So here we are into the last quarter of 2010. What a start, by the end of the day we had had nearly an inch of rain. One cottage out with one back in to our dog friendly cottages and two cleaners up. Went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. After lunch my sister departed and after our guests arrived just after 3pm we went off to Buxton to look at kitchens and get some more bits for the extension. The rain stopped as we drove back which left us with a spectacular unset so we both went up to the promised land to watch it. Took some pictures (including Smudge standing on the wall). Hope it looks OK when I post it. Saturday was a better day weather wise and with three cottages out and four due back in it was a busier day. Two cleaners up and with no pressure time was found for some extra cleaning jobs. One cottage decided to delay their arrival until tomorrow and the remaining three cottages arrived between 3 and 4.30. Two have been before. Chris decided to cut the grass but three quarters of the way round it broke down so we had to push it out of our garden and round to the car park until we can find out what is wrong with it. Chris also had to tune in a new TV.
Author: Shirley Swaap
A few days with sister
With my sister here for a few days at our Derbyshire cottages I wanted to spend some time with her but still the business goes on. No cottages out on Monday but one back in so one cleaner up to prepare it for today plus another cleaner to keep the cleaning in other cottages up to date. Cottage arrived just before 3pm. On Tuesday the forecast had initially been for a good day but it never materialised. If it had we would have taken the full day off and gone to Chatsworth but in the end I took my sister and her partner to Buxton and showed them the sights and did a bit of shopping coming back via Ashford. The forecast for Wednesday was awful but the rain didn’t arrive until the afternoon. One cottage in which Chris saw to in the afternoon whilst I took my sister and partner to the Chatsworth Farm Shop via Monsal Head and the Longstones We then went onto the Peak Outlet Center. On Thursday the weather finally improved and one cottage in and one cleaner up. Sister and partner went to Bakewell and later in the afternoon I went for a short walk along Lathkill Dale with sister and the dogs. Guests arrived just after 7pm after wich we went with my sister and partner for a meal at the Royal Oak at Hurdlow. With all the major external work for the laundry now completed work has been taken place inside. During the week some more of the electrics and plumbing have been going on as well as some insulation and the windows also went in. The builder did find time when the better weather was here to repair and replace some of the cottages steps and stonework damaged by the winter frosts. Lathkill has had a complete set of new steps which look really smart.
A quiet Saturday
Well it was quiet in some ways but not all. Off down to the Farmers Market first thing leaving Chris to see to the departing guests (although I had already said goodbye to most). Five cottages departing with only two returning back in. Nevertheless arranged for two cleaners to prepare today’s cottages and some for the arrivals during next week. When I got back found that Chris had forgotten to phone one of the cleaners so she was still waiting at home. Luckily she didn’t have far to come. Chris was working with the handyman puling cables into the new laundry for the electrician. That took most of the morning. Cleaning was finished without any problems and both arrivals, one of whom has been here before, arrived between 3 & 4 pm. Just after that our friends from Yorkshire arrived for a couple of nights. They are going on a car rally on Sunday. In the evening we went to the Derwentwater Arms in Calver and we all agreed that the food was very good. Glad we booked as we wouldn’t have got a table otherwise. Saturday was brighter with a cold wind still blowing but Sunday was cloudy but not feeling as cold. Two more cottages departed with no cottages back into our peak district cottages. A trip down to Bakewell for the papers and recycling and at about midday we went out to the front of the garden and waved at our friends as they went past during their rally. More time spent on tax returns before our friends returned not long after which my sister and her partner arrived for a few days stay. A nice social evening with a chinese takeaway.
Bits and pieces
I had a good Tuesday and Wednesday and so did Andrew. They have done a third silage with cutting on Tuesday and rowing and collecting on Wednesday. It was the first time for many years he has done a third silage, and although it has increased the overall total for this year, the quality is a bit poorer so it will be suitable only for the youngsters. On Thursday I was out for most of the day leaving Chris and a cleaner to deal with one departure and two arrivals. Chris was also kept busy with the builder and roofers. For me I had a training day at Chatsworth House concerning green marketing and a chance to network. Despite the forecast it remained dry until I left Chatsworth House and headed home via the Farm Shop. It really rained hard driving home and at least it was the only interruption to the work on the extension. Although for an hour or two it looked really threatening and there was the odd rumble which unsettled the dogs. The first guests had arrived by the time I got back and the final guests arrived about 10.30pm. Friday was cold and windy although it was quite sunny in the afternoon. One cottage out and one cleaner up. Time went in making decisions about doors, windows, glass and measuring things but found some time to do some accounts and prepare for tomorrow. Decided to sit down early and watched the program on the Highgrove Gardens so I know what I missed!
A couple of good days
With a couple of quiet days with no arrivals or departures in our peak district cottages time to catch up with a number of jobs. On Tuesday it was quite warm and sunny – a brief return to summer – so a few hours were spent in the greenhouse and garden. Sorted out a number of ‘dead’ bushes from last winter as well as planting up some hanging baskets with spring bulbs and general tidying up. In the afternoon spent some time on WI accounts and dropped off various cheques and papers in a drive round to Over Haddon. Later in the afternoon one of our previous cleaners called in to see progress on our extension. On Wednesday the roof started to go on the extension and I did some extra washing while the weather held. Went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the next few days. In the afternoon I finally emptied the last of the boxes of belongings that we packed when we moved here! Only been seven years!
Boring!
Tax returns and accounts. They need to be done and that’s where a lot of Sunday and Monday went. Sunday started a bit dismal but improved and it felt milder than of late. We had tickets in the evening for Vampire Rocks at Buxton, a very visual rock show starring Steve Steinman who we saw earlier this year singing Meatloaf. As a treat we had a meal out. Monday was a better day and we had one cottage out of our peak district cottages with one returning later in the day. Two cleaners up to do a number of jobs and everything ready for guests arrival just after 3pm. Got up to date with accounts. In the evening Chris went to the Bakewell photographic Circle and I did some housework.
The season finale
Friday was a quiet day. An early lunch as I had a hair appointment in Bakewell after which I got provisions for the weekend and went and saw one of the WI members who has been helping organise next weeks trip. After dinner a friend who I hadn’t spoke to for a long time phoned so that was a nice way to finish the day. Saturday was cool and cloudy with the odd glimpse of sunshine. The last time for a long time that I have eight cottages out of our peak district cottages on a Saturday. With seven back in and all four cleaners available it was a good opportunity for them all to come up and over our coffee break discuss any issues. I have drawn up a cleaning check list to help the new cleaner and I gave the others the chance to make sure nothing has been missed off. No problems encountered and an early finish to the cleaning meant I had ample time to do my checks. With extra time I was able do some other tasks so I still didn’t finish until nearly 2.45 just as the first guests arrived. Out of the seven cottages six have been here before and they were all here by 4pm with the final cottage arriving just after 8pm. Chris had time to cut the lawns and with the wind blowing in the wrong direction he also had time to ‘hoover’ up leaves in the courtyard. Fish and chips for dinner tonight. We are now moving back into the season of weeks and short breaks which the cleaners prefer as it means more work for them! Another one will be leaving me next year so I will probably have to think about advertising at some stage.
Macclesfield
On Wednesday I went to Macclesfield with one of the cleaners. She is very good to take shopping as she can question my decisions and offer a second opinion. TJ Hughes was my main destination but we have decided Macclesfield is on the up as new shops do seem to be opening. On the way back over the Cat & Fiddle the heavens opened and the temperature dropped sharply. By the time we got back to our peak district cottages it had cleared up and work on the extension hadn’t been too delayed. Thursday was a much more pleasant day. Swallows have reappeared so the dogs have something to keep them occupied. I spent most of the day on accounts, paying household bills, Bolehill bills, builders bills and WI bills! Th next quarter end for Bolehill accounts is approaching so I like to keep as straight as I can. Joanna and I have been helping organise the trip to Highgrove House next week so there were some more things and phone calls to make in this respect too. A session of the Over Haddon digital workshop was held here and Chris had a few ‘hours off’! At least the showers held off until later in the afternoon. Work is nearly finished on the wooden joists of the roof and the felting and battoning should start on Monday in advance of the roof tiles going on. Another couple of weeks and the basic structure will be completed!
Hartington Photos
Here are the pictures from Sunday on our walk from Hartington near our peak district cottages
Sunshine and showers
Monday felt more autumnal with more showers than sunshine. No cottages out or in of our peak district cottages so in theory a ‘free’ day. Laundry and rubbish to deal with and one cleaner up to do public areas and other tasks with me. I spent the afternoon engrossed in WI finances as it is approaching the year end and I need to prepare a financial statement. Had my regular weekly chat with a friend, who is also a WI treasurer so I think our conversation was mainly WI focused. A hectic day for the extension with my hall window coming out and being bricked up and the roof ridge beams going up and the first of the wooden struts have gone on. Tuesday overall was more sunshine than showers although I got caught in a heavy down pour when in Bakewell in the morning. It felt quite warm but cooler weather is on the way. I had planned to do some spring cleaning in the kitchen but in the end only had time for one cupboard. Have been helping with the organisation of the WI trip to Highgrove House next week (even though I’m not going) so had some phone calls to make.