Peak District cottages

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Another wintry weekend

Too many of them so far this year!  Woke up to a dusting of snow at Bolehill Farm but it was mild enough for it to disappear during the morning.   It was also quite a dull day but my friend in Yorkshire enjoyed a day of blue skies and sunshine so she told me when I phoned to wish her Happy Birthday.  One departure and one cleaner up to keep up with cleaning.  Kept an eye on the forecast with further departures and arrivals on Sunday and Monday.  Hadn’t expected any snow Saturday morning and the forecast showed us being on the border line between the lighter and heavier snow fall for Sunday evening but we will have to wait and see.  After lunch we stocked up with logs but the tractor ran out of petrol and got stuck in a snowy patch so Chris had to pull it out with the 4×4 with me on it!  We then salted the drive, Chris using the spreader with me following behind with the wheelbarrow and a bag of salt!  I  did the final checks on a cottage for Sunday before dealing with a couple of bookings and cooking dinner.  The dogs were happy  as there were quite a few four legged friends to say hello to and Smudge enjoyed a few runs around the field with one of them.  So we woke up to a covering of snow on Sunday.  One cottage departed managing to get away OK.  Got the paper from Bakewell where there was no snow.  By mid morning it was raining so the morning’s snow soon went.  Cottage arrived about 3 pm, they have been before but not since we’ve been here.  Coincidentally they had recommended us to another family who have already booked for this week unbeknown to them.  By late evening the rain had turned back to snow and more worryingly it had started to settle.  Here are some photos from Sunday.

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Keeping busy

Wednesday was a dry but cold day with a biting wind at our peak district cottages.  Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner up. Spent the morning doing jobs in cottages, mainly hanging up new curtains and checking the state of pillows and duvets.  Chris installed one of the new hobs. In the afternoon I did the final check on the cottage for the days arrivals.  I also spent some time checking spare laundry and compiling some orders for replacement soft furnishings.   In the evening I hosted a WI committee meeting and guests arrived just after 8pm, they have been before.  Thursday was another dry day with a few light snow flurries in the evening.  A continuation of Wednesday with jobs around the cottages.  One cleaner up.  In the afternoon went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  Chris went to Over Haddon for a digital photography workshop.  Later in the afternoon I ordered some more items for the cottages.  One cottage due in and they arrived just after 8.30 pm.  Friday was a sunny day but still on the cold side.  The ground was solid after a very cold night.  No departures but two arrivals, one not booking until lunchtime.  In the morning did some jobs around the cottages and one cleaner up.  Couple we went to see on Sunday called in for a final coffee before they departed for pastures new and someone came up too give us a quote for a new kitchen in one of the cottages.  In the afternoon did the final checks in one cottage and made up another for the late booking.  Some phone calls and bookings and then after giving the dogs an early tea we set off for Buxton as we had tickets for Steve Steinman’s ‘The Meat Loaf Story’.  This is the third or fourth time we have seen him and enjoyed the show as usual.  We had a meal at the Lone Star (Mexican) beforehand.  Guests had arrived by the time we got back, one cottage had been before.  Watched the late forecast in case we needed to salt the drive but rain rather than snow was shown so that saved a job.  Here are some photos from Wednesday morning.

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It’s back!

Monday stayed dry during the daylight hours with rain later in the evening.  One departure but no arrivals but plenty to do as we have a busier weekend ahead.  At lunchtime the weather forecaster announced an amber alert for snow for Monday night/Tuesday morning with up to 20 cm of snow! Where did that come from? There was no mention of any snow on the forecast for the week ahead on Sunday so suddenly just as we were starting to get jobs done we were facing another setback.  In the evening Chris went to the Photographic Society in Bakewell and I went to Over Haddon for indoor bowls and I did better than usual. On the way back I encountered a gritter in the pouring rain and wondered how effective it would be.  Up early and relieved that there was only a couple of centimetre of snow.  Someone has to be first on the delivery list but of all days why Tuesday!   At least I saw a colourful sunrise.  When the delivery van arrived it didn’t feel it could make it up the drive so Chris went down to collect the dishwasher and two hobs in the 4×4.  The road looked a bit precarious but it got better when the sun came out mid morning. The cleaner didn’t make it and said she had never seen Chatsworth Park as bad as it was. Cars were all over the place not helped by sheep wandering onto the road.  It’s used by buses from Sheffield and Matlock but even they used alternative routes.  Some more showers during the morning and afternoon, the snow was supposed to turn to rain but never did.  Spent a lot of the day hemming some new curtains to go up in our peak district cottages.  Chris installed the new dishwasher.  Later in the day a thaw set in so by the time we went to bed all that was left was the snow that had been blown up against the walls.

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Guests and weather stats

Friday was a bit cooler but it stayed dry until later in the day. Later in the morning I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  With a couple of guests due in over the next couple of days there was a number of jobs to do.  One cottage in about 3 pm, they have been before. For a Friday it was busy with bookings and emails.  Although there are just a few pockets of snow left now (there were a few in the car parks in Bakewell where the piles hadn’t melted) I read in the Peak Advertiser how the Edale Rescue had had to rescue a couple of sledges on Mam Tor the previous weekend after sledging accidents. Saturday was a bright but cold day and time to catch up with jobs around the cottages and house.  One couple called in and ended up making a booking.  One cleaner up and one cottage arrived just after 3 pm. They have been before. Sunday was dull but a bit milder.  After collecting the paper we went round and saw a couple who manage a local holiday complex but who are moving on to another complex.  A quiet afternoon but a few bookings.

January’s weather statistics at our peak district cottages
There was 2.09 in rain (4.51 in 2012).  Wettest day 26th with .78 in rain. Highest temp was 11.6 deg C on 29th with 3rd being warmest day and 2nd warmest night.  Lowest temp was -4.8 deg C on 16th with 16th being coldest day and 15th coldest night.

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Out and about

Wednesday was bright with a breeze picking up from mid morning and squally showers in the afternoon. In the morning Chris went to Buxton and I caught up on some jobs round the cottages with a cleaner.     Joanna collected me just after 1pm and together with Lynne we went to Markeaton Crematorium where the cremation of a husband of one of the WI members and a Over Haddon resident was to take place.  We encountered some squally showers on the way back and as we drove to Over Haddon we saw a tractor bringing the beaters up from where the last shoot of the season in Lathkill Dale had just taken place.  Now that the snow has gone I ordered some more items for the cottages to be delivered early next week.  In the evening we went down to Bakewell to Felicinis as we had received an email with a discount for meals over the next few days.  Many restaurants have special offers at this time of year.  Was woken up at 5am on Thursday morning by a terrific hailstorm at our peak district cottages. Was so terrified the hail would break the windows that I woke Chris up.  Heard that there was still hail left in Bakewell when people went down to work in the morning.  Thursday was another mild day though.  In the morning we did a number of jobs around the cottages and had planned an early lunch and then a trip to Chesterfield.  We then decided to find somewhere on the way to Chesterfield for lunch and chose a cafe at Marsh Green Farm shop just outside Ashover.  Always nice to try somewhere new as it meant only a small detour.  We then went onto Bookers and after that I finally made it to Dunelm, even if the sale is over.  Still we came back with a full car and after an early tea Chris took myself, Lynne and another WI member over to Youlgrave where Over Haddon WI had tickets for the Youlgrave Pantomime.  This is their 51st year of pantomimes.  We all enjoyed the evening, haven’t laughed so much in ages. Andrew collected us and brought me back home. Even thinking about going again next year.  Oh yes we are!

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A milder interlude

Woke up Sunday to a greener scene at our peak district cottages.  A lot of snow had gone with the overnight rain so morning walks with the dogs now means muddy paws and dog washing!  At least the temperature was above freezing.  Spent some time in house jobs and some personal time on a jigsaw. Monday was back to business.  A wetter day and feeling colder at first even if temperature was above freezing.  Laundry and rubbish collected as usual and had some deliveries.  One cleaner up to carry on with cleaning and one arrival, they have been here before.  Also a number of phone calls and emails and in the evening went to the village hall for indoor bowls. Tuesday got off to a bright start and the forecast rain was not as bad as expected.  Cleaner up in the morning and after lunch Chris came with me to Sainsbury’s in Matlock.  On the way back we called in to see the previous owners of Bolehill.  A busy evening with phone calls and a number of bookings.

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Snow and Sheep

Friday felt a lot colder with a biting wind.  For the first time the snow felt more icy.  One cleaner up and after coffee we went to Buxton to check on the house and pick up our new glasses.  We were back mid afternoon as I wanted to be back before the snow arrived.  It was supposed to be here any time from 3pm but in the end the first flurries didn’t arrive until 5pm.  In the meantime we had to go out twice to the guest garden and round up sheep who have found a breach in the wall from the back field into the copse at the back of the garden.   A few found a way onto the lawn where they were scraping the ground to find grass.  The farmer had brought up hay again for them today but as the saying goes the grass is greener… This didn’t help the saplings in the copse or my Scots Pine I planted  a number of years ago but has now been more or less denuded. The snow took its time to arrive but when it did it came down relentlessly and in the morning there was another four inches of snow.  Confused the dogs by both of us taking them for their morning walk.  Tried to do a bit of sledging but just too much snow!  The road was clear so we thought we would try the Farmers Market so after coffee we took some guests down with us to Bakewell for the market.  There was snow down in Bakewell but on the whole it had been cleared.  Got to the Agricultural Centre only to find the market had been cancelled earlier that morning.  There were still a few stall holders selling outside as they decided having got there they were going to sell what they could as there was a steady stream of cars arriving in the car park.  We then went round to the Chatsworth Farm Shop as our guests hadn’t been there before so at least they could buy some food even if it was more expensive than the Farmers Market.  Back and had lunch and just happened to look out the front and realised the sheep seemed to be crossing the cattle grid into the car park.  Chris and I went outside and got them back into the field and found a barrier to discourage them from coming back again.  My poor plants and shrubs have really been decimated by the sheep over the last couple of days as we found that they had got into the area behind Bluebell and nibbled away at the bottom of the conifers too.  Later in the afternoon the farmer came to feed them and I had to shoo some out of the copse again so at least they could get some hay.  Chris popped down to Andrews and found himself helping out with a sick cow.  Lots of fun with the animals and they’re not even ours!  Later in the evening as the temperature rose there was a rumble and a swathe of snow fell off the roof at the back of the house, luckily no damage done. Then it started to rain and we even had some lightening and thunder at our peak district cottages. Enjoy the photos.

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Staying cold

At least Tuesday started sunny with a hoar frost at our peak district cottages so took more photos.  With the deep snow we have we cannot use the tractor to top up the log supply so I am having to go and bag some up and bring them down daily and at the same time do my daily checks on the empty cottages.  Cleaner made it up and guests managed to get out in their own car.  Finally made a start on this weeks curtain jobs as I have had some curtains that I have been meaning to hang up since before Xmas and I also have started washing curtains as a part of the deep cleaning regime.  Wednesday was back to dull weather and in many was a repeat of Tuesday (curtains, logs, cottage checks) but the rubbish got collected and we saw the postman for the first time since last Thursday.  He would have been here yesterday had his van not broken down. Thursday was a brighter day although no sunshine.  Cleaner up to carry on with work and later in the morning Chris and I went down to Bakewell for our six monthly dental check up and also got provisions for the weekend.  Realised afterwards that the Farmers Market was on Saturday but after seeing the lunchtime forecast I wondered if I would make it anyway.  There is an amber warning for snow Friday night into Saturday and I have rearranged a booking because of this.  The weather the last couple of weeks hasn’t done our last minute bookings any favour.  Did a check of cottages and stocked up on logs by wheeling a barrow load through the snow! The afternoon just seemed to fly by.  Enjoy the photos from Tuesday

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Another snowy Monday!

 Sunday was a cold wintry day at our peak district cottages.  Beginning to forget what the sun looks like!  After getting the paper the day was spent on house jobs and on the VAT return and paying taxes.  Boo hoo.   Had hoped to go to the village hall in the evening for this months film offering but with an uncertain forecast we did not go.  There was already a covering of snow by the time we went to bed and by Monday morning there was a fresh fall of another 2-3 inches.  Not what we wanted or expected.  Had planned to start the winter maintenance jobs in the cottages but cancelled that along with the cleaner, laundry and rubbish collection.  So day went in accounts, mainly getting this months up to date and WI accounts.  After lunch Chris took a couple of guests down to Bakewell in the 4×4 to get some provisions and Ian came up to snowplough the drive.  Chris put some more salt down afterwards.  I went out with a broom and cleared snow off shrubs so hopefully we don’t get too many casualties.  For the last week the temperature hasn’t been above freezing.  In the evening Chris went to Bakewell for the Photographic Club but I offered my apologies for not going to the Village Hall Committee meeting.  First one I’ve not attended for a while. Here are some more wintry photos.

  our patio

 Smudge sheep watching again


  Smudge guiding Ian

  view from Derwent lounge

 

  guest garden

Derwent patio area
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Here comes the snow

…or maybe not.  Had a fresh covering by the morning at our peak district cottages.  The wind was blowing the snow around when I took the dogs for their walk.  One cleaner up for a few hours.  From late morning and into the afternoon we had light snow showers on and off but the wind kept moving it around. Although I wanted to do some jobs in the cottages it was not easy moving around so as I have a list of items that I am looking to replace in the cottages I spent some time researching purchases on the Internet.  But the earth did not move for me at 5.40am this morning when a small earthquake in Loughborough was felt in southern Derbyshire.  Saturday stayed dull with snow flurries on and off during the day.  One cottage out, they were going to stay for a few more days but heavy snow is forecast in their area on Sunday so they thought they had better leave.  Took some photos when taking the dogs for a walk, the wind had made some interesting  shapes with the snow.  The farmer came up to feed the sheep too. We thought we would go for a drive to see the snowy landscape but stopped first at the Chatsworth Farm Shop for lunch.  Did not have to queue!  We then drove through Chatsworth park and stopped to take photos of the sledgers.  We parked at Carlton Lees and had a short walk along the river back towards Chatsworth House.  Called in at the Peak Outlet place before heading back home. Took plenty of photos so enjoy them!

One of Saturday’s photos

Three photos from Friday.  Compare wall photos to same taken on Saturday.