A pleasant day so shame it had to be spoilt by a trip to the dentist! Our friend came too so we stopped for coffee in Bakewell. After lunch did a few business bits before taking our friend to Ashford. Had a walk around the village (with a nice ice cream from the tea room) and admired the well dressings. Also went and looked at the flower festival in the church. The theme was weddings and I thought it was one of the best displays I have seen. Took a number of bookings and brochure requests in the evening before sitting down.

A quiet day at our Bakewell cottages and a chance to catch up with some bits around the house before a friend arrives for a few days. Although overcast it stayed dry until late afternoon although heavy showers elsewhere in the locality caused some localised flooding. WI evening and today’s talk was about the local Air Ambulance Service. From its base at East Midlands Airport it can reach the northern most parts of the Peak District in 15 minutes. The paramedics have to carry equipment weighing two stone so they have to be very fit. On the WI front it looks like we will be looking for a new treasurer after our AGM later in the year and I have been approached to see if I would be interested. Which strangely enough has just happened to my friend in Yorkshire too!

When got back last night there were a couple of phone calls that needed following up. One was where the water was not heating up and Chris found the element had died. (He has become quite an expert on plumbing). Luckily we had a spare so he replaced it. The second call was followed up this morning. One of our guests had had a freak accident with their car at Chatsworth resulting in a shattered windscreen. Chatsworth were very good to them and their windscreen was replaced today. Woke up to the tail end of a power cut but it was a few hours before other nearby properties got their power back. Took the dogs out for their morning stroll, it felt warmer this morning and overall it stayed dry. Had a financial review meeting with the Bank this morning and after lunch went to Buxton. Did banking and other bits in town before going to Morrisons. On the way back home went to a plumbers merchants to pick up a replacement water heater element and also a new loo seat for one of the cottages. These need to be replaced on a regular basis and we always like to have one in stock. We have an amazing spares store! After dinner we had planned to visit Ashford in the Water to see the well dressings but didn’t make it.

A day to catch up with personal, business and dad’s paperwork and bits around the house. A dry start but rain and showers from lunchtime. One cottage in just after 3pm so a full house again in our peak district cottages. No blog tomorrow as off to York to see Chris’s parents.

Unfortunately I had problems getting back again last night but at least not as bad as last time although it was too late to vote. A day catching up but also went down to Bakewell for weekend bits and to get hair done. Weather held until later in the day which means this week’s guests have had a good week. Lets hope next week is not so bad.

A miserable start and it didn’t get better until after lunch. Seven cottages out of our Bakewell cottages with one staying for a second week. One TV to be replaced and Chris spent a lot of time on a plumbing problem in one of the cottages. Three cleaners up and most of cottages cleaned and ready by 1pm. A spot of lunch and everything ready, including defrosting a fridge by 2.45 when first guests arrived. They have been here before. Out of the six cottages arriving today three have been here before. Steady stream of arrivals until 5pm then final guests arrived just after 7pm. Chris went and got some fish and chips from the new place in town but it was a little disappointing. Sat down about 8.30pm. Hopefully weather won’t be too bad this week.

Talking of which here are May’s weather statistics.
Warmest day 29/5 with highest temp 21.5deg also on that day. The preceding night was the warmest. Wettest day was 15th with .62 in with a total of 3.91 in for the month (2.01in May 2008) Coldest day was 4th with the night of 11/12th being the coldest night.

Six cottages out of our Peak District cottages with eight back in, four of which have been before and one is from Australia. With my foot still bruised and swollen Chris took the dogs for a walk and went to the Farmers Market for me while I stayed behind and said goodbye to he departing guests and organised the three cleaners that were up today. No problems encountered. A hectic start with three cottages in by 3.10pm and three more by 4pm. Final two arrived around six pm while Chris was down at the farm. He had gone down to help get the cows in with Joanna. Silaging continued for a few more hours until one of the machines broke down. The green landscape now has golden patches where fields have been silaged. Sat down about pm.

Another warm sunny day and although my ankle was still swollen and bruised I felt more mobile. One cottage out of our Peak District Cottages today with none back in. One cleaner up to turn two cottages round. Our friends also went home so with good weather I did some extra washing. With two cottages cleaned these could also be prepared for tomorrow’s arrivals so taking the pressure off tomorrow. Chatted to guests and rested my ankle occasionally before cooking dinner and sitting down. I have added a couple of pictures to my blog for May 17 and 24. Finally silaging has begun across the road although the main and relief cutters both broke down so another relief machine had to be brought into service. They were still cutting until gone 11pm.

One cottage out today. With my ankle swollen and bruised it was considered more appropriate for me to remain at home whilst our friends went for a walk. Chris stayed at home too and although I rested my ankle for a lot of the day I still managed a few odd jobs including potting up the last of the plug plants. With the sun shining we spent some time sitting out in the garden and in the evening went over to the Church Inn at Chelmorton where we had a nice meal.