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.

Where does the time go! Last day before a number of guests arrived. One cleaner up to clean last cottage required for the weekend. Chris did a lot of odd jobs like tidying up outside and clearing the last of the leaves and making sure the log bins were full. Will need to do a bottle run over the weekend. Spent most of day checking and adding bits to cottages for tomorrow including garlands. Also cleaned carpet in one cottage and Chris cleaned the office carpet. Put up final two trees in cottages and after dinner spent time starting to put up our decorations and did our tree and caught up with the blogging!

A busy day again with one cleaner up to do one cottage. I got a tree up in one more cottage before going to Bakewell in the afternoon to have my hair cut and have my Xmas treat. This was a full Swedish massage at one of the beauty salons where they had a special offer. What a nice present to give myself! One cottage in today, they had arrived by the time I got back. They have been here before. Started to put our tree up but the lights were not working so Chris will have to look at that. Also last of the outdoor lights went on. Wrote the last of the Xmas cards too.

A fine winters day not that I saw much of it! One cleaner up to do two cottages and I put up two more trees. Went to Buxton in the afternoon to get a few more bits. Woolies was still open and I bought a kettle to put into stock. Also went to Waitrose and Argos, but they did not have what I wanted in stock. Again the evening was spent time on paper work and writing cards although it is difficult to concentrate on cards when watching Heroes!

A day at home doing Xmas jobs and also a little bit around the house. Today three cottages had their trees put up and two cleaners up to do three cottages. In between work in cottages Chris and Paul started to put up the outdoor Xmas lights. Made sure all bills paid as Christmas always shortens the month as all cheques will need to be in before Xmas! More Christmas cards written when I sat down to watch Country House Rescue.

So much to do in the next few days. Up and took dogs out for their walk. Sheep arrived this morning so were settling in their temporary home for the next few months. Three cottages out but no-one back in so for Chris and the handyman a chance to do some work in the cottages before Xmas. I will have at least one cleaner up every day this week. A chance for us to give the cottages a good ‘fettle’ and numerous other jobs. Today most of the dishwashers had an internal clean with with a dishwasher cleaner. One cleaner up today to do one cottage. I also cleaned carpets in two cottages and after lunch went down to Bakewell. Had hoped to get to the market but it had started to close by the time I got there as I was later than planned. After dinner a combination of paper work and sitting down to write Xmas cards.

Sorry have a bit of catching up to do – been busy doing things for Xmas.

Back to Sunday. Up and off to get the paper from Ashford as there was another Sunday Market in Bakewell. There was also a food fayre at Thornbridge Hall http://www.thornbridgehall.co.uk/ where a number of local food producers were selling their produce. We came away with some food and goodies for this week and Xmas. Back home and some bits and pieces around the house including moving a few more bits into the main bedroom. As it was quite mild I spent a few hours in the afternoon planting out some more bulbs (still have a 100+ to do) plus some plants I had bought at the Chatsworth Garden Center on Thursday where we had stopped on the way to Chatsworth House. In the evening the Over Haddon Film Club were showing ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, the classic B&W film. I had never seen it before and it was very busy there. Hard to believe it was made in 1946! I went with Joanna as Andrew had decided to watch the 2008 Sports Personality of the year and as he was not going Chris chickened out too but I enjoyed it!

A wet day. The snow and ice has gone and the fields are very soggy. There are no cows left on this side of the road, the last of the outdoor cows are now back across the road at the farm and will probably go indoors in the New Year. The sheep will be with us in the next few days. Most of the day was spent in checking paperwork for dad and we also started moving back into the Chatsworth room. The Xmas decorations are down from the loft and Chris tested the outdoor lights. We have ordered some more and hopefully they will be with us in time to go up this year. Later in the evening we went round to Sheldon where they had their Xmas lighting up ceremony. For a small village they made a good effort and amongst the entertainment provided was some traction engines and Santa was pulled up the main street by a tractor. There was some food for sale and we had a hot turkey roll and some hot chestnuts before returning home briefly. We then went to the Curbar church for the annual Baslow Choir Xmas concert. A good performance as usual with the choir supplemented by a soloist and the Plague of Bells hand bell ringers from Eyam (the plague village). Chris finds it amusing that it is a village that is making money from death! Popped across to the pub for a quick drink with Geoff and Margaret before heading home.

Bright start but by lunchtime the mist had arrived which later turned to fog. Three cottages in and one cleaner up to finish any cleaning. First guests arrived about 3pm with second cottage just after 4pm. Final cottage arrived about 7pm. Two of the cottages have been here before. Fog had gone by late evening and it had started to rain.

Up and Chris took the dogs for a walk while I sorted the laundry and did some other household chores. One cleaner up today to clean a cottage for the weekend. Went down to Bakewell for dental appointment and banking and get bits for weekend. Came back and with nobody due in we went to Haddon Hall to see the Xmas decorations. This is the first year they have opened for Xmas even if it is only for a week. We had a light lunch at the cafe. It was very busy at the hall which was very good and speaking to one of the wardens they have had more than expected visitors so hopefully they will do it again. All the decorations were natural greenery and were very effective. We then wen on to Chatsworth House and did the same there. There was a very full moon rising when we were at Chatsworth and apparently it will be one of the fullest for years. Chris has taken many pictures of today’s visit so please have a look at the picture gallery. Came back via the farm shop where we bought a few bits and had a light tea when we got back. Phone calls, emails blogging and Xmas cards for rest of evening and watched Heroes from last night. http://www.bolehillfarm.co.uk/photo/xmas/