Friday was supposed to be a washout so I planned my day accordingly.  In the end the rain didn’t arrive until late afternoon.  A quick foray into Bakewell in the morning to get final bits for the weekend.  Rest of the day went in accounts and bits around the house.  Saturday was a busier day with eight cottages out and five back in.  Three cleaners up.  A bit showery again so Chris unable to cut the grass.  Was just finishing bits when first cottage arrived.  Like last Saturday all guests in by 4pm, three have been before.  More to arrive tomorrow at our peak district cottages.

Although the forecast for Thursday was for plenty of showers they were far more isolated than expected at our peak district cottages.  The morning seemed to go very quickly and after lunch I headed off to Buxton to get some provisions.  When I got back I went with Chris (and Smudge) across the road to help get the cows in for milking.  After this we got dressed up and headed to Haddon Hall where we were going to be presented (along with other Peak District businesses) with a Environmental Quality Mark Certificate.  This is in recognition of a number of factors including our efforts to reuse, recycle and reduce waste, use energy resources efficiently, use and promote local goods and services, help conserve the unique features of the Peak District and for businesses like us use environmentally friendly products where possible.  We had to be assessed and had targets to meet, some in the short term and some longer term. There were about a dozen businesses tonight receiving awards but first there was a little drinks reception and time to mingle.  As it was nice enough we could wander around the gardens of the Hall.  Then there were the presentation of the certificates, I received ours and although Chris took a photo ‘it didn’t get my best side’ (I was posing for the official photographer). We then enjoyed a two course meal using locally produced food.  We sat with another couple, he had won an award for his furniture business in Grindleford and we plan to visit that some time soon.  It was still light when we left just after 9.30 pm, and it doesn’t get dark until about 11 pm, and with a restless night I can tell you it is light at 3 am!

Wednesday was quite warm although cloudy with a few showers at our peak district cottages.  Did some more garden bits in the morning and after lunch went down to Over Haddon to help with the well dressing.  Spent a few hours there putting silver leaf into the clay.  It is quite therapeutic and time passes very quickly once you get going.  Look forward to seeing the final version at the weekend but here is a snap of my handy work.

After such a dismal Sunday it was nice to see some sunshine on Monday at our peak district cottages.  With all cottages in for the week I went down to Bakewell Market with Joanna.  It was the first time I have had a chance to go on a Monday (and probably also the last time until after the summer) but we had a mission.  The Methodist Church does refreshments on a Monday morning and local and charitable organisations are allowed to run a stall selling bric a brac and homemade cakes etc.  Our WI has one scheduled for August and with another local WI having theirs on Monday we thought we would investigate.  We also stopped for a coffee there!  Having got what we needed at the market it was back home and with a pleasant afternoon, having done my usual Monday routines, I spent some more time in the garden.  I have nearly planted out all my plug plants but have some other plants to pot on and some plants from the auction to plant in.  Tuesday was even better weather wise with some guests having breakfast outside!  I spent some more time in the morning with plants as well as chatting to guests.  Nearly there with my plants!  In the afternoon we had a visit from our banking relationship manager after which it was nice enough to have an ice cream on the patio!  We toyed with the idea of going for a picnic for tea but in the end decided to go to the Lathkil Hotel in Over Haddon and have a meal.  It has recently been refurbished and we have always heard good reports about their lunchtime buffet but haven’t eaten there in the evening for a number of years. As it was nice enough we ate outside in the beer garden with the dogs taking in the lovely views.  We both enjoyed our meals and the dogs enjoyed barking at a hot air balloon!  The sheep in the fields haven’t been shorn yet but those at Green Cowden have.  This led to an amusing incident a few days ago when one of the cleaners arrived quite upset as there was a dead sheep at the side of the road.  When we investigated we found it was just a fleece that must have fallen from a lorry.

Friday was a quiet day and despite the dismal forecast it was quite pleasant at our peak district cottages.  One cottage out with one cleaner up and time to do a few jobs around the house.  Saturday was mainly bright with a few light showers during the morning.  Thought I heard a woodpecker when I took the dogs out for their morning walk.  Five cottages out with seven back in and one swapping cottages to stay for a second week.  Had organised four cleaners but one was sick but the three that were here managed to get everything done with time for me to do my jobs.  Chris managed to cut the grass before guests arrived. An orderly rush of arrivals with all of the cottages here between 3 & 4pm.  Four cottages have been before. Sunday was a washout.  What more can I say!

Wednesday was a bright day with the odd heavy shower at our peak district cottages.  Went to Chesterfield with my former cleaner for a bit of retail therapy.  Her daughter also came along as she has a job interview lined up and wanted a new outfit but also wanted my input independent of her mums!  In the evening Joanna picked me up and we went to the village hall for the WI meeting.  This time we had a cookery demonstration -our favourite type of evening – especially as we get to sample the cooked fare! Thursday morning saw us visit the dentist in Bakewell and with the afternoon being quite sunny and warm both Chris and I spent time doing things around the grounds and gardens.

More spring like than June with a more unsettled week forecast at our peak district cottages, can hope for the best though.  Monday saw one departure with one arrival and one cleaner up.  With the weather turning out better than forecast I spent some time planting out some more plants in troughs around the grounds.  Guests arrived about 4pm.  After dinner I headed to the Over Haddon Village Hall for the regular committee meeting.  Plenty to discuss including the approaching well dressings.  I might even go petalling again!  Tuesday was another quiet day with a few more showers although I did manage to get some more plants out.  Most of the afternoon went in accounts, Bolehill, personal and WI!  At least they are all up to date and this months bills paid.

May weather stats. 3 in rain with 2 days, 9th and 26th having .47 in and the 7th having .46 in. Wetter than May 2010 which only had .76 in.  Warmest day was 6th with highest temp of 18.8 on that date. Warmest night was the 7th.  Lowest temperature was 1.9 on the 3rd with coldest night 2nd and coldest day 15th. Had a high UV of 7.2

Another busy Saturday at our peak district cottages and a fresher day after the last few days. Seven cottages out with six due back in but an early morning phone call resulted in a last minute booking so seven cottages arrived!  Three have been before, one is staying for two weeks and one couple are from Australia.  Three cleaners up and cleaning finished in time. The dogs had to say goodbye to a couple of their fans. Chris cut the lawns and Andrew moved the cows into different fields.  Five cottages arrived between 3 and 4 pm with final two between 4 and 5 pm.  Sunday was bright and breezy and was an ‘at home’ day.

So nice I didn’t even need my cardigan on Friday morning!  Took the dogs out for their early constitution and took the camera as the rowing and collecting was now taking place on this side of the road.  One cottage out and one moving into the vacated cottage to stay for another week.  One cleaner up to turn cottage round. Went down to Bakewell to get provisions for weekend, it was very busy. After lunch did some more bits around the house and garden as well as having a look at the progress of silaging.  Another big changeover on Saturday so plenty to do. Here are some more photos – it’s been quite a week for photos.  Later in the evening the Virgin balloon sailed past around the back and Chris went to take some pictures just as a biplane flew over.  Typical, the one time I don’t go to see a balloon I miss a photo opportunity at our peak district cottages.

Thursday was a glorious day which was spent on bits round the house and garden at our peak district cottages.  In particular I brought the hanging baskets out of the green house and down to a sunny spot outside one of the cottages where they can harden off for a few days.  I still have a number of plants waiting to go out in troughs etc so hopefully I can start on those soon. Had my first ice cream in a while!  Silaging is continuing with rowing up and collecting also starting to take place.  When I took the dogs out for their early morning walk I could see some of the big machines arriving on the farm. The Tissington well dressings started today and with the warm weather thought it would be a good idea to see them asap.  As it will be busy during the day we went late afternoon when it was less crowded and easier to take photos.  There are always some side stalls like the Ashboune Animal Rescue and local residents have stalls selling home made produce, but the village also has a renowned butcher who was open late so we were able to get some provisions.  We also saw the lord of the manor having a wander round.  Later in the evening the weather was good enough for some balloons to take to the sky.  This got the dogs going!  Enjoy the photos.