First things first on Wednesday Chris performed his ‘lollipop’duties as Andrew brought the last of the cows over the road for the summer to our peak district cottages.  Then with dogs and rucksacks in the car we set off for Winster where I discovered I had left my camera at home.  From here we set off along the Limestone Way.  Remember that?  We had spent an hour or so on Tuesday evening tying to plan a walk for Wednesday and each walk we came up with we discounted for one reason or another and in the end I remembered my plan to walk the Limestone Way (or as much as we can) and opted for a walk from Winster to Bonsall and back.  As we walked along the way, which at this point was a track which turned into a grassy path, we had views back to Bolehill taking in Youlgreave and Over Haddon.  We could also see down into Winster and across to Birchover ad Wensley.  As we progressed we could see Darley Dale and along the valley to Chatsworth House (the shroud covering the house was quite visible) and then Matlock.  It was a pleasant walk to Upper Town and as it warmed up the layers started to come off!  As we left Upper Town I suggested we found a spot for lunch and suddenly there was a spot with two benches with a view over Bonsall and Crich Stand in the distance. I had planned to walk into Bonsall but we skirted the village and picked up a footpath back towards Winster.  Compared to the path to Bonsall this was more indistinct and quite rutted in places.  Chris pointed out it looked as if it could be quite boggy in Winter. For the first part of the way back there were not any views but gradually the countryside revealed itself again and we could see Minninglow and towards Bolehill!  Eventually we arrived back at the car and with no tea room in the immediate vicinity we drove over to a caravan park near the High Peak Trail that had a cafe where we were able to sit in the sun with the dogs.  After a light tea I went to Joanna’s for our monthly WI committee meeting. They have started silaging and the grass cutting is well under way.

A wet Bank Holiday Monday at our peak district cottages but every cloud has a silver lining and there was a wonderful sunset with some lovely colors being cast across the landscape.One cottage out and one back in with on cleaner up. Spent most of the afternoon finishing May’s accounts then cooked a roast dinner.  Guests arrived about 3.30.  Found time to chat to some of the guests too once the rain ceased.  We all smiled when the sun came out on Tuesday.  Chris went down to the Village Hall in the morning.  He has been offering his ‘computer expertise’ so that  hirer’s can make use of the Internet facilities. I caught up with some WI Accounts and paperwork.  After lunch we went to Buxton as there were a few things that Chris was after from the electrical wholesalers so we had a little wander around town.  Good news in the fact that B&Q are going to take over the Focus store so at least there will still be a DIY store in Buxton. On the way back we stopped at Monyash which has its well dressings on.  Tissington is usually the first local one but with the late Easter theirs doesn’t start until Thursday.  Still here are the first of  the many to be displayed well dressing photos!

Well it has to be said that the weather this week has been disappointing at our peak district cottages and Thursday and Friday were no exception. Thursday started fine enough and the morning went quickly with odd jobs around the house.  After an early lunch Chris went to Over Haddon for the digital photography session and I went to Buxton.  First stop was the recycling centre where I got wet as I unloaded the car.  Then into Buxton itself where another very heavy shower sent all the shoppers scuttling into stores.  I rushed from shop to shop and in one shop they were dealing with a flood.  It soon eased off and the shoppers came back out.  I head off to Morrisons next where I got wet loading the shopping into the car and the final downpour was as I left Focus where they are having a closing down sale.  At least I was able to unload the car at home without getting wet.  We had nearly half an inch of rain in the afternoon.  Friday started a little damp. One cottage out and one back in and one cleaner up.  Time in the morning to do jobs around the cottages and get things ready for Saturday and in the afternoon some more gardening.  The guests had advised me they would be arriving late so this meant I could get on with jobs without worrying about when they would arrive.  In the afternoon it brightened up and the sun came out and Chris cut the grass.  In the evening I did a bit of housework and guests arrived about 9.30 having kept me informed of their progress.  I wish others would do that. My rhododendron outside Dove cottage is at its best so here is a picture of it.

With the promise of a warm sunny day I had designated Wednesday as our day off and planned a walk.  We hadn’t walked in the Manifold area for a while so I opted for a six mile walk from Wetton.  First though we had to say goodbye to departing guests and hello to the cleaner who was up for a couple of hours.  We set off for Wetton, passing a number of large farm vehicles on the way, so silaging is under way in the area and in the evening I could see in the distance that some of the dark green fields are now light green fields where the grass has been cut.  There is a small free car park in Wetton where we were able to park (often full at the weekend) from there we set off across the fields.  Although it had started sunny it had clouded over by the time we got to Wetton though we could always see blue sky in the distance it never seemed to returned. We descended down to the Manifold Trail (river was dry) with Beeston Tor visible and then a long steady ascent up Old Park Hill.  Down to Throwley Hall Farm where we came across Throwley Old Hall which we were able to have a look around.  Well worth the detour.  Just a bit further along we found a wall to sit behind to have lunch.  From here we could see back to Throwley Old Hall across to Castern Hall, which we would walk pass later in the walk and along to Bunster Hill and Thorpe Cloud.  In fact from where we were sitting we could make out most of the walk back to Wetton.  From our lunch spot we headed down to Rushley where an inquisitive lamb provided a photo opportunity for Chris.  Across the bridge over the Manifold, which had little water then another long steady ascent, this time to Castern Hall.  From here we headed to the Castern Nature reserve and the path along the ridge overlooking the meandering River Manifold.  In fact from this side of the river we could look across and see where we had walked before lunch. Finally the car came into view with just one last hurdle, a field of cows for Blue to negotiate!  There were some spots of rain in the air and we decided to head to Ilam for afternoon tea.  Usually we sit outside with views of Thorpe Cloud but it was trying to rain so we left the dogs in the car and had tea inside.  Back to our peak district cottages and caught up with emails and phone calls before sitting down for the evening.

Here are some pictures from a walk we did from Wetton, not far from our peak district cottages, on Wednesday.  Words to follow.

Monday was breezy to say the least.  Two cottages out and two back in to our peak district cottages and one cleaner up.  Had to do my checks in the rain, first time in a long time I have had to do that.  At least the sun came out after lunch in time for the guests arrivals between 4 & 5 pm.  Tuesday was still a little breezy but calm enough to put washing out to dry which is just as well as I washed some mats from a empty cottage and they were quite dy by the end of the day.  Chris cleaned the carpet in the empty cottage and to treat ourselves we went down to Bakewell to get some provisions and try out the latest new coffee shop to open.  He gives it two years!  In the morning we did a number of odd jobs around the house and one of the former cleaners called in for coffee.  Noticed that the A537 Buxton to Macclesfield road has been named yet again as the most dangerous road in Britain.

Bright and breezy and busy!  Four cottages out and five cottages back in at our peak district cottages on Saturday.   Three cleaners up and with a number of prompt departures cleaning under way by 10 am.  Chris spent a lot of the day strimming edges (and the verges by our entrance) and also cut the lawns which haven’t been done for a while.  Everything ready by 3pm with time to do some odd jobs in the cottages.  I’m already working on the list of things to do later in the year when we have more time in the cottages again!  Guests arrived between 3 & 5pm, one has been before. Sunday was bright and breezy but quite showery. These started to ease off in the afternoon so we headed over to Stanton in Peak (on the other side of the hillside) to have a look at their open gardens.  Luckily the rain held off and we were able to view the 20 or so gardens without getting wet.  It seemed to be more breezy there and from a number of gardens there were some nice views up the Wye valley towards Bakewell with Haddon Hall visible and of course we could make out Bolehill Farm!  Most of the houses are built of gritstone and were built in the 17th and 18th century so many have no garden to speak of but those that do have made the most of what they have as many were very long and narrow, and being on a hillside were on slopes with steps.  Cant think of a better way to keep fit on a pleasant Sunday afternoon!  The cricket pitch at 850 feet is one of the highest in the country.  Had a drink at the pub (real ale but lunchtime snacks only) whilst we listened to the brass band and had a look round the church and village hall as well before heading home to catch up with emails and phone calls. 

After all the excitement of Tuesday the following few days at our peak district cottages were more home based.  Wednesday I concentrated on housework but had a visit from our former cleaner who’s health has not been too good so an opportunity for a sit down and chat.  Thursday I spent more time on plants.  All my plants have now arrived and all the hanging baskets are done.  Planted out various bit in courtyard and gardens.  Chris had to do ‘lollipop’ duties and help bring the ‘hooligans’ over.  Andrew has had the youngsters out for the first time for a few days to acclimatise them before bringing them over here for the summer.  Blue is not happy as we are now surrounded by cows!  Next item on his agenda will be silaging.  Two cottages out and one cleaner up.  Chis went to Over Haddon for his digital workshop and I popped down to Bakewell for the weekends provisions.  Friday saw a little more activity with one cottage out and one back in.  One cleaner up to prepare a couple cottages.  A number of odd jobs around the cottages, grounds and house before guests arrived about 5pm.  Also the Secretary of the Over Haddon Village Hall Committee came up for an hour or so and gave me some information about being on the committee.

Here are the pictures from Lea Gardens not far from our peak district cottages.  Words to follow.

It seems like ages since we have had a big turn around on a Saturday at our peak district cottages but this was the first of the many to come this year.  Five cottages out and five cottages back in.  Three cleaners up and no problems encountered.  Chris hasn’t had to cut the grass for a couple of weeks but with the recent rain we now have a green and growing lawn, but the day was too showery to cut the grass.  Everything ready by lunchtime and a steady stream of arrivals between 3 & 4 pm saw all cottages in.  Two have been before.  After an early tea we went to Buxton to see the play Absurd Person Singular (by Alan Ayckbourn) at the Opera House.  This was our WI Theatre evening and we all enjoyed the play performed by the Buxton Drama League.  Sunday stayed cloudy and cool with some drizzle.  Some of the guests went to Chatsworth House to see the Horse Trials.  I spent a lot of the day in the greenhouse and finished planting up the hanging baskets and also planted up some troughs.  I am hoping for milder weather later in the week so I can do more outside.  For a break later in the afternoon we went over to Great Longstone to see the flower festival in the church following which we walked down to the village hall for a cup of tea and piece of cake!