2008 Blog!
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It may seem that Blakelow Farm is a quite, peaceful place but rest assured there are many exciting events! Here is the proof! Have a read ... and we'd love to get your comments ...
Mellow
mists and fruitfulness - 24 October 2008
Well October is here and autumn’s upon us …
I must admit I do like the dark nights, cosy and warm in front of a log fire … it’s the dark mornings I hate, although we have had some spectacular sunrises.
No huge bits of news. The blog seems to be going well and I’m
enjoying doing it … I’m not sure if Mary’s getting fed up with
censoring and making sense of my ramblings. My goal is to share news
and banter. I have always said that I will not spout politics,
philosophy, religion or lifestyle (does that make me sound dull?)
This is a virtual place in which to browse peacefully and hopefully
raise the occasional smile, what you wont be is harangued, harassed,
heckled or hectored.
So, graze happily and thank you for your time.
Having said there’s no news, Christmas Cottage has had a new sofa suite and the dining table and chairs will be here at the weekend. Ooh, and the new curtains are nearly ready. So keep an eye out for the updated photo’s … no news indeed!
Youths on the Limestone Way
Those who have stayed here before will know that the Limestone Way
passes through the field opposite the Farm. This week there have
some 20 – 30 youths congregating around the paths and styles,
following walkers and hikers.… rest assured they are quite gentle,
curious and at times a bit boisterous - as you can see from the
photo’s.
Mary's coping - for now ;-)
Candle
bathroom picture - 22 September 2008
Sorry it's taken ages!
At last - here's a picture of the gorgeous new bathroom in Candle Cottage. For those of you who have been reading my blog for a while (you know who you are!) you'll know that I "spoke" about the work back in July - so it's only taken me two and a half months to get this picture to Mary!
Oh
Beehive!
(Austin Powers eat your heart out)
- 18 September 2008
Having always had a fascination for bees and beekeeping, I’m
pleased to report that all being well next year Blakelow will have
its very first Beehive. Now, anyone who knows me will say that that
I’m not the bravest of men when it comes to stinging insects … in
fact, I have been known to scream like a girl when a wasp found its
way in to my car … in my defence it was like a Jack Russell with
wings!!
So, having had a visit from members of the Beekeeper's Association, the lovely Sue, who lives in nearby Wensley (the hive and bees
will be Sue’s … I will just be playing host - you didn’t think I’d be
getting up close and personal to the wee stinging beasties did
you!!) - anyway, we have agreed a sheltered site, which I’ve started to
clear and prepare for their arrival.
I shall no doubt be keeping you up to date with progress - and probably be seeking remedies for bee stings.
Gadding ... again! - 20 August 2008
I
can’t believe where this year is going this time last week I was at
the Ashover
Show … a great day out at a real country fare, our guests that
went enjoyed it to.
The setting is lovely, on the edge of Ashover village, about 7 miles from Blakelow, there’s all sort of things to do and see as you will see from the photos. The atmosphere is very friendly, although I think this year there was more mud than Glastonbury!
Although the
day did keep dry … as you might guess the “food marquee” was worth a
visit but I did only have a smoked salmon and cream cheese baguette
from the “Derbyshire Smokery” stand for lunch and no cake Mary …
honest.
My diet isn’t going too badly, I’ve had my hair cut today so that will have lost a bit more weight!
Bank holiday weekend coming up and the forecast is good, so I’ll probably be busy in the garden … I went to Matlock Garden centre today and was amazed to see all the Daffodil, Tulip and Crocus bulbs out on display, I hate to say it but it wont be long before the Christmas Decorations are hitting the shops … sorry everyone for mentioning the C word.
Having said that Candle cottage is now booked up until Christmas with only one weekend still available 31st October, Halloween… I’ve got my Pumpkins ready!
Mary thinks - I'll believe you, thousands wouldn't ...
Out and about - 7 August 2008
Since living here at Blakelow I have become increasingly aware about the (or more accurately, my) drive to productivity. It’s as if there’s a little neural slave driver deep in the folds of my brain who won’t stop cracking a cruel whip.
Do I really need to do everything myself? I can never lie in bed snoozing - even at the weekend - and somewhere in the fields of childhood I listened too intently to the voice that said laziness and waste were the two greatest sins.
I guess that’s just my “Peasant working stock work ethic”, whispering in my inner ear: not enough, make more, never rest.
Having said that I’ve just had my friend Lindsey down to stay for a
week, Lindsey used to live in Matlock but has now returned to her
roots in Scotland,
Dull actually … no not Scotland, the little hamlet
where she lives.
Anyway the reason for telling you this is that we did all the touristy things that one never has time to do.
We went to Chatters (Chatsworth House) browsed the shop had tea and
cake in the Farm shop Café … I can recommend the Carrot and Passion
Cake ... yummy!
Visited Bakewell, went antique hunting in Ashbourne.
Nearby Cauldwell’s Mill is always worth a visit… Lindsey bought some glass art from the Glass makers and we had more cake and tea in the café there… the Lemon cake was huge, moist and gorgeous… I wonder if it counts as one of my five a day?
Thursday a walk on the
High Peak Trail up to Black Rocks and back
down to Cromford for fish and chips, sat in the sunshine next to
Cromford pond, why is it that fish tastes so much better when eaten
out doors next to water?
Friday was Lindsey’s birthday so a visit to the Druid Inn at nearby Birchover was called for … Fabulous meal, well presented, fresh, imaginative food at its best ...
And the diet starts today … I’m not joking, I really do have to lose some weight … I’m thinking of having my teeth removed to see if I can loose the “sweet one”!
Hope you enjoy the photos ...
Mary can't believe you didn't get a piece of cake in the book shop/coffee shop in Cromford - you did the rest!
Well for all who read Steve's Blog, I have to
go to the cottage at least twice a year, would spend my life there
if I could. There is much to see and do as many will have been and
enjoyed the beautiful Views from Blakelow Farm.
There is plenty to do and plenty to see, but I just love to go and
rest light the log fire and simply relax. I have travelled the world
over (well I have been to Benidorm) and they say there is no place
like home. Well Steve's is home. I have stayed in Candle Cottage and
Christmas cottage, I love both but if there are only two then Candle
cottage is the most beautiful (JMO) Steve will do almost and I
repeat almost any thing to make you feel at home.
A visit to any cottage and I guarantee if it is your first visit it
certainly wont be your last. I can't wait to see and sample the new
bath in Candle Cottage, but ohhhh how I loved the old one it will
take some beating Steve, but knowing how hard you work you will have
made it as all the things you do are top class. All I can say now is
roll on November when I will once again be at Candle Cottage I know
I will receive a warm welcome and always a surprise (by the way
Steve I have a teddy on every stair now, so I think of you every
time I go up and down stairs).
Love and Laughs Steve, June x x x x x
Talking of Chucks and Ducks - 9 July 2008
Like my friends Vicki and Steve at Holestone Moor Barns we have
signed up to the Chicken Out campaign. This is the Hugh
Fearnley-Whittingstall, River Cottage campaign, I buy only free
range chicken from our local supermarket, and organic chicken from
nearby Hearthstone Farm Shop. As our local supermarkets won't stock
free range cooked sliced chicken, we've also stopped buying it!
If you care passionately, as we do, about changing the way our supermarket chickens are reared and kept in this country please join Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Jamie Oliver in their Chicken Out Campaign now.
My Chickens (all 8 of them) are so free range they are on safari, they all have names and they get everywhere and are great “pest controllers”
Our 3 Rhode Island Reds are now 5yrs old and 2 of them are still laying… Claudette has never been keen on the idea… I think she’s a bit too posh to push …
Let’s see if Mary agrees with this one!!
Mary won't be drawn on the matter!
Secret Gardens of Winster - 9 July 2008
Looking forward to the weekend of the 19th July (Christmas
Cottage is available – hint, hint) and the chance to get to see
other peoples gardens whilst listening too a Jazz band and drinking
a glass of Pimms … all in the name of Charity … my favourite sort of
charity work!
There will be lots to see and do with at least 15 gardens throwing open the gates! Visit their website.
Magpie Blues - 9 July 2008
For the first time since keeping Hens and Ducks, I’m having a terrible problem with Magpies stealing the eggs from the coupe … some days I only collect 1 egg. There are about 5 Magpies that seem to take it turns raiding the coupe, as soon as a Chuck comes out and announces to the world what a good job she has done, in it goes … I’ve asked them to keep it under their wing but they don’t listen!!
If anyone has any ideas I’d be very grateful.
Blakelow Developments - 8 July 2008
New Bathrooms in Candle and Christmas Cottages
Not
that they needed them … but to keep our 5 star rating by Visit
Britain, we have had to put a bath in each cottage (they changed the
grading criteria last year) So instead of environmentally friendly
“Wet Rooms” which are both green and ideal for those with mobility
problems we now have baths …
Having got off my soap box … I have to say they are rather splendid, take a look.
Yes, I can confirm that the bathroom in Candle Cottage is very smart & the 'short' bath a perfect length for reclining with a book & a glass of wine! - Anne Rogers, 17/07/08
New Decks for Cranberry and Christmas Cottages
No,
not record decks, garden decks, we have decked both terraces making
alfresco dining even better, they even have new furniture … very
trendy … we just need the weather for guests to make the most of
them.
HELLO - 7 July 2008
Hello
and welcome to my blog… I can’t take all the credit for it as my
long suffering web designer, Mary will vouch (she’ll actually be the
one making sense of my ramblings).
Not only will I use it to chat to guests old and new about what is happening here at Blakelow, I’d also really like it if guests use it as a “techie notice board” sharing what’s good about the peak district and hopefully what they most enjoyed about their stay.
So where to begin, well sitting down with a glass of Red, whilst listening to Amy Winehouse coming out of the PC speakers is a start, now I know she is not exactly a role model for budding singers but blimey can that woman sing! She seems to have a strong self-destructive streak the way she lives her life, but how can such a young artist come up with a classic like "Back to Black", a gem of soul and R&B? I only hope she manages to record a few more albums before she kills herself with 'pills 'n needles'! Oops, that was a bit crass, wasn't it…… did I also say that I’m relying on Mary to be my sensor!!
