Sunday started on the dull side and we couldn’t decide whether to go for a walk so we decided to have a lazy day with perhaps a walk later down to Lathkill Dale.  First down to Bakewell to get the paper and recycling. Time to catch up from yesterday with jobs around the house.  No walk in the end but we thought we’d get the kite out and give it a fly around.  Smudge seemed to know what it was immediately and while it was on the ground he kept stalking it.  Not enough wind to get some decent flying in but never mind.  It felt really warm and a couple of times Blue disappeared into the bushes to keep cool.  Guests arrived about 6.30 and it was warm enough to eat al fresco – haven’t done that for a long time.  Monday was also another warm day at our peak district cottages.  Decided to have a picnic in the evening but needed to get some bits so went to the Chatsworth Farm shop but took the long way round avoiding Bakewell because of the market.  As it was so nice I did some extra washing.  I also spent about an hour dead heading and feeding my hanging baskets. Late afternoon we headed off to Over Haddon where we walked down to the dale.  Where it opened out there were some sheep grazing by the river.  The dogs tried to walk past but the dominant one wouldn’t let them pass and actually chased after them butting Smudge up the rear!  Blue wasn’t happy and you could almost see a look on his face that said ‘I’m off home!’  Chris had to go and fetch him and walk him past the sheep.  We stopped at Conksbury Bridge and watched a pair of swans with a cygnet.  Up to our usual spot where the dogs were kept occupied with the swallows whilst we ate our picnic.  We stopped at the Lathkill Hotel for a drink taking in the views before a peep at the flattened village hall then back home.

A Saturday of sunshine and showers but at least it felt better than yesterday.  Seven cottages out today with one staying for a second week.  Six cottages back in today with one back into our peak district cottages tomorrow.  For once no return guests but we do have a German couple with us this week.  Three cleaners up and no problems encountered.  We find during the summer weeks that more belongings get left behind with phone chargers and dressing gowns topping the list!  We also changed the bedding in the cottage that was staying for the second week.  Chris managed to cut the grass in the guests garden area but it started to rain before he could cut our grass.  Four cottages arrived between 3 & 4 pm with one closer to 5 pm and final cottage at about 7.30 pm just as were tucking into our fish and chips.  One thing that has been worrying me is the number of cancellations we have had this year, Chris thinks we have had no more than usual, perhaps I am more conscious of them in ‘the current climate’, especially cancellations at the point when the balance is due.  Many self catering accommodation providers ask for the balance 6-8 weeks before arrival whereas we ask for the balance about 4 weeks beforehand.  Luckily we have been able to fill most of the cancellations so far.  Still my evening walks with the dogs around our fields taking in the stunning peak district scenery always calms my troubled mind!

On Thursday I ventured to Leek on my own for the very first time.  Noticed the heather was coming out on the Roaches so we had better start planning some heather walks. Got caught a couple of times in showers whilst walking around Leek but discovered there were a few churches worthy of investigation and having a chat with the helpful staff at the tourist office they suggested visiting on a Wednesday (or Saturday!) when the churches are open.  Main purpose of visit was to purchase some cutlery which matches the exiting one in the cottages.  Driving back got caught in a very heavy shower over the moors and even considered stopping as visibility got worse.  There was some thunder and lightening too but I could see the blue sky in the distance and when I got back to our peak district cottages discovered it had been dry all morning.  We were not to be left out and later in the afternoon we did have a storm much to the dogs displeasure.  Blue went and hid in the downstairs toilet not realising he could get back out.  Smudge just stayed so close to one or other of us that I nearly fell over him twice.  Yet once it had passed over and the sun came out it was very warm. After an early dinner we drove over to Eyam where Chris installed some computer software for a lady at the photographic society – a lot of them come to Chris when they need something installing or checking.  The reason I went is because she has a large terraced garden which I’ve wanted to see as she knows I have an interest in gardening.  It is a lovely garden with views but it is a high maintenace garden and I dont think I could manage.

Tuesday was a quieter day.  In the morning I went down to Bakewell to get my hair cut and by the time I had done the WI banking and business banking, dropped in payments for bills and got provisions for the next few days it was time for lunch!  With it being a reasonable day weather wise I did some extra washing.  I am having to use the outside drying area set aside for guests use which means I have a long walk to put the washing out!  Spent some time working on prices for next year.  In the evening we went to the Derwentwater Arms in Calver for a meal with Andrew, Joanna, Ian and Fay.  We all enjoyed our meal.  Wednesday was a bit more cloudy and as we haven’t been to the Ashover Show for a number of years it was about time we went again.  Ashover is a small village to the south east of Chesterfield with an award winning CAMRA pub.  The annual show, now in its 79th year, is a smaller but less commercialised version of the Bakewell Show and a nice family day out. We set off mid morning from our peak district cottages heading across country from Rowsley.  When we got to the main road from Matlock to Chesterfield we could see the traffic was queuing for some way to get to Ashover so we drove round the minor roads and came into Ashover a different way avoiding the traffic.  We were able to park in the village and walk to the show.  We had a good time walking around, and as usual the dogs were made a fuss of despite the fact there were plenty of dogs there.  We watched the judging of cattle ad sheep, looked at the tractors and other machinery to buy, visited the food tents, the craft tents, the charity stalls.  Watched the sheepdog trials where they had to round up geese, watched the dog agility show, show jumping and looked at the displays of old tractors and machines!  Phew!  We came home via Matlock where we called in on the previous owners of Bolehill Farm and had a cup of tea and a chat.

Sunday was a pleasant day, nice enough for a walk, but Chris seemed to have tweaked his back when he collected the stone last week and although he was feeling better we decided it would be best to rest it a bit longer.  So we had a quiet day at our peak district cottages.  The bottle bins were nearly full again but so were the recycling bins in Bakewell so we will have to go again during the week.  Jobs around the house and a bit of relaxing reading the Sunday paper.  One cottage arrived later in the afternoon.  Monday was also a pleasant day with showers forecast for the afternoon but in the event we only had a few light ones.  One cottage out in the morning and one cleaner up to turn cottage round and see to some public areas.  I spent some time in the leisure area tidying up brochures and replacing the curtains.  Another job done.  Guests arrived just after 3pm and I spent the afternoon bringing this months accounts up to date and paying this months bills.  Phoned a friend, cooked dinner and walked the dogs and noted that the setting sun was picking out Curbar and Froggatt Edges.

Another Saturday with another complete change over.  Eight cottages out with seven back in to our peak district cottages and one in tomorrow.  All out by 10 am and three cleaners up.  One cottage took a bit longer to clean but all done by 2pm by which time I was quite a way through my own checks and jobs. Chris cut the grass again today, it has started to grow and I have noticed that the grass is growing in the fields too. A quick bite for lunch and I was just finishing my chores when the first cottage arrived just before 3pm.  From then on a steady succession of arrivals with all seven cottages in by 4pm.  Four  have been here before and for one it is the second time this year.  It had been a nice day weather wise.  Andrew moved a few cows this evening.  Earlier this week he moved an old trough into the courtyard so I can use it as a planter.  A little bit of time was spent tidying up and answering emails.  Took the dogs for a nice long walk through the fields after dinner.  In the distance it looked very ominous, I was half expecting to see lightening the sky was that dark.  Evening concluded with a firework display just visible from Chatsworth House as they had had an outdoor concert.

Wednesday and Thursday saw the Bakewell Show and life is adjusted accordingly.  Cleaner here before 9am on Wednesday to clean cottage for today’s arrivals who turned up just before 5pm.  She set off early to be here before the traffic started to build up.  Chris went with Andrew to the ‘once a week’ quarry near Sheldon to pick up the dressed stone for our extension.  At lunchtime some friends arrived for an overnight stay and in the evening we went to the Royal Oak at Hurdlow as we knew Bakewell would be busy. On Thursday morning our friends went to the show with Chris dropping them in Bakewell so they didn’t have to worry about parking.  They enjoyed themselves and set off for home after lunch.  In the evening we watched the Hotel Inspector which was featuring the Rutland Arms in Bakewell.  It showed some nice shots of the area but you could see that a lot as filmed in winter.  On Friday we went to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend.  We went via the Cafe at Hassop Station where we stopped for coffee and a chat.  One of the tips we have used from the previous Hotel Inspector is to have occasional business meetings away from the premises where you can have discussions without interruptions.  As we were about to leave Bolehill two guests came over to reception for different matters so we would have had an interrupted discussion at home.  This week we have had older children at our peak district cottages so the games room has been in use quite a lot.  Bakewell was busy not only with holiday makers but also with traders packing up from the show.  Friday was a milder day than the previous few days and despite a wet forecast we got away with just a few showers.  The forecast is for an improvement next week.  I hope so.

Work is progressing on my laundry room with first row of stonework in.  Monday was a pleasant day weather wise.  Usual chores and spent some time on WI finances and paper work as well as some tidying and cleaning around the house.  I find it easier to do it in chunks during the week.  Tuesday was again a pleasant day.  One cottage out of our peak district cottages and a chance to do some extra jobs before it gets cleaned tomorrow.  Decided would go down to Bakewell late in the afternoon, which turned out to be a mistake as I got caught up in the traffic leaving the equestrian part of the Bakewell Show.  Main show starts tomorrow.