Thursday was a very warm day at our peak district cottages which got off to a dark start as we had a planned power outage for a few hours so remedial works could be carried out following the power problems a few weeks ago.  Chris stayed at home while I went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  At least by the time I came back power had been restored and Chris was checking all the timer switches.  He had even got the generator ready just in case.  Usually on a Thursday afternoon Chris goes to Over Haddon for the digital workshop but decided not to.   One reason was the amount of leaves that already seem to be accumulating in the car park so both of us spent a few hours in the gardens doing some tidying up and leaf clearing and pruning, even in the heat!  Andrew started the third silage and the grass was cut in the fields behind us in the afternoon.  This is the first time since we have been here that we have seen a third cut.  As it was a warm evening we had dinner outside.  With no-one in or out on Friday we thought we would have a little more time off.  The rowing machine was up mid morning to do the next stage of the silaging.  Some of the milk cows are staying in overnight now and we only have the ‘hooligans’ left on this side of the road.  Too warm for a long walk but we decided to walk down to Over Haddon for lunch at the Lathkill.  We were able to get one of the outside tables for lunch and enjoy the views and the sun!  One of our guests had also stopped there for lunch.  The temperature peaked at 25C beating Thursday’s 24.2C.  When we walked back we stopped off at Andrews to see how they were getting on.  Andrew was piling up the grass and I had hoped to get a ride on one of the tractors back to our place but they were just finishing collecting so never mind, I can wait until next year.  Anyway, here are a few photos.

With a fine day forecast we decided we ought to go out.  We could have done our tax returns but why stay inside when summer has arrived even though it is now officially autumn!  We thought of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and National Coal Mining Museum which is supposed to be good, but having done the Chatsworth Sculptures last week I thought it would be nice to do something else.  Chris suggested Biddulph Gardens but I pointed out as a National Trust garden dogs weren’t allowed which was also the case of the National Arboretum.  So I suggested a walk in Dove Dale which we initially agreed on then I decided it might be too long for me so Chris suggested Chee Dale and I agreed.  So eventually we set off to Millers Dale car park noting we haven’t started a walk from there for ages and although we have walked in Chee Dale before we couldn’t remember when.  Initially we started on the Monsal Trail heading towards Buxton and passing some old lime kilns before dropping down into Chee Dale.  Immediately I noticed that it was quite slippery on any rocky parts and this was the easier part of the dale.  It is quite open at this stage but then it narrows down and becomes quite rough and slippery underfoot.  There was one part where we let a group overtake us as we knew the next part was quite tricky and we had to wait ages for them to negotiate it and when I saw how steep it was I went down on my backside as it was the quickest and easiest way!  We then had to negotiate a set of stepping stones which can be underwater if the river Wye is high.  It was at this point we bumped into a couple who we had met yesterday on the tour at Buxton.  They were doing the same walk in the reverse direction.  Small world!  After the stepping stones we could have gone back onto the Monsal Trail which crosses the dale a couple of times but we decided to carry on along the river.  This part of the walk was much easier and out of the gorge the strength of the sun could be felt.  After a while we arrived where the river meets the end of the Monsal Trail and since the tunnel has opened there is now a tuck shop and cycle hire at this point too.  We had a chat with the owners and collected some leaflets and bought an ice cream.  We then picked up the Pennine Bridleway heading towards Blackwell and found a nice spot just off the path to eat lunch.  Nice views over the local countryside with the Tunstead quarry in the background!  The walk to Blackwell across open fields was quite pleasant and after Blackwell we started to drop back down to Chee Dale again.  Just before dropping into the dale we picked up another path that took us back to the Monsal Trail for the last stretch back to the car.  The trouble is Chee Dale is a nice dale it is just that it can be a tricky to negotiate at times (and in all honesty books do say this, but having been so dry I was not expecting it to be so slippery).  Back home to our peak district cottages and time to check on things before heading off to Buxton.. We had tickets for a piano recital at the recently opened Pavilion Arts Centre near the Opera House
which was very relaxing.
 see my pictures of Chee Dale

Monday was quite a pleasant day and the first Monday for ages we had no-one in or out!  Could have gone to the market but decided to do the WI annual accounts as the year end approaches (which reminds me that the month and quarter end of accounts is approaching for Bolehill).  Usual Monday routines and time to chat to guests too. There were even some hot air balloons for the dogs to woof at.  The setting sun cast some interesting shadows and with a few sunny days forecast I have put Chris on notice with the camera to get a couple of shots!  Tuesday started misty but it soon cleared and it was a warm day, even in Buxton.  Not that we saw much of it.  On Tuesday we went to Buxton on a ‘familiarisation tour’ organised by the Tourist Board for accommodation providers.  We started in the morning at Poole’s Cavern just outside Buxton where we met up with the others (some we knew from previous events) and had a tour of the cavern.  I went a few years ago with my sister and nieces and nephew but Chris hasn’t been before.  I still think it is the best cave in the area, it doesn’t have the minerals like in the Castleton Caves, but it does have the best stalagmites and stalactites.  We had time before our next stop so we also had a look at the ‘Go Ape’ complex adjacent to the cavern.  This is fine for those who like a bit of ‘extreme sports’ but not for me.  I enjoyed watching though!  After this we were bused to the Dome in Buxton where we had a buffet lunch prepared by the catering students.  We then had a tour of the Dome which is currently the Buxton Campus of the University of Derby with courses on health and beauty, catering and tourism amongst others.  The building was originally the stables for the 5th Duke of Devonshire before it became a hospital.  It was later in its history when the dome part was built and it was hospital until late last century.  One of our group had been a nurse here then. The Dome is open to the public and you can eat at the cafe.  (You can also arrange for Spa or Hair treatments undertaken by the students).  Our next stop was the Crescent where we were allowed inside a part of the building to see its current state and see the plans for it’s future.  We had a talk from the Project Director and heard about its origins, a lot of which I didn’t know, and we had a look at the ballroom which is very impressive.  The news was announced on Tuesday that the next stage of work was about to commence.  All being well the Hotel should open in two years time, but let’s face it, we were expecting it to be open as far back as 2007!  Back home and time to catch up on emails ad phone calls at our peak district cottages.

 Above is a picture of a part of Go Ape and a picture of the ceiling in the ballroom at the Crescent.  My camera was not good enough for shots at Pooles Cavern and we were not allowed to take pictures in the Dome.

Thursday was another pleasant day at our peak district cottages.  One cottage out with one back in and one cleaner up.  A day of odd jobs around the house and Chris went to Over Haddon for the digital camera workshop (then went and fixed someones computer!)  Guests arrived about 4pm and in the evening we went with some friends to Great Longstone for a meal.  Finally Friday with some promised sunshine and warmth arrived so we went to Chatsworth House for the day.  For once we had a discovery ticket so this also gave us a chance to look at the farmyard and the adventure playground.  First of all though we wandered round the gardens with the dogs to have a look at this years ‘Beyond the Limits’ Sothebys exhibition of sculptures for sale which were dotted around the gardens.  As usual there were some we could not see the point of but my favourite was the lion made out of tyres which I thought was very clever!  There were also a lot of school parties there.  After a look aroundthe farmyard and playground we had lunch.  We then had a look around the house.  There is still some scaffolding around the house but where it has been removed you can see what a difference the restoration is making. There were a number of changes since we visited last year and there was an exhibition in honour of the 6th Duke who was responsible for a lot of the work at Chatsworth.  We also went into the display house (or greenhouse) part of which is now open to the public.  On the way home we bumped into one of our guests at the Chatsworth Farm Shop who we had also bumped into in the gardens!  With a lot of returning guests this week we have spent a lot of time chatting to them as they went and returned durng the day.  Made time in the evening to get some bits ready for Saturday as it is going to be a busy day!  I now have a Flickr account and here are my Chatsworth photos.

Monday was supposed to start wet but improve at our peak district cottages but it was quite a dry day overall.  Still plenty of mushrooms and we had some mushrooms poachers drive in, pick some mushrooms and drive off!  One cottage out and one back in with one cleaner up.  Usual Monday routines and guests arrived about 3pm.  Had hoped to do some accounts in the afternoon but was kept busy with emails.  Chris was out in the evening at the Bakewell Photographic Society and took one of the guests as well.  I did a bit of housework.  We had planned to go to Chatsworth on Tuesday but the rain was suppose to clear overnight but it lingered until lunchtime.  It gave us an opportunity to do a umber of jobs like Chris topped up the insulation over the office and I ordered two new single divan bases for one of the cottages.  Later in the afternoon we and the dogs went down to Bakewell to get some provisions for the next few days.  After dinner I popped round to one of the cottages and was there for an hour chatting to the guests!  On Wednesday we went to Sheffield to get some bits and pieces for the business so an enjoyable but tiring day! On the way to Sheffield there was a serious accident just outside Baslow, the Air Ambulance was there, but armed with a map I was able to guide Chris down a series of lanes to get back to where we wanted to be.  Oh, and I stubbed my toe badly in the morning so hobbled around Sheffield.  Ouch.

Saturday arrived bright and breezy and with some early departures cleaning got quickly underway with Chris and I helping with making beds.  Luckily no problems enountered and with a few showers Chris was not able to cut the grass.  Everything ready in time for guests arrival and one of those days where most guests arrived about 3pm.  Luckily with one exception all had been before so Chris and I were able to see to everyone as they arrived. In the evening we went to Over Haddon Village Hall for a concert by the Bakewell Silver Band.  We missed them last year when they performed in the Church.  They enjoyed the new hall with a spacious stage and we enjoyed their concert!  Sunday was supposed to start wet and brighten up at our our peak district cottages but it brightened up very quicklt so we decided to have an early lunch and go for a walk.  Lunch was freshly picked mushrooms on toast!  They are still growing.  We set off for the White Ladies car park along the A6 near Taddington to walk along Monsal dale to Monsal Head but just as we go to the car park the heavens opened.  We sat there for about 10 minutes then Chris asked ‘what is plan B?’  Home.  Except we diverted to Ashford and called in at some former guests who now live in the village and chatted for a few hours over a cup of tea.  The final series of Spooks strted in the evening which we recirded as I was chatting to my sister on the phone.  I shall miss it.

… and then you’ll be prepared!  Well Friday was supposed to be a day of heavy showers at our peak district cottages but they didn’t materialise until later in the day although it stayed overcast.  Had hoped to go for a walk but another week goes by without those boots getting an outing!  Having been shopping the other day we discovered on Wednesday that one of the DVD players wasn’t working and neither was the spare so a trip to Buxton was in order.  We were just about to set off when a notice of electrical power disruption was delivered.  This is to do some work on the local power supply following the problems on Monday.  We discovered that a pole at a local farm came down in the winds and they had to use the isolator switch on the pole at the bottom of our drive to switch off power and the reason we could still get power whilst our neighbours were off for most of the day is that we are on a line from Sheldon.  Had a busy time in Buxton, making the most of a few hours to do some shopping for ourselves.  Having said that we got Chris a new pair of overalls and Blue a new collar.  For me a couple of books including ‘Wait for Me’ by Deborah Devonshire.  Back home a quiet few hours and chatted to some of the guests as they came back.  First day of the sculptures in the Chatsworth House gardens so will try to get to see them soon.  Later in the evening I got a phone call from my young cleaner who has been with me since the beginning of the year to say she would not be coming anymore.  Made some phone calls to see if I could get anyone else for Saturday but unfortunately neither of my relief cleaners could make it but those of us who will be here are prepared!

On Tuesday we went to Chesterfield and were out most of the day by the time we had a wander round Chesterfield itself as well.  Mainly stocked up on cleaning materials from Bookers and some DIY bits from B&Q.   Managed to get 120 toilet rolls, two garden chairs and two large rolls of roof insulation with all the other bits in the Scenic! What a wonderful car it is for shopping!  On Wednesday morning discovered a casualty from the windy weather with a part of a tree that had fallen into one of the fields.  Andrew said it was down on Tuesday although I don’t remember seeing it.  Luckily it hadn’t fallen on one of the cows! A day of catch up jobs before heading off to the WI in the evening.  The speaker kept the laughter going with her talk on ‘love and marriage’ and for our competition we had to bring along a picture from our wedding so we could guess the year.  Thursday was possibly our last taste of summer with a fine day.  Our Business Banking Manager called first thing for one of our regular chats.  With one cottage out one cleaner was up and I popped down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  It was nice enough at lunchtime at our peak district cottages to sit outside and a number of our guests did just that.  Chris went to his digital photography in Over Haddon and our new guests arrived about 3.30.  They have been before.

On the morning after the night before at our peak district cottages (see here for a picture taken by Chris) took the dogs for their early morning walk and noticed that there are still plenty of mushrooms in our front field.  Saturday was a very warm day, during the night it stayed warmer than it was on Bank Holiday Monday!  Six cottages out and five back in and thee cleaners up.  Cleaning got off to a good start but during the course of the morning one of the cleaners started to feel unwell so I sent her home.  One of the other cleaners was just about to leave so she did some of the final cottage and Chris and I finished it off as the remaining cleaner was still engrossed in her final cottage.  All cleaning finally finished by 2pm so a quick bite for lunch before completing my final checks.  I was just on the last cottage when the first guests arrived, a little early.  Still they were happy to spend a few minutes in the sun while I checked the last few bits then had a chat with them before they settled themselves in.  They have been before as have two of the other cottages including our very first guests when we came here. A quick succession of arrivals meant four cottages were here by 3.30. Time for a cup of tea (and possibly final ice cream of the season) before final guests arrived at 5pm.  Today was also the Over Haddon Village Show.  Like so many events on a Saturday there will be a time when we can go and see them!  After dinner took the dogs out for a walk before sitting down for Last Night of the Proms.  That time of the year again already? Summer drawing to a close!