A sunny start and although it clouded over it still remained very warm. Four cottages out with six back in to our peak district cottages and three cleaners up. Apart from a loose tap no problems encountered. This did necessitate removing a bath panel which needed to be sealed back. This delayed the cleaning of the cottage but it was finished before guests arrival. This delayed lunch until 2.30. Rush of arrival with five cottages here by 3.30 and final cottage about an hour later. Two have been before. Chris managed to get the grass cut though. For the second evening it looked too ominous for a picnic so we ate al fresco again. Forgot to mention that Andrew finished the silaging yesterday lunchtime – looking at the weather forecast he got the timing right.

Pictures from Crich and lea Gardens which are not far from our peak district cottages

Here are the pictures from Saturday

With the forecast for Tuesday being good I had selected that day for our day off.  It turned into a bright sunny warm day.  We usually visit Lea Gardens at this time of year and when we got there we were surprised at how busy they were.  We had coffee sitting outside the tea room surveying the gardens in bloom.  We had our stroll around the gardens with the dogs, they got made a fuss off, and found a spot to enjoy the sun.  Some of the plants were at their best so hopefully we got some good pictures.  We then set off for Crich.  On the way we passed Crich Stand, the world war memorial to the Sherwood Foresters and as the grounds were open we parked and climbed the tower.  We had some nice views over the countryside from the top. We then went next door to the Tramway Museum.  Another place that welcomes dogs – even on the trams!  They had two old trams running today, one from Sheffield and one from Johannesburg.  We had a sandwich and then took a ride on the Johannesburg tram.  We then went for a walk though the woodland and stopped for a while where there were some views over the Derwent Valley.  Back home to another fine evening.  Chris had to water the plants at our peak district cottages and for the first time this year the milk cows stayed out overnight.

Here are some pictures from our walk at Castleton:

Monday was bright and breezy with two cottages out of our peak district cottages and two back in, one has been before. Two cleaners up to keep up with cleaning.  Usual Monday tasks and cottages arrived later in the afternoon.  One had been to Haddon Hall where another version of Jane Eyre is being filmed – a version by Hollywood with some big names.  Chris went down to Bakewell in the evening for the AGM of the Photographic Circle and I kept up to date with accounts.  Took the dogs for a nice evening walk around the fields just to enjoy the scenery and listen to life such as birds and noisy lambs!  Still no sign of cows coming over to this side of the road.  On Tuesday went to Chesterfield.  First time for along time been to Chesterfield on my own for a big day shopping.  Usual round of banks and Wilkinsons before visiting Dunelm and Morrisons.

A showery day was forecast so we were not sure whether to go for a walk or not and although it was warm outside, it had already rained briefly this morning.  In the meantime we did a bottle bank run down to Bakewell and picked up the Sunday paper.  When we got back we decided to go for a walk.  I had selected a 4 mile walk from Eyam as we had guests arriving in the afternoon and this meant we should get back before they arrived.  Only problem was that Blue had gone temporarily awol but when he returned we set off for Eyam and managed to find a parking space in the village.  We walked down the main street passing the Hall and stocks before taking the path out of the village by the Lydgate graves.  This path went past the boundary stone where the holes for placing money during the plague are still visible and dropped down ito Stoney Middleton.  We took the path out heading towards Knouchley Farm at which point we started to head uphill to pick up a track back towards Eyam.  We had already identified a nice picnic spot on a previous walk but someone else was already using it so we stopped further down in the field.  We still had a good view towards Grindleford, up to Froggatt and Curbar Edge and round to Calver.  We set back of again picking up an old track, uphill at first, then levelling out before dropping back into Eyam.  Stopped and bought an ice cream at one of the tea rooms before heading back to the car.  By now it was looking very ominous.  We just got back to the car when the heavens opened.  We had always planned to visit Eyam Museum so waited in the car in the pouring rain before it eased enough to dash across the road to the museum.  The museum covers the story of the plague as well as other historical and geological aspects.  Hard to believe hippos were at one time roaming round the area!  Got back just after guests had arrived, they have been here before.  In the evening we went to Over Haddon for the last of this seasons film nights.  The film shown was the Coen Brothers film, Burn after Reading.

Here are some pictures from our walk From Eyam to Stoney Middleton plus the cows!

Friday was a nice day and with less of a wind it felt quite pleasant.  A complete contrast to Thursday.  With a number of cottages in for short breaks we had seven cottages out with just two back in to our peak district cottages later on in the day.  Two cleaners up to prepare those required for today and for tomorrow.  No problems encountered. A trip down town with Smudge and back for lunch.  Final touches completed just before both cottages arrived about 3pm.  So I potted on about 5 dozen geranium plug plants.  In the evening we went and watched the sunset again but too hazy for any good photos.  Saturday was a real lovely day and for the first time since last summer I forsook my usual walking coat for a fleece jacket.  It was hazy but the sound of birds singing away made it feel like spring was truly here.  One cottage out this morning with four back in.  Two have been here before.  Two cleaners up and only problem was a missing bin lid.  I put on my rubber gloves and went through rubbish bags to check it hadn’t been thrown out accidentally, this has happened before, but could not find it.  Luckily I had a spare bin.  A number of bookings this morning, perhaps the nice weather helped.  Chris cut the grass for the first time today as well.  Still no sign of the cows but Ian and Andrew have been out checking and repairing walls.  Another sign of spring is the groups of D of E walkers about.  I was amused by the group standing in the field adjacent to us ‘looking lost’.  Three cottages in between 3&4 pm with final cottage in about 5pm and a quiet evening in.

Sunday was bright and breezy but a little cooler.  One cottage departed today and with none returning I was able to spend some time in the garden as planned.  After walking the dogs we went down to Bakewell to pick up the paper and do the recycling.  Chris spent some time painting benches and planters whilst I relined my hanging baskets, tidied up the greenhouse, repotted a few plants and made a list of what needs replacing.  Now I need a trip to a garden center!  Monday was disappointing  weather wise.  Having been able to hang washing out for the last few days it was back to indoor drying.  Three cottages out with five back in to our peak district cottages and two cleaners up.  No problems encountered and all done before first guests arrived just before 3pm.  An hour later the remaining  four cottages all turned up within a few minutes of each other so got Chris involved in showing guests in!  One cottage has been here before.  Combined with emails and bookings and usual Monday events it was a busy day.