Sunday 20 December was a much more pleasant day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Would have been a nice day for a walk.  One departure and down to Bakewell to get Sunday paper and returned via Little Cowden Farm to exchange cards.  Back home for coffee during which one of our regular guests called in with an Xmas gift for us and one for Smudge!  Last checks for cottages arriving later in the day, they had already been cleaned.  Collected by Andrew and Joanna and we headed to the Lathkil for our traditional Christmas lunch. Back mid afternoon and before arrivals.  Chris went off with Smudge to witness the sunset from Magpie Mine and took my camera.  First arrival here about 4pm, they have been before and second guests arrived about 7pm, they have been before but I wasn’t here to greet them as I had gone back to Over Haddon for the Carol Service.  A packed church but I wasn’t doing a reading this year.  Stayed afterwards for a chat with some of the villagers.  Monday started fine but during the middle of the day it was wet and windy before brighter and colder conditions arrived in the afternoon.  One arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  Another tree up and Christmas preparations continued both in cottages and home.  If you have stayed here at Christmas you know we do make an effort!  Cottage arrived about 3pm, they have been before and later in the afternoon Karen and Mark dropped by with another cake!  Tuesday started fine but by lunchtime it was raining and it persisted for most of the afternoon.  One departure and one arrival and one cleaner here.  Last Christmas tree up.  Cottage arrived at 3pm, they have been before.  Down to Bakewell to get some provisions then back to catch up with some paperwork in the evening.