A nice day forecast and typically we have a prior engagement. One cottage out with two back in, both have been here before. One cleaner up after we departed for Buxton, later than I hoped. The annual Visit Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Conference was taking place at the Palace Hotel. The main theme this year was green and sustainable tourism. We couldn’t park at the hotel so had to park a few roads away, the trouble was we thought we were walking the right way back to the hotel but weren’t! Hence we arrived just after the first speech had started. Most interesting was the new ‘themed’ advertising campaigns to bring new tourists to the area as well as a preview of the 2009 brochure. Like last year there were a number of workshops to attend and the first was about the relaunch of the Visit Peak District & Derbyshire web site which will happen in a couple of weeks time (www.visitpeakdistrict.com) Next was a follow on from one of the workshops last year and this gave us ideas to link places to form itineraries depending on what the guests were interested in. There were so many facts I learnt about the area that I could never remember them but luckily we will get email briefing sheets to remind us. Then a break for lunch during which we had a look at some of the display stands as well as meeting up with James from Haddon Grove and Sarah from Critchlows and Ashford Farm Cottages. The final workshop was about green practices, a lot of which we have already actioned. The final speaker talked about green tourism after which we made our way back to the car and managed to find it without any problems! Stopped off at Morrisons. When got back one cottage had already arrived, the other did not arrive until nearer 8pm. Phoned my sister and we finalised arrangements for the funeral on Friday. We will go down on Thursday evening and stay with friends. So plenty to do tomorrow. Sat down just after 9pm to watch the recorded episode of Spooks.

After yesterday it was a bit dull and drizzly. One cottage out and one back in. One cleaner up. After lunch popped down to Bakewell. Surprised at how quiet it was for a Monday but at least I had a chance to go around the market. Got back in time to welcome new guest then did a few catch up jobs before dinner. We then went to Buxton as we had tickets for the English National Touring Opera performance of Carmen. It was different but enjoyable, no lavish sets or costumes but perhaps not to everyones liking and also shorter than the classic performance. For once the Opera House was not full. When we got back there was a message from Sandra in Ashford who was experiencing problems with her new boiler. We went down and Chris being the knight in shining armour worked out was the problem was although he could not fix it.

Sorry to those of you in the south of the country who endured cloudy skies, drizzle and rain. We had blue skies and sunshine! Three cottages out and one back in today. I was a bit miffed with one cottage as they had left a dining chair outside in the damp all night. (Someone had used it to sit on and have a cigarette!) Went down to Bakewell for paper and to empty bottle bank. One cleaner up to one of the cottages round. With it being so nice we went for a short walk over to Sheldon where we stopped at the pub and had a drink and a bowl of soup. On the way back we stopped and looked at a property in Sheldon that the Park Authority had placed a ‘stop order’ on as it looked like there was some hidden building work going on. It was drawing a lot of attention from passing walkers. Took a couple of pictures on the way back and it is interesting that with the sunlight being a lot lower at this time of year we realised that we could see both Baslow and the Chatsworth Hunting Lodge from the nw corner of our land. Back home checked the cottage before the guests arrived, which they did about 3.30. We then spent a couple of hours going through what my sister and I need to do for probate and potential Inheritance Tax (you have to fill out forms even if none is due). Phoned my sister and a friend before cooking dinner and sitting down for Top Gear and the final part of Stephen Fry in America.

A quieter day but a chance to catch up with some more odd jobs round the house and cottages. Two cottages out and two back in. My Saturday lady up to do the two cottages. Have also started to rearrange the house ‘post B&B’. First Saturday for a very long time when I haven’t had to get up to do B&B! After lunch Chris popped down to see Andrew. Both guests arrived at the same time at about 3.30, but as one had been here before they were able to settle in while I showed the other guests their cottage. Also did some more phone calls for dad. I have been pleasantly surprised at how helpful all the larger utilities/corporates have been, most have their own dedicated ‘probate team’ with direct numbers that you can call after the initial phone calls. Did some accounts and paper work until 6.30 after which I stopped to cook us a dinner.

A busier day with one cottage out and three back in. Weather got off to a murky start but it turned into a nice day. One cleaner up to turn two cottages around, one had already been done. I thought I ought to mention that I do have a number of cleaners I can call on. I have four regular cleaners and two casuals who can be called on to cover emergencies or help on busy days. I usually manage to find work for the four main ones each week, one can only do Saturdays, one cant do Saturdays, so between them they normally have at least one session here a week. No problems encountered with cleaning today. Chris and the handyman spent most of the day clearing leaves out of the gutters and the courtyard and car park! First guests arrived just after 3pm, the next just after 4pm and the final ones at 5pm. Chris went over to sort someones computer out and I became a computer widow for the evening! Did some work until 9.30 after which Chris got back so we sat down.

Had a lie in! A busy day today with two cottages out and three back in. Also Chris took his parents back. Two cleaners up to turn the cottages round. Spent some time doing odd jobs in the cottages and also did some tidying up after Chris’s parents left. The first guests arrived about 3.30 and the next ones about 5pm. They have been here before. The final guests arrived 5.30. The afternoon seemed to go with out much achieved. Chris back about 8pm and after a quick snack sat down about 9.30 and watched the recorded last episode of Beautiful People.

Said goodbye to our last B&B guests. Ironic because they were also one of our first guests! Went down Bakewell and had hair cut and a wander around. Although there were plenty of people around it is a lot quieter now. After lunch spent an hour out in the garden. Still have a couple of hundred bulbs to plant out and the recent cold spell has killed a lot of the fushias which is a shame as they usually last well into November so I have some dead plants and dead geraniums to remove too. Spent some time with Chris’s parents as they will be going home tomorrow. Also did a bit more paperwork for dad. Could have gone to WI but did not feel like it so watched Heroes instead.

A more active day with one cottage out and two back in. One cleaner up and no problems encountered. Did some bits around the house and also some more paperwork for dad. Didn’t realise there would be so many people to phone or write to. We are lucky that dad left everything so organised. First guests arrived just after 3pm. They have been here before but today she arrived with her arm in a sling after a fall on a slippery path. Second guests arrived just after 4pm. Later in evening watched last weeks Heroes so now ready for this weeks episode!

Fields were quite squelchy this morning. Haven’t had any eggs from the hens for over a week so have decided they must have finished laying for the season, which is quite early. The cold snap must have triggered this. One cottage out and one back in and with a couple of cottages empty for a few days Chris and the handyman have started some maintenance jobs. One cleaner up. New guests arrived just after 3pm and I spent the rest of the day (and evening) doing paperwork for Bolehill or dad. Cottages now full for the New Year with a couple of vacancies remaining for Christmas. Sat down for Spooks. Thank you to all those who have emailed or made contact in the last day or so.

Sunday started fine but during the day had a umber of squally showers and some heavy rain in the evening meant we had nearly an inch of rain before the day was out. Both B&B out with one back in later in the day and two cottages out. One cleaner up to turn round room while we popped down to Ashford to pick up a paper and some supplies. A chance to catch up with bits before guests arrived and sort some paper work for dad out in the evening.