The first few weeks went very quickly. A lot of time went on changing address, sorting out utility providers and doing all the accounts and admin with finishing off the business at Bolehill. We adapted to the change of pace with self imposed deadlines and routines to keep us from slacking! Living in Buxton means you see the place in a different light. It’s not as touristy as Bakewell but there is always something happening around the Pavilion Gardens, the Octagon or Opera House. We can also walk into Buxton to do the shopping which means you have to restrict yourself as to what you buy but you do save on petrol and parking. Smudge is getting used to the fact he just cannot roam around acres of land, the back garden is very small, but we have established a walking route around the estate to give us all a bit of exercise!
With friends still back in the Bakewell area and my dancing classes as well this still meant we were going back and forth a lot but that’s how it goes. We also had to make a trip to Suffolk for the funeral of my uncle. It was nice to catch up with family albeit under sad circumstances, but without commitments to guests we were able to stay for a few days and explore ‘Constable Country’.
first silage. There was a glut of well dressings at the beginning of June so in quick succession we went to Tissington, Monyash and Ashford well dressings. Later in June I helped with the Over Haddon well dressing which I think was the best design of the year. The Over Haddon well dressing also coincided with Youlgrave and Bakewell ones.
The first part of May was dry but spoilt by easterly winds which kept the edge of the temperatures. The first of the cows came over to our side of the road and one afternoon we took advantage of the nice weather and did a short walk in Deep Dale to admire the orchids and cowslips. The milk cows also started coming out in the evenings. The area was probably at its greenest but There was concern at the lack of rain. By mid month the rain returned and it turned cooler before another warm spell leading up to the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Silaging had also started in the area and the sheep at the Cowden Farms were shorn for the summer. The first part of the Bank Holiday weekend was fine and on the Saturday we attended the wedding of Fay, Andrew and Joanna’s daughter , at a local hotel. Luckily the forecasted rain held off. On the Sunday I took advantage of the nice day to start planting out bedding plants but the Monday was a washout being cool and misty. We collected the hanging baskets from the nursery so we have some colour back in the courtyard.
The beginning of April saw another warm spell with a warm weekend the weekend before Easter. The cows came out for summer pasture on the 8th but with a busy Saturday we were unable to see them leave the sheds. Made a trip to the Garden Tea Room on its first weekend of opening. Easter weekend was cooler with Christmas Day being warmer than Easter Sunday, but we have had more white Easters than Christmas’s since we have been here. With many schools back by the Wednesday after Easter we had a quiet spell and the chance to start outside jobs. We made an earlier than usual trip to Lea Gardens where many plants were already in bloom. The last week in April was quite cold with a number of wintry showers but nothing settled. The month finished with the Farmers Market, Bakewell Food Festival and the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.
As if not to lull us into a false security we woke up to snow on the last day of February. The beginning of March turned colder before a mild spell made us all feel like winter was over. March can be fickle with some days feeling spring like and some days reminding you winter was not yet over. March kept us busy with most weekends full and time permitting more spring cleaning in the cottages. Spent a day shopping for 
cottage items in Chesterfield. Before we knew it it was time to turn the clocks back and with this I found myself taking Smudge for his evening walk in daylight. Cut the grass for the first time and after a good display of snowdrops we also had a good show from the daffodils. Lambing commenced next door during the last week of March and with the grass growing Andrew started preparing his fields for the cows to be let out for summer grazing. As usual as the quarter ended I still had not completed the quarters accounts.
The February half term sees an increase in arrivals and departures. The days leading up to half term were cold with snow flurries but the Saturday itself (10 February) was cold and snowy. Although the snow settled it was quite slushy and by Monday it had all gone and it had turned milder. We were kept busy over the following weeks with the half term split over two weeks. Some mild weather in the middle of the month was followed by Storm Doris which luckily did no damage here. We 
also managed an evening at the Opera House where we saw Levison Wood. In the interim we carried out more deep cleaning and routine maintenance in the cottages and even managed an afternoon in the gardens tidying up on one of the milder days. After half term we experienced another lull so made the most of the time with further jobs like curtain and carpet cleaning. The days are noticeably longer and there are signs of spring like the snowdrops. I think we have had more snowdrops this year than ever before.
From Saturday January 7 we had a quieter period as the post New Year guests started to depart. For a couple of weeks we had just a few cottages in. Took advantage of the lull to catch up on accounts and commence the deep cleaning regime in the cottages. We also found a day to go shopping at the Trafford Center. We did wake up to some snow on Friday 13th January. Probably about an inch but the cleaner couldn’t make it as she had more in her village. As usual there was hardly anything in Bakewell as I discovered when Chris dropped me off 
after lunch to go shopping. Towards the end of January we had more guests particularly at the weekends. The weather was mixed with a combination of fine mild days and colder days and we had a couple of days of hoar-frost which always makes for good photo opportunities. Some friends came to visit one weekend and Chris even managed to come to the Farmers Market with me.
January 1st 2017 started cold and wet with a few sleety showers. A quiet day with lunch at the Aisseford Tearoom after which brother in law headed home. Monday was a cold but sunny day. No arrivals or departures and it was back to business despite being a bank holiday. The annual newsletter had gone out so this resulted in a number of emails and phone calls and some bookings. In the afternoon one of our regular guests called in for a cup of tea and made a booking for next New Year. It was very crunchy underfoot when I took Smudge out for his evening walk. A nice sunrise on Tuesday then first New Year departures with three cottages leaving and two cleaners here. Took down the trees from the vacated cottages. Another busy day for phone calls and emails with more bookings. Wednesday was a busy day with five departures and two arrivals. For me down to Bakewell for the first dancing session of the year leaving Chris in charge. Both cottages arrived between 3&4 pm, both have been before. Packed up some Christmas trees and a few more bookings came through too. Thursday was a cold sunny day. Two more arrivals and a cleaner here. Took down more trees and packed away some decorations. Both cottages here between 4&5 pm, one has been before. Crunchy underfoot again when took Smudge out. Friday was dull and drizzly. No departures but a further two arrivals with one cleaner here. Down to Bakewell first thing to get provisions for the weekend. Took down final decorations although Chris still has to take down the lights. Both cottages here between 3.30 and 4pm, both have been before. It has been a busy start to the year.