I call them reverse days when more cottages arrive than depart. One cottage out with four back into our Derbyshire cottages. The departing cottage have booked for next year. Went down to the Bakewell Farmers Market and stocked up. A couple of new stalls today including a cookie stall. Yum. Also went to the Bank as it is now open on Saturdays. Back and after coffee got on with some odd jobs around the cottages and final checks before arrivals. One cleaner up and no problems encountered. One bed was replaced yesterday so we replaced the headboard today. All ready on time but first guests didn’t arrive until nearly 4.30 with two others in the next hour. Two have been before. Final cottage arrived about 6.30. They have been before but not since we arrived. Cooked dinner then sat down by 8.30.

Back late last night after a delayed train meant I missed my connection at Birmingham and had to catch a later train. A day to catch up and move on. Today five cottages out of our Bakewell cottages with only two back in. Two cleaners up and no problems encountered. A good drying day with a strong breeze so two lots of washing quickly dried. Both cottages arrived between 3&4 pm. Went to Bakewell early evening to pick up some provisions then after dinner filed the quarterly VAT return online before sitting down and watching Mondays episode of Ashes to Ashes.

Another pleasant day. Four cottages out of peak district cottages this morning with three due back in. Four cleaners up for a quick turn round. Plenty to get done as I had a train to catch in the evening. Nice enough to hang washing out. Chris and handyman did some pruning and work around the grounds. Have ordered my plants if I haven’t already said so. First cottage arrived early about 2.30, with remaining cottages arriving later. After dinner Chris drove me to Macclesfield for the train down to Herts.

Got the biggest surprise this morning when I went to the stable to get the pellets out for the duck and out strutted the missing, presumed dead hen. Made straight for water and food. Spent ages trying to figure out how it got in there as there are no sneaky openings. Realised the only way was when Chris was cutting the grass last weekend and left the stable door open and it must have wandered in! This was the last time I remember seeing her. Guess it might have crept out when Chris cut the grass today. Chris spent a lot of time doing bits around the garden of our peak district cottages. I spent time in cottages as had two cottages arriving today, one has been here many times before. One cottage out this morning. Was such a lovely day weather wise but needed to get on with things as I am going down to my sisters tomorrow evening. First guests arrived just before 3pm and final guests about 5pm. After dinner went down to Over Haddon for the film club which was ‘The Kite Runner’ a very moving film.

A quieter Saturday with one cottage out and one back in to our Peak District Cottages. One cleaner up to turn a couple of cottages round with no problems encountered. Chris took our friend back home and I did some tidying up around the house. With it being bright and breezy did some extra washing and dried it outside. (Trying to make sure I’ve done as much as I can before I go away). After lunch I got this months accounts up straight including paying any remaining bills before Chris got back. Guests arrived about 5.30. After dinner sat down for 8pm!

Finally the sun came out at lunch time! A busy day with six cottages departing from our peak district cottages and five cottages due back in. Four cleaners up at various stages during the day. No problems encountered. Guests arrived steadily between 3 & 5pm. One cottage has been here before. All are here for the weekend so a busy day on Monday! Ordered train tickets yesterday as I will be going down to my sisters again next week. They arrived today. Took a couple of bookings this evening before sitting down at 9pm.

A few things to get done today. A dreary start with better forecast but this never materialised. Our laundry man arrived in a t shirt. Apparently it was sunny in New Mills so we were not that far from the good weather. Went to Buxton to pick up Chris’s glasses and a few other bits. After lunch did some paper work before going down to Bakewell to have hair cut. Went out with our friend for dinner to the Church Inn at Chelmorton, we haven’t been there for a couple of years and really enjoyed the meal.

A miserable start with an improvement forecast but it never really materialised. Decided to go to Chesterfield with our friend as I had a few furnishings for the cottages that I wanted to source. Finished up at Dunelm. When got back remembered to order my plug plants and trailing plants for the summer. Had dinner and organised cleaning for Friday before sitting down.

A quieter day at home. One cottage out of our Peak District cottages with one back in but that had been cleaned yesterday. Today was like a Monday with the rubbish and laundry being collected and a few bookings as well. Also did some paper work for dad and Chris went down to Bakewell with our friend to pick up a few bits. Cooked dinner and sat down by 8pm.

We have lost our last hen so I had better get my order in asap. A nice day forecast so perhaps a short walk may be possible later. Two cottages out with one back in and one cleaner up. A friend arrived for a few days stay. The cottage arrived just after 3.30 and by 4.30 us, our friend and my friend in the cottages plus her family and dogs set off for a short walk down to Over Haddon. Had a drink at the Lathkil Hotel before walking back. I was going to cook but we had a pizza before sitting down.