Thursday was a sunny and milder day at our peak district cottages.  No arrivals in the cottages but our friends arrived for Christmas so did some housework during the day.  Also had a visit from the High Peak Hunt whose Boxing Day Hunt will be passing through Andrew’s fields this year but as his fields adjoin ours they thought it would be courteous to let us know their route.  In the evening we went to the Red Lion at Litton for a very nice meal.  Friday was quite dismal in comparison.  Fist thing we went to Monsal Head to collect our goose by which time it was raining quite heavily.  From here we went to Buxton for a little wander and get a few more bits.  The heavy rain curtailed a stroll so we had lunch, did some shopping and came home.  Two more cottages in and with both arriving between 3 and 3.30pm the rest of the afternoon was mine.  A couple of jobs to do before ‘closing’ for the day including Chris having to replace a set of lights on one of the cottages Xmas trees.  In the evening we went to Great Longstone to the White Lion and had a really good meal.  At least it had stopped raining but was feeling colder but no snow!

Guess what, more snow on Sunday morning.  Not a lot, again, and with Chris having salted the drive on Saturday evening the snow on the drive soon melted when the sun got on it.  One cottage out then popped down to Ashford to get the paper  Sunday was a day of house jobs, preparations for next week and a bit of socialising.  In the afternoon, some former guests, who now live in Ashford, came up for coffee and in the evening we had a late supper with Andrew and Joanna.  It was a much colder night than Saturday so it was no surprise to wake up to icy conditions on Monday morning.  At least no more snow.  The ice was too compacted to bring cars up into the courtyard so the two departing cottages had to walk down to the car park, Chris did lend a hand with luggage though.  One cleaner up and I spent the morning getting cottages ready for later in the week.  The dustcart had some trouble getting back out of the car park but by lunchtime you could see a thaw was setting in.  With no arrivals in the afternoon at our peak district cottages we went over to Buxton and did a bit of shopping, calling in at our friends in Chelmorton on the way back.  There had been a lot more snow over at Buxton.  If you have a couple of minutes have a look at the new promotional video for the Peak District called ‘Get here if you can‘.  See you soon!

So with Chris having salted the drive on Thursday night we woke up to no snow on Friday morning!  Except it didn’t last and soon we had a snow shower after which we had flurries and light showers on and off during the day.  No departures but two more cottages arriving later in the day.  One cleaner up and again I spent all morning doing bits in the cottages and after lunch kept up with accounts.  First cottage, who have been here before, arrived about 4pm.  Second cottage arrived about 9.30.  Woke up to another dusting of snow on Saturday so Chris salted the drive to be safe then we went down to Bakewell.  Last Farmers Market before Christmas so it was busy, but we found time to have a coffee in one of the cafes.  On the way back we stopped at the farm. They have had quite a number of calves born in the last few days, and not without problems, and expect to be calving over Christmas.  Stocked up on logs but the forecast is for milder weather next week.  A couple of light snow showers during the day left it a bit icy outside so Chris did a bit more salting in the evening.  As I said in an email to a friend we have been having little amounts of snow but often.  I finally got round to making a pair of curtains  I have meant to make all year, I was determined I would do them before Christmas, at least all the Chrustmas cards are written and posted, just a couple more trees to go up in the cottages and just a couple of days before our first guests arrive for Christmas at our peak district cottages.

Woke up Wednesday to a dusting of snow at our peak district cottages but luckily most of this disappeared during the day when the sun was out.  Spent more time in the cottages checking inventories and putting up another Christmas tree.  One cleaner up and a cottage arrived about 5pm.  They have been before.  In the evening I collected Joanna and we headed for Over Haddon for the WI Xmas Party.  We all brought some food or drink and after the ‘business’ we enjoyed the food and a natter and had a present from Santa’s Sack.  Bolehill looked nice lit up as I drove back.  On Thursday morning there was a good but unexpected  inch of snow.  The tree surgeon arrived but could not undertake the work, not because of the snow but because of the wind so will try another day.  Bumper post brought lots of cards from friends and guests, these I put up in the recption, and also my tax bill. Thank you HMRC!  Needless to say most of the snow disappeared during the day and I had a blitz on Christmas trees and decorations and later in the day Christmas cards. Getting there!

It was green again outside on Sunday morning and it wasn’t long before it was raining.  One cottage out and after getting the paper from Ashford the day went in preparations for Christmas including putting up our Christmas tree.  Usually ours is the last one to go up!  First thing Monday morning I went down to Bakewell Market.  Thought it would be quiet but it was quite busy.  One cottage out and for the first time since last January we have a couple of nights with no-one in. Still we have some cottages in later in the week so there is work to be done.  Chris and handyman put up outside Christmas lights and after usual Monday routines and some jobs in the cottages put up first Christmas tree in the cottages.  A windy evening so worried lights might blow away but more windy weather on way.  Tuesday started bright and breezy at our peak district cottages with the forecast of snow showers, possibly settling at lower levels so Chris took me to Matlock in the Shogun so I could do a big food shop at Sainsbury’s.  I had planned to go to Matlock and then onto Chesterfield to Dunelm but if it were to snow I didn’t fancy having to drive back across the moors.  We stopped at Cauldwells Mill for lunch and to pick up some flour and porridge oats on the way there and on the way back we stopped at one of our cleaners as she puts up a lot of lights outside her house at Christmas and finally at the Chatsworth Farm Shop.  Now stocked up for the next few weeks!  Oh, and it didn’t snow.

By Wednesday morning our fields were turning green again.  Had an early hair appointment in Bakewell after which I got some provisions for the next few days.  Arriving back home even more of the snow had gone and some sheep had arrived.  Took the dogs out for a walk to acquaint them with the sheep and also stock up on some logs.  Although most snow had gone there were some patches of compacted snow so I broke those up.  The afternoon disappeared in a mixture of odd jobs.  I had planned to carry out more work in the cottages but never got round to it.  In the evening the Over Haddon WI Committee was held at our place and amongst the many things we discussed was next years programme and next weeks party! Thursday was quite a wet and windy day but much worse in Scotland, but at least there was hardly any snow left at our peak district cottages.  In the morning with handyman, cleaner and window cleaner around it wa quite hectic.  At lunchtime we went down to Bakewell to meet up with our friends who are coming to stay at Christmas.  They had been to Chesterfield to collect a new car so thought it would be nice to meet up for lunch.  By the time we got down to Bakewell it was pouring with rain and there were a number of squally showers during the afternoon.  We had been keeping an eye on the weather forecasts as there had been a threat of heavy snow showers on Friday although this seem to diminish during the course of Thursday.