A busy day. Walked the dogs then Chris went off to Sheffield to get a trophy for the Bakewell Photographic Society. One cottage out and one back in with one cleaner up to clean that one and one vacated yesterday. Two other cleaners came up to start a ‘deep clean’ on one of the other cottages. Chris back by lunchtime and Geoff called around too. Afternoon went in keeping accounts up to date and dealing with bookings and brochure requests. Also planned some jobs I want to get done in the cottages over the next few days. Cottage arrived about 3.30 and sat down for the final episode of Unforgiven. Chris has been reviewing our web site and one thing we have added recently is a link to Bolehill Tripadvisor (or go to our website and follow the link) so we are hoping some of our guests will add comments to it.

A pleasant day with plenty to do. Two cottages out today but none back in. Called in to see Geoff and Margaret in Chelmorton about some work on our web site but they were not in so we went onto Buxton to pick up a paper and have a coffee. Had a little walk round and noticed a few shops had closed in the indoor shopping mall but spotting that Specsavers were open went in and made appointments as we are overdue for eye tests. Found half of Over Haddon there too! Spent most of the afternoon doing VAT returns and paying tax bills. A number of phone calls and bookings. Sat down for Larkrise to Candleford.

A nice sunny day – ideal for a walk but with guests out and things to be done it was not to be. One cleaner up and no problems encountered. A few bookings and brochure requests and some bits around the house. Late afternoon we headed to Chesterfield to look at cars for idea. There are a number of garages close together on this side of Chesterfield and we must really make a decision about a second car soon. Also called in at Dunelm to get some curtains but they did not have the size I wanted but still got some other bits. While I have been going round checking equipment I have asked myself a number of questions. One is as I provide surface protectors and chopping board why do guests use place mats to cut things on? Why do guests put wooden chopping boards in dishwashers. After dinner sat down for about 8pm.

It was snowing when we woke up but luckily it did not settle. One cottage out today but they decided to go for a walk from here after vacating the cottage but before setting off. After about half an hour I realised Blue was missing and decided he must have attached himself to the guests who had gone for a short walk. As I knew where they were going Chris drove round but could not spot guests or dog. So we waited until either showed up or we had a phone call. Eventually guests and dog returned. They had all enjoyed their walk unaware of our worries. It meant belatedly I could go down to Bakewell to go to the Bank and get bits for the weekend. One cleaner up early afternoon. Three cottages in today. First one arrived about 3.30 then a gap with next guests arriving about 5pm. I spent time in afternoon paying our bills and utility bills for dad. Final guests arrived about 6.30. Did some paperwork before sitting down for 9pm.

A day at home which went very quickly. A lot of emails today and a number of bookings. One cleaner up to clean an empty cottage and leisure area. One cottage should have left but they have decided to stay another night. Had a discussion with the cleaner as one of her children has to make Key Stage 4 decisions about what to study. It is so complicated. Spent a bit of time in the afternoon in the empty cottages checking contents and making a note of things to replace. This evening went to the Red Lion in Bakewell for the annual Over Haddon WI dinner. It recently changed hands and it is being run by the daughter (and husband) of one of our members. The meal was good and they even did a little quiz for us! I can now recommend it to guests. Another enjoyable evening.

A busy day at home and with Bluebell now finished one cleaner up and we spent the morning cleaning as there was a lot of dust and putting things back in the new units. Must put some new pictures on the website and I look forward to showing some of Bluebells previous visitors the changes when they return. Chris and the handyman have now started the kitchen in Honeysuckle. One cottage arrived in the afternoon and in the evening we went to Buxton to the Opera House. The weather was awful, with driving sleet, and at Buxton the pavements had turned very icy. Tonight we saw ‘One Night of Queen’ with Gary Mullen and his band. He won ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ in 2000 as Freddie Mercury. I found it very entertaining.

A white start. With no B&B able to get off to Chesterfield earlier than usual. Cannot remember the last time I had a day in Chesterfield. First I had to negotiate an icy drive and with a water leak causing problems further down in Bakewell I had to do a small detour to pick up the Chesterfield Road. I had a big shopping list of things for the cottages most of which I bought or worked out where I can get them from. I had to do a couple of trips back to the car as I had a number of bulky items. Called also at Dunelm and Morrisons and back home by 4.30. Chris and the handyman have finally finished in Bluebell and will start the kitchen in Honeysuckle tomorrow. Spent some time dealing with emails and messages and phoned a friend. Sat down for CSI at 9pm.

Woke up to wet white stuff. Had decided to go to Bakewell early but I guess the weather had deterred a number of the stall holders including the one I wanted to visit most. Never mind. One cottage out today and one back in but not until later. Two cleansers up today and three cottages cleaned. Flurries on and off during the day and although the gritter went by during the afternoon an evening snow shower soon settled. Guests arrived about 7.30 and Chris went down to Bakewell for the Photographic Society meeting and I did a number of bits and pieces before sitting down at 9.pm.

Woken at 6am by a hailstorm but it was sunny by the time took dogs for their walk. One cottage out today and one cleaner up. Went to Buxton to get some bits for Bluebell but while we were there we decided to visit Scriveners, http://www.scrivenersbooks.co.uk/ a second hand book shop with a book binding service too. Spread over five floors it was lovely just browsing and I bought a book. Went and got some bits from town before heading home. Thought about squeezing a quick walk in but not enough time so I did some bits around the house and washed some curtains from a cottage. After dinner sat down and blogged. It was very windy outside by now.