2009 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 ...
Coming Soon … Chestnut Cottage - 5 November 2009
Chestnut Cottage is going to be our sleeps 1. Converted from the former pigsty, it will comprise of a kitchen with dining area, sitting room, bedroom with double bed and an en-suite shower room. Outside there is a terrace with sitting area. We aim to have the property graded by Enjoy England in January and include it in the Premier cottages brochure for 2010.
Here’s
just a glimpse of what to expect.
2010 Booking have been steady all year so if you are anxious to come here on particular dates it's probably as well to book sooner rather than later.
As you may have seen we have held our prices for 2010… and remember all returning guests receive a 5% discount ... as a thank you from us.
St Valentine's week has bookings for both Candle and Christmas cottages…. but quite honestly any of our cottages can be as romantic as you wish it to be.
Christmas cottage is already booked for Christmas 2010 so if you want to be sure of getting the break you want book early ...
To return briefly to 2009, there are just a few breaks available for November and December. November 27th - Cranberry cottage, 4th December - Cranberry cottage and the 11th December - Christmas cottage ... remember our cottages are dressed for Christmas (as is Chatsworth House) and as well as the luxury hamper, guests will be served a glass of mulled wine on arrival.
We are still getting so many requests for Christmas and New Year, although we have been booked for a good while now; It is always worth asking though, just in case there has been a sudden cancellation (rare) or change of dates (more common!). If we can't help we will always do our best to suggest alternatives for you, friends or colleagues - mainly other Premier Cottages owners that we know we can recommend confidently.
Happy Halloween - 30 October 2009
Happy Halloween … to afraid to venture out tonight what with all the spooks, ghosts and witches, I think I’ll stay in with a good film and a nice glass of red!
Blakelow does it’s bit to fend off evil spirits … we just like the nice one’s whisky, gin, brandy … cheers!
Such an honour ... - 14 October 2009
I’m very pleased to announce that Blakelow Cottages received its second GOLD AWARD for best self-catering holiday in the East Midlands. We were in very good company as the 3 short listed nominees for the region were good friends of ours and from the Peak District. Martin and Deborah from Wheeldon Trees Farm won Silver and Felicity and David from Hoe Grange won Bronze.
Winning these awards not only sends an important message to visitors about our commitment to service, but also serves to communicate the high level of quality that visitors can expect to receive.
Regionally, the awards provide the tourism industry with an opportunity to raise the profile of the East Midlands on the national stage, with the top 3 of the country's gold award winners going forward to the finals, which will be held in London next April.
Fingers crossed we get short listed, that’ll be another 6 months of being scrutinised and mystery shopped!
I must also mention that another Gold Award Winner was the Yorkshire Bridge Inn, near the Ladybower reservoir for 'Best Pub Experience' again the owners John and Helen are good friends … so well done.
Self Catering Winners
From the left Martin and Deborah Hofman, ME, Felicity and David
Brown
Mary says CONGRATULATIONS to one and all - but especially you Steve!!!
I do love Autumn - 7 October 2009
I do love Autumn, but then I love all the seasons ...
I
find a deep-rooted delight in the hawthorn bushes being covered in
haws, and dog roses in hips. I like eating the blackberries from the
hedges and I love the smell of cold misty mornings. I even like the
nights drawing in and the first time I have to turn the heating on
or light the log burner. I like Halloween, the clocks going back,
bonfire night, first frosts and
crisp sunny days where the sun hangs
low in the sky ... building and preparing us for Winter.
It does concern me somewhat that as I get older – the seasons become more and more poignant? I’m sure as a schoolboy I couldn’t hold the memory of one season into another, the time passed so slowly. A summer was so endlessly long – there was no possibility of me remembering the idea of winter. Seasons all remained distinct. Now I can hold the whole cycle in my mind more easily – the years flitter by much faster ... or is that just me and is it an age thing?
The Tourism Oscars - 18 September 2009
Well OK, it's not quite the Oscars, but it's as close as I'll get
... I'm absolutely delighted that we've been short listed for the
East Midlands Tourism Enjoy England Excellence Awards. The award
ceremony, a very posh do - black tie! takes place in Leicester on
October 8th, I'm desperately trying to lose weight so I can squeeze
into my dinner suit!! – I may have to succumb to liposuction.
I'm particularly pleased that the other nominees in the self-catering section are my good friends and colleagues Martin and Deborah Hofman at Wheeldon Trees and David and Felicity Brown at Hoe Grange. As well as ensuring a strong Derbyshire representation, we're also all proud holders of the Peak District National Park Environmental Quality Mark and Green Tourism Business Scheme members ...
Well done you deserve it!! Enjoy the ceremony. We hope to return one
day!!
Clare and David Millward
Sunshine and Showers ... well it is August! - 31 August 2009
Yes, the weather is changeable, but it hasn't slowed things down here. All the fledglings have flown, the 6 swallows are now 30+ they gather on the telephone line out side my bedroom… twittering away, I wouldn't mind except its also above the porch… they don't half make a mess on the glass roof!
The
Buddleia's a covered in Butterflies, the Blakelow Bee's are doing
well and we have some new additions in the poultry department.
A fox took Ruby the duck and Claudette (the too posh to push hen)
off the meadow, the grass was long and I think he got a bit brave as
it gave good cover.
So, we have 2 new hens, Hattie is a large white Winerdotte and Ginger is an Dutch Bantam cross… we've nicknamed her Ginger the Ninja, as she is brilliant at disappearing into the surroundings only to reappear from nowhere at the site of food.
We've also had 2 new ducks Ruby and Rose who are company for Rupert and Rodders, They are white Aylesbury Ducks, only about 20 weeks old. Rup and Rodders were terrified of them, it was like watching a poultry version of that well known "Benny Hill sketch", they were running round the paddock in a line, their little legs going so fast I thought they'd have an accident ... It was funny ... where's the camera when you need it!
Bookings are doing really well
... for those who like to come and soak
up the pre-Christmas atmosphere we only have the 11th December in
Candle cottage left, Christmas and Cranberry cottages still have
some availability, but be quick.
September is booked as is much of October.
I'm still busy with some upgrades in the cottages. Next month Candle Cottage is having a new front door and windows, also a gorgeous squashy sofa. Cranberry cottage is having new sofa's curtains and a flat screen TV ... it never ends!
I'm really sorry to hear about Spike. I'm sure he'll still be around
in spirit.
Sue Green
We will miss Spike! SOB! SOB!
Clare and David Millward
Blakelow gets its Bees - 7 July 2009
We
have Bees, Sue deposited them last Sunday evening, they have settled
in brilliantly, She came up this week to check on them and the Queen
is working well… as are all her workers.
When she transferred them to the hive, I thought there'd be hoards of angry bees in the air try to sting her (and me). Not at all, they were quite calm, a few flew around to check what was going on but didn't bother us.
One of the most unexpected things is that despite their frantic comings and goings, they are incredibly relaxing to watch. I've taken to having a cup of tea with them, I sit on the bench and am just mesmerized by the way they perform their little dances before setting off and returning their pollen bags full of goodies. The fields (and my lawns) are covered in clover and buttercups at the moment, so there's plenty of nectar for them to collect.
Mary … when we have our web meeting I'll hopefully have some Blakelow honey for your tea!
Mary says - I'd better buzz-y then and bee-gin the journey up there!
Sunshine and Summer - 25 June 2009
Sunshine. It's wonderful stuff. The late May bank holiday featured wall to wall sunshine… which is a fairly unusual occurrence. So, I seem to have spent all my days gardening, planting salads, spinach, and peas (mange-tout to be precise … very posh) and lots more. As well as clearing and levelling the new beehive area which was full of giant hogweed and nettles.
The Chucks and Ducks have loved helping … we've spent many an afternoon toiling away whilst listening to the radio, enjoying a bit of a rant about MP's expenses … the girls eyed me very suspiciously as I shouted at the radio, it was the moat clearing and floating duck island that did it for me.
Anyway
take a look at the before and after photo's … "Ground Force" has got
nothing on me. Just waiting for the bees, come on Sue, find that
swarm.
All of Blakelow's wildlife is bursting forth. The Wagtails and Blue Tits have flown the nest, so have the first of the Shallows.
I think a Magpie took the Blackbird eggs as the nest was empty… not
to worry they've built another in the hydrangea on the wall outside
Christmas cottage… see photo, there are now five eggs.
The little brown bird which I think is a Dunnock, has hatched all 5 eggs and both parents a frantically feeding the young … see photo for the Aaarrhh factor.
Christmas Cottage has had its new French doors and dining room windows fitted, also the blue bedroom window, all done in half a day, I was very impressed, it'd have taken me a week! - photos to follow.
"Springwatch
II" - 21 June 2009
Another instalment ...
A photo of the new Blackbird nest outside Christmas cottage ...
Mary says - it must be the 5 stars that makes you so popular with the local birds and wildlife, they must love a bit of luxury!
"Springwatch" at Blakelow Farm - 1 June 2009
Having
planted native tree's, shrubs and put up nest boxes, you'd think the
birds would be taking advantage of them ...
Oh no ...
We've got a
Blackbird nesting on the bird table, (obviously built when we were
having the awful rains, quite clever really) ... Blue Tits using the
alarm box.
Pied Wagtails in the eaves of Christmas Cottage, a Wren in the Ivy on the standing stone in the centre of the courtyard and a Brown bird (not sure what it is) nesting in the conifer next to the well. See the photo's. Kate Humble and Chris Packham eat yer heart out!!
I'll post more as things develop.
No news on the Bee's … bit of a blessing really, as I've yet to finish the wall and hang the gate … this week!!
March on Spring - 16 March 2009
The snow was replaced with a magnificent crop of Snowdrops this year
… I love them, they always make me smile. We also have our first
daffodil out, don't laugh, we have been known to have them flowering
in May!
The
Red Fallow Deer have made a return visit … this time they were on
the front lawn, I rushed out with my camera but I used the zoom and
lost focus … ! I was really pleased to see them … until I saw that
they had eaten 3 of my "poor mans" Cyprus trees (Sky Rocket
Conifers) see
last years photo. I had tried to capture a little bit of Italy with
a tree lined driveway with lavender beneath … Oh well, I can always
plant more.
I didn't mind when they finished off last years red cabbages in the raised beds - I had thought maybe that's how they keep their colour! ... but honestly, eating my trees.
The chucks and duck, Ruby are all laying well, whilst hopefully doing their bit to keep the slugs and snails in check, at least they are reliable.
It wont be long now until the clocks "spring" forward and it's time to put the winter woollies away. My mower has been serviced the shears are sharpened and I'm ready to do battle with nature for another year. But best of all it'll be light nights with a G and T in hand inspecting the borders.
Snow go ... 10 February 2009
Those
of you who have read my blog will have noticed that I love the snow
… I never thought I'd hear myself say this … but even I h
ave had
enough. Having been snowed in since the 2nd Feb it cleared a little
on the 7th and guests managed to get in, although it was a day late
(sorry June and Ian) and I did manage to get in to Bakewell to pick
up fresh provisions but it snowed again on Sunday and we couldn't
get out.
Yesterday (Monday 9th Feb) having cleared the drive and path it looked as though a thaw was on its way … Ohh no ... it started snowing at about 4pm and we woke to another deep covering with drifts now about 24 inches high … what fun ... my snow shovel will be worn out and the worst thing is we've run out of chocolate … things are getting tense!!
I've rung the Highways Dept to plead for a snow plough to come down the lane … I won't hold my breath … at least “Cadbury” the snowman is enjoying it …
Mary, will we ever get to our web meeting … how's your diary looking for April!!
Mary thinks April is probably good - assuming it does thaw. Even our little street's pretty bad right now!
Good and bad ... 3 February 2009
Two
bits of sad news to report I'm afraid, Clarissa one of the first
hens I had (a battery house rescue along with Clara and Claudette)
has died, I noticed she wasn't a frisky as usual and walking was
getting difficult for her. So I put her in a nice warm, blanket
lined box where she could sit quietly ... sadly that night, she went
to the great Chicken Coup in the sky. She had a good life at
Blakelow for the past 6½ yrs and was on of my best 'layers' I will
miss her.
Spike,
my 18 year old cat has also passed away, those of you who have
stayed here may remember his face pressed up against the window
pleading to be fed and fussed. He was such a character and made
himself at home where ever he was. When we opened the holiday
cottage business you could almost see the glee in face as he rubbed
his paws together, as new guests were to fall prey to his charm
offensive.
On a brighter note ...
Its snowing ... again - we seem to have had snow every month since November, I'm not complaining, it does look lovely, the sun is shining at the moment and everywhere has that sparkly blue-ish glow ... trouble is I should be out there clearing the paths ... I'll just have a mug of hot chocolate and then … we'll see.
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Beautiful
2009 - 5 January 2009
Happy New Year to you!
I woke this morning to find a covering of 3" of snow all over - looked gorgeous so I thought I'd share it with you!
Bye for now ... !
See our 2008 Blog archive.
