and one cleaner up. Chris went down to the market in Bakewell whilst I finished off in the cottages. Two cottages arrived at 3pm and one at 4.30pm. Another nice day although it clouded up in the afternoon. In the evening I went to the village hall for a pre AGM meeting and acceptance of the annul accounts. Apparently I missed an unusual sunset. As Tuesday was forecast to be a fine day I scheduled us in for a walk. I had selected a six mile circular walk from Eyam heading to Foolow then Grindlow and back to Eyam which was quite gentle but with a number of stiles. Although we had the blue skies, sun and warmth we also had a keen wind. We parked in Eyam in the free car park ( yes, there are still some free car parks around) and walked passed Eyam Hall (now managed by the National Trust) before heading up New Road and out of Eyam towards Foolow. The path followed field paths and green lanes all the way to Foolow and we had views up to Eyam Edge and Bretton and across to Longstone Edge in the other direction. The dogs were able to stay off the leads for most of the way as we encountered no livestock and the stiles were all easy as the walk had two dozen to cross! At Foolow we walked through the hamlet and then took another path across fields to the hamlet of Grindlow. Here we picked up a minor lane down to a silly place to have lunch. Silly Dale! Silly Dale was sheltered from the wind so we found a spot for lunch where we had views up and down the dale. We could also see a few gliders from the gliding club. At Stanley House we started on the return journey to Eyam. At this point we had a good view to the Peter’s Stone in Cressbrook Dale. There were sheep and lambs in the first few fields so the dogs stayed on their leads and we also passed Brosterfield Hall where the dogs went for their training, I wonder if that’s why Smudge paused for a moment. We had a short bit of road to walk on before walking along the A623 for a couple of hundred yards. We picked up the final path to Eyam which skirted an old quarry and before we knew it we were back at the car. We thought we would stop at the cafe at Monsal Head for a cup of tea but it was closed so we went onto to Ashford and had a cup of tea and piece of cake there. Enjoy the photos.
Looking back to Eyam
Heading to Foolow
Looking up to the Barrel Inn at Bretton
Foolow Cross
View to Wardlow from Silly Dale
A quiet moment
Peter’s Stone
Posing for the camera!
Former quarry