The day of the wedding started cool and cloudy at our peak district cottages.  Put the TV on as soon as I was up so I could ‘dip’ into the day’s events as and when I could.  The forecast was for an improving day  with the further north and west you were the less risk of showers.  Luckily we did not see any.  Four cottages out with four cottages back in and three cleaners up.  One cottage asked if they could leave later so they could see Catherine’s dress but we directed them to the Village Hall.  I would have loved to have gone down to the Hall and join in the celebrations there but never mind.  Having said that the cleaers and I stopped to see Catherine leave the hotel so we could glimpse that dress and then we had coffee watching the first part of the ceremony before finishing the cleaning.  By now the sun was starting to emerge and it was warming up.  Had lunch to coincide with the kiss and flypast and then did my final checks.  I was just finishing this when the first cottage arrived.  All in by 4pm.  Two have been before.  Caught up with some odd jobs including emailing our friends in Yorkshire.  They’re volunteers on the North Yorks Moor Railway and were working today.  With no emails or phone calls (!) sat down after dinner and relaxed.

Wednesday was our designated day off at our peak district cottages and despite a promising forecast Chris had offered to take me to Leek.   Last year when I went to Leek I picked up a Walking Tour of Leek and realised there were quite a few interesting buildings so I planned to look at some of these as well as do some shopping.  We stopped first at Longnor for coffee before heading to Leek which is probably as far from here as Chesterfield.  In the 18th & 19th centuries Leek was a centre of silk weaving and was also famous for its embroideries.  Through its Art and Craft movements it also attracted artists and designers including William Morris.  The mills are now redundant and some have been turned into antiques centres, one of which we visited.  As it was market day I was hoping the two main churches would also be open, one was.  St Edwards is Leek’s only medieval church but was restored in the 1800’s.  It has number of stained glass windows, one of which was designed by William Morris.  Unfortunately the All Saints Church had closed by the time we got there.  It is a Grade 1 listed building and was described by John Betjamin as ‘one of the finest churches in Britain’ so perhaps next time. Forgot to take my camera so have another reason to visit Leek, as if I need one as I enjoy shopping in Leek anyway, especially on Market day.  As usual most purchases were for the cottages but I made sure I came away with something for myself. When we came back we found some cows in the front field.  Blue was not happy!  Thursday was bright and breezy with two cottages out and one back in.  One cleaner up.  Chris down at Village Hall again and I did a bit of housework.  After lunch Chris and I went down to Bakewell to get some bits for the weekend.  When we got back I made sure the cottage was ready for day’s arrivals who got here about 8.30.  At least they can make the most of tomorrow.

Tuesday was another day of arrivals and departures at our peak district cottages with one cottage out and three back in.  A complete contrast weather wise as it was much cooler and cloudy.  Still better is forecast again.  One cleaner up and with Monday being a bank holiday the laundry and rubbish were also collected Tuesday, as it will do next Tuesday.  One cleaner up and no problems.  All three cottages here by 3.30 so had the rest of the afternoon to do some more accounts and paper work.Chris was down at the village hall helping set up the TV for Friday. Residents are invited to bring something along for the buffet.  I phoned my sister who is working Thursday night so she will be sleeping Friday!  Swallows are back so that’s something else to keep the dogs occupied and the cows should be over on Wednesday.

Thursday promised to be another fine day although the haze persisted.  Two cottages out and two back in with two cleaners up.  No problems encountered.  With such nice weather I have been doing extra washing which has been, on the whole, allowed to dry outside.  The number of change overs as well as a higher towel usage due to towel hire and overseas guests has added to the volume.  One of the cottages arriving on Thursday was from Australia.  Both cottages in by 4pm so I did a little bit of housework.  In the evening I abandoned Chris and went with Joanna to the Ashford Arms in Ashford for the WI annual dinner.  Normally held in February it was nice to go out for the meal in summer attire rather than winter woollies!  The other thing I enjoy about these evenings is the local knowledge I pick up like one of our members is a direct descendant of the lady responsible for creating the Bakewell Pudding!  Friday carried on the warm trend at our peak district cottages and another two cottages out with two back in and two cleaners up.  First cottage arrived about 3pm and second one about 4.30, they had hoped to be here about 3pm but were held up by traffic.  Found a little time before dinner to do some bits around the house.  I’ve had a bad couple of days with hoovers.  The other day one of the bagless hoovers left some scratches on my hand when I reached in to pull the last bit of fluff out and on Friday I was investigating a hoover that was not sucking well when I knelt on the cord in such a way that I pulled the cable out of the hoover.  Oops!  Another item to replace!  One of those hidden costs guests never see!  One thing that never ceases to amaze me, and I am sure I have mentioned it before, is the number of oven gloves we go through.  We now consider them as  consumable items we go through so many.  I know guests deliberately don’t destroy the gloves, most of the times I am sure it is because they aren’t used to using electric hobs.  To a lesser extent I lose tea towels this way too, with curry and bolognese sauces being other culprits. Just thought you would like to know this. 

Wednesday was our designated day off and I had planned a walk from our peak district cottages but Chris pointed out we haven’t been over to the Roaches for a while so I settled on a walk that included Luds Church as we have not yet seen it.  We drove over to Gradbach just the other side of the Buxton – Leek road where we parked in the small public car park.  From here we walked down past the old mill, now a youth hostel, and down to the Rive Dane.  From here we started a steady ascent through Back Forest to reach the path that led to Luds Church.  Although steeped in myth it is natural deep cleft formed following a rock fall and was used as a church in the early 15th century. We retraced our steps a short way then carried on along the path that was signed to Swythamley.  On leaving the woods we had some nice views over the countryside and we found a spot for lunch where we could make out Shutlingsloe in the distance, also known as the Cheshire Matterhorn.  From here we carried on the long descent to Danebridge passing Swythamley and the hanging stone before we dropped down into a gladed area.  We were just checking the map when we heard some rustling in the undergrowth and were surprised when a small group of deer bolted up the hillside. We didn’t even have time to get the cameras out!  Very shortly we were at Danebridge where there was an impressive bridge over the River Dane.  We didn’t need to go into the village and were able to pick up the Dane Valley Way which goes all the way to Buxton but for us would take us back to Gradbach.  I thought this part of the walk would be a gentle stroll along the river but it was quite undulating (up and down in other words) and at times moved away from the river.  We came across a bluebell wood that was already in bloom, much earlier than usual.  Eventually we found ourselves back at the car.  We decided we would head for the tea room at Upper Hulme not far away as there are nice views towards Leek and Titesworth Reservoir.  Luckily we were able to get an outside table so the dogs could sit with us.  It was quite hazy though and as we left we drove a little further along the lane so we could take some shots of the Roaches.  Back home and was just about to feed the dogs when I saw a Virgin hot air balloon heading this way.  Now we get to see lots of balloons in the distance but it is not often we have one pass over, let alone three.  The Virgin one went straight over and a lot of the guests came out to wave, the second balloon passed to the front but it was too high for any pictures and a third passed just to the back of us a lot lower down.  I should have gone to the back of the cottages to get some better pictures but never mind.  The dogs wore themselves out running back and forth and woofing at the balloons!

Here are the pictures of our lovely walk taking in Lud’s Church near the Roaches as well as our evening of balloons at our peak district cottages.  Words to follow.

Over the next few weeks there will only be a few days when we have no arrivals or departures.  Sunday wasn’t one of those days.  One departure, and one arrival but cottage already prepared.  Another fine day and a day of grabbing some time to relax reading the Sunday paper as well as pay VAT and do a bit of housework.  Guests arrived about 4pm, they have been before.  In the evening we went to the Village Hall for the first film night there.  Our film tonight was ‘Made in Dagenham’ which looked at the strike of the women at Fords in the 1960’s which led to the Equal Pay Act.  It was quite thought provoking and showed how much things have changed in the last 40 years.  Another chance to have a look at the hall and all the work that has been done.  The official opening is next Saturday and we hope to be there.  Monday started nice again and I felt adventurous to wear a t shirt! Two cottages out and two back into our peak district cottages and two cleaners up.  Handyman also up but with outside work almost finished and cottages now filling up for the summer he will only be here for odd days until the autumn.  (He does gardening work in the summer so he has work to keep him occupied).  Both cottages arrived between 4 & 5 pm.  One has been here before.  Spent some time on accounts during the afternoon and after dinner Chris went off to the AGM of the Bakewell Photographic Circle.  I did some housework.  With warm weather forecast into the Easter weekend it’s nice for us but the farmers are obviously worried. Even here there is talk of water shortages and the ground is already showing cracks.

Friday was yet another dry day although mainly cloudy at our peak district cottages.  Four cottages out with three back in and two cleaners up during the morning.  No problems encountered and everything ready in time for guests arrival.  First cottage arrived about 3pm with the remaining two between 4&5 pm, both have been before.  At least Saturday was sunnier.  Got the phone call I have been waiting for just before 9am when Joana phoned to say the cows were about to be let out so rushed down the field with my camera and although I took a few pics it was still quite hazy.  So now our green landscape is dotted with black and white!  Three cottages out with three back in and two cleaners up.  A couple of problems for Chris to sort out but hopefully he has fixed them.  He also cut the grass again.  Two cottages here between 3&4 pm, one has been before, with final cottage arriving about 5pm.  One of the existing cottages had a balloon ride booked for this afternoon from Tissington and not long after their planned take off we could see two balloons in that direction.  There was also two taking off from Rowsly so the dogs had something to bark at!  After dinner I took the dogs out for a walk.  Spring seems to have truly sprung this week.  Leaves are out on the trees, the hedgerows are green and there is the sound of baaing on the wind.  (Green Cowden has finished lambing and most are now out in the fields).  It was a lovely sunset, forgot to take the camera of course, and there was a full moon.  Also could hear a curlew and a pheasant, our resident pheasant was in the front field earlier on.  The forecast is for a few pleasant days so that’s nice for the guests who are here this week.