Plenty of weather to talk about at our peak district cottages.  Sunday was much more dismal with rain on and off most of the day.  One cottage out and Sunday was really an ‘at home’ day.  Took the dogs out in the afternoon and heard the curlews.  With spring here (?) there is a lot more wild life around.  Not seen any hares yet, the pheasants are still resident, have heard an owl.  Lots of birds hopping around, seen the wrens, the wagtails are teasing the dogs but haven’t seen the fieldstarts recently but we have a kamikaze greenfinch who keeps trying to get into the dining room and I have seen the first swallow.  Monday was supposed to start dry but deteriorate but actually started horrible and improved.  Two cottages out and three back in.  One has been before.  One cleaner up.  Cottages arrived between 3 and 4.30pm. In the evening Chris went with one of his photographer friends to help take pictures of a local drama group.  Tuesday was probably the best day of the week weather wise.  Although it clouded over a couple of times it stayed dry and we even saw some prolonged spells of blue sky!  A day of accounts and paying the quarterley VAT (boo hiss!) and one cottage in arriving about 3pm.  Forecast for Wednesday is not good. Sigh.

After a couple of more hectic weeks the next couple of weeks look relatively quiet at our peak district cottages.  Thursday was another dismal day weather wise.  Three departures and one arrival and two cleaners up.  In the afternoon one of our former cleaners called in for a natter over tea and cake and in the evening I went with Joanna and some of the other Over Haddon WI ladies to Bakewell for one of the regular WI Group meetings this time being hosted by Bakewell.  As expected from a WI a lovely supper was provided and our entertainment was a female barbershop quartet which included two of the Dale Divas.  An enjoyable evening had by all.  Friday was a more pleasant day weather wise and we didn’t see any rain until the evening.  One cottage out and one back in and one cleaner up.  Cottage arrived about 3pm after which I spent an hour or so pottering around in the garden.  Saturday was also pleasant weather wise.  Two cottages out, one back in, one staying for a second week and one cleaner up.  Again cottage arrived about 3pm so time for another hour or so pottering in the garden.  A pleasant evening with one of the cottages coming over for a drink and chat.

Monday and Tuesday were not too bad weather wise at our peak district cottages despite the forecast although Derbyshire has now joined the list of counties officially in drought.  One cottage out and two due back in on Monday but due to a funeral one now would be arriving Tuesday morning.  One cleaner up and usual Monday routines. Guests arrived just after 3pm. With it staying dry Chris managed to cut the grass.  In the evening we abandoned the dogs with me going to Over Haddon for the Village Hall Committee meeting and Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society.  Delayed cottage arrived about midday on Tuesday after which we went to Buxton to get a few bits.  In the evening we had one of those heavy showers that left a covering of hail.  The weather on Wednesday was awful  which was a pity as we had tickets for a familiarisation trip to Renishaw Hall just outside of Chesterfield.  The Tourist Board have started to organise these trips on a regular basis for accommodation providers and as we haven’t been to Renishaw for a while we had booked tickets.  Since we had last been there the previous owner had passed away and there had never been tours of the house.  Wednesday’s trip included a tour of the house and, after lunch, a tour of the gardens and of course a chance to catch up with other accommodation providers.  There are now limited tours of the house as it is also a private home.  The Hall has been home to the Sitwell family for many generations and there is an exhibition dedicated to the Sitwell trio who were noted literary artists at the beginning of the 20th century. The hall also has paintings by John Piper, a war artist, who also designed stained glass windows, examples include  Coventry and Lichfield cathedrals. After lunch the rain started to ease but the prospect of an hours walk in the garden was as appealing to the head gardener as to the rest of us so he gave us a talk about the gardens whilst still inside before we did a quick dash round the gardens!  The bluebells were out and they have a large collection of magnolias and (until recently) they had the most northerly vineyard. We didn’t get a chance to see this unfortunately.  They also have the National Collection of Yucca’s. By the time we got home it had more or less stopped raining and we found some cows were now on our side of the road.  Poor Blue!  Here are some photos from Renishaw Hall, would have taken a lot more if the weather had been better!

On Saturday morning I got the phone call I was waiting for – the cows were about to be released out to graze.  For the next few weeks the milking cows would be coming out during the day to munch and when it is a bit warmer they will be out permanently.  x cottages out with five back in and two cleaners up at our peak district cottages.  No problems encountered and our arrivals were pretty keen as they were all in by 4pm!   Two have been before and are in for more than a week.  Time to catch up on chores before sitting down for the evening.  Sunday dawned bright and sunny and we decided to go for a walk.  I chose a short walk, just over three miles, as we have not had a walk for a few weeks  We set off and headed for Upperdale and the small (free) car park between Monsal Head and Cressbrook.  Initially we walked along the lane towards Cressbrook but then picked up the river path walking through Water Cum Jolly, where it was quite muddy, to Litton.  Quite by chance we had also found ourselves on the same route as a charity work for the Friends of the Peak District, we are corporate members, and at Litton there were Morris Dancers so we stopped and watched.  From here we picked up the path up to the Monsal Trail and started back to Upperdale.  We deviated at the Litton tunnel and instead picked up the old path that was used before the tunnels were open.  Needless to say we didn’t come across anybody until we got back to the Trail at Cressbrook.  The nice thing about this path, which is quite narrow in places and not suitable for those who are afraid of heights, are the views.  We had some nice views along the Wye Valley and down onto the current Monsal Trail.  We stopped facing Cressbrook Hall and had our lunch.  Back on the Trail we were back in the throng of walkers and cyclists before we took the little lane off the Trail and down to the car park along Upperdale.  Back home in time for our last arrivals of the weekend who arrived just after 4pm, they have been before. Enjoy the photos.

Well not the original fab four of course but something different. Friday started quite dull and cool at our peak district cottages and we set off early for Chesterfield. We were aiming for the Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre where there was a steam gala weekend. I had been planning to visit Barrow Hill for a while as it has one of the last operational roundhouses but this weekend had the added attraction of a number of famous steam trains in action and I thought it was an appropriate time to go. Expecting large numbers we thought it easier to go early and its just as well we did as it was very busy already when we got there.Women were conspicuous by there absence so no queues for the loos! We took the dogs as they are allowed on leads and there were a couple of other dogs there to. They didn’t seem worried about all the noise and people although they did finish with dirty paws from oily tracks. First we had a look at the roundhouse and the turn table was in operation although they weren’t moving trains on and off and we had a look at the static train engines. Outside we had a look at ‘Tornado’ close up and then walked round to the elevated viewing platform where we were able to see the ‘Fab 4’ lined up. These were ‘Green Arrow’, ‘Blue Peter’, ‘Mallard’ and ‘Bittern’. They had been hoping for the ‘Flying Scotsman’ too but apparently it was not well enough to travel! We were able to get some nice shots of them. We walked back and visited the shed which houses the Deltic Preservation Society, which is the largest diesel (engine) preservation society in the UK. Overall there was plenty to see especially if you are interested in steam engines and also there were some steam train rides too. Barrow Hill is open most weekend with entry by donation and charges are made for special events such as this. Before we left we thought we would go and have a final look at the engines from the viewing platform and timed it just right to see a number of them in steam and set off along the short branch line. Later in the day they would be pulling carriages as I found a you tube video showing them in action with sunnier skies than we had! From Barrow Hill we went to B and Q and Screwfix in Chesterfield and also called in at Bookers so the dogs had to cosy up to each other on the way home to make room for all the toilet rolls! Back home sorted out some bits for Saturday as it will be a busy day. Enjoy the photos of the trains.

Thursday was another day of sunshine and showers.  The morning sun felt very warm when I took the dogs for their walk at our peak district cottages.  Chatted to some of the guests as they were leaving for the day.  One has already booked for another week later this year.  Three cottages out and one cleaner up.  The morning just seemed to fly by but I took a number of bookings which made up for a couple of cancellations.  After lunch I had planned to go to Bakewell but that was delayed by an unexpected visitor.  An elderly gentleman with his daughter called in.  He had been evacuated here during the war to stay with his uncle and aunt.  Over a cup of tea he was able to give us some more information about Bolehill which we can add to our knowledge of the farm and the daughter has said she will scan and email some photos to us.  Went down to Bakewell later to get provisions for the weekend and Chris came too.  Back home a late evening shower turned into a little storm with thunder and lightening leading to traumatised dogs.  The rain turned to hail and we watched the storm cross the hillside at Stanton leaving a white covering of hail and a rainbow to finish it off.

Friday was actually a quiet day with a number of guests having already arrived for Easter on Thursday.  One cottage out and one cleaner up to keep up with cleaning.  A much cooler and duller day but the thaw continued.  Spent a lot of the day on accounts finalising last quarters accounts.  Also spent a little time outside brushing any remaining snow of shrubs and helping Chris stake back up some of the fallen climbers.  Saturday saw one departure with three arrivals and one cottage staying for a second week.  One cleaner up.  Another dry and cloudy day but feeling milder than Friday.  All cottages first timers at our peak district cottages arriving between 3 and 5pm.  Sunday was a quiet day and a chance to catch up on blogging and housework. Also washed Chris’s heavyweight jacket and hats and gloves that got used on Wednesday having already washed a load and (in theory) put them away for the summer! Finally ordered my hanging basket plants and only a few weeks away from the plant auction.  Cant wait!  In the evening we popped down to Andrew and Joanna’s for a cup of tea and a natter with some home made scones (and Cornish Clotted Cream provided by one of our guests!)  Here are a couple of pictures from Friday showing the snow at the bottom of the drive.  Hardly anything left by Sunday evening.

Woke up Thursday morning to bright sunshine and a thaw set in quickly at our peak district cottages.  By lunchtime the courtyard was clear and by the end of the day the car park was passable which was just as well as I had three cottages in.  Two cottages departed and my cleaner managed to get here.  The road was now passable but in some places it was a single lane only and there was still piles of snow along the drive.  Was able to see the damage done to my shrubs and plants.  The daffs have been flattened, as have some of the flowering spring bulbs, and a couple of climbing shrubs have been pulled away by weight of snow.  The wave effect of snow against the stone walls is quite stunning.  Early afternoon I headed down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  Should have taken the camera to photograph the snow by the road but by the time I got to Lady Manners it had gone.  Bakewell was clear of snow but busy.  First guests arrived about 4pm, they have been before, and remaining guests arrived about 7pm, one of which had also been before.  Green Cowden Farm lost one lamb, but a search of the drifts revealed a sheep that had been covered by snow, alive but weak.  They had had to ‘rescue’ some stranded motorists from the end of their drive. Andrew was supposed to have his milk collected but the tanker got stuck elsewhere so it looked like Andrew was going to have to throw the milk away as there is a time limit between milkings and collection.  Luckily the tanker made it up the hill from Bakewell and collected it before the road got too bad.  At the end of the day at least the landscape was more green than white.

Wednesday started early at our peak district cottages with Blue scratching at the kitchen door at about 5am.  Assumed he needed a quick trip in the garden so donned wellies and overcoat and went out into a howling blizzard.  Could not believe how much snow there was.  Back inside I had just got the dogs settled and went into the office when the power went off.  This sent all the computers beeping and this sent Blue back to scratching the door.  Decided this is what must have spooked him in the first place.  Had to find the emergency torch and when I found that and got hold of Blue I realised I had lost Smudge.  Knew he had to be inside and found he had sneaked into the office when i was trying to find my way out.  Was a little while before they settled and I could go back to bed although I couldn’t get back to sleep.  When we got up we could see that there was a blizzard outside and we went to check the drive as we had two cottages departing.  Both at the top and the bottom of the drive the snow had drifted and as soon as we walked into the field we could feel the power of the wind.  I found it difficult to see as the snow was blowing horizontally but it was obvious we would need Andrew to dig us out and for the first time in bad weather the road was very difficult to drive on and as the morning went on it got a lot worse. We got a call from James at Haddon Grove Cottages who was stuck with some other cars near our entrance as by mid morning the snow had drifted across the road.  Chris went down and with some other drivers helped some cars that had gone off the road.  James came up for a coffee then set off back home to Sheffield via Over Haddon.  He had got to his cottages without too much of a problem as this side of Sheffield had not been hit so hard and neither had Bakewell.  We knew the A6 and A515 had already been closed as had the Buxton-Leek road and Snake Pass.  By lunchtime there were some abandoned cars along the road.  Some cars were turning round but others tried and persevered with some more ending up stuck or off the road.  Chris reported the situation to the council but during the course of the day neither a gritter nor a snowplough was to be seen.  It wasn’t until gone 3pm that Andrew could get to us and when the drive was cleared the cottages finally departed although we did give them the option of staying another night.  For the cottages already in most made the most of just relaxing and some walked round the fields to see what was happening and we did acquire a snowman!  I also checked our store cupboard just in case anyone needed some extra food!  Should have had a WI committee meeting in the evening but this was cancelled.  We measured 7 inches of snow on our patio table and because of the wind snow was banked up against walls but was patchy in other places.  The news did say that Derbyshire had been worst hit and that it had been the worst April snow for 30 years!  Chris has posted some pictures on Facebook but click here for some that I took.

Monday was unusual in that we had no departures but one arrival at our peak district cottages who have been before.  Usual jobs but we went to Buxton at lunchtime to get a few bits and had lunch out and back in time to greet guests.  A bit cooler and dull but stayed dry.  Chris went out in the evening to the Bakewell Photographic Society and I had the evening in with the dogs.  Tuesday started a bit brighter with showers forecast during the day.  One cottage departed and one cleaner up.  I spent the morning catching up on WI accounts.  Ian came up early afternoon, just after it started raining and helped spread the gravel around the courtyard and car park with Chris doing the raking.  It still needs raking in places but the rain was getting heavier so they stopped.  We also collected a replacement washing machine for the guests laundry area and Chris installed that.  A lovely sunset and some guests went out to enjoy it.  There had been a threat of snow on Tuesday but this had slipped back to Tuesday night and the amount expected to fall had risen from a covering in places to more of a general covering.

Talking of weather here are the statistics for March:
Warmest day was 28th with highest temperature 18C on 27th which had the warmest night
Coldest day and night was 4/3 with lowest temperature 0.3C on 6/3
We had .29 in of rain (March 2011 was also dry with .52 in) with wettest day4/3 with .25in.
After that it didnt rain for nearly four weeks!