Blog!
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 ...
Bumper crop at Blakelow - 17 August 2010
This
year has been a very good for our veg, salad and soft fruits, we
must have picked about 15lb of raspberries. As the raspberries are
coming to an end the blackberries are beginning to ripen, then we'll
be in to the apple and blackberry pie season one of my favorites.
I love the ritual of it … making the pastry, peeling the apples and washing the berries. The smell of fresh baked pies fills the kitchen and transports me back to childhood times.
Mum wasn't a great cook but she could make a good fruit pie!
Lame Duck
Ruby has hurt her leg … I always feel so helpless when one of the brood is injured. So early Sunday morning I decided to checked her over to make sure it wasn't broken, this was a trial in itself, I wanted to catch her before she left the coop, as ever she was too quick (even with a bad leg) I made a dive for her, but as she tried to flap away she caught me smack in the kisser with a very dirty wing (I think it was poo) … don't laugh, I had my mouth open at the time, it wasn't an experience I'd like to repeat!! I think I used a whole bottle of mouth wash.
So at the moment Ruby is in solitary confinement in one of the stables, looking very sorry for herself, hopefully she will rest and it will heal itself … fingers crossed!
Blackberry and apple jam ... hmm ... ! Mary
Radio ga ga!! - 5 August 2010
My 15 minutes of fame on BBC Radio Derby ... I was asked to do an interview on the lovely Aleena Naylor's radio show, I can't remember what I said, if it made sense or how long it lasted!! at least on the radio you cant see me blushing.
Aleena's show was about how the local area is preparing for Christmas, I seem to remember waffling about our Christmas tree and that we only have Chestnut cottage left for this year and that Candle cottage is booked for Christmas 2011 ... .
And that was it ... aahhh well, who said life in show biz was easy?
The nights are drawing in!! - 1 July 2010
1st July … and the nights are drawing in!! (I'm such a cheerful soul!)
I have so much to tell you … but will try to keep it brief (as are the rules of social network sites).
Thanks to Lee Mannion (roving reporter and writer) we had a very good write up in the Sunday Express for Chestnut cottage, his piece generated bookings and enquiries so thank you again Lee.
Bee update, we had a swarm last week, fortunately though we had split the hive a few days before as they were creating "queen cells". We did manage to collect the swarm but lost it again … it was last seen heading for Winster across the moor.
So, we now have 2 hives which at the moment are queen-less we are expecting a royal hatching any time now – hot water and clean sheets are at the ready. Sue and I will check next weekend just to make sure, I'm hoping she'll let me name one of them… any ideas gratefully received – keep em clean, maybe with regal air to them!! (Oops waffling again.)
My beekeeping course starts on the 25th so will need to swot up
before then.
For those who like to get away at Christmas/New Year (so sorry to mention the C word in July) Candle and Christmas are now booked, Cranberry and Chestnut are still available.
Chucks 'n' ducks are doing well, still laying and are as attentive to guests as ever.
Our swallows, robins, stonechats, thrush, blackbird and goldfinches have all fledged and they are just the ones I know about – the magpies must have missed them.
Hope the sun keeps shining where you are …
Online booking is a go! - 15 June 2010
On-line booking … yes we now have availability listing on our site and as you will see we are getting pretty booked up for the year…
For
the many couples we have enquiring about accommodation PLEASE
remember that if Candle cottage is booked, we can sometimes offer
Cranberry cottage at the same rate, as long as there are just 2 of
you and you use only one of the bedrooms.
Thank you Mary and Jade for your hard work and patience!
More News
Hattie, our broody hen, failed in her task to hatch 2 duck eggs … her broody spell ended before they hatched, I found them cold in the next box ...so sad.
As for our bees … there are thousands of them, they look to
be a very strong hive, however this last week they have been quite
grumpy because of the changes in temp and weather – although I think
I've been the same!!
On Friday a couple of "guard bees" chased me out of the enclosure whilst I was doing some weeding - persistent little buggers I can tell you ... as I wasn't in my suit I made a hasty retreat.
That evening, Sue had a similar experience, so her "mentor" - a very amiable chap called John came out to have a look. They were fine, he seemed to think it was the change in the weather that had upset them - I bet they're grumpy again today after all this rain ... there's a lot to this beekeeping lark!!!
All "teched" up - 28 May 2010
We are getting all teched up at Blakelow. In a few weeks we launch an on line booking system and availability listing – called "SuperControl". This will help me in my administrative duties. We're testing it at this moment and I'm very pleased with the smooth flow and finish of it. Of course my inability to take instruction hasn't helped, Jade, my instructor has had the patience of a saint but fear not we will get there.
I have also had the good fortune to get my hands on some "matched funding" and will be investing in an "iPhone" which will enable me to take enquiries and bookings on the move.
More news
This month we were inundated with a flurry of "Lee's", we had Lee
the journalist who came to stay in Chestnut cottage to write a piece
for the Sunday Express on accommodation for the solo traveller ... a
very nice chap.
We had Lee the joiner fitting the new oak doors in Christmas cottage and 2 more Lee's fitting the carpets in there on Saturday morning… all 3 did sterling work to a very tight time scale ... so a huge thank you LRC Joinery and Lee Holmes Carpets ... Christmas cottage looks great.
Latest poultry news is that Hattie (the large white Winedote hen) has gone broody, so I have managed to sneak a couple of the duck eggs under her, 7 days to go, I'm not sure who'll be more confused her or the ducklings ... life is never boring here.
And the Oscar goes to ... - 28 April 2010
Blakelow
Farm Holiday Cottages … Yes … we struck gold by winning the Self
Catering Holiday of the Year category in VisitEngland's Enjoy
England Awards for Excellence 2010, held in Brighton on St George's
Day (Friday April 23).
Those who know me and have stayed here know that we are proud of our cottages, protective of our environment and passionate about quality which why we are so proud to have won. The accolade is brilliant, and helps fly the flag for the magnificent Peak District and Derbyshire.
The awards night was brilliant, the venue, weather, company, bubbly and the fact that we won was the icing on the cake, although I'm still not convinced I didn't dream the whole thing.
If I'd have known we were in with a chance I'd have paced myself better (with the vino collapso) got to bed at 2.30am and was back on the road at 8am... in time for guests arriving.
And the phone has been ringing off the hook for bookings and enquiries ever since … what more could we ask for?
Very well deserved - Congratulations! Mary
Spring at Blakelow - 25 March 2010
As the nights draw out and the mornings get lighter, it's so nice to feel the warm sun on my face. Especially as this year I have forgone my annual trip to the beach, sea, sun and sun bed to decorate the cottages.
Cranberry Cottage is complete, Candle Cottage is well underway and the bedrooms in Christmas Cottage are next, it's a good thing I like painting.
The
snowdrops this year have been spectacular … they seem to be popping
up everywhere. The daffs are fighting to catch up following the long
cold winter and it is so lovely to hear the skylarks singing over
our fields.
Next Wednesday we are off to the EQM awards night (Environmental Quality Award) to receive our certificate. The "do" is being held at Losehill Hall, I really enjoy these events as it's a great opportunity to meet up with like minded friends and meet new people who care so passionately about the Peak District and its environment.
Breaking news ... 16 March 2010
You
may remember back in October, Blakelow was awarded Gold at the East
Midlands Enjoy England Excellence Awards …
We have just heard that Blakelow Cottages are one of the 3 short listed candidates for the National Award … Yipee!
The award night is to be held in Brighton on St Georges Day – 23rd April and is again dubbed as the Tourism Oscars – so the black tie and diner suit will get another airing ... I wonder if there'll be red carpet?
Today, Monday, I've had a film crew visit and have spent the morning being filmed and interviewed for a sound bite (get me using the lingo) to be shown on the night ... very worrying as we all know the camera adds at least 10lb!!!
Did you have to do lots of Noddy shots too? Mary
BT lets us down ... again - 22 February 2010
Nothing
more than a housekeeping miniblog today, I'm afraid, but it might
interest those of you who like contemplating the astonishing power
telecommunications to hear that we are now on our 3rd telephone
system … ! apols to those who have left messages and not received an
answer, or the phone was just ringing out – BT hmmm ... not anymore,
we now have the top of the range Panasonic system.
What ever happened to telephones that worked for years not just 2 months at a time… worst of it is that it isn't until someone actually gets through and tells you there's a problem you have no idea … I'm sat here like "Billy no mates".
There rant over …
I
hope you're reading this happily and that the site has let you in
with speed, fluency and ease today. This is without doubt due to the
hard work of the lovely Mary. Without sounding too boastful I have
to mention that the numbers of "web hits" is improving month on
month.
Even I know that without the invisible infrastructure of servers and the brilliant and dedicated people who maintain them, this wouldn't happen. So if you're reading this and arrived here instantly, raise a cheer to Mary. But not all at once …
Mary says flattery ... nice, but worrying ;-)
PLEASE NOTE … not one derogatory comment about the snow … even though I was up at 7.30am this Sunday morning digging guests out … again … I'm pleased you got home safely David and Sheila x
Cranberry
Cottage in the Sunday Times Top 100 Cool Cottages - 25 January 2010
I was thrilled to see that Cranberry cottage was ranked in the Sunday Times Top 100 Cool Cottages (24th Jan 2010) the article resulted in a flurry of activity and quite a few bookings… so a huge thank you to the travel editor for that.
The photos and text is ready for our new Chestnut Cottage (sleeps 1) which will hopefully be on the website next week.
The cottage will help meet the growing demand for quality, reasonably priced accommodation required by today's "solo traveller".
Here's a little taster of what to expect ...
Mary says gorgeous, can't wait to see the rest.
Cranberry Cottage gets a makeover ... - 15 January 2010
Here are a couple of photos of the new Cranberry Cottage interior … . The sofas were made by Kevin Jackson Interiors - Crich, the fabric for the curtains and sofas came from Low Wood Furnishings and the curtains were made by the lovely Eileen. Paint was from the Little Greene Company (good eco credentials) and came from Seymour Interiors at Cromford - thank you Christine and Duncan. The paint by the way goes on like a dream and is in my opinion the best I have ever used – and I've used lots! Oh … and the TV and DVD came Farmers in Matlock… keeping it local.
As soon as Mary has a minute she will put them and others on the Cranberry cottage page - Thank you Mary!
Mary says DONE, and you're welcome!
What more snow ... ? - 13 January 2010
As with most of the country we've had a fair bit of snow. So much so that guests this weekend had to be towed in and out on arrival and departure. That's in spite of me (and them) digging snow off the lane to help get them up the hill, luckily a neighbour stopped and offered to tow them in - thank you Trevor, which was lucky as both times we all at the point of giving up. The snow was waist high in places and although the snow plough had been down, it had very quickly blown across again.
So Julie and Mike … I know you eventually made it home safely, Mike I hope you had a good birthday … one I'm sure you'll remember for a long time. Julie thank you for the photo … good to see you were keeping busy whilst we were digging for victory!
2010 Tariff - 5 January 2010
Prices … Although our occupancy rate increased in 2009, our energy and waste usage has slightly decreased, this has been achieved by vigilantly monitoring resources and improving our efficiency but most of all with the help of our guests, switching off lights and turning the heating stat down a couple degrees etc.
To say thank you … we are NOT putting our prices up in 2010 and returning guests will receive a 5% discount - see PRICES.
Happy New Year!
Whiter than White Christmas and New Year - 1 January 2010
Wishing all friends, guests and browsers a very “Merry Christmas and a Bountiful New Year …”
We've had a brilliant time at Blakelow thanks to some wonderful guests and friends who stayed in our winter wonderland.
There's been food and presents a plenty, mulled wine, mince pies, and lots of laughter … perfect.
I hope 2010 is just as good … to us and you all.
See our 2009 Blog archive.
