Finally got the phone call I have been waiting for at 9am this morning. Joanna phoned to say they were shortly going to let the cows out into the field. I dashed out to the front to watch and photo them as they made their first appearance this year. There was the usual frolicking and galloping around before they got down to the serious business of eating grass. With none of our peak district cottages in or out decided on a walk from our Bakewell cottages as it was going to be busy on the roads. Went down to Bakewell early to get the paper then just after 10.30 we set off. We had been forecast a good day but we seemed to be on the edge of it for most of the day. It was bright with glimpses of sun and quite warm. We were going to do a circular walk including Lathkill Dale so set off towards the Magpie Mine and then across country to Monyash. We stopped at the Smithy Cafe for an early lunch then headed down the Dale. Instead of the walk along the bottom of the Dale we took the high path along the access land with great views of the dale (and all the people in it!). We had planned a ten mile walk but at the seven mile point we decided it would be quite late before we got back having had a few stops for refreshments and views so headed home via Mill Farm. By now the sun was out. When we got back they were trying to get the cows back in but I guess it being a nice day and with the sun out they were reluctant to go back in. A few bits and pieces and watched Countryfile which is now on Sunday evening. This week it was based on the North Yorks Moor and also showed the railway where our friends have just volunteered as helpers. A bite to eat then sat down for the evening.

A dull start today with better weather forecast. Three of our peak district cottages out with three back in and two cleaners up to turn cottages around. One dead toaster (always have a spare in stock) the major casualty but no problems encountered with cleaning. As a result had time to do some bits and pieces before first guests arrived about 4pm. This is a friend of mine who I worked with many years ago and this is her second visit with her family. Second cottage arrived about half an hour later. They have been here many times before. Final cottage arrived about 5.30. I think it will be one of those weeks where guests will be chatting to each other, especially if the weather holds. The sun came out mid afternoon and it was pleasant enough for guests to sit outside for a while. I chatted to some of the guests when I went out into the coutyard. Chris took advantage of the weather and cut the lawns. The dogs have got some new playmates and there are some children of similar ages in this week so it will be interesting to see if they team up. Cooked a roast dinner and switched off office light about 7.30. A few jobs around the house then sat down to watch the recorded Dr Who, very enjoyable.

Up and Chris took dogs for walk while I sorted out laundry and bits. Five cottages out of our peak district cottages with five back in. Four cleaners up at various times during the morning and early afternoon and all the cleaning completed on time with no problems encountered. Just as well as three cottages arrived between 2.30 & 3 pm. Was still doing the final checks. Final two cottages arrived between 4 & 5 pm having had bad journeys. Three of the five cottages have been here before. Weather not brilliant with showers on & off but a better few days forecast. Hope they are right! Did some accounts before getting some fish & chips!

With a couple of quiet days at our peak district cottages and therefore a chance for me to do bits around the house. Went to the WI on Wednesday evening, the speaker gave us a talk on antique jewellery. and she brought along some samples. We also brought along some of our own jewellery for her to look at. Thursday again went in bits around the house and preparing for tomorrow. Went down to Bakewell to make sure we had enough food for the weekend as well as the banking etc. Chris wanted some bits for the pond so we also went to a couple of the local aquatic centres. After dinner dealt with a couple of bookings and phoned my sister before finally sitting down at 9.30.

Another quiet day at our derbyshire cottages. Went to Matlock with Chris this morning. First stop was an agricultural supplier where Chris was able to get the lawn feed which he had been looking for. Then to Matlock where we went to Wilkinsons and then to Sainsburys before coming back. While the weather held Chris spread the lawn feed on the guest lawn. I finished all the accounts and filing for the last quarter so I can now start on this quarters bills! One cottage in today so back to full house. Then down to Bakewell for an evening out with two of the cleaners who both have birthdays this week. We had a nice meal and evening at Felicinis in Bakewell.

A relatively quiet day here at our peak district cottages. One cottage out with two back in and Chris and I cleaned the vacated cottage for today’s guests. After that I checked the other cottage needed which was cleaned yesterday and also the cottage which has been cleaned for tomorrow. Mainly dry with some light showers later in the afternoon. Spent some time on housework and personal bits when I could. First cottage arrived about 2.30 and the second cottage about 5pm. Cooked a dinner and Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society. I put the chicken away. There was a feature on the local news about the increase of people adopting rescued battery hens, must put in my application soon. Also have started to plan what summer bedding plants I will order for the summer. Sat down for Heroes with some filing.

All quiet on the home front with not much to report from our Bakewell cottages. One cottage out with one back in. Did a run into Bakewell for the paper and bottle bank then onto Chatsworth Garden Centre to get some bits but as they did not have what Chris was after we went onto the Calver Garden Centre but they also did not have what he wanted so we came back home. Checked the cottage was ready for this afternoons guests (it had already been cleaned) then as it was nice had lunch on the patio. Some of the guests were out walking today and a few came back while we were sitting outside. We have quite a few dogs with us this week but occasionally we do refuse bookings with dogs. With each request we take into account the number of guests, the number and size of dogs and the cottage requested and sometimes we do have to say no, althugh I do offer an alternative if I can. It is hard to find cottages that take more than one dog, I have found very few where we could take our two. We also have a number of children here this week who have been looking forward to meeting our two mutts and Blue in particular has been enjoying all the fuss being made of him. Guests arrived about 3pm after which a cleaner came up and cleaned the cottage vacated in the morning. It is her birthday tomorrow and with cleaning the cottage today we will do the peak district cottage needed tomorrow so she can have the day off. Finalised the banking for the end of quarter, phoned my sister and cooked dinner. By the time I had fed the dogs and answered emails it was nearly 9pm. Hm.

Three of our peak district cottages out this morning with five due back in. Two cleaners up to finish cleaning the remaining four cottages. A couple of minor problems but otherwise all finished with time to spare. Did a few more odd jobs and hung up the ironed curtains. Four cottages arrived between 3 & 4 pm. A lot of cottages have dogs this week and I was reading that this will be the year of the dog – that is people taking their dogs on holiday in the UK so hopefully some will bring them to our dog friendly cottages. A number of our guests are in the for the week which means I should have some more time this week to catch up with jobs. Started to make a list! Made a few phone calls and final guests arrived about 5.30. We still belong to a number of B&B forums and some of the stories that go around are quite amusing. One contributor has suggested that B&B providers are suppresed comedians! Cooked dinner, answered some emails and sat down for 8.30pm. Am going to try and finish earlier from this week onwards. Hm, remeber saying that many times before.

Lost dogs in fog when took them for morning walk but it soon brightened up. Five cottages out of our peak district self catering cottages this morning with only one back in so a chance for a lot of odd jobs. With the sun definitely out washed some throws and curtains and put the new curtains up. Two cleaners up to clean four cottages so that takes the pressure off tomorrow. Chris and handyman painted some more benches and the children’s fort as well as cleaning some stone work. Amazing how quickly the day goes. Ironed all the curtains to go back up tomorrow. Cottage arrived just after six after which we had dinner. Caught up with the day’s emails and bookings before sitting down just after 9pm.

A misty start and despite a promised improvement it never materialised so it stayed cool. Serves me right for deciding to put the washing out. Spent most of the morning on paper work for dad and bits around the house. Did some of our Peak district cottages accounts and also made the time to re hem the new curtains I plan to hang up tomorrow. When Chris came back from his digital photography session I went down to Bakewell to get some bits for the weekend and do the usual bits eg banking. Back and cooked a roast dinner after which a bit more paper work then sat down about 9pm.