Sunday started quite pleasant at our peak district cottages but the mist soon came down. Two departures and one arrival so some jobs in the cottages in the morning.  Cottage arrived about 3pm, they have been here before and are here for a number of weeks, as is another one of the cottages that arrived a few days ago.  After they arrived I finally finished packing away Christmas trees and decorations.  The outside lights have been switched off for a another year.  One sign of the new year is that our annual letter has been emailed and we received a number of bookings during the day.  Monday stayed gloomy and I had a busy day with emails and bookings.  One cottage out and one cleaner up.  Our main cleaner will be here most days for the next few months not only cleaning in between change overs but undertaking the annual deep clean.  I have a list of things to do in the cottages too over the next couple of months.  Chris took down the lights.  In the evening we abandoned the dogs with Chris heading down to Bakewell for the Photography Club and I headed to Over Haddon for Indoor Bowls.  When I got back there were a few more emails.  The first Monday after the New Year is normally busy for enquiries and bookings hence I dub it Manic Monday.

Saturday was forecast to be dry and with one departure and no arrivals, we thought we would have a few hours off. With the fields still muddy we thought we might go to the National Arboretum but with short daylight hours perhaps spring would be a better time when trees start to bloom again.  In the end we opted for a short walk on Curbar Edge.  Despite setting off later than planned (due to a possible booking that didn’t confirm) we managed to find a parking place and set off along Curbar Edge.  It was busier than I thought, perhaps expecting families would have other things on their minds with schools going back on Monday, but it was nice to see so many out on a Saturday.  It was quite a clear day so we had some wonderful views back to Baslow Edge and over to Derwent Edge.  We found a nice spot for lunch before taking the path down of the Edge and heading back to the car.  Before that we made a short diversion as we could see some Highland cattle at the side of the footpath further along the edge.  Walking along the Edge it was dry but the path down did get muddier and it was rocky in places.  The track back was quite muddy and being lower down we had lost the clear views but we still had some dappled sunlight and we only came across one other walker!  A short walk back up to the car then we set off to Calver where we stopped for afternoon tea at the cafe at the craft centre as we haven’t been there for a while.   Back home at our peak district cottages we had a quiet evening in.  Enjoy the photos.

Friday saw two departures and one arrival for the New Year and one cleaner up.  Went down to Bakewell early afternoon to get provisions for the weekend.  Guests arrived just after 3pm.  Saturday saw four departures and two arrivals for the New Year.  Another wet day which made cleaning harder for the two cleaners.  No major problems but oven cleaning was a top priority.  The rain finally relented in the afternoon at our peak district cottages but it turned colder.  Cottages arrived between 4 and 5pm.  Sunday was a more pleasant day weather wise but we had plenty to do.  One departure and three more arrivals for the New Year.  Cottages already prepared but also got a phone call from Chris’s brother who arrived later in the day for a short stay.  All three cottages arrived between 3 and 4pm, one has been before.  Also in the afternoon the couple we know from Ashford in the Water (they used to be regular guests) came up for coffee so a busy but pleasant day.

Here are the weather stats for December although the rainfall may not be accurate as we were without the weather station for a few weeks.

13th was coldest day and night with lowest temp of -5.7 deg C on 13th.  Warmest day was 28th and night 22nd with highest temp 10.6 deg C on 21st.  Wettest day was 20th with 1.16 in rain with 5.76 inches for month (7.29 inches Dec 2011). 

We recorded 42.58 inches of rain for 2012 (and there was more!) compared to 30.75inches in 2011. 

Boxing Day dawned bright and sunny so we were packed and off before 10am.  We headed to Flash,  England’s highest village at 1500 feet, which is only about twenty minutes away from our Peak District Cottages and just off the Buxton-Leek road.  We had planned a short walk from here to the bridge at Three Shires Head on the River Dane, where Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire meet.  We parked near the village hall and set off down the lane out of Flash turning down a drive into a farmyard. Here we came across a field of Alpacas!  We then picked up the paths and tracks to Three Shires Head.  Along the way we had good views back to the Roaches and Hen cloud.  We could also glimpse Shutlingsloe. As we approached the bridge there were a group enjoying lunch but by the time we reached the bridge there was only us and a photographer there to enjoy it.  I imagine it gets very busy in summer but during the whole of our walk we only passed another couple.   We started the journey back to Flash which had one steep ascent although it looked steeper than it felt.  The final lane back down to Flash was the worst bit as it was waterlogged in places and we had to edge our way along the wall at times.  At one gate Chris got more of a shock than he thought when he realised there was a live electric fence quite low down near the gate.  Unfortunately Smudge was following too close behind and brushed up against the fence and let our a real howl.  He was a bit shaken for a few minutes.  By the time we got back to the car it was quite overcast and by the time we got to Longnor, where we stopped for lunch, it was raining.  A quiet evening in and caught up with some emails.   Enjoy the photos.

Sunday was a bright day and time for last minute preparations at our peak district cottages as our friends from Yorkshire were arriving later in the day to stay for Christmas.   First down to Bakewell for recycling and Sunday paper and stopped at Green Cowden Farm on way back.  Ended up staying for coffee.  One cottage arrived about 4pm with friends arriving not long afterwards.  In the evening we went down to Felicinis in Bakewell.  Christmas Eve was unsettled so no chance of a walk.  When our friends are here we do like to get some walking done if we can but it was not to be so we went to Buxton and had a look at the house after which we had a wander round Buxton and some lunch.  Back home to one arrival. Christmas Day followed our usual routine except with the unsettled weather we didn’t walk down to the Lathkill at Over Haddon for a pre dinner drink but drove down.  We had a good day and it is the one day I put the closed sign up in the office and ignore the computer and try and relax! This is blog 1500 so another milestone reached.

Monday saw three departures leaving us a bit quiet for a few days.  One cleaner up to start on cleaning and preparing cottages for Christmas arrivals. Thought I might do three trees in the cottages but only ended up completing one.  In the evening I went to the Village Hall but this Monday it was for the Village Hall Committee meeting.  Tuesday was a different day with Chris over at Buxton clearing out the house now work is almost complete.   Went over too to help bring things back and also did a bit of shopping so very little got done at our peak district cottages although one cleaner was up to carry on with cleaning.  Wednesday I planned a blitz on trees and got two done before I collected my latest guests from Bakewell as they do not have a car.  They are from Singapore via London.  Although the forecast had been for a wet day it didn’t arrive until later in the day and Thursday was even worse with nearly an inch of rain but I got three trees done despite feeling grotty, Chris also has a cold so as long as we are better by the weekend that will fine.