Up and after breakfast attended the inter denominational Church service in the ballroom. Some of the Filipino staff have formed a choir and they sang some songs. It was lovely. Then straight down to the Spa for the first of my detox treatments. Today it was a short session on reviving a sluggish lymphatic system. I was strapped to a machine which delivered small electrical pulses aimed at the lymph system. The beautician explained what was happening and told me about the system while it was working. This is supposed to help improve blood circulation which is something I have always had a problem with. Not something that produces immediately noticeable results but hopefully will help long term. You only feel a slight tingling while you are strapped up. I had to drink a few litres of water during the day to help flush out any toxins released into the body. After that I met up with sister and dad in the dining room for lunch but had a light salad. By now it was warm and sunny so after lunch sister and I sat up on the Lido deck as we approached the Kiel canal. This is 99km long and connects the Baltic with the north sea. We were ready to enter at 3pm and just after 3.30 we were through the first lock. Only so many are allowed through at the same time and sometimes you have to ‘park’ in lay-bys as larger ones pass. As it was a Sunday there were lots of people out to see us pass. There was always someone to wave to. After afternoon tea we wondered around before doing a quiz in which we were in a team that came first. We got a Saga Ruby voucher so we must see how many more we can get! After dinner we went to a Classical Music concert before going back up on deck as we continued our progress through the canal. There were still people around to wave to and as we passed one house they let off Fireworks. Whether that was a coincidence I don’t know. By 90 km it was 11.30 so we went to bed just as the mist started to roll in. A magical sight.

Up at 7am to get one daughter off on her Duke of Edinburgh weekend. After breakfast sister did her last bit of packing and house checks before we loaded up the car. Other daughter had gone for a sleepover. Got into car and turned on ignition. Nothing. Flat battery. Due at dads in 5 minutes time which was luckily only a 15 min drive away. Luckily boyfriend came over and jump started car. Got to dads just after car arrived to take us to Dover. We were expecting a car just for the three of us but it already had made one pick up and in all honesty there was not enough room for the four of us and luggage for two weeks. (Turned out other passenger thought the car would be picking up her friend to take the two of them to Dover so something has gone wrong somewhere). Midday by time we set off. Traffic stop/start on M25 so journey took longer than expected. Arrived at Dover 2.30 and with dads limited mobility were given priority and on board Saga Ruby by 3pm. A little nicer than the Saga Rose, but then it’s a little newer too. Made way to Ballroom for a snack as we had not eaten since breakfast after which sister and I went to the Spa Treatment rooms to see what offers were available for the cruise. Had a glass of champagne. Did the lifeboat drill then went back to room to start sorting things out. Went up for Bucks Fizz drink to wave UK goodbye before going down to Spa area and booking some treatments. After dinner, unpacked and had a wander around. Nice evening and sea calm. Lets hope it stays this way!

Up and both sets of B&B guests left after breakfast. Time to pack my case and last bits of washing. one cleaner up to do both rooms and public areas. She bought me a puzzle book and told me to do one each time I think of Bolehill. Will probably complete the book then! After lunch Chris took me to Macclesfield where I caught the train down to Watford to stay the night with my sister. A rriving late afternoon I walked round to her place (case has wheels) to save her coming to fetch me in the car. A busy evening with both her daughters and their friends there. We went out for a meal with her boyfriend to Brickett Wood where we had a nice meal at the Beefeater there. Got back about 11pm for one of the daughters to declare she did not have all the stuff she needed for her Duke of Edinburgh trip this weekend. Luckily her boyfriend had not been drinking so at midnight we found ourselves at Asda. A new experience for me! By the time we got back and put a mattress down on floor it was 1pm before I got to bed.

Another fine day so time to catch up on any last minute washing. Made out final lists and did a talk through with Chris on any notes I had made for my absence. Popped down town for last minute bits.

Spent most of days doing things in preparation for the holiday. Wednesday morning went to Chesterfield for shopping to last B&B and Chris for most of my absence. Also called in at Dunelm where they had some lovely shower curtains in the sale. After lunch started to get out my clothes to wear and checked if I need to do any more washing. One of the cleaners called in for a cuppa and to wish me a nice holiday. After dinner went to a WI committee meeting.

A lovely start to July. The warmest day of the year so far although it was a little breezy. One B&B out and one back in. Ian came up to fix the wall and moved the cows to our eight acre field, the front field is starting to look a little short of grass. One cleaner up to do both rooms whilst I went to Bakewell to get my hair cut and some provisions for the next few days. B&B guests arrived about 3pm, they have been here before. Spent some time planting out the final geraniums. Another job done. Spent the rest of the day filing, sorting out paper work and making notes for when I am away. Smudge went and helped bring in the cows. He is getting better at this but does get distracted if a swallow goes past!

June’s weather stats. Warmest day was 9th, as was that night. Highest temp was on the 9th at 22.4 deg C. Coldest day was 21st with the coldest night the 14th. The difference in temperature between these two was 1deg C! Wettest day was 26th with .91 in rain. A total of 2.43 in rain this June compared to last June’s 6.35 in.

Up and early breakfasts again which was handy as I had a busy morning ahead. One B&B out but none back in. As soon as guests had gone started to prepare the salad for the WI lunch that our WI as hosting. Down at the village hall by 11am and helped finish setup and laying the tables. Coach arrived at 12.30 and in all honesty we could have done with an extra pair of hands! One lady was sick but overall everything was OK. Back home by 2.45 and had a late lunch before doing some more accounts after planting out a few more geraniums. Nearly there! Chris went down with Smudge to help gather in the cows for milking as Andrew and Joanna are away for a few days. Ian and Fay came up for dinner and when they left there were two cows in the car park eating my new plants! Shooed them out and found a gap in the wall where they had come though. So two cows have been issued with ASBO’s! Sat down about 9.30 to watch Dr Who from Saturday – only to discover the final episode is this Saturday and I wont be here!

A quieter day and a day to start the end of quarter accounts etc. Our friends went off to do a MG Run in their MG starting at Chesterfield and doing a 90 mile drive around the Derbyshire countryside. With early breakfasts we were down in Bakewell at the bottle bank by 10am and had turned a room around by coffee time! One B&B out and one back in. Weather a bit mixed so didn’t matter had lots of work to do indoors. Had hoped to have a BBQ but weather not nice enough. Guests arrived around 5pm and our friends got back soon afterwards. Went to the Lathkill Hotel for a drink then had a Chinese takeaway.

So another busy day. One B&B out as well as seven cottage with eight cottages back in and still an empty B&B room. Some friends are coming to stay for a few nights and it was starting to look as if they may have the luxury of a B&B room rather than a mattress on the floor in the spare room! With most cottages gone went down to the Farmers Market and first disappointment was no scotch eggs! Some new ones and the regulars. With a question mark against the weather this weekend hedged bets by buying some products suitable for a BBQ if it is nice enough tomorrow. Back with some cakes for the cleaners. Progress was hampered by a large cottage that was left very untidy and one cleaner spent most of her time here just in that cottage. First guests arrived early at 2pm followed shortly by the next guests, luckily their cottages were OK as we still had not quite finished. Most cottages in by 4pm so decided to get B&B room ready for friends. Two cottages have been here before. At 4.15pm took booking for B&B room so ended up quickly making up spare room! Friends arrived about 5pm and had a cup of tea on patio. Penultimate guests arrived just before 7 with final guests due in while we went to Bulls Head in Monyash.

A quiet day with one B&B due in later. One cleaner up to do cottage vacated yesterday and public areas. With a busy weekend ahead did some cleaning and tidying inside a well as preparation for tomorrow. Those cows got into the car park again and have been nibbling my new plants. Luckily the B&B guests found them and shooed them back. Apparently one was also found in the car park when we were at York and some guests led it back to the field though our garden. Hence the deposits we found! Spent some more time planting out geraniums. Guests arrived bout 5pm and after dinner went to Curbar Church for the summer concert by the Baslow Choir. By now he weather was not summer like! This was the first concert under their new conductor and it was very good. We had a drink with Geoff and Margaret at the pub afterwards before coming home.