At least I was feeling better on Wednesday which for most part was a five minute job day doing all those jobs that only take five minutes but seem to accumulate.  In the evening I picked up Joanna a bit earlier than usual and we made our way to the new Village Hall in Over Haddon for our monthly WI meeting.  We got there early so we could be shown all the procedures with arrival and departure.  We are one of the first groups to use it.  The hall is really nice and has a lot of green features (air source heat pump, solar panels and rainwater used for flushing loos).  Our main concern was how warm it would be bearing in mind the old hall was always difficult to heat but luckily it was warm enough for us despite being a cooler day.  Our evening was to be a craft evening and after the business was out of the way the lady who came last October and gave us a beading demonstration helped us make Easter cards using the ‘iris folding technique’.  Basically this is a craft of folding coloured strips of paper to make a design with a template in such a way that you are left with an iris in the middle.  I made a lamb and despite the fact we all said ‘I cant do that’ at the start we were all pleased with our efforts in the end.  I was much more energetic on Thursday with trips to Bakewell and Chesterfield to get provisions for the weekend and stock up at Morrisons. A busy few days ahead at our peak district cottages with improving weather too!

Tuesday was our day off and although Chris was feeling better I wasn’t feeling so good but desperate for a break I opted for a short walk from Longshaw that took in the cafe at Grindleford Station.  We took a packed lunch just in case the cafe was closed and we set off from a windy Longshaw Estate with views back towards Carl Wark and Higger Tor.  As we walked along the tack we had good views toward Mam Tor and then Lose Hill and Win Hill.  The dogs enjoyed being off the leads for a while but with it being lambing and nesting times we were conscious of when they had to be put back on the lead.  From the estate path we then headed across the fields and down a rather steep wooded track to cross the Grindleford Road before a little lane took us down to the station.  Luckily it was open and we found a nice sunny spot outside overlooking the entrance to Totley Tunnel which is nearly 7000 yards long.  It was quite busy with as many dogs as people!  Being beside the station there were also a number of families, some of which took the train back to Sheffield ( 20 minutes) so no wonder Grindleford is a popular commuting village.  On the other hand the train going the other way deposits travellers in Manchester in an hour!  After our bacon butties (one of the best value butties in the area) we then took a path up beside Padley Gorge to head back to the Longshaw Estate.  Last time we took the path to he left of the Gorge which is more distinct but we thought we would try the right hand side.  Remembering to look back as well as forward I think we got some lovely shots of the gorge even if we did have to do a bit of scrabbling at times!  Eventually Carl Wark and Higger Tor  came back into view before we crossed back over the Grindleford Road and took the estate path back to Longshaw.  We looked at having tea at the Cafe there but there was hardly any cake left so instead headed towards Hathersage down the road and stopped at the Riverside cafe where we indulged in a bit of bird watching as well as being amused by the squirrel taking advantage of the bird feeding table.  From here we stopped at the agricultural supplies plant at Brough and picked up some weed and feed for the grass at our peak district cottages and some other gardening supplies.  An early bath and bed for me as not feeling too good and there is plenty to do in the next few days.

Friday and Saturday were lovely days.  It will be a shock to the system when we get back to normal temperatures.  We have seen guests in shorts!  Noticed blossom on some of our trees.  That wasn’t there on Wednesday.  They say the bluebells will be early this year.  One cottage out and two back into our peak district cottages on Friday.  Three cleaners up to get cleaning up to date.  Chris well enough to get up today and finally all outside painting finished!  Both cottages arrived just after 3pm so still had the rest of the afternoon to do more in the remaining cottages.  One has been here before.  Saturday saw one departure with four cottages back in.  One cleaner up.  No problems encountered and with time to spare put out the parasols with the patio tables seeing as the good weather should hold for a few more days.  Chris also gave the grass its first cut of the year. Had lunch on the patio, first time this year.  Three cottages here by 4pm.  Two have been before.  Final cottage arrived about 6pm just as the Tesco delivery turned up for one of the cottages.  Took the dogs for a walk before sitting down as it was such a nice evening. With any luck the cows will start to come out later this week.

A few days spent doing things around our peak district cottages and grounds.  Tuesday was mainly an accounts day both Bolehill and WI together a quick foray down to Bakewell for some provisions.  One cottage out.  Wednesday was a glorious day.  Chris spent most of the day in bed laid low by some kind of flu like bug.  One cottage out and spent the morning doing bits around the cottages.  The first of my plants arrived so spent the afternoon out in the gardens and greenhouse.  Handyman still working way through cleaning and re painting patio sets etc.  In the evening went to this months WI committee meeting.  Thursday saw Chris in bed again for most of the day.  One cleaner up to keep up with cleaning.  More jobs in cottages for me in the morning and in the afternoon a trip down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend coming back via Over Haddon to drop some WI stuff off.

Sunday started dry and sunny and quite pleasant but the forecasted showers waited until mid afternoon before they appeared.  One cottage out.  Chris not feeling too well so did bits around the house and spent some time chatting to guests who were enjoying the sunshine.  Noticed shoots are appearing on trees.  Monday was a little more cloudier with two cottages out and one back in.  One cleaner up.  A quiet week ahead at our peak district cottages so plan to do some bits in the cottages before the Easter holidays start.  Chris out at Photography Circle again in the evening so housework before sitting down.

A busy Friday with one cottage out and three back in our peak district cottages.  Three cleaners up to keep up with cleaning but no problems encountered.  First cottage here at 3pm with second one arriving about 5pm, they have been before.  Third one didn’t arrive until much later but we knew that and they let themselves in.  Also had a flying visit from my sister with one of my nieces.  She was having a quick look at Sheffield and Manchester Universities before making her final decision as to which offer to accept.  They stayed overnight.  Saturday started dull but soon brightened up. Three cottages out with three back in and one cleaner up to clean those that needed doing. Two of the cottages have been before and there was a staggered arrival from 3 to 7pm.  The daffs are starting to come out and lambs have started to appear in the fields.  Cows should be coming out this month but the farmers need more rain for the grass to grow!

Thursday dawned bright and breezy.  Friends departed for home as did two cottages and we had an early departure for the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton where the Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Conference was taking place.  We wanted to attend this year as there were a number of speakers from Visit Britain and Enjoy England as well as from our own tourist board and with many changes in the pipeline (and spending cuts) we wanted to hear what they had to say. We had a number of videos, including a draft promotional one for the area which should be ready for July and all being well we should be able to have a link to it on its release date.  Even Chris thought it was good.  Last year the area had a staggering 32.7 million day visits and 3.5 million overnight stays. This was worth £1.4 billion pound to the local economy and resulted in employment for 25000 people.  Enjoy England promote England within the UK and Visit Britain promotes the UK abroad.  England is the 6th most visited country in the world and Tourism is in 3rd place for income it brings in (behind Finance and Pharmaceuticals).  The Olympics next year may actually be a double edged sword as it will bring in a lot of visitors for the games but may put off some tourists who may think the country could be too busy because of the Olympics.  Also the Royal Wedding will help tourism this year.  Lunch was also included in the price we paid and this year an area was set aside for the Leaflet Swap to run along side the Conference.  I remembered to take plenty of bags!  The conference finished late afternoon and we had a quick walk around Buxton before returning to our peak district cottages.