A murky day outside but plenty going on, relatively. One cottage in our peak district cottages later in the day and having washed the curtains etc I had time to iron them and hang them back up. One cleaner up to turn cottage round. Another quiet weekend. Went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend during which time the guests arrived. In the evening the guests in the cottage came round to say that the log burning stove was making a smell so that is something for Chris to look at tomorrow.

Wednesday saw the departure of one cottage from our peak district cottages. Helped Chris down with the last of the outside lights but otherwise the day went in jobs around the house and cottages. Have been cleaning throws and cushion covers and some curtains. Also took a number of bookings. On Thursday one of our friends arrived for a few days. I had spent the morning doing housework but also with the handyman up and doing some work in one of the cottages I took the opportunity to wash the curtains in there. In the evening we went to the Red Lion at Litton. There is still a lot of snow along the road sides and we still have snow lying in the lee of some walls. More cold weather is on the way.

A misty start at our peak district cottages which never really cleared. First thing our Banking Business Manager called in for a regular chat and review. Late morning we set off for Chesterfield with a long shopping list. Roadworks and accidents meant it took longer to get there than usual. A trot round the shops looking at microwaves, kettles (two went over New Year) and fridges. We did come back with a microwave and two kettles from Currys. Had a nice lunch at the Peacock coffee lounge before doing the rounds of Wilkinson’s and the likes. No time for Dunelm today but called in at Morrison’s on the way back. First time I have done a big supermarket shop since 8 December! No wonder my cupboards have been looking bare!

A nice day was forecast and we felt we could do with a few hours off from our peak district cottages. First did a bottle bank run down to Bakewell and also got a paper. Still a bit icy in the courtyard. Then we decided what to do. A combination of icy tracks and soggy fields meant a walk was out so we drove over to Hathersage. Still a lot of snow around. It seemed like everyone else had the same idea too as initially we couldn’t find anywhere to park. We were thinking about coming back home when we found a space. We had a wander around Hathersage and a bite to eat at the Cintra cafe before returning home. We did see the Mountain Rescue Team head out too. One cottage departed and one arrived about 5pm.

Woke up to the sound of something we hadn’t heard for a long time – rain. So got wet when taking the dogs out. Will be a long thaw. As the rain gauge is frozen I could not tell how much rain we had had but later in the day I noticed it had started to register again. With one cottage due in to our peak district cottages we cleaned that before lunch. The handyman did not come up because he was helping sandbagging in Eyam. The frozen brook cannot take the water coming down from the hills so there is a risk of flooding in parts of the village. After lunch we went down to Bakewell. The drive was still a bit icy as was Andrews drive when we collected the post. The car park in Bakewell was also still quite icy but the streets themselves were fine. Guests arrived about seven and managed to get up the drive into the car park as did we when we got back from Bakewell.

Talk of a gradual thaw from the weekend. Have guests arriving Thursday and Friday so hope they are right. Car re booked (from last Tuesday) for its MOT and service and garage said it was fine to take it around to Sheldon on Tuesday morning. One of the long term guests went round with Chris to bring him back and Blue, not wishing to miss a journey in a car, went too. I helped clear a part of the drive with one of the other guests, but 24 hours later the wind had blown snow back over it. I think we will have to wait until the thaw starts. On both days spent some time doing housework. On Wednesday took some pictures of the icicles when took the dogs for their walk. Another couple of centimetres of snow fell during the day but the cold conditions of the previous night had meant the top layer of snow had frozen and made a strange crunchy noise as we walked through the fields of our peak district cottages. Handyman came up to start maintainance jobs in cottages. He said the road up from Bakewell was treacherous with black ice but it sounded like it was like that everywhere in the area. Spent some time starting to prepare cottages required for weekend. At least on Tuesday we had some visibility again but could do with some sun to melt the snow.

A dusting of snow but more surprisingly the wind had been whipping up the snow and the walls were hardly visible. Neither was the entrance to our peak district cottages. Took dogs for their morning walk for first time in ages and when I was standing in the field I realised a van had gone off the road and into Andrews wall. (It managed to get back and the driver – not hurt – did go and report the accident to Andrew). Ian came up and cleared the drive, their was about 3 foot of snow lying across the entrance. Went down and got the paper, the snow was blowing across the road and it was a bit scary but the snow plough came later and cleared it. When got back the farmers wife had just brought some hay for the sheep. She said the roads were quite bad in places. Chris has said that if they want to leave some extra hay at any time we can always check on the sheep. The lunch time weather forecast for the week ahead wasn’t encouraging. Carried on from yesterday with personal paper work. About 4pm it started to flurry and it flurried and snowed on and off for the rest of the evening. On the early evening and later news on the BBC they showed the A515 near Flagg with the drifts.

Another bright cold sunny day but for me I was feeling rough, I think the cold is finally coming out, so I stayed in bed for a few hours more. I got up at about 11am just as Andrew came and cleared the drive of snow. I was amazed at how much snow was moved. At least our guests arriving into their peak district cottage might be able to gt up the drive. Did last minute check in cottage. Phoned to cancel hair appointment but they were glad I phoned as they were going to have to cancel the appointment as the hairdresser had not been able to get in. Our WI committee meeting due tonight was also cancelled. Guests arrived just after 3pm. Two couples in two cars, one of which just made it to the car park and Chris towed the other up with the discovery. They have been here before and are staying for a month. They live on a mobile home site and have to be off the site for a specified month, January, every year. Chris found he could not get the discovery into reverse gear so had to call Andrew up to tow the car back to the field. A quiet evening and an early night.

Woke up to more of the white stuff and it was still snowing. Handyman reported 3 inches in Eyam already. Due to the snow we have not been able to start our maintenance jobs so hopefully this will not go on for much longer. One cottage out but none due back in to our peak district cottages today but it is required for tomorrow so Chris and I cleaned it. Have been taking down Christmas trees in the cottages as guests leave and the last one came down today as did the one in the house. It is not safe to take down the outside lights so they will be switched off and taken down when possible. Reckon another 3 or so inches fell today. Cooked a roast dinner this evening but did not feel too well again. Forgot to mention when in Bakewell yesterday we talked to the cafe owner where we had lunch. He was thanking the customers as they paid for coming out at eating at his place i this weather. He told us the weather had seen his December takings fall by over 50%. It just shows the impact of this weather. I also thought of other people who will be losing out like window cleaners.