After what seems like an age, the children have finally gone back to school and the thaw is setting in.

These dripping icicles hanging from the Barn prove that the meltdown has started and the met office has forecast that temperatures should rise through the weekend.

This is good news…

The marvellous hens and chicken coop we bought from Moorlands Poultry Supplies at Bottomhouse last spring have been keeping us in eggs all winter so far.

The hens are obviously a bit fed up with the snow as they never venture outside the coop, but we keep them topped up with warm water and layers pellets and they reward us with 4 eggs a day!

Keeping chickens is so easy, I can fully understand why it’s becoming so popular nationwide.

You need so little kit and hardly any room to keep a few chickens – everyone should have a go.

Quick plug: Moorlands Poultry are now doing eco-friendly chicken coops and arks, made entirely from 100% recycled plastics so be sure to check out their website!

A view towards Alstonefield and The Raikes in late afternoon.

There seems to be no let up in the cold snap and although there are elements of great beauty around, everyone’s now fed up with the snow and ice.

The children still haven’t been to school this year and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council still haven’t emptied our bins!

Unfortunately, the forecast doesn’t look too good either.

It’s a small mercy that we don’t have any guests in the Barn at the moment…

Having decided on the perfect Peak District Cottage and the perfect Peak District car, I thought it was time to identify the perfect Peak District dog!

And here she is – our Border Terrier, Molly.

Her thick double coat keeps her impervious to the rain, snow and cold winds and her boundless energy means that no walk is ever too long or arduous.

She’s amazingly good-natured and bombproof with children (but woe betide any rodents crossing her path, especially S-Q-U-I-R-R-E-L-S!).

Once indoors, she mutates into a regal beast, searching out heat sources and then sitting imperiously in front of or on top of them, effectively screening them from us mere mortals.

You’ve got to love her!

Revidge Wood in the snow, looking towards Warslow.

Revidge is one of those lovely places often overlooked by visitors to The Peak District.

The trig point on the top offers amazing 360 degree views over the heather, from Ecton Hill, to Morridge to The Dragon’s Back and Parkhouse, not to mention frequent sightings of grouse, curlew, hen harrier, kestrel and occasionally, red deer.

It’s a gem!

So school’s closed for the third day in a row and the kids are going stir crazy.

We decided that, as it was sunny this afternoon, building a snowman (or snowlady according to Flora) would be a great idea.

There’s no shortage of snow on the lawn, so it didn’t take long to have a 5 foot snowperson complete and standing guard at Ivy House Farm.

It was really good fun spending a couple of hours with the children, not worrying about other stuff that needs doing and just enjoying the enforced break.

The forecast doesn’t look great for the next few days so tomorrow may test the entertainment skills once more…

Lucy and Molly walking into the woods on Rivedge.

The snow was really deep on the ridge today but the views were achingly beautiful.

If you’re going to stay in the Peak District, this can be a great time of year to come as cottage prices are at their lowest and there are hardly any tourists.

A new dump of snow this afternoon.

Luckily, our New Year’s guests managed to get away from The Barn before the worst of the snow arrived.

Happy New Year.

It’s a white out here in our part of the Peak District and very, very cold.

Spotted this snow monster while out walking Molly on Rivedge.

Look out for more pictures from Rivedge and around the Peak District

It would be great to post one pic a day – we’ll see!