New Year’s Eve was a fine sunny day until later in the afternoon at our Bolehill Cottages near Bakewell (see here).  One departure and final arrival for new year with one cleaner here.  Down to Bakewell to get some provisions and thought we would try the new cafe at the Bakewell bookshop.  We bumped into one of our guests there and they joined us for coffee.  Mid afternoon we had a very heavy downpour followed by an unusual sunset (sorry no pictures).  Cottage arrived just after 4pm, they have been before.  Shortly afterwards Chris’s brother arrived for the evening. Discovered it was not so easy to go out for a meal on New Year’s Eve as many pubs were not serving food but we did get a table at the Peacock in Bakewell.   Here we also bumped into some people we knew who out for a drink.  A quiet evening later seeing in the new year.  A cold night led to a frost and a bright start for New Year’s Day although it had clouded up by mid morning.  First frost for a long time.  We decided to take Chris’s brother up to the reservoirs as he has never seen them.  It was very busy by the time we got there even though we weren’t late.  We walked up to the dam which was still overflowing and along the reservoirs edge towards Howden Dam for a while before turning around and heading back to the car.  We then drove round to Grindleford Station, which was very busy, where we were able to enjoy a bacon bap and mug of tea.  Back home then Chris’ s brother made his way home.  After dinner we went and joined one of the cottages for a drink and piece of cake and a chat.  Enjoy the few photos.

Monday 28 December saw a lovely sunrise at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  A busy change over day with three departures and four arrivals and two cleaners here.  With an early start due to three departures on Sunday cleaning for the required cottages was finished by lunchtime as was most of our checks.  At least it stayed dry.  First two cottages arrived just after 3pm, one has been before with next arrivals at 3.30 then 5pm, both have been before.  Spent some time doing accounts as the VAT return beckons as does the end of year accounts so I will be working on accounts over the next few days.  Tuesday was a sunny but colder day.  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  A day of accounts and cottage jobs with guests arriving just after 3pm, they have been before.  The wind picked up during the evening and by Wednesday morning it was raining and it continued to rain all day with nearly an inch of rain falling.  We had thought about going to Buxton for a few hours for a break but the weather put us off so a day of housework and accounts.  No departures but two more arrivals with cottages already prepared, both here between 3 and 3.30, both have been before.  In the evening John and Sue from Little Cowden Farm, with one of their sons and girlfriend, came over for a sociable evening.

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.

Thursday 17 December was another mild day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  One departure and one cleaner here.  When she left we headed off to Ashbourne for lunch after which we had a wander around the town and did a bit of shopping.  Always enjoy our trips to Ashbourne.  Back late afternoon and after a cup of tea we went down to Bakewell so we could have a look around the Christmas tree festival at the church and we also popped into the Manners pub as we have never been there.  Reports about the food have been positive so we will try eating there in the New year.  Friday got off to a nice start with a lovely sunrise.  No departures but one arrival and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning and help with two of the Christmas trees in the cottages.  Handyman here too and he and Chris did some final tidying up of gardens, courtyard and car park.  After stocking up on logs I spent the afternoon on preparations for cottage arrivals over the next few days and put up another tree in a cottage.  Still mild for time of year and there was some rain in the afternoon and it was a bit breezy too. Saturday was very mild but also quite wet and very windy.  Down to Bakewell first thing where it was already busy at the farmers market.  Back in time for one departure.  One cleaner here and two arrivals in the afternoon.  More preparations in the cottages including putting up another tree.  Just a couple left to do now.  First cottage here at 3.30 and second one here at 5.30.

Back to our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here) after lunch on Monday 14 December.  A catch up afternoon with Chris having welcomed three arrivals while I was away.  Two had arrived on Saturday and one on Sunday, all have been before.  In the evening I went to Over Haddon for the last indoor bowls evening before Christmas.  Tuesday was a foggy day with rain appearing later in the afternoon.  One departure and one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  After lunch we decided to go to Haddon Hall to see their Christmas decorations as Wednesday was the last day.  Haddon uses mainly natural decorations so some were passed their best but it was a leisurely couple of hours enjoying the house and decorations with a theme of the twelve days of Christmas.  Enjoy the photos!  At least by Wednesday the fog had lifted and we had our views back.  A mild day.  Down to Bakewell late morning to get provisions for the next few days.  In the afternoon I finally got the first of the Christmas trees up in the cottages as well as some other preparations for Christmas.

Monday 30 November was a busy day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  Two departures and one arrival and one cleaner here.  Have changed laundries so a new man collected laundry.  Also picked up a replacement table for one of the cottages so we did a bit of furniture moving as well as popping down to the market.  Cottage arrived just 4pm, they have been before.  In the evening I went to indoor bowls in Over Haddon and Chris went to Bakewell Photographic Society.  Tuesday was a fine mild day.  No arrivals or departures but one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  Tuesday handyman here and he and Chris put up the outdoor Christmas lights.  I did some jobs in vacant cottages and planted out some more bulbs while it was so mild.  In the afternoon I went to Sainsburys in Matlock to stock up for staples over the Christmas period.  I had planned to go for a walk on Wednesday but woke up with a sore throat.  It was a mild but breezy day.  Chris did some jobs in the vacant cottages and I did some extra laundry and put up our own Christmas tree.  Normally ours gets done last.  Thursday got off to a damp start but it brightened up mid morning.  Another quiet day and I got ready to go to my sisters for the weekend.  Down to Bakewell in the afternoon.  Two weather warnings were issued for the weekend here but I was in Watford leaving Chris in charge until I returned on Monday.

Thursday 26 November was a cloudy but mild day at our Bolehill cottages near Bakewell (see here).  No arrivals or departures and we had signed up for a tour of Eyam Hall arranged by Visit Peak District for its members.  Eyam Hall is leased by the National Trust, the only property on its book that is leased.  It had been decorated for Xmas and our tour also gave us a bit of time for networking with other local accommodation providers.  Some of the shops in the hall courtyard were also open.  We stopped for lunch at the Aisseford Tearooms in Ashford before heading home.  The afternoon went in odd jobs and chatting to guests and for Chris he was still doing some jobs in Lathkill.  Friday was forecast to be wet from early on but luckily the weather held until later in the afternoon.  No departures but two arrivals with one cleaner here to keep up with cleaning.  A busy morning with some bookings too.  A late lunch as Chris was finishing in Lathkill and we were joined by Mark from Over Haddon and Louise from Haddon Grove Cottages, both happened to be passing and though they would call in.  Both cottage arrivals here just after 3pm and later in the afternoon we were joined by one of the cottages for a cup of tea, scones and a natter.  They have booked again for next year!  Saturday saw one departure and two arrivals.  One was a last minute booking so we turned the cottage round as the other was already prepared.  First thing down to Bakewell for the Bakewell Christmas Market and Farmers Market.  Back to clean cottage then took Smudge down to vets who confirmed that he had an abcess.  Both cottages here between   5pm, one has been before.  In the evening we went to the Opera House in Buxton but we were a little underwhelmed with the performance we saw as we probably had the wrong expectations.