A quieter day with no guests in or out of our Bakewell cottages. After usual chores went down to Bakewell to get some bits for the next few days. I had planned to do some spring cleaning after lunch but there was a change of plan. One of the new fridges has a faulty freezer door and a replacement had been sent to the store at Chesterfield. We thought it was going to be sent here but decided it might be easier to collect it ourselves so went there. Unfortunately we discovered they had sent the wrong one so they will deliver the proper one on Thursday. While we were there we had a little look around Chesterfield then went down to Bookers to pick up some bits for the cottages. On the way back we stopped at the new B&Q, it is bigger than the one just closed in Chesterfield but it will save trips to Sheffield. After dinner made some phone calls and sat down for CSI.

Well it was a Bank Holiday for some. Today was just a normal Monday bar the rubbish and laundry not being collected. Three cottages out with three back in. Three cleaners up at various times and no problems encountered. Weather wasn’t brilliant but then it was a Bank Holiday. Two cottages arrived between 3&4pm, one has been here before. The final cottage arrived about 5pm. Did some paper work and after dinner made some phone calls and sat down for Ashes to Ashes.

A busy day with two cottages out of our derbyshire cottages and five back in. As soon as cottages had left (with one booking again for later in the year) and cleaner arrived I went down to the Bakewell Auction Centre where the annual plant auction was about to take place. For once there was little there that I was interested in and after a couple of hours came home with nothing! While I was there I met Sally from Peak District On-line (local accommodation web site) who introduced the Beautiful South to us. (For those who do not know from elsewhere, the Beautiful South recorded part of their last album ‘Superbi‘ here – we are on the credits). She has recently moved house so she is stocking her garden. Back home did the final checks on cottages arriving today before lunch. Chris got a phone call to help move some cows across to this side of the road. They were the same ones that caused the problems last year so as a precaution I waited at the bottom of the drive but they decided to behave. First guests arrived just before 3pm after which Andrew and Joanna called in for a cup of tea having checked all the cows are where they are supposed to be. Remaining guests bar one arrived between 4 & 6pm, one has been here before. Cooked an early dinner then headed down to the Bakewell parish church where a piano recital took place in honour of the recently donated new piano. An enjoyable evening during which time our final guests arrived. Phew what a day!

A busy day with four cottages out of our peak district cottages out and three back in. Two cleaners up to do the four cottages, should have been three cleaners but one was unwell, but with all cottages left in good condition the two of them managed the four cottages. Zipped down town to get bits for the weekend and after lunch and the cleaners had departed did the checks on the cottages arriving today. Also checked all the cottages that guest will be arriving in tomorrow so there will be less to worry about then. A number of phone call from newspapers trying to sell advertising space. Always seem to get them on a Friday. First guests arrived just after 3pm, two couples in one cottage arrived a couple of hours apart at 4 and 6pm and one cottage, who have been here before arrived just after 5pm. After dinner did some tidying up and emails before sitting down just before 9pm. Now the evenings are lighter it is easy to forget how late it is. Watched the English Heritage programme about Park Hill in Sheffield, Europe’s largest listed building. Will be interesting to see how it turns out. Can tell its a Bank Holiday weekend as the phone went at 9.30 with an enquiry about accommodation for this weekend.

A day at home. Two cottages out with none arriving back in our pet friendly cottages. Quite strange this week as we don’t have any dogs in (but I did take some bookings with pets!) Never mind, Blue can worry about the cows instead. One cleaner up to do the peak district cottages so they are ready for the next couple of days. In addition to my usual laundry I also washed a couple of throws. Took quite a few bookings and brochure requests today, that will be good for my monthly statistics. After lunch Chris went to his digital photo session and I spent some time planting up some of the plants that have started to arrive. Later in the afternoon and also after dinner I got this months accounts up straight. Also phoned my sister and did a few odd jobs around on the house before sitting down just after 9pm.

My probate interview for dad had been arranged for today in Sheffield so after usual chores set off and made good time. As usual found a car park but not the one we were looking for but it was not too far away from where we wanted. After my interview we also popped into see the solicitor who will be handling the sale of dads bungalow when it happens. It was a lovely day weather wise so I was glad our guests could enjoy it even if we couldn’t. Sheffield is where the World Snooker Championships are currently taking place, a good financial boost for the city but also making it busier than usual. Took some photos around the city. It does have some interesting architecture. This also reminded me that I haven’t put the pictures from our Lathkill walk on the blog yet. Took advantage of being in Sheffield to do a little ‘retail therapy’ which meant window shopping rather than coming back with lots of bags. Still did make a few purchases. Back home to our peak district cottages to discover the cows (which are heifers in calf – so they will start going back across the road as their date of confinement approaches) have moved into the front field, much too Blues consternation. He spent some time observing them from behind the garden fence! After dinner did some paper work before sitting down at 9pm.

A mainly overcast day and after usual chores headed to Buxton. Popped into town for banking and bits before coming back home via Morrisons. The afternoon went in phone calls, emails and getting paperwork ready for tomorrow. After dinner went round to see one of the cleaners for a couple of hours with Chris and the dogs and we went for a short evening walk.

A busy day today with three cottages out and five back in to our Bakewell cottages. Two cleaners up to turn around four cottages. No problems encountered. A bit of a miserable day weather wise and the forecast is not much better. All guests arriving today are here for the first time. Four cottages arrived between 3.30 and 5pm. The final cottage arrived after we went to bed. They have come over from Germany to visit relations living locally. Cooked a roast dinner before Chris went down to the Bakewell Photographic Circle. While he was out I did some filing and housework finishing about 10pm when Chris got back.

As it was a nice morning up early to visit a couple of car boot sales with one of the cleaners. First one was at Lady Manners School then down to the Bakewell Showground for a second one. Trouble is I am used to much larger ones from when we lived in Herts. Still I enjoyed it. Back by 9.30! Went down with Chris to get a paper. One cottage out with none back in but one cleaner up to turn it round. I spent most of the day on paper work for dad and us. After dinner Andrew and Joanna came up for a light bite. There are now cows on this side of the road too.