With another dull day forecast we trawled our list of things to do and decided to visit the Potteries.   When I looked at the map I realised how close they were, there are always leaflets available on the various factories.  We set off for Stoke via Leek but en route to Leek stopped at a tea room by the Roaches for a coffee.  We haven’t walked at the Roaches for a couple of years.  From the tearoom we could see the Titesworth reservoir despite the gloom, but on a clear day you can see the Black Mountains apparently.  At Stoke our first port of call was the Potteries Museum which I decided was as good as any place to get acquainted with the history of the area. In addition to information on the processes of making pottery there were displays of pottery through the ages and ceramics from the various factories.  There was also a Spitfire on display – the designer originated from the area but the most interesting display was some of the items from the Staffordshire Hoard   http://www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk/   which are still on display following a recent exhibition.  There are plans for some of the Hoard to be on permanent display at this museum.  There was also an exhibition on a local Methodist chapel which was featured in the 2003 Restoration TV series and has undergone a dramatic restoration since the programme was aired.  After a light lunch we walked through the centre of Stoke in search of one of the other museums.  This was the Dudson Museum which is housed in the bottle oven of the old factory.  This was a fascinating way of displaying the history of the company and of various ceramics.  We then drove a little further north in the town to visit a couple of the factory shops.  When we left Stoke it took us 50 minutes to get back home. Chris was able to put together his new toy, a spreader, which can also be used for salt as well as for fertiliser.  Chatted to some of the guests about the events of last night at our peak district cottages and of course exercised our democratic right and went down to Bakewell to vote.           

A catch up morning for me at our peak district cottages while Chris borrowed one of Andrew’s tractors to do some log splitting.  Had planned to pay bills etc in the afternoon but the last of my hanging basket plants arrived so I planted up a few more baskets, will finish off on Friday.  Just need the nice weather to put them outside!  In the evening I collected Joanna and we went to our WI President’s house for our monthly committee meeting.  When we were coming back we could see there was a blue flashing light on our drive but as it was dark I didn’t know which emergency service it was.  As I was dropping Joanna off Andrew came out and said there had been a lot of police cars and the police helicopter at our property because of a drunk driver.  I had to drive up the field to get to the car park, there were two police cars and a recovery vehicle on the drive.  When I found Chris he said that a vehicle had driven up the field into the back field (the gate was open) followed by a police car, but as the officer was alone he called for back up which arrived in the form of the police helicopter, another police car and some police dogs but the driver had already escaped.  All this excitement and I wasn’t here!

Up early and to Chatsworth House for a training session on customer service – never to late to learn.  By he time I emerged at lunchtime it was very busy at the House.  They are already getting the grounds ready for the Horse Trials in a couple of weeks time.  Stopped at the farm shop to pick up some food for lunch then back home where Chris and the handyman were repairing the roof to the log store.  One cottage in to our peak district cottages just after 3pm then I went down to Bakewell. Another busy day of emails and phone calls so some more bookings too. 

Sunday was a quiet day, cold and cloudy but at least not wet.  (Sister said it rained all morning in Watford).  Decided it was too cold for a walk so tackled bits around the house.  Went down to Bakewell to get the paper and called in at the Tourist Office as the Bakewell Photographic Circle have a display for the next few weeks.  One of the pictures on display was the portrait of Chris that was a part of an award winning panel at a regional competition.  One cottage out this morning.  Monday dawned bright and breezy and overall wasn’t as cold as Sunday.  Five cottages out with four back into our peak district cottages later in the day.  Two cleaners up to get five cottages done.  Good progress was made so a chance to do some odd jobs too.  No rubbish or laundry collections as it was a Bank Holiday (for most!)  Three cottages arrived between 3&4 pm.  Two have been before.  Final cottage arrived just before 7pm.  In the meantime did some accounts and paper work. Busy afternoon for emails and phone calls which were still coming through late in the evening.  Decided to sit down at 9pm and watch Ashes to Ashes from Friday and news before responding to more emails.  With all the excitement of the auction forgot to mention that some cows finally arrived on this side of the road.  Typical that they would arrive when I’m not here! Another one of my purchases at the auction was some oak saplings, I call this my bit for the future.

So the day of the plant auction finally arrives but it is also a busy changeover day with three cottages out and four back into our peak district cottages.  Three have been before.  Having left the changeover in the hands of two cleaners Chris dropped me off at the auction room where one of our guests were also inspecting the lots.  There was a plenty of plants this year so I ended up staying for most of the auction.  When Chris came to collect me I was able to fill up the car with plants and a milk churn that I got at a very good price.  Got back before 3pm and did a quick check of the cottages before taking some pictures of my purchases.  First two cottages arrived just after 3pm with the final two just before 5pm.  Showed some prospective guests around the cottages before guests arrived.  Despite the forecast the weather held well into the evening, it was good enough for one cottage to eat breakfast outside and for one brave cottage to have a BBQ in the evening!

A busy day with four cottages out and four back in our peak district cottages.  Two cleaners up this morning and no problems encountered.  Went down to Bakewell to get provisions for weekend.  Chris installed new hob and I hung up new pictures I bought the other day.  A day of sunshine and showers – just what the farmers need.  Andrew has made all the walls stock proof and has said that the cows will start coming over on the next fine day we have.  The window cleaner also came today.  First two guests arrived between 3&3.30 with the third an hour later.  Two have been here before.  With the M1 closed due to an accident at this end earlier on my final guests were held up an didn’t arrive until 10pm.

Wednesday was a quieter day.  With a warm day forecast I washed another duvet.  Chris had planned to spread some weedkiller/fertiliser on the lawn but the spreader broke so we went to Focus in Buxton to see what they had.  Unfortunately they had nothing suitable but we did buy a replacement hob, which was on offer, for one of the cottages.  Came back via Longnor where we stopped for lunch and when we got back found more plants had been delivered so spent some time in the greenhouse potting on plants whilst Chris cut the grass.  I had planned a walk for Thursday but the forecast was for rain so in the end we opted for a visit to Sudbury Hall which is abut 10 miles south of Ashbourne.  On the road out of Ashbourne we stopped at the garden centre in the hunt for a spreader but again nothing suitable so Chris will have to hunt on the Internet. We had a coffee break and I bought some planters and plants and checked prices as the annual plant auction is on Saturday and I am hoping to make some purchases this year.  We parked at the car park for the Hall, which is a short walk from the Hall and which also has the recently revamped Museum of Childhood in its buildings.  After buying tickets we thought we would walk around the grounds and visit the church whilst it was still dry.  We then went to the Museum of Childhood which was quite a nostalgia trip!  In the museum they have a ‘Victorian schoolroom’ area and we observed a small group of school children ‘being educated’ in a Victorian manner with a slate board and chalk!  After a bite for lunch we toured the Hall which has some amazing plasterwork.  Photos can be taken (without flash) so some photos will appear soon.  There was some slow moving traffic on the way back so we stopped at Hartington and visited the Cheese Shop and had a walk around the village in the drizzle.  With a busy weekend ahead in our peak district cottages spent some time preparing for the next few days.

From now and for the next few weeks our changeovers are mainly going to be Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays so hopefully a little more time to be had during the week.  On Friday we had three cottages depart with three back in to our peak district cottages later in the day.  Two cleaners up and with no problems encountered and no trip to Bakewell required I found I had time to pot on some more plants.  Only bulbs to put in the ground but with less than an inch of rain this month the ground is too hard.  Had a minor panic this morning as I couldn’t see the cows but it turns out they have already been moved to another field.  Two cottages in just after 3pm, one has been before, and with a gap until final arrival, time for normal household chores!  Final cottage arrived just after 7pm.  Saturday was forecast to be the warmest day of the year so far.  Chris took dogs out for their morning walk so I could get laundry out of the way before heading down to the Farmers Market. Four cottages out this morning with three back in.  One cottage booked again for next year so I have my first booking for 2011!  Two cleaners up and all completed in good time. One cleaner is due to go on holiday next week so we hope there will be no more problems with air travel. Two cottages in just after 3pm with final cottage before 4pm, one has been before. Planned a walk for tomorrow and took the dogs for their evening walk.  It was a really pleasant evening and a warm day.  More to come I hope!

On Wednesday I went to Macclesfield with one of the cleaners.  I had my list of things to get plus a toaster to return.  Didn’t get as much on the list as I had hoped but never mind.  There was still one hollow with snow left in it on the road over the Cat & Fiddle.  When I got back I found that a load of my hanging basket plants had arrived.  So most of Thursday was spent potting up plants.  One cottage out of our peak district cottages.  Half of the hanging baskets are done now.  Another nice day so enjoyed the view from the greenhouse while I potted away!  A number of bookings today so that was a nice bonus too!

Monday was quite dismal and cold and we had our first drop of rain in nearly two weeks.  Only a drop though.  We have had less than an inch of rain this month.  Not good for the farmers.  One cottage out of our peak district cottages with two due back in later on.  One cleaner up and cottages ready for first guests arrival at 3pm.  Second cottage arrive about 5pm.  Cooked a roast dinner and Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Society and I paid this months bill and did other paper work until 10pm.  Tuesday was mainly an ‘at home’ day with  foray down to Bakewell.  Although brighter there was still a biting wind.  Spent some time on WI matters too.  In the evening went to Buxton to see Mark Beaumont at the Opera House.  He has recently been on BBC1 with his series on Cycling the Americas.  I hadn’t recorded it but wish I had now.  He gave a very interesting talk on his cycling expedition around the world (he currently holds the record for the quickest circumnavigation of the world by bike) and also his Americas expedition. Most programmes finish by 10pm but this one went on until nearly 10.30pm – but the audience enjoyed it.