A lovely day forecast which is nice for those who are spending the final day of their break here in our peak district cottages. One cottage out with two back in. Drove one cottage to Monyash so they could walk back along Lathkill Dale. When got back found our three new fridges had been delivered. Cleaner for today had arrived and after a coffee went down to Bakewell to get bits for weekend. Back and after checking the peak district cottages required for today and having lunch did a few odd jobs in the cottages before first guests arrived at 3pm. They have been here before as B&B guests. Next guests weren’t due to arrive until later in the evening so had a chance to get a few more things done including help put a new fridge in a cottage but we also had to change the door over. After dinner sat down until our final guests arrived about 9.30 and then I could relax.

Took our friends to Longnor this morning where we had coffee. On the way back we stopped at the Brierlow Bar Bookshop. Could easily spend hours in there and did come away with a couple of books. Our friends then headed back home and we had a quick bite before carrying on with work. A nice day today and a nice weekend forecast for guests arriving in one of our peak district cottages this afternoon. Chris finished the carpeting in one of the apartments and I helped put furniture back. Guests arrived just after 4pm. One of the Over Haddon residents came up with a flyer for a talk being held that evening by Natural England on the River Lathkill. As the talk was quite early we had an early dinner before heading to the village hall at Over Haddon. Bumped into Blores Barn Farm a bit further towards Monyash. When we were doing a lot of outside work they were able to help us with some machinery and it was them who put us in touch with the owners of Smudge and Blue who are now five years old. Normally we meet up at the plant auction in May. They start lambing at the end of the month. The talk was very interesting and looked at the geological factors that affect the river including a plug of basalt which forces the river up from where it runs underground. Other factors affecting the flow are the soughs that were dug during the lead mining era, these were channels dug to lower the water table so mines could be dug deeper. We were also informed about the wildlife that was unique or rare to the river and dale. Overall the talk took about two hours but we had a chance to watch Heroes when we got back.

An expedition away from our Peak District Cottages to Chesterfield with a shopping list to view and buy. Took one of the cleaners with me so I had a second opinion on things. It’s always nice to have a second opinion! Although it was work related we did go to a few shops of our own choice and stopped for lunch. Final port of call as Dunelm. When we got back some friends from Birkenhead had arrived for a short stay. He is working in Angola and is back on leave. She has a good eye for home furnishings and was able to give me some ideas and thoughts for some changes in the cottages. Had a take away in the evening. Should have gone to the WI committee.

A dull start with bad weather forecast later in the day. A busy morning here at our Peak District Cottages with phone calls and emails – felt like busiest morning for a long time. Chris went to Buxton for a training session and I stayed behind. First eggs of the season from the hen. Plan to increase the flock by applying for rescued battery hens. One cleaner up today to clean cottage for this afternoon’s arrivals who turned up early as it had started to rain. In fact we had more rain today than in the whole of February. Spent most of afternoon with Chris as he imparted his newly acquired knowledge on the computer system we have to use and update for the local tourist office that shows our vacancies. Went out (by taxi) to The Royal Oak at Sparklow to celebrate a friends 65th birthday. We all enjoyed ourselves. It was wild and windy when we left but calm and clear when we came home. As we had gone out early had time to watch CSI.

One of our Peak District cottages out today with surprisingly no cottages in. As we have some vacancies over the next couple of weeks so we have posted some special offers for our peak district cottages. Three cleaners up though as it is always nice to have cottages ready. Also the guests that arrived on Saturday are here for the week so there are less changeovers this week. Went to Bakewell in the morning and spent the afternoon doing housework and some tidying up. Spoke to a friend later in the afternoon and after dinner Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society. I did some more housework and some paper work and recorded Heroes but watched Law & Order (UK).

Was in the process of collating February’s stats from our Peak District Cottages when I realised I had not given the information for January. So here it is.

January
Warmest day 12/1 with highest temp of 7.9 deg. with the night before being the warmest night. Coldest day was 6/1 with lowest temp -5.7 on 10/1 which was the coldest night. Wettest day was 12/1 with .79 in rain with total for January of 3.58in (6.9 in Jan 2008)

February
Warmest day 27/2 with highest temp of 8.3 deg on 24th. Warmest night 18th. Coldest day was 3/2 with lowest temp of -4.7 deg with a wind chill of -10,2 deg! Wettest day was 9th with 0.17 in with total rain for February 0.6 in (2.41 in Feb 2008). A dry start to 2009.

Sometimes things work out better! Two of our Peak District cottages out this morning with none back in. There were some things I wanted to look at over Matlock way but when we got there the place was closed (despite the web saying it was open Sundays.) Still went and had a look around the Matlock Garden Centre and then as it was still nice headed to Cromford Wharf and took the dogs for along the canal as far High Peak Junction. Last time we walked this way it was a cold frosty December afternoon. Today we had a little look round and as you can pick up the High Peak Trail from here I might plan some other walks. Had a bowl of soup at the Cromford Wharf cafe before heading home. Glad we were able to have a short walk today but if I had known the place would be shut I would have planned a longer walk. Still had some time in the afternoon to do some things around the house as well as take a few bookings. After dinner sat down for 8.30pm.

A busier day with no cottages out but two back in to our peak district cottages. One cleaner up to turn them around. Went down to the Farmers Market which was quieter than last month and some stall holders weren’t there – noticeably the scotch eggs and honey stalls. Back for coffee and courgette cake purchased from one of the stalls – does this count as one of my five portions a day as it has courgette in? After checking everything ok for guests had lunch then spent the afternoon finalising (almost) this months accounts. First guests arrived about 3.30. They have been here before but not since we have been here although they told me they have tried to book. The second guests arrived just after 4pm. Cooked a roast dinner then sat down for 8pm. Getting earlier!

Two cottages out today with one back in although they didn’t arrive until later in the day. So a chance to do some bits around the house and cottages. In the cottages I did some measuring up for new curtains as well as checking cottages for today’s guests. Also some phone calls and emails. Occasionally I get requests for further information that I need to research. Today I checked to see if any local boarding kennels did day boarding for dogs and also I checked with a local riding stables to see if they took disabled riders. So I learn more in the process too. After dinner sat down about 8.30 with cottage anticipating an arrival time of 11pm.

Back to Buxton this morning to collect a new lenses for my glasses as one had a chip when it arrived at the opticians. Chris has been having problems with his new glasses and as they couldn’t find a cause they are going to retest his sight. While we were waiting for my glasses to be repaired we walked round to the Pavilion Gardens where the new cafe has opened. Back home and Chris went off to his digital photography session. Three cleaners up today to get all the cleaning up to date for the next couple of days. One cottage in today. Chris returned with one of his fellow attendees who stayed for a cup of tea and as a keen gardener inspected our gardens with the snowdrops starting to give a good show. A couple of things that have happened over the last few days that I haven’t mentioned yet is that the sheep have gone so a walling man has been repairing any damage. Also you may recall that the electricity company removed a number of trees last year so they wouldn’t affect over head electricity lines. We were always told they would replace them although we never thought they would so about 20 saplings of traditional English tree variety have been planted around Bolehill Farm. I got on with some bits and pieces around the house and after dinner sat down for 8.30.