Monday 5th December got off to a cold frosty start. The fog had settled in the dales so we had the best of the sunshine. Two departures and one arrival with one cleaner here. Cows have moved off our fields but are still on this side of the road. Took Smudge for the morning walk so I could enjoy the frosty scenery. Made the most of a quiet day with doing duvet and pillow checks in the cottages. Cottages arrived just after 4pm. They have been before. No bowls in the evening so a Monday night in. Unlike Monday the fog was more noticeable on Tuesday with poor visibility all day. No arrivals or departures but one cleaner here. Got the Xmas lights and decorations down from the loft. More pillow and duvet checks in the cottages and after cleaner departed we went to Bakewell to get some maintenance supplies. We thought we would eat lunch out at Hassop but there was a Christmas party on so decided to go to Beeley as they allow dogs. When we turned into Beeley we were 
confronted by lots of people with cameras but luckily there was room at the cafe. It turned out that a rare bird had been spotted in the village hence all the people with cameras. Wednesday was a very mild day and clearer than Tuesday. Down to Bakewell for dance class followed by coffee then after lunch went to Buxton for a few hours to do some shopping. Thursday was a quiet day. Organised laundry collections over the Christmas & New Year period and ordered some bedding. With a busier weekend ahead did some jobs in the cottages. Also caught up on blogging and accounts work and started Christmas cards. One arrival here just before 8pm, they have been before. Friday was another mild day. One departure and three arrivals with one cleaner here. A day of jobs in cottages and paperwork. Two arrivals here between 6 and 7pm with final cottage at about 10.30pm, they have been before.
Wednesday 30 November was a sunny cold day but not as cold as previous days. The overnight temperature had risen so I did not need to scrape the car before going to Bakewell for my dance class. One departure and two arrivals but cottages already prepared. Both arrived just after 3pm, both have been before. Another colourful sunset. In the evening I went to the village hall for a meeting regarding a neighbourhood plan for the village. Thursday was another dry day but more overcast. Two departures, the traders from Chatsworth Christmas Market, and one arrival with one cleaner here. Cottage arrived about 4pm, they have been before. Later in the afternoon we went to Haddon Hall as we had evening tickets to see the Hall decorated for Christmas. We enjoyed a stroll around the Hall and as the tickets were purchased for fund raising we helped a local charity too. Enjoy the 
Saturday 26 November started misty but this lifted mid morning into a wintry sunny day. The mist seemed to hang around the dales which made for some nice photographs. Down to Bakewell first thing for the farmers market and they were already queuing for the car parks due to the Bakewell Christmas market also taking place. Had a wander around the Christmas market which looked better than previous years. Traffic was quite heavy in Bakewell by the time I left. Chris spent time clearing leaves out of the gutters. Hopefully that is it with leaves for this year. One departure with one cleaner here and cottage arrived about 4.30, they have been before. Sunday was another fine day. Two departures but no arrivals. Down to Bakewell to get the paper and we had a look around the Christmas market. There were some different stalls to the Saturday. Chris took advantage of the dry day to do some tidying up outside in the afternoon. Monday was a similar day with one departure but no arrivals. One cleaner here. With a dry and mild afternoon both of us spent some time outside in the afternoon getting the grounds winter ready. In the evening I went to carpet bowls and Chris paid a visit to the Bakewell Photographic Society. Tuesday was another glorious day with a frosty start then sunny until sunset. No arrivals or departures but a cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Late morning we set off to Curbar Edge for a short walk in the winter sunshine. It wasn’t very busy and we ended up doing a four mile walk along Curbar Edge to Froggatt Edge then back. It was a bit misty below the edges but we still had plenty of photo opportunities and where the sun hadn’t reached it remained frosty. Back home via the Craft Center at Calver for tea and cake but was a bit too late to catch the glorious sunset colours. Enjoy the 
Tuesday 22 November was a far better day than Monday. After a dull start it brightened up. No departures or arrivals so I spent some time baking. Chris did some outside job and stocked up on logs. Some of the cows went back across the road for winter so we only have a few cows left on this side. The ground is still very wet and grass apparently stops growing at 6C. Wednesday started dull and brightened up a little in the afternoon. Dancing and coffee in the morning and in the afternoon we went to the Chatsworth Christmas market. We parked at Edensor and walked over the hill to Chatsworth passing some grazing deer as we did so. The market is larger this year and with wooden chalets so had a more festive feel to it. The market closed early on Monday because of the weather and we noted they were still pumping water away from the parking areas on Wednesday. Enjoyed the stroll around the market (with cake and hot chocolate) before walking back to Edensor and home. Thursday was a brighter day but with a cold wind. A quiet morning with a surprise visit from one of our regular guests who have now purchased a caravan. They stayed for a cup of tea. After lunch we headed to Chesterfield, initially to Bookers but also The Range, Currys and Dunelm. No departures but one arrival at 7.30 with cottage already prepared. Friday was a sunny day but still cool. One departure with two arrivals and one cleaner here. Down to Bakewell to get hair cut and get some provisions. First guests here at 4pm, they have been before with second ones here at 8pm. Spent some time catching up on paperwork in between. Enjoy the 
Friday 18 November saw a dusting of snow first thing which melted as soon as the sun appeared. One departure and two arrivals and a cleaner here. After lunch our friend from York arrived for the weekend and in between arrivals at 4pm and 8pm we went down to Bakewell and had a look around and tried out the new pizza place. Saturday was a sunny but cold day. Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner here. After she had finished we went up to Derwent Reservoir avoiding Bakewell which was busy due to the Christmas Wonderland on the Showground (which became quite a newsworthy topic in the local press and on social media). We had a nice three and a half mile walk along the shore of the reservoir enjoying the winter sunshine. There was still evidence of the previous days’ snow on higher ground. On the way back we stopped at the Anglers Rest in Bamford. The pub was bought by the villagers and now is a community hub with a cafe, post office and pub in the premises. Back home just before guests arrived at 5pm. Sunday saw an overcast morning give way to a drier afternoon. One departure but no arrivals. Friend went back home and we went down to Bakewell to collect paper. In the evening we went to the village hall to see the film Private Peaceful. Chris was projectionist for the evening. Monday can be described in one word horrible. Wet from the start it really never improved. Very windy in the morning with a number of pots blown over. Two departures and one arrival with one cleaner here. Got wet on a number of occasions going between cottages. Cottage arrived at 3pm. A lot of flash floods in the area as the ground is very saturated and fallen leaves have blocked drains. In the evening I went to the hall for the village hall committee meeting. At least it had stopped raining by then. Enjoy the 
Sunday 13 November got off to a sunny start and with no departures we decided to go out for breakfast for a change. We headed to Ashford where we had breakfast at the Aisseford Tearooms followed by a stroll around the village enjoying the pleasant sunshine. Back home and final checks before cottage arrived at 4pm, he has been before. Monday was dreary but very mild with some light drizzle later in the day. Four departures and one arrival with one cleaner here. Cottage arrived at 3.30, they have been before. In the evening I went to the village hall for indoor bowls and on the way back tried to spot the super moon but it 
was obscured by cloud. Later though the cloud cleared and we had a good view from our doorstep. Tuesday remained mild but damp. No departures but one arrival with a cleaner here. In the morning we went to Buxton as we had a back stage tour of the Opera House booked. It was very interesting and although we visit the Opera House regularly it was nice to see it from a different angle. After lunch we returned home and guests arrived about 4pm, they have been before. The super moon was visible again in the evening. Wednesday 
started fine and mild but got colder with passing showers through the afternoon. One departure. In the morning I went dancing followed by coffee with the other ladies. Initially we had thought about going to the Christmas Market at Chatsworth in the afternoon but in the end I used the afternoon to catch up on paperwork. In the evening we had a drink with one of our guests. Thursday was colder and in the morning we experienced some heavy rain followed by blue skies and rainbows at lunchtime. One arrival here just after 3pm and one cleaner here and in the evening I went dancing again.
So on Wednesday 9 November we woke up to snow. Luckily not as much as forecast, perhaps a couple of centimeters at most, and this gradually melted during the day. I rearranged my dance class for Thursday evening. One departure and one arrival with cottage already prepared. Made the most of a quiet day to catch up on personal paper work and blogging. A couple of walks with Smudge to take photos. Another cold day so the fire went on early. Cottage arrived at 7pm, they have been before. At least Thursday was brighter and milder. No departures but two arrivals and one cleaner here. Both arrived between 3 and 4pm, both have been before. One is a trader at the Chatsworth 
Christmas Market which starts on Saturday and will be here for almost three weeks. In the evening I went to my rescheduled dance class. Friday was a sunny day and it felt milder in the sun although the wind was still keen. No departures but two further arrivals and a cleaner here. Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend. Time for odd jobs around the cottages and paperwork. Both cottages here between 6 and 7pm, both have been before and one is another trader at the Chatsworth Christmas Market. Saturday started drizzly but it had 
brightened up by the afternoon. No departures but one arrival with cottage already prepared. As result I was able to go with Karen and Penny from Over Haddon to Haddon Hall in the morning where there was a craft fair raising funds for the local community transport. It was really busy and a wonderful way to see Haddon Hall and help a local charity at the same time. Back for lunch and afterwards we stocked up logs before guests arrived, they have been before. 
Friday 4 November was a fine day. One departure with three arrivals and one cleaner here. All cottages here between 3 and 4pm, two have been before. Most guests were here with dogs to avoid fireworks. Saturday was a sunny but cold day with a biting wind. Two departures and two arrivals with one cleaner here. One cottage here just after 3pm with the second one about 4.30. Stocked up on logs and saw to some paperwork. Sometimes I don’t know where the time goes. In the 
evening we headed to Over Haddon to see the firework display and then we joined some of the locals at the pub for for a drink afterwards. Sunday started overcast and there were a few passing wintry showers in the morning but it brightened up a bit in the afternoon. No departures or arrivals and after getting the paper I spent the morning on housework and we spent the afternoon with some friends. 
Monday was drier but still cold. A busy day with five departures and one arrival and one cleaner here. Chris spent a lot of the day clearing leaves, most have fallen from the trees now. In the evening I went to Over Haddon for carpet bowls. The gritters had been out when I drove back and there is snow in the forecast! Tuesday saw a frosty start with a lovely sunrise. One departure but no arrivals with one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. A busy morning for emails and bookings and in the afternoon we went to Chatsworth House for afternoon tea as a way of celebrating the fact we will have been here 13 years on Friday. Back via the Farm Shop where I picked up some provisions as we were not sure how much snow we would wake up to on Wednesday morning!
Monday 31 October saw a sunny start with a wonderful vista across the mist filled dales. Five departures and one arrival with two cleaners here. It was an unexpectedly warm sunny day so in the afternoon I spent some time in the garden rather than doing accounts. Chris cleared some more leaves from the car park and grounds. The day ended up being the warmest day of the month. In the evening I went to the Village Hall for carpet bowls. Tuesday was a colder day. No departures or arrivals but a cleaner here to carry on with cottage cleaning. A day of odd jobs and after lunch we went to the recycling center and back home via the Peak Outlet village. The gritters were out for the first time that evening. What a contrast to Monday! Wednesday was a sunny cool day. Down to Bakewell to start next dance routine and afterwards went for coffee with some of the ladies. Chris had some bits to get in Buxton so we went and had lunch there. It was nice enough to sit outside the No 6 tearoom opposite the Pavilion Gardens and we had a walk around the gardens admiring the colours. Unfortunately I had forgotten my camera. Work is progressing on the Crescent with scaffolding in place. On the way back we picked up some items from an electrical wholesaler. Thursday was cold and damp after a promising start. No departures but two arrivals with cottages already prepared. Last minute checks and first cottage here at 3pm and second one at 9pm. One of the cottages came over for coffee in the morning and it was nice to have a chat. Leaves are falling from the trees now but I think we have had some of the best Autumn colours in years.
Thursday 27 October was more cloudy than recent days but still mild. Three departures but no arrivals with one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning. Chris cleared some leaves and I did some gardening jobs and preparations for Friday which was another mild day. A busy day with five departures and seven arrivals and two cleaners here. With a prompt start we were able to make good progress with cleaning. Chris and I helped which meant we finished by lunchtime. Everything ready for first two arrivals between 3 and 3.30. Two more between 4.30 and 5pm and two between 6 and 7pm. Final arrival just after 8pm. Traffic delayed some of the arrivals and four of the cottages have been before. Additionally we also had some friends arrive for the weekend and after a very busy day we enjoyed a take away with our friends. Saturday was the first Saturday in over six months that we had no cleaners here. No departures but one arrival with cottage already prepared. More overcast than Friday but still mild and down to the Farmers Market first thing with friend. After lunch we took a drive up to the reservoirs and enjoyed a short walk from Fairholmes car park admiring the Autumn colours. On the way back we drove past the site on the edge of Bakewell which is being cleared for the new Aldi store. In the evening we went to the Lathkill Hotel for a meal which we all enjoyed. Sunday was a murky day and slightly cooler. One departure and with the clocks having gone back Chris had to spend some time adjusting all the timers and clocks on site. Friends left in the afternoon and I spent a few hours on housework and planning the week ahead. Enjoy the