It was green again outside on Sunday morning and it wasn’t long before it was raining.  One cottage out and after getting the paper from Ashford the day went in preparations for Christmas including putting up our Christmas tree.  Usually ours is the last one to go up!  First thing Monday morning I went down to Bakewell Market.  Thought it would be quiet but it was quite busy.  One cottage out and for the first time since last January we have a couple of nights with no-one in. Still we have some cottages in later in the week so there is work to be done.  Chris and handyman put up outside Christmas lights and after usual Monday routines and some jobs in the cottages put up first Christmas tree in the cottages.  A windy evening so worried lights might blow away but more windy weather on way.  Tuesday started bright and breezy at our peak district cottages with the forecast of snow showers, possibly settling at lower levels so Chris took me to Matlock in the Shogun so I could do a big food shop at Sainsbury’s.  I had planned to go to Matlock and then onto Chesterfield to Dunelm but if it were to snow I didn’t fancy having to drive back across the moors.  We stopped at Cauldwells Mill for lunch and to pick up some flour and porridge oats on the way there and on the way back we stopped at one of our cleaners as she puts up a lot of lights outside her house at Christmas and finally at the Chatsworth Farm Shop.  Now stocked up for the next few weeks!  Oh, and it didn’t snow.

By Wednesday morning our fields were turning green again.  Had an early hair appointment in Bakewell after which I got some provisions for the next few days.  Arriving back home even more of the snow had gone and some sheep had arrived.  Took the dogs out for a walk to acquaint them with the sheep and also stock up on some logs.  Although most snow had gone there were some patches of compacted snow so I broke those up.  The afternoon disappeared in a mixture of odd jobs.  I had planned to carry out more work in the cottages but never got round to it.  In the evening the Over Haddon WI Committee was held at our place and amongst the many things we discussed was next years programme and next weeks party! Thursday was quite a wet and windy day but much worse in Scotland, but at least there was hardly any snow left at our peak district cottages.  In the morning with handyman, cleaner and window cleaner around it wa quite hectic.  At lunchtime we went down to Bakewell to meet up with our friends who are coming to stay at Christmas.  They had been to Chesterfield to collect a new car so thought it would be nice to meet up for lunch.  By the time we got down to Bakewell it was pouring with rain and there were a number of squally showers during the afternoon.  We had been keeping an eye on the weather forecasts as there had been a threat of heavy snow showers on Friday although this seem to diminish during the course of Thursday.

The snow was still there at our peak district cottages on Tuesday morning, I measured three inches on the table outside although there was a lot less in other places and it was quite slushy.  Spent a lot of the day in the empty cottages checking inventories although it was a nuisance having to wear wellies.  Apart from a snow shower early on it was quite a pleasant day although it stated to feel chillier late afternoon.  Could see a slow thaw was happening.  After an early tea went to Haddon Hall as we had been lucky enough to get an invitation to the preview evening for their Christmas opening along with a number of other accommodation providers.  Haddon Hall decorate their rooms using natural greenery and produce and try to dress the rooms in keeping with the era of the rooms.  All very nice.  Took a number of photos so here are a few of them.

Woke up to a covering of snow but with relief that it was not worse.  With green fields also visible from our peak district cottages and no snow in Bakewell we hoped for the best.  Both cleaners were able to get here as did the handyman, but not the tree surgeon. One departure but three due back in later in the day and just the cottages needed for the day were cleaned.  Usually I keep a spare one cleaned.  Further snow and hail showers during the morning made me doubt whether the rubbish or laundry would be collected but they were.  Handyman spent day working through jobs in empty cottages but not before he got the Christmas decorations down from the loft.  Hopefully he can start putting the lights up in the next couple of days.  Two cottages arrived between 3 and 3.30pm with final one, who have been before, arriving about 7pm.  Should have gone to the Over Haddon Village Hall Committee in the evening but didn’t want to go out in case it got too icy and Chris should have gone to the Bakewell Photographic Club but the speaker could not make it.  A chance to catch up on blogging!

Woke up to a bright morning at our peak district cottages and after breakfast took the dogs for a nice long walk round our fields.  Thought about taking my camera but didn’t but wished I had.  A light shower resulted in a perfect arc of a rainbow.  Never mind.  After showing some potential guests around the cottages we went down to Bakewell and Chris dropped me off at the Auction Room so I could have a quick look round while he went to the bottle banks.  After coffee back home planted the last of the spring bulbs while Chris did a final leaf clearance around the courtyard and car park.  The trouble is that Blue likes to help and he had to be showered afterwards!  The afternoon went on housework and jobs around the house.  Oh and that snow word appeared on the horizon.  Sunday was a bit more overcast and saw the departure of four cottages.  Went down to Ashford to collect a Sunday paper.  Back home Chris spent most of the day working on the website and I checked the vacated cottages and planned the week ahead and bits around the house.  With one eye on the weather which seemed to be slowly deteriorating and mindful of the forecast Chris salted the drive late evening by which time there had already been some snow flurries and we had heard rumours of snow showers in the Dark Peak.  Unfortunately when Chris went to get the salt from the shed he accidentally locked Smudge in behind him.  It was only when I went to empty our compost bin that I heard some woofing, which I initially thought was one of the guest dogs out with owners in the fields, but when I realised it wasn’t, that I found Smudge in the shed.  Thank heavens he barked or we could have been looking for him for ages!

‘I only wanted to help!’.

Monday was a busy day at our peak district cottages.  One cottage out with four back in but luckily most already cleaned so just one cleaner up.  Usual Monday routines as well.  Of the four cottages three have been before, two were here this time last year so out of the four cottages here when we had the heavy snow three are back here a year later!  All four arrived by 4pm so time to do a few other jobs before dinner.  Tuesday started bright and breezy and it was nice taking the dogs for a stroll but they are getting fed up of being swooshed or having their paws dunked in buckets of water to be cleaned when they get back.  As it was our day off this week and with rain forecast later in the day we went down to Ashbourne as we have not been there for a while.  We had a nice wander round and stopped for lunch and it started to rain as we were leaving.  Just as we got back the heavens opened for one of the predicted heavy showers after which I went out with the dogs to move the cows from the top of the drive where they had tried to find some shelter! Wednesday was a catch up day and managed to get a number of jobs done around the house.  In the evening we went to the Bulls Head in Monyash for a meal with a couple of our guests and had a pleasant evening.  Here are the weather stats for November.

Warmest day was 3/11 with highest temp of 13.4 deg and warmest night was 2/11
Coldest day was 16/11 with lowest temp of 1.9 deg on 28/11 and coldest night was 27/11
Wettest day was 3/11 with .59 in total 1.79 in for month ( 4.72 in Nov 2010)

Last weekend of the month and so Saturday means Farmers Market.  For once, with no departures, Chris came with me, as he did on the equivalent Saturday last year, but that was because he took me in the 4×4 due to the snow!  It was busy down in Bakewell, more than I expected as it was also the Christmas Lights weekend.  It is the first time Bakewell seems to have made something of switching on the lights.  So after the market we went for a walk round the town and looked at some of the stalls before stopping for a coffee.  Back home a cleaner was already making progress as one cottage was due in later.  Time for more jobs around the cottages before guests arrived just before 4pm. The rain on the bedroom window first thing Sunday morning was ominous but after guests departed and usual morning chores we decided to go for a walk as it was looking more promising despite the wind.  Down to Bakewell to get petrol and paper and car loaded headed the short distance from our peak district cottages to Hartington.  It was quiet enough to park in the square but once we set off on the walk we found more the route was quite busy.  I had chosen a walk we have done a number of times before.  From Hartington we set of across the fields to Beresford Dale then into Wolfescote Dale.  Doing the walk at different times of year is nice as you see different features often hidden by trees or leaves.  We turned into Biggin Dale where we found a sunny spot for lunch before proceeding along the dale which is a bit stony to start with but then becomes more grassy.  At the lane to Biggin we picked up the track back to Hartington which climbed to start with but then levelled before descending to the Youth Hostel.  It was still sunny but the low sun made photos difficult but I could pick out some features in the distance such as Chrome Hill.  Back to the car and I hoped to get some cheeses from the shop but it was closed for a short period due to technical problems.  We got back home just as our guests had arrived.  They were here this time last year during the snow.  Got the fire going and had a quiet evening in.  Enjoy the photos.

Thursday saw another lovely day but for me I had planned a quiet day to catch up. Cows are back in the front field for a few days but it wont be long before they are gone as the sheep are already scheduled for an early December arrival.  First off though we had an oil delivery which should see us through to to the new year.  It is coming up to the anniversary of the first heavy snow, I looked back to see what the blogs said this time last year, and of course it has been mentioned on the news too.  In the morning I caught up on some WI accounts and paperwork and some house work.  After lunch I made our Christmas Cake and later we collected the car (with new battery) from the garage! Friday started nice enough but there was a definite nip in the air when I took the dogs for their early morning walk.  I usually head for the highest point on our land to admire the views and it still amazes me after all these years that I can spot things in the distance that I haven’t seen before.  Two cottages out but none back in, unusual for a Friday at this time of year.  A quiet weekend beckons but a busier week ahead.  Two cleaners here to keep up with cleaning and for me it was a day of jobs around the cottages.  Decided to wash some curtains and cushion covers and then when Chris came back from the farm had to wash his jacket as it had cow spatter!  Not content with having done three loads of washing already Blue was sick on a door mat so something else to wash.  A few heavy showers interrupted the afternoon at our peak district cottges and an early dinner so we could head down to Bakewell for a wine tasting evening at the wine merchants.

Monday started off foggy but like Sunday it cleared up for most of the day.  One cottage out and one back in later in the day.  Usual Monday routines at our peak district cottages and one cleaner up.  Spent the afternoon and evening finishing off this months accounts and cottage arrived about 5pm.  In the evening Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and after finishing in the office I caught up with blogging. Tuesday started off foggy yet again despite a forecast of rain.  As it seemed to be lifting mid morning we set off for Stockport where I hoped to visit the Dunelm there.  As a ‘superstore’ I was anticipating a store larger than the Chesterfield one.  We hit the fog again at Buxton so we considered a ‘plan b’ but by the time we got to Whaley Bridge it started to lift again.  Once we got to Dunelm at Stockport it was big enough to have a cafe and suitably refreshed I left Chris while I wandered round the store before making my purchases.  We then drove into Stockport itself and had a stroll around the shopping centre and a late lunch.  Drove home via Morrisons in Buxton.  Wednesday was quite a hectic day.  We were supposed to drop the 4×4 into the garage for some work but it wouldn’t start and we had to try and jump start it with my car which didn’t work and when the cleaner arrived Chris tried jump starting with her car but that didn’t work.  In the meantime the handyman arrived for the first time this season to start odd jobs around the cottages and then some furniture arrived too.  Even Andrew came up with the tractor to see if that could get the car going but to no avail.  So Chris left the battery on charge and eventually it started and we manged to get it round to the garage.  In the meantime the cleaner couldn’t get her car to start and had to get her brother up to sort it out!  After lunch I went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the next few days or we wouldn’t have had anything for dinner!

Saturday was another glorious day at our peak district cottages but with guests arriving later in the day there was no chance for a break.  One cottage out with two back in.  One had only booked late on Friday night needing to be in the area due to ill health in the family but both have been before.  One cleaner up early as she wanted to go to Castleton in the afternoon with her family for the Christmas lights switch on.  This always attracts crowds.  Now that most leaves are down Chris spent most of the day clearing gutters and nooks an crannies of leaves.  A diversion in the afternoon to help move some cows back across the road.  The remaining cows and heifers are gradually going back to the farm and Andrew and Joanna came up early afternoon to take some more back but one did not want to go where she was supposed to so in the end Chris and I ended up helping move them!  Both cottages arrived about 4pm by which time the mist was setting in.  After an early tea Chris and I headed to the Opera House at Buxton to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra.  He hadn’t realised we had been to see them a few years ago but having enjoyed their performance then I was more than happy to see them gain.  Sunday started off quite foggy but it did lift more than was expected.  Three cottages out with one due back later, the cottage already having been cleaned.  A quiet day at home getting a number of jobs done.  Guests arrived about 4pm.  They have been before.