Despite the forecast we had a wonderful sunny morning and after the peak district cottage guests had departed we set off for Hopton Hall near Carsington Water.  The grounds are open every year for their snowdrop display but this year they extended their opening dates because of the snowdrops late arrival.  I think we timed it right because I thought they were at their peak.  They also open their grounds in the summer and although we have been before a number of years ago, it is a nice location and worth visiting again.  I took a number of pictures and will post some.  One of the unusual features is their ‘crinkle crankle’ wall; a wavy wall in other words!  From here it was just a short journey across to Carsington Water where we took the dogs for a walk after lunch.  Back home and a busy afternoon of emails and phone calls before our guests arrived at our peak district cottages just before 4pm.  I had forgotten to get some dinner out of the freezer so Chris took me out for dinner.  We thought we ought to go somewhere we hadn’t been for a long time and in the end settled for the White Lion at Great Longstone.  It has been six years since we were last here and it has recently been taken over by new owners.  We had a nice meal and will add it to our recommended list.

On Wednesday I went to Leek with one of the cleaners and a shopping list.  I drove to Leek – getting very brave.  There is still a lot of snow along the Buxton to Leek road but all the little bits of snow along our walls have finally disappeared.  Came back with most bits.  In the evening went to Joanna’s as it was WI committee.  Today was another bright cold day.  One cottage in to our peak district cottages who have been here before.  One cleaner up to turn cottage round.  Spent some time finishing off boxing up the old spare crockery for a charity which will collecting bits at the weekend.  Chris went to Over Haddon for the digital photography.  Could have taken a picture of a nice sunset.

Dithered over what to wear today as it looked so nice outside but the weathermen were warning not to be deceived.  Still I could feel the warmth of the sun when I took the dogs for their walk and I went out with one layer less of clothes!  Another sign of spring this morning when I heard the first curlew. No cottages in or out of our peak district cottages today so a chance to catch up with jobs around the house and cottages.  Caught one of the guests sitting outside in the garden area!  It was nice enough, even I was tempted to take a cup of tea and sit outside.  Popped down to Bakewell to get some provisions and do some banking.  First of this year’s new brochures have been delivered with the leaflets for Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall have arrived.

a bright Saturday with strong winds and rain possibly preceded by snow for Sunday.  Saturday dawned bright but by the time I was leaving the Farmers Market it was a bit drizzly.  Had a good time at the market as usual and I like the fact that many of the stallholders I visit every month recognise me.  I always like to have a quick chat if I can.  One cottage into our peak district cottages on Saturday and one cleaner up.  By lunchtime it was quite misty and it never really cleared.  Cottage arrived about 3.30, he has been here before.  Our Dutch family left today.  In the evening we went to Buxton to see a Led Zeppelin tribute band.  Although not my kind of music they were enjoyable.  With bad weather forecast for Sunday we had planned a day in.  We are finishing off sorting out Chris’s parents affairs so it was a good a day as any to be at home.  There were some initial flurries but by mid morning it had brightened up and the rest of the day remained quite pleasant, in fact a nice day for a walk!

A bright day with  a few wintry showers but none settled for long.  One cleaner u to clean a couple more of our peak district cottages.  For me it was the busiest day for bookings so far this year although I wont complain about that but it did mean that the curtains I was going to take up and hang up today did not get done.  Also popped down to Bakewell to get some bits.  Finally sat down in time for CSI.  Wednesday was again bright but the wintry showers eventually left their mark with a light covering in places.  In the morning went to Chesterfield with a list of things to get and we came back with most of them. In the evening went to Over Haddon WI with Joanna.  For the first time I sat on the ‘top table’ with the President and the Secretary (Joanna!) and had to speak as Treasurer.  I had spent some time today making sure I had everything with me and knew what I had to do.  It was my busy night as subscriptions were due and I was also doing the refreshments with Joanna.  Or speaker tonight was a local lady who talked about Reiki.  Sounds like something I could do with!

Sunday was another dreary but dry day.  No guests in or out of our peak district cottages so a chance to catch up on bits around the house and personal bits.  Also did some WI preparation work for my formal debut as Treasurer next week.  Went down to Bakewell to get the paper and whilst in the Spa got involved in a group conversation about the future of the Bakewell Post Office.  Currently located in the Spa the contract will not be renewed in September.  The Post Office is looking for an alternative location in Bakewell but the question is where.  In the evening we went to Buxton to see a performance of Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers which has one of opera’s loveliest duets (in my opinion).  It was a beautiful performance by the Swansea City Opera.  Discovered on Monday that one of our departing guests had also been.  A bit brighter on Monday but with a biting wind.  Five cottages out but only one back in today but the forecast is not too promising for this week.  Two cleaners up to keep up with cleaning as we are busy next weekend.  Usual Monday chores with laundry and rubbish collections.  Chris and the handyman started some work in one of the cottages and I found some time to get some chores done.  Another trip to Buxton but this time to see a local photographer who was talking about and displaying some of his nature, travel and adventure photographs. There were some very good shots.  Arrived in Buxton just as a heavy snow shower did so left the car at the market place and walked down to the Opera House just in case the road got so bad that we could not drive back up! Luckily there wasn’t any more snow by the end of the perfomance.

Another bright day.  No departures from our peak district cottages but two cottages in later today.  One has been before. A busy morning with laundry, rubbish collection and oil delivery.  One cleaner up and also the handyman to do some maintenance in one of the cottages.  A brief snow shower in the afternoon but nothing settled.  Both guests in before dark.  After dinner Chris went to Bakewell for the Photographic Socity and I caught up with accounts and paperwork not finishing until nearly 10pm.

Weather stats for January.  Highest temp 6.2 deg C on 27/1, lowest temp -5.8 deg C on 7/1.  Coldest day was 3/1 with night of 6/1 the coldest.  Warmest day 22/1 with night of 18/1 warmest. Wettest day was 16/1 with  .49 in and total for Jan 1.50 in compared with 3.58 in Jan last year.

A white start to the day, but from frost not snow. Took about 10 minutes to clear the car windscreens so I could get down to Bakewell for the Farmers Market. It was quite busy for January I thought. One cleaner up to prepare a couple of cottages for the next few days. Time to do some odd jobs around our peak district cottages before a quiet evening in.

After a couple of quiet days at our peak district cottages I had a busier day. One cottage out and a couple of last minute bookings for the weekend on Thursday meant extra work on Friday but with a couple of cottages already prepared there wasn’t a lot of cleaning to do on Friday. So the cleaner up today and I also spent some time looking at jobs to be done in the cottages and started planning a schedule of things to do. Two cottages arrived between 3 & 4 pm and the final cottage arrived about 6.30 pm. A cold weekend is forecast and today it was crystal clear with lovely colours at sunset and the brightest moon I have seen for a long time.

A misty Monday with one cottage into our peak district cottages later in the day. One cleaner up this morning to turn a cottage round. Usual Monday chores. A busy day with phone calls and emails, so much so that I didn’t sit down until nearly 10 pm. Wont complain though! Tuesday saw a sunny day and took friend to Chesterfield. Went to Booker’s and Dunelm (at last!) Back later in the afternoon and again busy with phone calls and emails but sat down in time to watch CSI!