A weekend of shopping – of sorts!  Up early on Saturday to take friend down to Farmers Market, was busy and they had nearly run out of meat pies on one of the stalls.  Probably all the holiday makers added to the crowds.  After that we had a little walk around Bakewell.  Our friend does various crafts so she wanted to have look round the Needlecraft shop.  I then got my fix of shopping by swinging into the Auction Room on the way home where the latest general auction was in progress but nothing of interest to me.  At home cleaning was well under way with four more cottages departing and two arriving back later in the day.  Two cleaners up as more cottages are required over the next few days.  Guests arrived between 4 and 5 pm, one has been before.  By now it had clouded up a little as it had got off to a sunny start. Finished the day with a Chinese takeaway and looked forward to the extra hour in bed.  Up nice and early (well the clock said it was!) and took the dogs for a walk before two cottages departed.  It was a bit dull but we thought we would go out for a few hours after Chris had reset all the clocks in our peak district cottages.  Not having been able to order some plants on line I decided a trip to a garden centre was in order.  We called in at Bakewell to get the paper then headed over to the Matlock Garden Center.  We had a wander round and decided what we wanted before having a coffee then  purchasing a number of plants and other items.  By now the sun had come out and it was quite pleasant.  We had taken the dogs with us as we thought we might get a little stroll in, our friend is not into walking.  From here we headed over to Cromford Mill where we were able to walk around the site and pop into the shops before we walked into Cromford itself.  Our first port of call was Scarthin’s Bookshop, a real treasure trove for book lovers and then we walked back into Cromford where we found a few more shops to visit.  Of particular interest was a bead shop, Chris reckoned we spent a total of an hour in there although I think that is an exaggeration, but both friend and I came away with a selection of beads and accessories to make some necklaces.  Home in time to find a cottage had not long arrived and were settling in, they have been before, but I had phoned them and said they could let themselves in if we were not back by the time they arrived. Had a roast dinner and a quiet evening in reading the paper although we did watch the programme on BBC4 about off roading in the Peak District. Here is a  picture from Cromford.

Wednesday was another lovely day so took advantage of it and spent a lot of time in the garden and grounds and tidying up the green house for winter.  Had wanted to order some pansies for spring but discovered it was too late so will have to reconsider the spring planting.  A tree surgeon also came up to look at our trees so we can plan which need some work doing to them.  Discovered another casualty from when cow 865 went on the rampage, will send her the bill for a new pot!  She also ate some of my geraniums in the trough at the bottom of the drive.  One cottage in later in the afternoon and in the evening Joanna collected me and we went to Great Longstone for the Lathkill Group WI evening.  Like the event we hosted back in March, Great Longstone provided a supper and we had a guest speaker.  We also had a speaker from Derbyshire WI HQ who updated us on various events locally and nationally.  Our main speaker had travelled independently in south east Asia and gave us an interesting talk accompanied by slides.  Thursday was a contrast with it being dull and drizzly all day. One cleaner up to keep up with cleaning in public areas and other house keeping duties.  With less occupancy coming up in the run up to Christmas the cleaner and I will be putting together a schedule of deep cleaning and other jobs to be done in the coming months.  With our friend arriving later in the day Chris and I had a blitz in the house before her arrival.  Once she had arrived we went down town to get some provisions for the next few days and had a relaxing evening. Another nice sunrise over the mist on Friday and took some shots of the autumn colour (looking down from top of garden) and cows in the mist when I took the dogs for a walk.  Three cottages out and one back in later in the day and one cleaner up.  Took our friend to Buxton in the afternoon and had a wander round in the sunshine.  As our guests were not due to arrive until very late in the evening we did not need to rush back.  They have been before and were happy to let themselves in so we had another restful evening at our peak district cottages.  Almost like being on holiday ourselves!

For the end of October it was pleasantly mild.  Sunday was breezy too.  Had thought about a walk but woke up with a bit of a cold so had a quiet day.  That is after getting the paper, recycling and paying this quarters VAT bill!  Took the dogs for a walk around the fields to get some fresh air and luckily nobody tried to phone our peak district cottages when the last episode of Spooks was on.  Monday had a nice sunrise, sorry no photos, and was a busier day with three cottages out and three back in.  One cleaner up and usual Monday routines.  Chris also cleared the courtyard and car park of leaves in advance of any rain during the week and also used the mower to clear the lawns.  Cottages arrived about 4pm one has been before. Tuesday was a catch up day and with our next anniversary approaching of our arrival at Bolehill there are many things up for annual renewal so had some more bills to pay too!  Went down town in the afternoon to get some provisions for the next few days and with a friend arriving later in the week made sure she has a tidy room to sleep in. Should be able to take advantage of the continuing good weather in the next few days.  Noticed we still have plenty of mushrooms, Andrew says its the best year for many a year and have discovered that it is legal for anyone to come and pick the mushrooms, even without my permission, providing they are for personal use only. (Theft Act 1968).

Monday was quite a blustery day at our peak district cottages.  Two cottages out with two returning later in the day.  One cleaner up to keep up with cleaning and the morning just seemed to fly by.  Kept busy with emails and phone calls and odd jobs around the cottages.  Final checks before guests arrived between 4 and 5 pm.  One has been before.  In the evening Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Club and I planned the rest of the week.  Tuesday was brighter but colder with passing heavy showers.  Did some accounts in the morning, paying this months bills, and in the afternoon went down to Bakewell getting some provisions for the next few days.  The post brought back my WI accounts which the auditor was very happy with.  Wednesday was a much brighter day.  Should have taken my camera for the morning walk with the dogs as would have got a nice shot of a rainbow near Monyash.  Got my WI accounts up to date then did the final checks on the cottage before today’s guests arrived about 3pm.  Chris spent an hour or so in the afternoon sorting out a friends computer and I did some general paper work.  A clear evening, a frost is expected, Chris went to try and get some sunset shots but the sky was not good enough.  Have been trying to sit down a little earlier in the evenings lately, the Sky+ has only 3% left to record on so I have had to do some pruning and start watching all these programmes I have recorded.  Still got 48 episodes of Scrubs to watch!

I can see why people suffer from SAD.  I am missing some bright weather!  Sunday started off reasonably bright but by mid afternoon it was drizzling.  One cottage out with one returning so Chris and I turned the cottage round.  It was warm enough to have morning coffee on the patio! With guests arriving promptly (they have been before) we spent the rest of the afternoon filling out our business and personal tax returns.  The forecast for the next few days showed the border between the fine and dreary weather over us and I had hoped Monday would be dry, at least to start with.  Yet again by mid morning the drizzle had set in.  Three cottages out with none returning but one cleaner up to get some cleaning underway.  I had arranged to meet my WI Financial Auditor in Buxton and with no arrivals Chris and I went to Buxton for lunch, where it was raining quite heavily, before meeting my Auditor briefly and handing over the annual accounts for checking.  We then came back via Morrisons and stopped at the new B&Q which has opened in place of the Focus branch which closed a few months ago.  At least it means we have a DIY store back in Buxton.  Tuesday was no better but we did get a glimpse of blue sky. First of all we finished off the tax returns then I finished checking the cottage where we were expecting arrivals, they arrived about 3pm.  Next I had planned to do some housework but one of our guests called in to say there was a cow in the garden.  Suitably dressed Chris and I went outside in the rain and manged to encourage her back into the field only for her to turn round and jump back over the wall into the garden.  The cows had been sheltering up near the greenhouse and could have easily knocked a part of the wall over as they shuffled around.  To stop 885 coming back in I stayed by the wall and waited for Chris to go and fetch a stretch of electric fence from Andrew.  Smudge came and joined me and did his cow dog routine and cleared them away when Chris came back.  Forgot to take my camera but Chris took some shots and Smudge has blogged his version too.  It looks like the weather could improve later in the week at our peak district cottages, I hope so as I’m getting fed up of getting wet, wiping the floors and drying the dogs!

Wednesday and Thursday were catch up days, spent on accounts, WI and Bolehill, and general business matters too although I went down to Joanna’s for this months WI committee meeting in the evening.  Thursday was quite a breezy day and with one cottage departing one cleaner up.  I went down to Bakewell for a haircut and to get provisions for the weekend.  Chris went to Over Haddon in the afternoon and in the evening we went to the Opera House at Buxton.  On the way back it was raining really hard and there was a lot of debris on the roads (leaves, branches etc) and I thought I saw some flashes in the sky.  When we got back there were two traumatised dogs and indications of a power cut.  We got confirmation on Friday morning there had been a squally downpour with thunder and lightening.  The amount of leaves in the courtyard were a testament to that!  Four cottages out and four cottages back in and two cleaners up.  Guests arrived between 3.30 and 5.30, two have been before.  Chris found time to clear the courtyard of leaves.  Saturday was quite a dreary day at our peak district cottages and with the drizzle persisting Chris didn’t get a chance to clear the garden of leaves.  Two cottages out and one cleaner here.  Four cottages back in during the afternoon.  Three arrived between 3.30 and 4pm and final one about 6.30.  Three have been before.  We had a surprise visitor late morning.  When we had most of the work done in the cottages when we first came here we had a team of lads stay with us for a while while they worked here and one was in the area today so he called in with his girlfriend.  Nice to see he is doing well. Oh, and we have the young heifers (hooligans) back in the front field so let’s see how long it is before we have a problem with them!

Monday was a day of arrivals at our peak district cottages with five cottages in.  One cleaner up to finish any required cleaning.  Still quite pleasant day weather wise.  Guests started to arrive just after 3pm, one has been before.  Had expected a very late arrival so had cancelled my attendance at the Over Haddon Village Hall Committee although in the end they arrived late afternoon.  Chris went out to the Bakewell Photographic Club in the evening.  Tuesday was a lot fresher but it was our day off.  We had been meaning to try a cycle ride on the Monsal Trail since it opened and we decided it would be quieter by now.  When we have walked on the trail we have seen dogs accompany cyclists so we thought our two would also enjoy an outing.  We had thought about hiring electric bikes but was told you have to book at least a week in advance – more in high season!  I noticed they had tricycles as well as tandems.  We booked two adult bikes and after I had a practise ride around the Hassop Station car park we set off towards Buxton.  It must have been confusing for the dogs as were able to keep up with them.  Also being on a bike meant I couldn’t keep stopping to admire the scenery or take photos!  For the first time too we went through the Headstone Tunnel under Monsal Head.  I wasn’t sure if I was very unfit as I was finding the cycling quite difficult until Chris pointed out that the trail from Hassop to Millers Dale was actually uphill (not noticeable if you are walking it).  I had had enough by the time we got to Millers Dale even though we had stopped a couple of times.  We used one of the picnic benches at Millers Dale to have lunch and were joined at the neighboring tables by a walking group who we had passed.  The dogs were happy as they realised they could cadge some food from some other people!  We then set off back to Hassop Station and for most of the way were able to freewheel!  Despite it only being mid afternoon the amount of walkers and cyclists had already decreased.  Time for afternoon tea at Hassop Station and here are a few pictures that I did take including the entrance to Headstone Tunnel where suddenly there were people around!

Strange to be wearing a sundress on 1st October but it was warm enough to do so.   Seven cottages out of our peak district cottages with only two back in but four cleaners up as we have a busy day on Monday and thought it best to get as many done as possible just in case.  No major problems encountered.  Guests arrived between 4 and 5 pm, both have bee before.  After an early dinner we headed to Matlock.  Every Saturday night at this time of year the Matlock Bath Illuminations take place. (This is a display of miniature illuminated and decorated boats on the River Derwent).  Although we have been to see them a few years ago they do end the evening every other weekend with a firework display and we had heard about a good place to see them.  So did the rest of Matlock by the amount of cars there!  Still we did get a good view of them.  A lovely sunrise on Sunday morning as I set off for the car boot at Lady Manners with one of the cleaners.  A bit cloudier which kept the temperatures down but better for car booting.  In the afternoon we went to Cromford and having got the date right this time were able to see the Leawood Pump in action.  There was more to see than I thought and it is worth a visit if you are in the area and it is open.  Of course we had to stop for afternoon tea at Cromford Wharf.  We had to finish off our tea inside as it started to drizzle so the dogs had to watch from the outside although I think Smudge fell asleep in the doorway!   Enjoy the pictures.