Peak District cottages

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Normal (weather) service is resumed

By Monday morning Chris realised that having replaced the temperature probe and batteries that perhaps the problem was even greater with the weather station than we thought.  A number of phone calls and switching on and off of various switches led to the conclusion that the master board was no more.  Luckily by Tuesday the new part had arrived and by lunchtime it was back in place. We have lost about two weeks of data and some values need resetting (I don’t think we had a temperature of 40 degrees C this October).  Anyway, here are Octobers weather statistics.

Warmest day and night (but no temperature available) 23rd, coldest day 27th and night 26th with lowest temperature of -0.5 deg C.  Wettest day 11th with .61 in rain with total 3.61 in for month (2.41 in Oct 2011).

Apart from the weather station Monday and Tuesday were otherwise quieter days.  No departures on either days and no arrivals on Monday so cleaning commenced on the vacated cottages.  Found time to pay this months bills too.  It was quite murky on Monday but brighter on Tuesday.  On Tuesday there was one arrival at about 4pm.  We have had our quietest couple of days for a long time but from Wednesday for the next couple of weeks it will be a lot busier at our Peak District Cottages.

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Padley Gorge

Saturday started dull but soon brightened up at our peak district cottages.  Two departures but no arrivals and with it looking fine we thought we would go for a short walk.  Knowing fields are still wet we opted for Grindleford where we could walk along the track from the Station to Padley Chapel.  When we got there we thought it was nice enough to walk up Padley Gorge especially as the paths were not muddy. It was a nice walk up the gorge and with the sunlight breaking through the almost bare trees we got some interesting shots of gnarled trees and spooky looking tree trunks and stopped every now and again to identify the different trees.  At the top of the gorge we had planned to turn round and walk back down and grab lunch at the station cafe but as it was nice we carried on across the road and up to Longshaw House .  Along the way we got some nice views of Carl Wark and Higger Tor and it was clear enough to see Mam Tor in the distance.  We had lunch sitting outside although it clouded up a bit.  We then walked back the same way but took the opposite path down the gorge to the one we took up.  With the sun now lower we were able to get some different shots of the wonderful colours.  So in the end our short stroll turned into a walk of about 3-4 miles but it was worth it.  We rounded off the day with a scenic drive round to Hathersage where we got Chris some new boots. Sunday was another pleasant day with a frosty start.  Three cottages out and one back in with one cleaner up.  Cottage arrived about 4pm, they have been before.  A day of odd jobs for Chris and myself including wood chopping and stationery orders.  Hard to believe we have now been here nine years, I still clearly remember the day we moved in.

Here are the rest of my pictures from Saturday.  Enjoy!
padley gorge

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Oops! Missed a couple of days

Monday was a relatively quiet Monday at our peak district cottages.  Two cottages out with one back in and one cleaner up.  Time to do some extra cleaning tasks.  Monday was also another bright and sunny but cold day so on went the fire in the afternoon.  Cottage arrived just after 3pm, they have been before.  In the evening Chris went off to the Photographic Club again and I had a quiet evening in catching up on some recorded programmes that I like (but Chris doesn’t!).  Tuesday was a bit more dismal again and with no arrivals or departures and Chris not at Buxton he treated me to a day out at Junction 28.  I enjoyed my bit of retail therapy and after Junction 28 we came back home via IKEA. Chris survived the experience! Wednesday was another fine day, a little milder and a lot sunnier.  For me it was a day of catching up after Tuesday and preparing myself for the evenings WI committee meeting at Joanna’s.  For Chris it was a case of fixing a central heating valve, probably disturbed with all the work he did at the weekend.  One cottage arrived about 3pm, they have three collies.  It had already been cleaned.  Hope you like the picture, the leaves are nearly all off the trees now but we do have a number of ash trees.  I am hoping they wont be affected by this die back fungus but only time will tell.

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Always things to do

Thursday was a mild day with some sun and a few clouds.  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner up.  Down to Bakewell late morning to get provisions for the weekend.  An afternoon of paperwork and planning including discussing some advertising options with Chris.  Guests arrived just after 3pm. Friday was a bit dull with rain arriving later in the day.  One cottage out with one back in later in the day and one cleaner up. Continuing the trend of repairs this week Chris had to spend some time fixing a loose tap.  I had a number of jobs to do, the cleaners have been keeping any vacated cottages clean just in case we have any last minute bookings.  Despite a good forecast for the weekend we have less cottages in over the weekend than during the week.  It will build up again next week with the Chatsworth Xmas Fairs taking place.  I have also been discussing with the cleaners a number of jobs to be done at our peak district cottages over the next few weeks before we get the deep cleaning under way.  Cottage arrived about 7pm, they have been before.

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A different weekend

Saturday started a bit damp but the sun soon came out.  One cottage out with one back in and one cleaner up.  So for once on a Saturday at our peak district cottages there was no rushing around and I had time for a whole load of jobs.  Chris found time for some outside jobs including stocking up our logs and clearing more leaves.  Found time to talk to my sister and cottage arrived about 5pm.  After dinner I took advantage of our elevated position to watch some of the local firework displays from the warmth of the hallway.  Ventured out into the cold later on to watch displays hoping to catch some of Chatsworth’s display but assumed couldn’t see anything as it is in a dip. Sunday turned into one of those days.  Four departures with no arrivals.   Problems with heating in one of the cottages resulted in Chris having to investigate the issue only to find a leak so that gave him something to do.  He had not long finished when there was a knock on the door and an irate woman complained about ‘our’ cows on the road.  Chris phoned Andrew and went down to help get them back into the field.  An early dinner then we headed over to Chatsworth House for the firework display.  This was the first time they had two nights with both nights being sold out.  (Do the sums: an estimated 4000 people at £12 per ticket!)  A murky day turned into a wet evening but luckily the rain stopped by the time we got to there. There was entertainment, food stalls and a bonfire and the house was lit up in various colours. As expected the fireworks were good and I think the dogs were glad to see us back so we could switch off the loud music we had left on so they couldn’t hear any fireworks.

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A busy Friday

Thursday was another fine day for our guests.  One departure with one arrival later in the evening, they have been before.  One cleaner up.  Down to Bakewell late morning to get provisions for the weekend and spent some time in the afternoon getting cottages ready for Friday’s arrivals.  Having problems with the weather station so it is now off line so don’t worry if no data is showing. Friday morning saw two departures with five arrivals so a full house again.  One cleaner up as some already prepared.  All five arrived between 3 and 5 pm, four have been before and most have dogs as they are escaping the towns and the noisy fireworks at our dog friendly cottages.  So with a busy Friday we have a quieter weekend ahead.

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keeping busy

Monday saw two departures with three arrivals.  One cleaner up and no problems.  Chris at home today for a change.  Cottages arrived between 3 and 5 pm.  In the evening Chris went to the Bakewell Photography Club and I stayed in, but it won’t be long before indoor bowls begins so I’ll be out on a Monday night.  Tuesday was a pleasant day and there was one departure.  I have had the WI accounts back and they have been approved so I spent Tuesday morning closing last years files and preparing for next years accounts.  In the afternoon I went to Buxton to check on the progress and also do some shopping and visit Morrisons so it was quite late before I got back. In the evening I went to Ashford with Joanna for the Lathkill Group WI meeting.  Ashford WI laid on a good spread and the entertainment was provided by a magician.  You don’t see many of those around these days.  Wednesday was a busy day for bookings and emails.  Rain had been forecast but it held off until later in the day giving another fine day for our guests at our peak district cottages.  In the evening we went out with a couple of our guests to the Church Inn at Chelmorton and had a nice meal.

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A mixed weekend

Saturday was a fine but cold after a frosty start at our peak district cottages.  Five cottages departed with four returning later in the day.  One has been before.  Three cleaners up and no problems encountered.  Had a few new lamps and shades to put in some of the cottages so got that done.  Missed the Farmers Market for once. All cottages arrived by 3.30pm giving me time to get the fire going, for Smudge of course.  We had the extra hour on Sunday which gave Chris time to change all the clocks!  A bit more drizzly on Sunday so no walk which I was hoping for.  One cottage out with one back in but cottage already cleaned.  Cottage arrived about 4pm.  Made the most of the extra time to catch up on some personal paperwork.  Don’t like the dark evenings!

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Goodbye girls

Woke up Thursday and for the first time in days could see the wonderful Derbyshire countryside from our Peak District cottages.  Something was missing though.  The milk cows!  With the grass not growing  Andrew had taken them cows in for winter so this will eat into silage as they normally don’t go in until mid November.  Andrew has already been keeping them in overnight for a few days, not that I noticed now it gets darker earlier.  They might come out for a little exercise but otherwise I won’t see them now until next spring.  During the day the hooligans were also taken back across the road leaving about three dozen in the maternity wing on this side of the road.  One cottage out and one back in with one cleaner up.  Time for a quick trip to Dunelm to get a few bits before a busy weekend.  Guests arrived about 3pm, they have been before.   Friday was a lot colder but on the whole much brighter with a bit of sunshine!  Had to find my fleece hat and gloves before I took the dogs out!  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner up. Time for some preparations for Saturday and a trip down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the weekend.  Guest arrived just after 6pm after which we went to Buxton to check on progress and discuss then next phase of work with the lads working there .  Afterwards we went for a meal at the Tapas place by the Town Hall.  A cold night but at least no snow.

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murky weather

 a bit of brightness on a murky day
Monday started murky but unlike the last few days it never cleared.  One cottage out with one due back in and one cleaner up.  Arriving cottage phoned to say they would delay arrival until Tuesday due to unforeseen circumstances. In the evening went to Over Haddon for a committee meeting for Hallmark 3. But had to find the fog lights first.  By the time I got to Over Haddon the fog had cleared, I think we were just high enough to be enclosed by it all day as guests who had been out had said there had been low cloud elsewhere.  At least Tuesday was clearer at our peak district cottages.  A quiet day and time to do a few bits around the house.  Also washed some curtains from a vacant cottage.  Guests from yesterday arrived about 8pm. Wednesday was another murky day and with Chris at home we went down to Bakewell to get a few provisions and have a wander around the shops.  Normally I just go and get what I need.  In the evening I went down to Bakewell for the Over Haddon WI 80th anniversary meal at Piedaniels.  During the week they do a two course meal for £14 and it was very nice.  A very enjoyable evening.