Monday started dull and cool at Bolehill but the sun came out later and it turned out to be quite pleasant. Down to Bakewell first thing for Smudge to have a check up after his minor procedure.  I was worried he might not want to go back into the vets but he was happy when the nurse gave him a couple of treats.  I had parked in town and walked along the mill stream to get to the vets, I haven’t walked along this way before and it was a much quicker way than walking along the main road.  Had a chance to walk around the market, first time this year and also went to the jumble sale to which I had donated some goods.  No arrivals or departures and no cleaner either!  We did have an electrician up to start work to update electrical certificates.  As I had offered to take some WI ladies to Chesterfield on Tuesday I thought I had better hoover the car out, I opened the doors then went to switch on the hoover only to find there was a dog sitting in the car.  He did not budge even when I hoovered him!  Obviously felt he needed to supervise the cleaning of his car!  As it was so nice I also washed the car, must be a year since I last did that!  In the evening I went to the Village Hall but this time for the Village Hall committee meeting. Tuesday started very misty and cold but the sun was trying to break through by the time I set off to collect Joanna.  (could have had some lovely photos of the mist settling in the valleys if I had taken the dogs for their morning walk). We then collected another WI lady from Over Haddon and headed to Bakewell avoiding the accident where a car was upside down on its roof.  We collected our final lady in Bakewell and headed to Chesterfield for the Spring Conference of the Derbyshire Federation of WI’s, I was the Over Haddon delegate.  It was -2 in Chesterfield when we arrived and still foggy.  A busy day with updates and speakers in the morning and at lunchtime I took advantage of being close to the shops to get some provisions for the cottages, saves me another trip to Chesterfield in the next couple of weeks.  The sun had come out by then and I thought it typical that I was probably spending the best day of the week indoors!  The main speaker was Edwina Currie, who lives in the High Peak and is now a WI member.  Her talk was about women politicians through the years after which she took questions from the floor.  A very interesting session.  On the way back I noticed Andrew was chain harrowing the fields, depending on the weather the cows could start to come out by the middle of next month.  When I got back home after dropping the others off I found Chris had washed the 4×4, Blue was sitting inside inside the car supervising the process.  Only thing that spoilt the day was the cancellation of two bookings for Easter later in the evening.

Friday was duller and cooler than the previous couple of days.  No departures at Bolehill but there should have been one arrival but they cancelled at the last minute due to ill health.  Up early to take Smudge down to the vets after which I went into Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  Spent the day doing odd jobs in the cottages including cleaning oven shelves.  Later in the afternoon we collected Smudge from the Vets.  Apparently he had been one of the noisiest dogs they have ever had as he had howled most of the afternoon.  He was very sleepy all evening (nothing new there) and only had a small tea but he started to perk up later in the evening.  Saturday was a sunny and milder day.  Smudge was still not quite with it during the morning but by lunch time seemed more his normal self.  One departure and one arrival and one cleaner up.  Spent a lot of the day getting cottages ready for arrivals on Saturday and Sunday.  As it was so nice Chris spent some time tidying up the courtyard.  I have a few broken pots to replace but I could see the green shoots of daffodils and other spring bulbs starting to peek above the ground.  It was nice enough to spot the first hot air balloon of the season, the dogs spotted them first!  Guests arrived about 8pm, they have been here before and are Smudges favourite guests.  I know outside which cottage to find him this week!  Sunday was duller and cooler but still dry.  One departure with two arrivals so some last minute checks.  First cottage arrived about 3.30pm, they have been before.  With a brief appearance of spring my thoughts have turned to the hanging baskets for summer.  This year we have decided to outsource the planting up of the baskets so I have to decide on what plants to use then take the baskets to a small nursery in Buxton.  Second cottage arrived about 7.30pm and then we sat down for the evening.    Here are two pictures a week apart of the snow.  Almost gone.

The handyman was supposed to come up to Bolehill on Wednesday but he was not well so that gave us a free day. As we haven’t been to Sheffield for a while and I haven’t had a ‘me’ shopping day for ages we headed to Sheffield.  First we did the out of town wholesalers as I had a list of things I needed for the cottages (can’t go to Sheffield and not go to the wholesalers!)  We then went back into Sheffield and had a look round John Lewis and a number of other shops.  As it has been almost a year since we last went we noticed some new openings and closures.  We had lunch at a ‘Patisserie Valerie’, we know the original one in London, it has a range of mouth watering cakes too but I resisted.  On the way home we called in at a camera shop as Chris’s camera is showing the signs of wear and tear.  We also called in at an outdoor shop as my dog walking coat is falling to pieces, I have had nine years wear out of it!  Typical though, every time we go to Sheffield it turns into a nice day.  Thursday was also a sunny and dry day but the cool breeze was still there.  A quiet day catching up on jobs in the cottages and paperwork.  Chris went to Over Haddon for the digital workshop and I did the final checks for the cottage that arrived at 8.30 pm.  They have been before.  Gave Smudge an early dinner in preparation for his visit to the vets as he couldn’t have any food after 5pm and I don’t think he could understand why he got no other treats after that.

Weather stats for February:  Highest temp 8.5 on 19/2 and lowest temp -2.8 on 13/2. Wettest day 14/2 with .53 in rain although most of that fell before dawn, with 1.63 in rain for the month (1.34 in 2/2012).
Warmest day 4/2 and night 3/2 with coldest day 13/2 and night 12/2.

Here are three pictures taken over the last three weeks to show how the snow has lingered by the walls.

Thursday was a bitter day at Bolehill Farm but it remained dry.  First thing we did the recycling run as we should have done it on Sunday but didn’t as we went for the walk.  A day of jobs in cottages including washing and ironing curtains.  One cleaner up to carry on with cleaning.  In the afternoon Chris went to Over Haddon for the digital work shop.  With a cottage coming in later in the day there was some final checks to do.  Now that the new curtains for the cottages are up I have also been getting some stuff ready for a jumble sale and sorting out items for the charity shops.  Cottage arrived about 9pm.  Friday was a brighter but still cold day with the odd light flurry of snow.  One departure and two arrivals and one cleaner up.  More jobs in cottages and stocked up on logs.  Although the temperatures have been around or below zero as it has been dry there has been no ice or frost but the ground is solid.  First cottage arrived about 3pm and afterwards I took my jumble to a WI lady and also went into Bakewell and did some recycling and banking as well as collect half a lamb from New Close Farm Shop. Guess what we’ll be eating over the next few days!  Second cottage arrived late and I caught up with them on Saturday morning.  Saturday was Farmers Market so I left Chris to walk the dogs and popped down to Bakewell.  As last months market was cancelled I most probably spent more time chatting to stall holders than shopping!  Every month there are changes and this month I said goodbye to a stall holder who is retiring and is one of the original stall holders and I said hello to a new stall holder who I know as the daughter of another cottage owner.  Back and more jobs in the cottages as well as final checks on a cottage that arrived about 3pm.  A few flurries later in the afternoon that didn’t settle here but left a dusting on the opposite hillside.

About time too!  Friday was a pleasant day at Bolehill Farm.  Two departures and four arrivals and one cleaner up.  A quick trip down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  It was a bit more lively than recent weeks.  Still some snow lying by walls so taking daily photos of the same gate to see how long it takes to go!  Two cottages arrived between 3 and 4pm, one has been before with remaining two arriving between 4 and 5 pm.  Sue from next door brought up some more eggs.  In the evening we went to Lynne’s for supper, they are our next door but one neighbours!  Andrew and Joanna were there too and we had a nice evening but weren’t too late as two men had to get up for milking in the morning.  Saturday was almost wall to wall sunshine after a misty start.  One of those mornings where the mist had sunk into the dales.  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner up.  Cottage arrived just after 3pm.  Spent some time on jobs around the house and in the evening we abandoned the dogs again and headed off to Over Haddon.  We had tickets to see a folk/country duo, Breeze and Wilson, they have played at the hall before but this is the first time we have seen them.  Supper was included (no cooking two nights running!) and everyone enjoyed the music.  They’ll be back again next year.

I’ve had enough of the snow now.  It’s hard to do jobs at our Bolehill cottages when you are forever putting on wellies to go back and forth.  One cottage departed on Tuesday (12th Feb) and one to arrive with one cleaner up.  No more snow but a yellow warning had been issued for snow on Wednesday turning to rain later in the day.  Cottage arrived just after 3pm.  Wednesday morning arrived and one cottage departed.  Luckily no arrivals.  Cleaner up to keep up with cleaning and carry on with deep cleaning.  It stated to flurry about 10 am and then snowing about 11 am.  Chris and I went out and gritted the drive but with the snow blowing around parts were soon covered. Joanna phoned and we decided to cancel the WI meeting as we weren’t sure at what stage the weather would improve so we had to make some phone calls to pass the decision on.  By 1pm the snow was starting to drift so I sent the cleaner home.  The afternoon went in paying February’s bills and looking at the to do lists with Chris seeing what we have or have not done yet.  The Shrovetide Football match in Ashbourne continued despite the weather, if you have not heard about it the match starts on Shrove Tuesday and the goal posts are three miles apart.  The match usually lasts about two days and Ashbourne is best avoided on those days.  It was a very wintry day outside, it both looked and felt cold, I’m quite hardy but even I put the heating on during the day as well as the log burner.  It continued snowing until late until the evening and with the wind it lead to drifting but by 11pm I could hear the sound of rain on the windows and breathed a sigh of relief.  Waking up on Valentine morning I heard birdsong for the first time and decided that  was a good sign but I was disappointed when I looked out and saw there was still plenty of snow.  At least it was not icy and with temperature above zero a thaw had set in.  First thing we went out to clear the drifts off the drive so our departing cottage could get away.  I decided instead of washing the snow away the rain had just gone into the snow and was sitting there trapped in it as the snow was so wet and heavy to move.  One cleaner up to keep up with cleaning. Spent the day in jobs around the cottages such as hanging up new curtains.  Had a Dunelm delivery so more to sort out and with some arrivals on Friday some cottages to prepare. By the end of the day more snow had gone but I guess the snow against the walls will take a bit longer to go.  At least we have few mild days ahead.