Went to leek this morning with one of the cleaners. We went to look at some home furnishings for ideas in Wilkinsons and some of the other shops Leek has. It was also market day so we had a look around that too. Back after lunch in time for the arrival of two cottages. Both have dogs. We have quite a few guests arriving with dogs over the next few days. Dogs always welcome in our peak district cottages! Chris laid new carpet in another cottage today. In the evening we went to the Riverside Hotel in Ashford. They are among a number in Derbyshire operating special lunch & evening meal deals being promoted by national newspapers. We had a nice meal although the restaurant wasn’t busy, but talking to the staff it seems they have been busier at lunchtimes.

Nobody in or out of our peak district self catering cottages today and with a number of empty cottages a chance to make and plan some changes in the cottages. Two cleaners up today to keep up with cleaning which helps when you get late bookings. Chris replaced the carpet in another cottage and got another cottage ready to recarpet it tomorrow. Pancakes for tea and as going out tomorrow made sure the cottages which had guests coming in were ready. Sat down and watched CSI.

Final cottage out with only one back in today. Still a lot need to be cleaned and two cleaners up. With a few empty cottages Chris made a start on replacing carpets in a couple of our peak district cottages. The handyman was doing some tiling and I made a quick trip down to Bakewell Market. Not often I go in the morning. It was busier than I thought but got what I was after. Back and after dinner did some bits in the cottages and also phone calls and emails. Sat down for Heroes and recorded Law & Order UK which we watched afterwards. Noticed it was set in Kings Cross where I used to work – in an office I should add!

At least it felt as if we were being abandoned. After being so full for the last week or so seven guests departed at various times during the day from our peak district cottages. Four cottages were out by 10am then went down to Bakewell to get paper. Still very busy in town. Back and then some chores around the house before an early lunch. We then went off to Chesterfield on a fridge hunting expedition and found a suitable one so ordered three which will be delivered in the next couple of weeks. Went to Wilkinsons and got a few bits. Not a lot of shops open in Chesterfield on a Sunday. M&S and Primark were and there were a few market stalls operating. Back home and some house work done and phoned my sister. Will be going down again soon. Later three more cottages departed leaving one alone! A few phone calls then dinner and sat down.

A Saturday with no-one in or out of our peak district cottages. Not often that happens so still up early and off to the Smithy Cafe in Monyash for breakfast. They do a great full breakfast and it is where I suggest guests go if they want breakfast out. Came back and changed to go out for a walk. Drove to Alsop Station on the Tissington Trail and headed towards Tissington, initially on the trail then across fields. Stopped at the Coach House Cafe and had a late coffee stop. With such a good breakfast inside didn’t need a lunch stop. Walked though the village and picked up the Limestone Way to Parwich. This is a much quieter village with some lovely houses and church. It also has a pub. We stopped and had a walk around the village before taking a footpath in the direction of Alsop-en-le-Dale. Andrew used to live here when he was young. Before we reached the hamlet we headed back towards the station at Alsop but stopped for a cuppa in a sunny but sheltered spot. Once home caught up with emails etc and cooked a roast dinner. One of the cleaners called round with the latest edition of the Peak Advertiser. Turned off light in office at 7.30 before having dinner. Noticed a new series of Heroes starts on Monday so a good reason to sit down in the evening.

A very busy Friday at our peak district cottages. Five cottages out and six back in. Four cleaners up at various stages and no problems encountered. Finished the last cottage at 3pm just as the first guests arrived. Three cottages arrived between 3 & 4pm with one arriving at 5pm, one at 7pm and the last at 9pm. Two have been here before as B&B guests. Didn’t have much time for anything else in between guests arriving and dinner and sitting down at 9.30. Despite being tired still blogged so don’t fall behind.

Two weeks ago we were shivering with a snowy day. Today I was aware of bird song when I woke up and also when took dogs for walk. Snow drops are coming out and we have seen the first lambs in nearby fields. One of our peak district cottages out but none back in. Went down to Bakewell to get hair cut which I should have done two weeks ago. Bakewell was busy. Bumped into Sandra from Ashford and we had a chat. Back for lunch then Chris went off to his digital photographic session. As it was pleasant afternoon decided to have a walk around the property and gardens and check that we have had no plant fatalities so far this winter. Took the dogs with me and they had a little run around. We were in the paddock when I could hear a rumbling in the distance. When I looked I could see a low flying chinook heading this way. It passed over very low and when I turned round there was a second one. Jumped out of my boots! Pity I didn’t have my camara. Good news was that I couldn’t find any casualties. Hard to believe I will soon have to think about ordering summer bedding plants. Did a bit of housework and accounts and an early tea so we could get off to Buxton. Tonight we saw Tom Paxton. This was Chris’s choice. I am not overly keen on folk music but must admit I enjoyed the concert.

No-one out but two of our peak district cottages in. First cottage arrived about 9 am. After usual chores and cleaning one dog who found the recently slurried field we went to Buxton. Main purpose was to collect new glasses but on way back stop at Morrison’s to stock up as not been shopping for four weeks! Also called in at an electrical wholesalers and builders merchants to pick up some bits. A late lunch then some bits and pieces. We tried to re order the fridges we wished to buy now that the snow has gone and we are confident delivery vans can deliver. Unfortunately they are no longer stocked so we will have to go and look at some different fridges. (We need fridges with freezer compartments to conform with Tourist Board Quality Standards). These are reviewed regularly. Did you know until recently we had to stock each cottage with items such as rolling pins and baking tins in case guests wish to make their own pastry or cakes whilst on holiday. W still keep a set for guests just in case! Second guests arrived about 5pm. They have been here before. After dinner did some housekeeping jobs. Geoff called round and he and Chris talked computers! February’s Derbyshire Life magazine has a selection of photos entered into a regional competition by local Photographic Societies including Bakewell. Some won prizes but one of the portraits was of Chris! (Not that you would initially recognise him!) Sat down just after 9pm.

One cottage out today with two due back in although one will now not be arriving until tomorrow morning. Down to Bakewell after usual chores. Two cleaners up today to catch up with cottages needed for today and tomorrow. Being a peak district pet friendly establishment I am surprised at the number and variety of pets we have here. I have seen range of dogs and every now and then Icome across a breed I haven’t seen or met before. Recently we had a Munsterlander and at the moment we have a couple of Vizlas. I enjoy looking up different breeds on the Internet. Over the years we have had cats, birds and even a snake. When I look through brochures I am aware how many peak district cottages do not allow pets especially as at some stage I would like to go on holiday with our two mutts! Guests arrived about 4.30 and after dinner did some tidying up then sat down for 8.30. CSI had just started when the phone rang!

Open the curtains to a green landscape. After two weeks of snow most has now gone with just ribbons of snow behind walls as a reminder of what has happened. Three cottages out with three back in. Three cleaners up today with one cottage a bit messy so I helped with beds. Chris went down to the market early and Bakewell was getting busy by the time he came back. Of the arrivals today two cottages have been here before although the last time one of them was here was before we arrived. Quick bite for lunch at 2pm. First cottage arrived about 2.15 and as it was not quite ready suggested they used the games room as they had some children. Was able to let them in after I had done my final checks about 15 minutes later. Helped finish final cottage so all were finished by just after 3pm. Second cottage arrived about 3.30 and third cottage about 4.30. After dinner Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and I did some filing and paper work and a bit of housework too!