Up and after breakfast headed off to Buxton to get a few bits in town and shop at Morrison’s on the way back. The day started fair enough but by the time I was driving home it was drizzling. Some friends were supposed to be coming up to stay overnight but a stomach bug forced them to cancel at lunchtime. As we had planned to go out that evening I had not bought dinner but was able to use something I had bought that morning. We had also purchased tickets to see Mr Tony Benn at Buxton before the friends had made arrangements to stay here so in the last few days we had tried to see if anyone locally could use them. Fortunately for us no-one had wanted them so after dinner we went to Buxton. He is looking his age but is still very sharp and a good orator and he has embraced modern technology as he uses the Internet!
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Monday 13 October
A busy Monday with one cottage out and three back in. One has been before so we have four cottages this week with returning guests. Two cleaners up today with a B&B from yesterday to do as well. One cottage was a little untidy so it took a little longer to do. Started dull but brightened up later and dry enough to put washing out again. Washed another load of new linen. Chatted to some of the guests during the day as they came and went. First two cottages arrived between 3 & 3.30 and the final one just after 4.30. A few odd jobs fitted in between arrivals. An update on cows. They are slowly being repatriated to the farm as their date of confinement approaches. Soon we will only have the youngsters left. The milk cows on the farm side of the road are staying in for the night but with continuing good weather it will be interesting to see if they are still out after November 5th, which was the last day they were out last year. Andrew is also delighted that they have had nine heifer calves on the trot. Chris had to go down on Saturday to help roll a cow. If a calf is in the wrong position before calving they have to turn the cow to get it in the right position as it is easier than trying to turn the calf, hence rolling the cow. Next time I will go down and take pictures but this time Chris had to go down at 3pm which was not convenient for me. After dinner sat down to watch the recorded episode of Heroes.
Sunday 12 October
Sun back out this morning and it felt warm. Both B&B out with one back in and one cottage out with one back in. Cottage had been cleaned yesterday but we cleaned the B&B ourselves. Half expected a phone call with a late booking from one of the tourist offices but it did not happen. Still after getting the paper from Bakewell and cleaning the room had lunch outside! Washed our walking trousers which had got a bit muddy the other day, but this time I made sure the washing could not blow into the pond! Unfortunately I did not check my trouser pockets as I discovered I had left a tissue in them after they had been washed! Cottage guests arrived at 2.30 after which we spent a little time in the garden. Chris had another leaf blowing session and ‘hoovered’ the lawn of leaves. With a lot of my summer pots finished for the season I moved them up to the greenhouse and went round and checked how other plants were faring. B&B guests arrived about 4.30. After dinner called round to see one of our former cleaners and also popped in to see Andrew and Joanna.
Saturday 11 October
After the last few days it started dull but dry. After breakfasts took dogs for their walk. Five cottages out today and four back in, three of which have been before. One cleaner up to do three cottages as one not required until Monday. No problems encountered and cleaning finished by 1.30. Had time to do usual bits plus some extra bits before the first guests arrived at 2.45 pm. Final guests in by 3.45 pm so rest of afternoon to ourselves! Time to catch up with any emails from the morning and make a note of any jobs to do at the next changeover. After dinner Chris went back to Over Haddon to finish sorting out a computer and I sat down and watched the programme about Blue Peters 50th Birthday.
Friday 10 October
Another good day forecast although a bit breezier. Three cottages out with one cottage and both B&B back in. Two cleaners up today. Did some extra washing with the warm and dry weather but ended up having to wash one set again when the wind blew the airer over and the washing ended up in the pond! No problems encountered with cleaning although one departing guest mentioned cow 53 always seemed to be in the way so she has been reported. After lunch went down to Bakewell which I though was quite busy. Normally I take one of the dogs but today both jumped in the car so I ended up walking around Bakewell with both of them. Cottage guests arrived about 2pm just before I went to Bakewell so I let them in as it meant I did not have to worry about them arriving when I was down town. The first B&B guests arrived about 4.30pm, they have been here before and they were joined by friends in the other room about an hour later. After dinner Chris went to Over Haddon to fix a computer and I did various bits and pieces in the office, including most of Wednesdays blog and ordered my spring bulbs, until he returned.
Thursday 9 October
After yesterday today seemed very quiet! Another bright start to the day. My only calamity was dropping the breakfast off the grill pan when I was taking the grill pan out so I had to start again. The dogs are happy! One B&B guest out and one cottage in and one cleaner up today. Spent some time in the cottage changing lampshades and checking on bits. Chris went down to Over Haddon for his digital workshop and as it was nice I managed an hour or so in the garden. Perhaps this is our Indian Summer. Cottage guests arrived at 3pm. In the evening one cottage couple came around for a drink and a chat which we all enjoyed.
Wednesday 8 October Howden Reservoir
Our ‘day off’ but it was nearly 11.30 before we got 
away what with one thing and another and interruptions etc. Still a glorious day forecast but with WI in the evening I had planned a short walk up at Derwent Reservoir to see the changing colours. As we left Chris wondered if there was a walk further up the reservoirs we could do. I could think of one and although I had the map I knew it was much longer than I had planned and it was one I had scheduled for next year. When we got to the Derwent Dam there was water overflowing the dam, the first time in a long time we had seen that but as I pointed out later we have had 12 inches of rain since the beginning of August! As we drove past Howden Dam the water was also overflowing but not as spectacular as Derwent Dam. We parked where the road ended, it was busy here as it was in all the car parks. The road/track around the lake can be walked or cycled so we started along the track at the upper end of the Howden reservoir until reaching the Slippery Stones bridge. This packhorse bridge was once further down the valley but was moved to its current position when the valley was flooded. It was at this point we left the track and picked up a bridleway that headed up to Howden Edge beside Cranberry Clough. It was a gradual climb and not too strenuous for me! As we levelled out on the moorland we had some wonderful views across to Bleaklow and I am sure I could pick out Win Hill, Lose Hill, Mam Tor and Bamford Edge. We stopped just below Howden Edge for some lunch, perhaps the highest spot for lunch we have done at 1500 feet! We then picked up a path below the edge rather than the higher one on the edge. The ground was quite boggy in places and the path sometimes indistinct but we made steady progress using the topography as a guide as well as the map. Eventually we started the descent down Howden Clough reaching the treeline then the reservoir again. A walk back along the track to the Slippery Stones bridge with a stop to watch some Hercules fly over. Then back to the car. I reckoned we had done at least five miles but when we got back and Chris measured it we had walked 6.75 miles. No wonder when we got out of the car to take some pictures of the Derwent dam my legs seized up. Chris went down to the dam’s bottom with Blue and I stayed talking to some Australians who were making a fuss of Smudge. As it was late we grabbed some fish and chips before I sorted out the emails and phone calls then went down to the WI meeting at Over Haddon. Our speaker today was a local magistrate who gave us a very informative and interesting talk on her work. Needless to say I slept very well that night!
away what with one thing and another and interruptions etc. Still a glorious day forecast but with WI in the evening I had planned a short walk up at Derwent Reservoir to see the changing colours. As we left Chris wondered if there was a walk further up the reservoirs we could do. I could think of one and although I had the map I knew it was much longer than I had planned and it was one I had scheduled for next year. When we got to the Derwent Dam there was water overflowing the dam, the first time in a long time we had seen that but as I pointed out later we have had 12 inches of rain since the beginning of August! As we drove past Howden Dam the water was also overflowing but not as spectacular as Derwent Dam. We parked where the road ended, it was busy here as it was in all the car parks. The road/track around the lake can be walked or cycled so we started along the track at the upper end of the Howden reservoir until reaching the Slippery Stones bridge. This packhorse bridge was once further down the valley but was moved to its current position when the valley was flooded. It was at this point we left the track and picked up a bridleway that headed up to Howden Edge beside Cranberry Clough. It was a gradual climb and not too strenuous for me! As we levelled out on the moorland we had some wonderful views across to Bleaklow and I am sure I could pick out Win Hill, Lose Hill, Mam Tor and Bamford Edge. We stopped just below Howden Edge for some lunch, perhaps the highest spot for lunch we have done at 1500 feet! We then picked up a path below the edge rather than the higher one on the edge. The ground was quite boggy in places and the path sometimes indistinct but we made steady progress using the topography as a guide as well as the map. Eventually we started the descent down Howden Clough reaching the treeline then the reservoir again. A walk back along the track to the Slippery Stones bridge with a stop to watch some Hercules fly over. Then back to the car. I reckoned we had done at least five miles but when we got back and Chris measured it we had walked 6.75 miles. No wonder when we got out of the car to take some pictures of the Derwent dam my legs seized up. Chris went down to the dam’s bottom with Blue and I stayed talking to some Australians who were making a fuss of Smudge. As it was late we grabbed some fish and chips before I sorted out the emails and phone calls then went down to the WI meeting at Over Haddon. Our speaker today was a local magistrate who gave us a very informative and interesting talk on her work. Needless to say I slept very well that night!Tuesday 7 October
A wet but mild start and took dogs out after doing breakfast. Had arranged to go to Macclesfield with one of the cleaners and she arrived just after 11am when I was just finishing servicing the B&B room. It was still raining on and off but by the time we arrived at Macclesfield it had stopped. On the road from Buxton to Macclesfield (considered one of the most dangerous in the UK) I noticed by one of the side roads a sign advising travellers not to use that road and reset their sat nav. I was told that this road had a sharp bend that many larger vehicles could not negotiate! The main purpose of our visit was to see what was on offer at TJ Hughes. I had not been able to find it on my previous visits but now know where it is and also another car park to use. I was also introduced to a lovely deli (I think it was called the Cheshire Gap) which did nice take away sandwiches as well as a range of other yummies. As we were short of time coming back we picked up her daughter from school before coming back here. Caught up with emails and phone calls and did another load of washing. Had a very sharp shower before the sun came out. After dinner finished off a few bits before sitting down at 9pm.
Monday 6 October
A bright and sunny start. One cottage out and one cottage and one B&B back in. Cottage were left a little later with our permission. They had not been well during the night and wanted an extra hour to gain some strength before setting off but with a light morning cleaning wise this was not a problem. One cleaner up today. She bought me a present! We had been to see the singalong Sound of Music and she found a companion book about the film. Did some more washing – I’m now onto washing the new single sets! After lunch popped down to Bakewell and to the market. Took Smudge and a lot of people made a fuss of him. There were quite a few plant stalls there today so I bought some plants for autumn colour. Back home the guests arrived between 4.30 and 5pm. Spoke to a friend who has just come back from a week in Wales. One of the cottage guests who we have got to know well walked up to Kinder Scout yesterday. I have that down for next year! Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society in the evening and I did some accounts and filing before sitting down at 10pm. Filing away Septembers bookings I was made aware of how many cancellations we had had or September, luckily relet but even so each cancellation involves a lot of work in trying to relet.
Sunday 5 October
A damp start but by 11 am it had stopped raining and by midday the sun had made an appearance. Both B&B guests departed but it wasn’t until gone 11 am before they had – we were chatting with them before they went. So down to Bakewell to get a paper and some muesli. One cottage out today and one back in that had been cleaned yesterday so I did a final check before lunch. With it being such a pleasant day it would have been nice to go out for a few hours and we were commenting on the fact that this year we have had a lot more Sunday changeovers than in previous years. I also had a different request this weekend for breakfast – boiled mushrooms. Very nutritious according to the web but it did not tell me how long to boil them for! Still my guests gave me information. Chris did some more work on embedding the new video in our web site and I did some personal paper work and extra washing. Cottage guests arrived about 5pm. Cooked a roast dinner and sat down in time for an interesting program on BBC4 ‘Ian Hislop Goes Off The Rails’ looking a the impact of the 1963 Beeching Report. Watched the final episode of Tess of the D’Urbervilles.