After another cold night a hard frost and the remaining snow had become icy. A delivery of maintenance supplies arrived about 8.30. After doing the laundry one of the cleaners arrived and we went to Booker’s in Chesterfield to stock up on supplies for the cottages. Chris and the handyman were adding some extra insulation to one of the cottages and I thought it would be helpful to have someone with me to jog my memory even though I had a list. Stopped at Dunelm on the way back! Afternoon went in putting things away, getting fire going, writing a mas letter and catching up on emails etc. After dinner made some phone calls before sitting down (and doing more Xmas cards) for Country House Rescue which featured Ruth Watson from The Hotel Inspector. Lets hope she can turn around some of these places. Perhaps they should look at how Tissington Hall has been turned around. (http://www.tissington-hall.com/.)

A busy day with three cottages out and one back in. Another bright start but the remaining snow felt softer today. Usual Monday chores and one cleaner up to do a couple of cottages. The chance to start making sure all odd jobs have been done before Christmas. Guests arrived just after 3pm. By now it had started to drizzle. Chris went off to Buxton to get some maintenance supplies and it was raining there. Did some paperwork before dinner, which was a roast, as well as phoning a friend. After dinner did some accounts and sat down for the final episode of Spooks while I started writing Xmas cards.

Took dogs for walk and surprised to find how hard the remaining snow still is. Three cottages out, one eventually at about 11.30 so the cleaner was able to stat later than planned. One cleaner up today. As there was a Sunday Market on in Bakewell went to Ashford to get a paper. Went via Kirkdale which was still very frosty as this time of year it gets no sun. Once back did a few odd jobs before lunch. After that headed to Matlock with the dogs for a walk around the Christmas Market. There were a variety of food stalls and a craft marquee. One of the stall holders had been a guest here for the last few nights while he was exhibiting. Went round some of the shops too – the market must have brought extra trade in. Went into Woolies but nothing of interest. Called into see Tony and Jan, the previous owners who live at Matlock. Just as we were about to leave there was a firework display as a part of the market and as we were in an elevated position we got a good view. Back home and a few more odd jobs before dinner then sitting down for Top Gear.

Chris picked me up at Macclesfield at about 11.30. Train had been packed so I upgraded my second class ticket for £15 to travel first class as the train today made additional stops including Birmingham International (Clothes Show). Stopped at the tea room near the Cat & Fiddle and had an early lunch. Back and sorted out bits and checked on two cottages where guests were arriving today. There is still some snow here where the sun hasn’t melted it. First guests arrived about 3.30 then I went down to New Close Farm in Over Haddon. Had hoped to go to Matlock for a few hours as there is a Christmas Market on which is becoming a regular annual event but the second guests didn’t arrive until nearly 5pm. Turned off light at 8pm.
Mustn’t forget Novembers weather statistics. Coldest day was 29/11 with the coldest night 22/23 November. Lowest temperature was on 29/11 at -3.2. Warmest day was 14/11 with highest temp of 11.4. Warmest night was 13/14 Nov. Total 3.19 in rain compared to 2.41 last November with the wettest day the 9th with .85 in rain. (Blogging at this time of morning as waiting for one cottage still to leave. Will have to go and knock on door shortly as cleaner nearly ready to start cleaning there.)

Well they said there might be a covering and there was. Expected it to have gone by lunchtime but hadn’t. Will put a couple of pictures in. The dogs enjoy the snow. Luckily no-one in or out but two cleaners and the handyman up today so quite hectic. Found time for a few jobs around the house. Late afternoon went down to Bakewell but was not too busy. The snow was patchy, like nothing in Bakewell but 3 inches at Eyam. No blog for the next few days as I am off to my sisters again to sort some bits out so will sign in again on Saturday when I get back. A busy weekend ahead with seven cottages booked for the weekend but with arrivals split over Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so something for Chris to do. More snow forecast for Thursday. In evening went with Joanna to the Bulls Head in Monyash for a ladies night out. Joined some other local ladies, mainly farmers wives, some of which I knew. We had a good meal and didn’t get back until nearly 11pm as there had been a little more snow and Joanna was taking care.

Another crisp sunny start. Ground very hard underfoot when took dogs for their walk, so had to watch where I put my feet. Three cottages out and one back in so only a couple of cottages booked for the next few days unless we have any last minute bookings. So a chance for Chris to get on with some odd jobs around the cottages. With less general washing for me I did some odd washing jobs like a throw with a tea stain and a washable cot cover. One cleaner up to turn round the cottage needed. Had hoped another cleaner could also come up to keep cleaning up to date but could not because of her child’s illness. Guests arrived about 3.30, they have been here before, and they brought me some of their own honey! Spent the remainder of the afternoon on paperwork and phone calls. The cleaner that couldn’t make it today cannot come tomorrow either so I have had to make alternative arrangements. Have got the written report back from my recent inspection and it was pleasing to see that we have no items to follow up on. Also we were complemented on the continuing high standards of housekeeping. Have I mentioned that I have finally washed all the new linen! Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and I did some bits around the house but sat down for Spooks. That’s why it can take so long to do the blog on a Monday! Will also put a couple of pictures from Saturday in a blog.

A quiet day at home sorting out bits and pieces. Hopefully we will be moving into the master bedroom soon. Three guests out with none back in but one cleaner up to turn a couple round. Popped down to Bakewell to get a paper. Cooked a roast dinner and sat down for Top Gear.

Woke up and surprised that we were not ‘fogged in’ as forecast. Could see fog rolling around but by the time we left for the Farmers Market we were above the fog. Chris cam with me today so I had someone to carry the bags instead of having to make a couple of journeys back to the car. Stayed down town after the market to get a few bits. It was still foggy and cold there. Came back to a sunny Bolehill for coffee and when unpacking realised I had not picked up a joint of meat from one of the stalls but as they knew me I phoned them and they have put one aside for me to pick up during the week. After lunch did some more work on dad’s estate, mainly checking information required for the probate and putting information on computer. Also did some jobs around the house. In the evening drove back down through the fog to Ashford where we had been invited to dinner by Sandra and Mike. They have been there over a year now. A very nice meal and by the time we came back home the fog had cleared altogether.