Peak District cottages

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A walk to Over Haddon

Sunday was another day of clear blue skies at our peak district cottages.  One departure and one arrival and one cleaner up. After the cottage was ready we decided we had just enough time to walk to Over Haddon for a quick lunch and be back in time for the guests arrival. It was a lovely day and it would have been nice to go for a longer walk but still it was nice to get out for a short walk.  After lunch at the pub, where we managed to get a table with views towards Lathkill Dale, we walked back getting there just after guests arrived, they also run some holiday cottages so we had plenty to talk about.  When Chris took the dogs for their final walk there was a light dusting of snow but by the time we went to bed it had turned to rain.  Monday was more showery.  No departures but one arrival here by mid afternoon.  They are from Canada and are here for two weeks.  In the evening I went to Over Haddon for indoor bowls and Chris went to Bakewell for the Photographic Club so the dogs were abandoned for a few hours.

 Watching the sheep

 Looking back to Over Haddon
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Ashbourne 1/12/12

Saturday started with a few showers and a partial thaw in the fields at our peak district cottages but luckily the dogs managed to get away without a hosing.  After that the sun came back out and the temperature dropped.  An email from friend in Yorkshire advised me they had woken up to a bit of the white stuff which was the last thing they needed as it was a big day in their village with the Christmas lights being switched on.  One cottage due to arrive later in the day, luckily they had advised us of their expected time so we could plan our day. Later in the morning I had some potential guests call in to look at the cottages and after coffee we decided to go to Ashbourne for the afternoon.  We took the dogs with us in case we had time for a short walk and found somewhere to park in Ashbourne.  With it being a Saturday in December we weren’t sure if it would be too busy but as Ashbourne doesn’t have any of the large chains I thought it would be OK.  It was busy but not as busy as Chris thought but one thing that is noticeable is that there are very few empty shops, in fact I can’t remember any.  It reminds me of a town near where we used to live that survived on the fact that it had a lot of individual shops rather than the usual chains.  We enjoyed our wander around the town, especially all the deli’s and food shops for which Ashbourne is developing a reputation and we made a number of purchases for Christmas.  After a late lunch we headed back to the car which was parked where the Tissington Trail finished in town so we took the dogs for a short walk along the trail, most of which was through a series of tunnels.  We then had a quick visit to the small out of town shopping complex where we had a look around the shops that included Majestic Wine (no tastings today), M and S Food hall and a small Homebase before heading home.  Guests arrived about 8pm.

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Baking and tasting

These are the best days in November when you wake up to a clear blue sky.  It was nice to take the dogs for a walk especially as I didn’t have to wash the dogs paws for the first time in ages.  Thursday was my planned day for making our Christmas cake.  One cottage out and none back in so I had no excuse not to do any baking!  So most of the afternoon went in baking with a result of two Christmas cakes, mince pies, biscuits and fridge cake and a roast dinner whilst the oven was on.  Friday was back to normal with one cottage out and one back in. One cleaner up.  Another cold crisp November day, pity the weather station has failed again so the statistics wont be accurate enough when I publish them.  Time for some jobs in the cottages. Chris came down to Bakewell with me in the afternoon as he needed to pick up some bits and on the way back we called into the wine warehouse where they were having a tasting session.  Guests arrived at our peak district cottages about 9pm.

Smudge guarding the fire

One of our regular winter guests, cant decide which cottage to visit next!
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Chesterfield

Monday saw three departures and no arrivals but one cleaner up to start on all the cottages vacated over the last few days. Time for some jobs around the cottages as well as usual Monday jobs.  In the evening I went to the village hall for the first of the seasons indoor bowls sessions.  Despite a lengthy absence I acquitted myself quite well even if I say so myself!  Tuesday was dull but a lot colder.  One cottage out with none back in but one cleaner up again.  Had planned to go shopping and as he was not required at Buxton Chris came with me to Chesterfield.  First went to the town centre itself to get a few bits for some of the cottages (and for me!) and had some lunch before heading to Bookers.  From here we came home via the Peak Outlet at Rowsley.  There is a lot of water on the flood plains there as it is the confluence of the Wye and Derwent.  Wednesday was sunny but cold and for me an ‘at home day’ where I caught up on a lot of jobs at our peak district cottages and took the car for its MOT.  Also finally put the fruit in soak to make the Christmas cake.  Better late than never.

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A walk at Chatsworth

Sunday was forecast to be a pleasant day on the whole, at least in our area.  Three departures and one arrival and one cleaner up to turn cottage round.  With the car park in Bakewell being used for the Christmas weekend we went to Ashford to collect the paper and could see the water on the flood plains. After the cottage had been cleaned we decided we would go to the Chatsworth Christmas Fair.  We weren’t sure how busy it would be so thought we would see how far we could get.  We were surprised that we were able to get to Carlton Lees car park without encountering any queues for Chatsworth.  We thought we would park at Carlton Lees because we did not want to pay £10 for the car park.  So we walked from Carlton Lees to Chatsworth, it took about 30 minutes, but the fields were very soggy and the sound we heard the most was splash! The dogs did not enjoy all the water either.  When we got to Chatsworth we could see why one of the car parks was closed, it was under water!  The place was not as busy as we thought, despite a few coaches being around, but we later found out it had been announced that the fair was closed for the day due to the wet conditions, but we had not seen or heard this despite checking on the website before setting off.  The exhibitors had decided to go ahead anyway as they were told the house and gardens would still be open, so our trip wasn’t in vain.  I did buy a few things so it meant I had to walk back to the car with them.  Back at Carlton Lees we thought we would also have a quick amble round the garden centre before heading home to our peak district cottages to wash the dogs!  Guests had already arrived, they have been before.  After an early tea we went with Joanna and Andrew down to the village hall for the latest film night.  The film offering was Salmon Fishing in Yemen, don’t be put off by the title, it is a romcom with more com than rom! Enjoy the latest photos.

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A Christmas weekend

Friday was the calm after the storm. Bright sunny and dry!   One cottage departed and four due to arrive. One cleaner up and no problems encountered.  Had some potential guests drop in to look at the cottages with a view to making a booking for next year.  Chris spent some time clearing gutters, one of those lovely jobs that has to be done.  Three cottages arrived between 3 and 3.30 pm, one has been before.  A short sharp shower left a wonderful rainbow but couldn’t take a photo as showing guests in.  The final cottage arrived about six pm but final guests arrived about 9.30 pm as they were sharing a cottage with other guests who had arrived earlier.  Saturday started quite foggy but it had settled in the dales and it made for some good photos and other guests were out there in the front fields taking photos too.  I went down to Bakewell for the farmers market in a still foggy Bakewell.  Also taking place was the first day of the Bakewell Christmas Weekend so I went into Bakewell and wandered around the stalls and displays such as classic motorbikes. The lights on the tree were going to be switched on later in the day.  Back at our Peak District cottages two cottages departed and one cleaner up.  Two cottages arrived just after 3pm but in the meantime we stocked up on logs and Chris cleared some more gutters of leaves as more rain was forecast. Rain arrived about 3pm too but the mist never really cleared.  About 6pm we could here the fireworks in Bakewell which I would have thought would have been cancelled due to the wet weather so I missed out on that display.  Never mind. Enjoy the photos.

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Stormy weather

Kept awake by rain early morning and by time took dogs out we had already had .75 in rain at our peak district cottages.  One cottage departed. Down to Bakewell mid morning to get hair cut and luckily it cleared up so I didn’t get my hair wet afterwards.  Got some provisions for the next few days before heading home for lunch.  The afternoon went in paperwork and one of the exhibitors at Chatsworth returned for this weekends event, the other one having stayed on but popping home to restock overnight.  The forecast for Thursday was not promising with high winds and rain expected from lunchtime.  One departure in the morning and one cleaner up.  After an early lunch I headed to Matlock stopping at Peak Village first.  It was still dry when I left and headed for Sainsbury’s and still dry when I started back for home although the wind had picked up.  One of our guests followed me up the hill narrowly missing a for sale sign that suddenly took off.  In the car park there were a few small branches down and I noticed one of my hanging baskets had also been blown down so Chris went and took the remaining ones down as the wind was very strong by now.  We also allowed guests to park in the courtyard as it was more sheltered.  At 5pm the heavens just opened and by now I was wondering if I would make it to Buxton to see a performance of Calendar Girls at the Opera House.  The heavy rain and wind subsided by the time I set off but there was lots of very big puddles to negotiate.  I took one of the other Over Haddon WI members with me and we met up with others from the WI there.  After a wonderful performance the weather had calmed down for our drive back.

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A walk from Hartington

Sunday started cold and frosty but sunny at our peak district cottages.  Four departures with no arrivals so a good excuse for a walk.  With the ground still saturated I opted for a walk from Hartington that involved a walk along a track then back on higher ground.  It was still frosty in the dale as we drove into Hartington but we were able to find a parking spot amongst all the other walkers.  We headed out on the track past Bank Top Farm where we once stayed and in the direction of Pilsbury which followed the course the infant River Dove.  There were a few icy patches but nothing serious but as the track opened up and we walked in the sun we were also able to get views of Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill in the distance and also Sheen Hill closer to our walk.  As it was a gated track we felt safe in letting the dogs off the leads.  There was no livestock and we only saw one other group of walkers until we got to the hamlet of Pilsbury.   From here we picked up the bridleway that went to Pilsbury Castle.  This was a motte and bailey construction and although there are only mounds of earth to see these days it had some lovely views along the upper Dove Valley as it is in an elevated position. A good spot for lunch despite the fact the dogs were more interested in some para gliders nearby.  This meant some woofing to disturb the peace.  Our return journey was in parallel with the track but was along some good paths after a short climb with a few muddy patches and some more lovely views before we picked up a minor road back into Hartington by the church.  It was still busy and there were queues in the cheese shop so I will go back on a quieter day to get some bits for Xmas.  Good news for cheese lovers – Hartington Stilton could be available in the new year again!  When we got home one of our guests asked if we would like to join them for a Chinese take away so we did and had a enjoyable time!  Enjoy the photos of our walk.

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A busy weekend

Friday started misty but it soon lifted even if it clouded up again by lunchtime.  One cottage out with three back in and one cleaner up.  After she finished I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. First cottage arrived about 4pm, they have been before.  Chris went later in the afternoon over to Matlock to get the projector used by the Photographic Club recalibrated.   While he was a way I went through my baking store cupboard as I still haven’t baked my Christmas cake yet.  I am hoping I will have time after next week.  Second cottage arrived about 7.30 with final cottage arriving at 9pm, they have also been before.  We then sat down and watched the Michael Portillo Great Continental Rail Journey where he travelled from Budapest to Salzburg. It brought back many memories of all the holidays we had in Austria before coming here and it made me want to go back again as the last time we were there was to witness the eclipse of the sun. The heaviest of the rain passed through during Friday night so despite the initial forecast Saturday was mainly dry and bright.  No departures but two arrivals both arriving between 3 and 3.30.  Another day of odd jobs and I found some time to potter in the garden doing some tidying up.  The hanging baskets have lasted well again at our peak district cottages but we will take them down soon.  A cold evening so got the fire on for Smudge so he could keep warm!

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More arrivals

Wednesday was on the whole a dull but dry day at our peak district cottages.  No departures but two arrivals, but both are here as they are showing at the Chatsworth Christmas Fair this weekend.  Time for a trip down to Bakewell to get bits for the next few days.  In the evening I collected Joanna for this months WI meeting.  It was the AGM and I will be Treasurer for another year.  After the business we had a tea prepared by the committee (I had already made some sandwiches earlier in the afternoon) and we played some board games.  We also cut the cake to celebrate our 80th birthday!  Thursday started quite misty but by late morning the sun was shining so we were lucky as in many places it didn’t clear.  One departure in the morning and one cleaner up with one arrival later in the day.  Chris and I did a walk round the garden looking at  jobs to do and as it was so still he decided to clear the leaves from the back lawn.  In the end he cleared about six trailer loads and as a breeze started to pick up I ended up helping him.  Cottage arrived at 3pm, they have been here before.  The afternoon went in many jobs, I am still pressing the new linen, nearly finished though.  One thing I can say about Thursday is that it turned into one of those lovely autumnal days, I stopped a couple of times to look at the various colours and the setting sun cast some different hues on the landscape.  So entranced forgot to take photos!  By late afternoon we could see the mist settling in the dales again.  Chris went off in the evening with Andrew and the lads from Buxton for a drink and I had a quiet evening in.