Friday was still a pleasant day although more like it should be for the time of year.  With all the curtain washing a few days ago it meant there was a lot of ironing so I could put the curtains back up.  Two cleaners up to keep up with cleaning and one cottage in arriving about 8pm.  They have been before.  I spent a lot of the time during the day doing odd jobs in our peak district cottages.  We had a delivery of gravel which we hope to spread around the courtyard and car park early next week.  Saturday saw three departures with three arrivals and two cleaners up.  Chris and handyman finally finished roofing work.  A little cooler and suddenly that snow word has appeared in the forecast again.  All three cottages here by 4pm, all have been before.  Sunday was a sunnier day with three cottages in which were already cleaned.  Chris finished putting up the parasols around the cottages and also cut the grass.  I did the final checks in the cottages and put some hanging baskets with spring bulbs around the courtyard but otherwise a quiet day at home.  All cottages here by 4pm and all have been before.

It’s summer!  Out came the T shirts.  Make the most of it while we can.  So that meant Wednesday was washing, washing, washing!  Washed curtains and door mats and Chris and handyman carried on with roofing work at our peak district cottages.  Went down to Bakewell in the afternoon to get provisions for the next few days.  Had planned a supermarket shop but with good weather made the most of opportunity for outside work.  One cottage arrived later in day.  On Thursday, after two cottages departed, we went to the Heights of Abraham. With summer staying for one more day we thought it about time we visited it and dogs are welcome too.  Having done trains and trams the dogs can now add a cable car to their list of transport methods they have tried.  We drove to Matlock Bath and parked at the station then did the short walk to the entrance.  We naturally assumed that Blue would enjoy the ride and Smudge wouldn’t except it was the other way round.  Smudge looked out the window and Blue laid on the floor for most of the way.  I enjoyed the cable car ride which had far reaching views over the local countryside.  Reminded me of all the holidays we had in Austria.  At the top of the ride we made our way to the terrace cafe to have a drink and decide on our plan for the day.  We had a view down to Matlock Bath and could just make out he Pavillion.  First we visited the Who, Why What exhibition which had information about the estate and building of the cable car and you can try out a static emergency rescue equipment.  (Don’t fancy trying the real thing!)  We had a look at the exhibition of aerial photos of the Peak District and noticed it was nearly time for one of the tours down the Great Masson Cavern.  I let Chris do this whilst I stayed with the dogs.  I did have a look at the film tour of the cavern so for those who feel claustrophobic you can see inside it without having to go in.  The tour lasts about 30 minutes and I walked with the dogs to where the tour exited on the hillside to wait for Chris.  This meant leaving the park for a few minutes but we sat in the sun admiring the view wishing we had brought a packed lunch with us (didn’t to save on bringing a rucksack).  From our spot we could see Crich Stand, Riber Castle and along the Derwent Valley towards Chatsworth.  Back to the park we made our way to the Prospect Tower which we climbed to get some views over the area.  We then walked down the hillside past the summer house, the oldest building on the site and to the lower cafe area where I had an ice cream before I visited the Nestus mine which was an old lead mine.  A late lunch and a final look round the facilities which make for a great family day out with the Children’s Woodland Adventure area and Explorers area so activities for children too.  Took lots of photos. Eventually we took the cable car back down and had a walk along the promenade at Matlock Bath before heading to Matlock.  Here we called in at Sainsbury’s to do some shopping then back home.  Back to Spring tomorrow.  Goodbye summer.  Come back soon!

It’s not often we go to Bakewell Market but decided we would make the trip on Monday.  One cottage out with one back in later in the day and one cleaner up.  Another fine day with the mist in the valley making for some nice photos.  It was quite busy by the time we got to the market mid morning but we had a wander around and stopped for coffee.  Back home in time for lunch on the patio again.  Guests arrived about 4pm and after dinner I went down to Over Haddon for the final session of indoor bowls.  I’ll be going back in the autumn.  Tuesday was a very warm day and I had arranged to go to Leek with one of my former cleaners.  We had a great day with a good old natter and I actually bought myself somethings!  Back at our peak district cottages Chris and the handyman started the annual check and work on roofs while the weather was fine

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Sunday started bright and sunny and first thing the mist as settled in the dales making for some nice pictures from our peak district cottages.  With the clocks having changed Chris had his changing clock routine to go through.  One cottage departed and we decided to go to Haddon Hall as it had a Peak District Artisans Fair with a nominal entry fee to Haddon Hall.  On the way there we did some recycling.  We have never been to Haddon  Hall so early in the year and with trees not yet in leaf a lot more of the Hall was visible so we took a lot of photos.  We had also watched the John Sergeant programme on photography the previous night and seen the photos of Haddon Hall (as well as Chesterfield and Eyam).  We had a good look at the wares on display and I bought some cards.  The only disappointment was that the gardens were not open as it would have been nice to see the views from the terrace.  After a late coffee we set off back for home through Bakewell which was very busy but before we reached home we called in to Green Cowden Farm to see how lambing was going on.  Whilst we were there a sheep gave birth to two lambs but we stayed a distance so as not to frighten her.  I tried taking some pictures of the cades (rejected lambs or a triplet that cannot be cared for by mum) but they were bouncy so none of my photos came out well.  Chris has put his good one on Facebook.  The weather is good enough for the lambs to go out into the fields in a couple of days and there are already some out. Back home had lunch on the patio with the clearest of views before our guests arrived, they had been before as B and B guests a number of years ago.  Time for some jobs around the house before sitting down for the evening.

Here are the pictures from Haddon Hall

Friday started foggy again so dogs were on leads for their morning walk but the mist had evaporated by lunchtime and it was another fine afternoon.  No departures with one arrival but with cleaning up to date no cleaners at our peak district cottages. A trip down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  A day to catch up on some odd jobs and prepare for the weekend.  A couple of packages arrived with most of this years leaflets so I spent some time putting those in the leisure area and removing last years ones.  Cottage arrived about 4pm.  Saturday started quite foggy again and like Friday it had cleared by lunchtime.  A busier day with five departures and two arrivals.  No-one seemed in a hurry to depart and eventually the two cleaners were able to make a start.  Cottages arrived between 4 and 5 pm, one has been before.  A quieter week ahead before Easter so last chance to get some jobs done.  Andrew has been working away over the last week or so getting the fields ready for the cows to come out.  There has been slurrying, fertilising and chain harrowing going on so I am waiting for my phone call to let me know the cows have been released for the summer.

As promised Thursday was a fine day and at last we went for a walk.  Sandwiches and dogs packed we set off via Hartington to Alstonefield not far from our peak district cottages.  Just out of Monyash I got Chris to stop the car so we could take a picture of a lamb lying on its mum’s back.  It was alive as it jumped off just after we went.  At Alstonefield we parked in the little (voluntary donation) car park.  From here we walked to the church and picked up a path heading south out of the village.  Down a steep bank (with an alternative route) then picking up a track towards Stanshope I realised we had done the walk before but I couldn’t remember when.   From Stanshope we headed down Hall Dale to arrive at Dovedale.  At this point we digressed slightly from the planned route as we should have walked south a little and crossed the bridge to the right hand side of the river but there was a path on the left hand side too (not passable after heavy rain so the sign said) so as it has been dry we thought we would try it.  The advantage was we were the only ones on this side of the river but the disadvantage was that it was a lot more rocky with a few and not level.  We got a good view of the caves known as Dove Holes and when we found ourselves on an elevated spot we had lunch before  reaching Milldale.  The path continued to climb before a steep drop down into Milldale so I came down very slowly for the last few yards, on my rear for a part of the way, muddy trousers are better than a broken ankle!  We walked over the Viators bridge, made famous by Izaak Walton in his book The Complete Angler, and had a look at the millrace with others enjoying the warm spring sunshine. I then remembered the last time we had walked here was on a New Years Eve not long after we had moved here.  The last stretch back to Alstonefield involved a steep climb so we took that slowly until we could see the church.  We had some nice views back to Dovedale.  On the way back we stopped at Hartington to pick up some cheeses and at Monyash w stopped for an icecream!  In the evening Joanna collected me and together with our WI President we went to Buxton for one of the rounds of the annual Derbyshire WI quiz.  We were one short in our team but manged third place just two points behind the winners, it was that close.  Well, there’s always next year!  Anyway, enjoy the rest of the photos of the day’s walk

Thursday started very foggy at our peak district cottages, in fact I took the dogs out on their leads as visibility was so poor.  By mid morning it was clearing and it turned into a nice afternoon. After an early lunch I went down to Bakewell to get my hair cut and get provisions for the weekend.  Chris went to Over Haddon for his digital photography workshop.  Back in time before guests expected to arrive, they have been before, but they were held up by a bad accident on the M1 and didn’t arrive until after we left for Buxton to see a performance of ‘Yes, Prime Minister’. Friday remained dry, we have had less than half an inch of rain this month, but was cloudier than Thursday.  Two cottages out with two back in and two cleaners up.  Chris spent a lot of the day doing more work in the gardens and courtyard.  He gave the lawns their first top cut which has made them look a lot tidier.  He also stocked up the log stores as the weekend could be a little colder.  Both cottages arrived between 3 and 4 pm.  In the evening Chris went to Over Haddon to give another presentation on computers.  I stayed  at home and had an evening to myself!

Looked out the bedroom window first thing Tuesday morning and could see something yellow at the bottom of the drive.  Put glasses on and could see it was a yellow diversion sign telling our guests to turn left at the bottom of the drive.  That wasn’t there last night!  Neither was the road closed sign just after the bottom of the drive!  Despite the forecast the day turned out much nicer than expected. One cottage out and one back in later in the day with one cleaner up.  I spent the day catching up on WI accounts and minutes and listing some jobs to do and things to get.  So has Chris.  Over the next few weeks we will have the bottom of the drive re tarmacked and the courtyard a new top dressing of stones.  I took delivery of eight king sized quilts (from Dunelm of course!) as I will be replacing all linen again in the next few months and replacing double quilts with king sized quilts although the double beds will be remaining.  Guests arrived about 4pm.  Wednesday was supposed to be a good day weather wise but it stayed quite misty.  We had planed to go for a walk to make up for Sunday but in the end with it staying cool and misty we ended up catching up on other jobs.  There’s always paperwork to do and one of the jobs I needed to do was complete the paper work so we can have our bin emptied next financial year!  The business rates have just arrived too and they have gone up quite a bit.  In the evening I collected Joanna for our monthly WI meeting.  I had plenty to do as apart from my treasurer duties I reported back on last Tuesday’s meeting and did the refreshments.  Sorry no home made goodies!  Our speaker was a local lady who is involved in a Charity in Rwanda and she showed us slides of the work her charity does there and hopefully our donation will help .  It was very foggy driving back to our peak district cottages but hope you enjoy the picture of the dogs enjoying Tuesday’s sun.

Monday  morning saw two cottages depart and two cleaners up at our peak district cottages.  Noticed there was less traffic than usual and when cleaner came up she said the road was closed by the Over Haddon turning coming up from Bakewell.  She said it was causing confusion.  She had ignored the road closed sign and driven round the road block and could not see why it was closed.  We were not sure why they had to close it where they had.  After cleaning I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions and a look around the market.  Chris collected me and on the way back we decided to follow the diversion through Over Haddon and when we got there we found the main street was closed and the diversion just ended!  The car in front of us didn’t know where it was going.  We drove onto where the road was dug up and they had almost filled it but traffic could not get passed it.  The dustcart drivers said the road was closed at Monyash with no diversion signs at all!  The laundry man also had trouble getting to us and although I phoned our guests that were arriving in the afternoon to warn them of the problems it was too late.  They arrived just before 5pm and used a map to go round the lanes to get here as they had been here before.  After dinner I left Chris with the dogs and set off for Over Haddon for indoor bowls.  I turned right out of the drive only to find they had now closed the road before the Over Haddon turning near us so I had to go the long way round almost all the way down to Bakewell.   Chatting to the others at Over Haddon there had been a water leak there too over the weekend but no-one was without water.  They were now waiting for someone to come and fill the hole in and open the main street again as that had caused problems over the weekend when the village is a popular place to start walks down to Lathkill Dale.  On the way back I noticed they had put another sign up by the road closed sign which said access to frontages only, which I decided meant I could get back home!