Had planned a walk for today but the fire had been playing up last night so the handyman came over and he and Chris swept the chimney. I finished off the accounts as I had not managed to do that yesterday and also the phone was quite busy. Our friends went down to Bakewell then out for a drive in the afternoon. In the evening we tried the Royal Oak at Sparklow. Had a very good meal here.

A brighter day today with one cottage out and two back in. Popped down to Bakewell to empty bottles from Xmas as well as pick up paper. Back and one cleaner up but as she was not feeling well she went home and Chris & I finished the cleaning. First guests in just after 3pm, they have been here before and second guests arrived just after 5pm. Our friends from Yorkshire also arrived this afternoon, they are here until next Friday and I have planned a number of walks for this week. Cooked a dinner before relaxing in the evening.

So the Xmas guests depart and the New Year guests arrive. Six cottages out with six back in and two cleaners and Fay to help with change over. Postie collected the 600+ brochures to go to former guests so hopefully the phone will start ringing in a few days time. No major problems encountered (a minor problem of a smelly fridge but think we have sorted that) and only one breakage. Have had a bit of a sore throat all week and being in and out of the cold today seemed to make me feel worse. With all cottages left in a good condition good progress was made and everything ready by 2pm. A spot of lunch before first guests arrived just after 3pm. Five of the guests arrived between 3&4 pm of which two have been here before. A few hours to get accounts up straight and a load of washing and some bits around the house. Final guests arrived about 9pm, they have also been here before.

Up and a lovely sunny start. One thing we have always meant to do since moving here is see the Hunt set off from Bakewell on Boxing Day and today seemed a good a day as any. We thought it set off from the Co-Op car park at about 11am but we got there for 10.45 and it was still quite empty. Turned out it was about 11.30 when they set off. Bumped into Mike and Sandra from Ashford and Mike knew a good vantage point for photos. The horses started arriving about 11am with the main bunch and dogs about 11.15. Stragglers followed until they were ready for the off. I took a number of pictures as the High Peak Hunt set off. They lay a chemical trail for the hounds to follow. After this we set off for Baslow as I had planed a short walk along Baslow Edge. We set off from Baslow itself and after a staedy climb reached the Edge not far from Wellingtons Memorial. We walked along the Edge, stopping for lunch in a sheltered spot with a lovely view before heading back to Baslow along a lower path. It was quite boggy in places despite little recent rain and unfortunately I misjudged one jump and fell in a boggy patch so trousers needed washing when we got back! It was an enjoyable walk with some lovely views including some nice views towards Chatsworth House, but either the sun was in the wrong position or it was too hazy to take some good shots. Headed back home and was just changing when I saw the hunt go back along the road towards Bakewell. If we had been a few minutes later we could have got some shots of them along the road. So back to work with a busy changeover tomorrow and some panning to do as well as some emails to deal with before dinner and sitting down.

A bit cloudier today. A quieter day for us and for the second Xmas Day running decided not to check emails. Took a stroll down to The Lathkill for a pint at lunchtime. Sat outside with the dogs as it was quite pleasant but cold and chatted to a few locals as they passed. The dogs enjoyed their walk too. Back and a late lunch and a relaxing evening with only one interruption when the doorbell was rung but never mind. Enjoyed Wallace and Grommit along with 14million others!

A bright and beautiful start to the day. Just the day for a walk – so we went to Sheffield! Had a few bits to get and in previous years had found shopping centers quiet on Xmas Eve afternoon. Stopped off in Chesterfield first, PC World and Currys to look at some things before we went to the refuse center to drop off some bits. Then straight up to Sheffield. Unfortunately I could not find my street map in the car and we wanted to try a different car park. We found one but not the one we planned to use but still we were close enough to where we wanted to be. We thought Sheffield was very busy, last minute shoppers and revellers, but we were able to get what we wanted for ourselves and some bits for the cottages. Stopped off at Ashford on the way back before arriving home. Feeling very tired so had a bath and went to bed!

Another busy day with a lot to do. Up and Chris took dogs for walk while I sorted laundry out. Then went down to new Close Farm to pick meat up for next few days then down to Bakewell to get last few bits in. Was quite busy down town, especially in the Co-op. (Subsequently heard there had near riots earlier on as it had been so busy. Will investigate). Back and one cleaner to clean cottage vacated from yesterday for today’s arrivals. In fact two cottages in today, both arrived at same time although not together. Chris and I spent the afternoon tidying up the house and finishing the Xmas decorations. Also had our friends coming over from Chelmorton for a meal so I had a meal to cook too. First time we have been able to entertain friends in our house since stopping B&B. A nice evening was had by all!

A nice sunny day on the whole and a day of paper work. With friends coming to stay next week I want to get as much of the end of the month/quater/year accouts up to date as I can before then. Fay came up to do more brochures and I spent some time planting out 100 bulbs. Getting there! More paper work in the evning before sitting down at 9pm.

A quieter day after yesterday. One cottage out and one back in, but this has been cleaned so it just needed the final touches. A trip down to Bakewell for the paper and also the bottle bank so the bins are ready for Xmas. Back and the final touches seen too then lunch. After which spent a bit of time putting out some plants and bulbs. Only 150 bulbs and some plants left! Guests arrived about 3pm. They have been here before. I then spent a little time moving things around at home so I have all my clothes in the bedroom! Did a roast dinner and sat down just after taking a booking at 8pm.

A bit of a dull start to the day. One cleaner up to do some last minute cleaning and while she was hard at work we popped down to the Farmers Market. As it was the last one before Xmas it was busier than usual although it is busier in the summer. By the time we finished it had started to drizzle. We walked into town to pick up some bits including my wedding ring which has been stretched to fit better. Back for a coffee and after the cleaner left I did the final check on the four cottages due to arrive in the afternoon. Chris checked and sharpened knives, put in wine, mince pie and sweets. Ready by lunchtime after which Fay arrived. In the next few days we are getting the 2009 brochures ready to send out to previous guests. We aim to send them out between Xmas and New year and this year there are just over 600 to send out. We have already drafted the letter and after a final check Chris stared the print run. Fay spent a few hours folding and inserting price lists into the brochures. Chris also printed off about half of the envelopes while I made a list of envelopes I would need to remove to send out separately for various reasons. First guests arrived just before 3pm. They were amongst the last of the guests of the previous owners and the first time they have been here since we arrived. The second guests arrived shortly afterwards. This is their fourth visit. The third cottages arrived about 4pm for their first visit here. The final cottage arrived about 5pm. They have been here before as B&B guests but first time as cottage guests. We had been invited down to the farm for supper which was nice at the end of a busy day and Joanna put on a good spread for us. Although we didn’t see it Tom Chambers, the local lad from Parwich, won the Strictly Come Dancing final.