Thursday was my annual inspection day.  As accredited members of Visit Britain the inspection of our peak district cottages confirms that we are meeting current standards and gives us the chance to talk through any issues on standards or gradings.  The inspections are usually very constructive and today the inspector had a look at seven of the cottages and was very satisfied with our continuing progress.  Without accreditation we cannot advertise in the Peak District and Derbyshire Visitor Guide.  The inspection took about three hours and the Inspector also checks our Public Liability Insurance, Access Statement and Fire Risk Assessments.  In the meantime life carried on and one cottage departed with one cleaner up.  After a lite bite for lunch I had a hour or so to catch up with bits before Chris and I went to the East Lodge for afternoon tea.  Our friends had bought us a voucher for an afternoon tea last Xmas so I thought it would be a good opportunity to use it and wind down after the Inspection.  It was a nice tea so we didn’t need any dinner so a chance to catch up with some bits around the house in the evening.

Just a couple of recent pictures from our peak district cottages

On Tuesday I went to an event organised by the Derbyshire WI Federation .  Luckily this was based at Ashford.  I went with Joanna and one of the other ladies from Over Haddon.  Not sure what to expect at our ‘Christmas is coming’ day I was surprised to find there was about 100 of us there to enjoy a morning of seasonal foliage and floral arrangements followed by an afternoon of cookery.  Both sessions were demonstrations but enjoyed by the audience.  The WI is about inspiring women and I now feel inspired to make a stollen!  There was also a superb buffet lunch (of course) provided by the Ashford WI.  Driving back home we could see that the River Wye was already on the flood plain outside Ashford.  After a quick cup of tea I went to Morrisons at Buxton and armed with some recipes bought some ingredients for baking as well as some everyday provisions.  After a couple of wet days Wednesday was the calm before the next storm! Chris and the handyman are continuing their maintenance at our peak district cottages and one cleaner up to prepare a cottage for the weekend.  I prepared my accounts for tonight’s WI AGM as well as preparing for my inspection on Thursday.  In the evening I collected Joanna (after scraping the frost of the car windscreen) and we headed to Over Haddon for the AGM. After I talked through the financial statement I was re-elected as treasurer for next year, at least I will have a better idea of what I’m doing!  We finished off with a fish and chip supper and a quiz and also we had a competition for foliage display in a tea cup.  My outing on Tuesday gave me some ideas even if didnt win!

After such a lovely Sunday Monday was the complete opposite.  Cold windy and wet.  There was even a few centimeters of snow on the Cat & Fiddle by lunchtime.  It did try and sleet here a couple of times.  Business, though had to carry on.  Five cottages out with three back in and two cleaners.  Handyman up today to start on seasonal maintenance at our peak district cottages.  Just as well as the electricians were also back to do an electrical check on the house and extension so we can be given an electrical safety certificate.  The dogs weren’t happy again as lights were going on and off and things were beeping.  Blue disappeared upstairs and when I went to bring him back down Smudge followed too.  In the end it was easier to leave them with their rugs in the cottage the handyman was working in.  Usual Monday tasks too.  All cottages in by 4pm, one has been before.  Electricians finished mid afternoon so dogs were able to come back into the house.  Really got fed up of getting wet as I wnt back and forth to the cottages doing various jobs. The afternoon just seem to fly past.  A lot to do this week.

Up early and decided to head off from our peak district cottages to Derwent Reservoir for a walk.  Although there are still plenty of walks we haven’t done I chose one we had done before because at this time of year we would be on the sunny side of the reservoir.  Even though we got there early most parking spaces were already taken.  It was a lot colder this morning so we donned our winter walking gear.  From the Fairholmes car park we set off towards the dam which was in full flow.  Apparently earlier this week it wasn’t though we must admit that water in the Ladybower reservoir is still low.  We walked along the track towards Howden Dam stopping to admire the colours of the trees and take pictures.  We reckon they are just past their best but it is still beautiful to see.  We then took the path up to Little Howden Moor but veering off to Abbey Bank.  As the path levelled out we found a spot we had lunched at before.  We had to decide if we wanted to lunch with a view or a vista so I opted for the view looking down to Howden Dam.  After lunch we walked across the moor which was not as boggy as we thought before taking a path back down to the reservoir.  There are a choice of paths so we took one we hadn’t  taken before.  This had a steady descent then a concessionary path which I managed quite well.  It did give us some wonderful views over Derwent Dam.  I will have to upload some pictures!  We even came across some interesting fungus.  Just before we reached the track back to Fairholmes Blue refused to go through a gate.  We could not figure out what worried him as there were no animals around so in the end Chris had to put him on the lead to bring him through.  After we left Fairholmes we headed to Hathersage and had a wander round the outdoor shops.  Chris needed a new pair of winter walking trousers and he found some.  I need a new air of summer trousers so will have to wait a while for those.  I could do with a new pair of boots so will have to do some research.  All in all a pleasant weekend!

The last time we had a Saturday off was back in March!  One cottage out and the cleaners had a Saturday off too!  Took the dogs for their morning walk, they didn’t get one yesterday, and took some autumnal pictures around our peak district cottages so must add those.  Had some shopping to do so set off for Matlock.  We stopped at Cauldwells Mill in Rowsley for coffee as we haven’t been there for a while.  We had a look round the craft showrooms and as we had time we also had a look round the 19th century mill itself, which is the last working flour mill in the area.  It still mills and sells flour and some of the machines are quite amazing.  Must remember to suggest this for rainy days!  Once in Matlock had a look at shops along Dale Road including my favourite, the Antiques Centre.  Here we also had a bite to eat.  We also went to Farmers, an electrical store where we bought a few things including a tumble dryer.  Back home and dealt with a few enquiries from guests and over the phone.  An early dinner then off to Over Haddon for their bonfire and fireworks.  Had a chat with our neighbours but one (Andrews neighbours from Over Haddon).  On the way back Chris dropped me off on the drive so I watch the Chatsworth  House fireworks although only the highest ones were visible.

Living in an elevated position has its advantages.  On Bonfire night I can see fireworks for miles around from our peak district cottages.  I watched the display at Stanton in Peak and could even make out their bonfire.  We might go to Over Haddon on Saturday night for theirs and if not find a spot to watch the one at Chatsworth House which is always good.  Friday was a hectic day and the weather followed the pattern established this week with a fine morning but rain by mid afternoon. Three cottages out and four back in with two cleaners up.  One cottage late in departing but no problems experienced with cleaning.  Two electricians here today as well (and the handyman too!) and they finished the wiring.  They had to ‘connect’ the new rooms to the house which meant we were without power until mid afternoon as they had to install a new fuse board.  They also had to shut down the whole site for about half an hour which hampered the hoovering in the cottages but as everyone else was already out or gone it did not cause much inconvenience.  We had coffee in one of the cottages as I had no where to boil a kettle in the house.  The poor dogs were a bit traumatised as power cuts always seem to unsettle them.  Blue took to staying in the garage and Smudge sat on cottage doorsteps looking very forlorn in the wet. Went down to Bakewell late morning to get provisions for the weekend and decided it was one of those days as two cottages arrived (independently) whilst having lunch at 2pm.  Unfortunately I had not finished my chores but they were back and in for 3pm.  One cottage arrived at 6pm and the final one at 8.30 pm.

Wednesday morning was warm enough for me to do some gardening at our peak district cottages.  One cottage out with one back in but cottage already cleaned so no cleaners up.  Electrician here to do bits in laundry area and dogs en suite.  Had an early lunch so I could go down to Bakewell and get hair cut and provisions for next few days. All the talk is off the accident on Monday morning in which a lady was killed (or not).  The road was closed for hours (a friend said it was even mentioned on Radio 2 traffic news).  Back in time for arriving guests but by then it was raining.  Managed to find time to pay some bills and after dinner went to Joanna’s for WI committee meeting.  Thursday was mild, more like an April day than November.  One cleaner up to clean a cottage and public areas.  Decided to clean my car as it was so mild and managed to do so before it rained agin.  Electrician here again and Chris had to go to Buxton to get some electrical bits.  He had to replace a hot water timer in one of the cottages.  Forecast is for a colder weekend. 

Tuesday started promising enough at our peak district cottages but unfortunately it had deteriorated by the afternoon into rain.  Had hoped to do some gardening.  No cottages out but one back in but again two cleaners up to do some cleaning and deep cleaning.  With it being nice I decided to wash a doormat but that ended up drying off inside.  Spent time in cottages putting up curtains, switching lampshades and changing bins and checking gust information folders.  Cottage arrived just after 4pm.  Next year’s prices are now posted on the Internet.  The milk cows are now only out for a few hours a day as the quantity and quality of grass deteriorates and if it stays wet they will go in and stay in until next spring so I’m counting the days until we lose them.  We have lost a few more of the in calf heifers from this side of the road as they have gone home for their confinement.  Only about two dozen left in our fields and only a few more weeks before they go home too as will the hooligans. A lot will depend on the weather over the next couple of weeks.

Talking of weather here are the weather stats for October.  Wettest day was 3rd with 1.04 in but most of the 3.39 in fell in the first three days! October 09 showed 1.84 in.  The warmest day and night was the 8th with highest temp of 15.8 o 10th.  Coldest night 19th with coldest day 20th with lowest temp of -0.3 on the 20th.

Friday was a big departure and arrival day with four cottages out and four back into our peak district cottages.  A bit dull to start with but it brightened up.  Two cleaners up and with all guests out by 10am a quick start was made to cleaning.  Chris popped to Buxton to get some DIY bits whilst I finished off in the cottages.  Two cottages arrived between 3 & 4 pm with two cottages arriving between 5 & 6pm.  One has been before.  Saturday saw three more departures with three arrivals and with two cleaners up I made a dash down to Bakewell for the Farmers Market. A few of the usual stall holders weren’t there but I still got more than enough for the week.  No problems encountered with cleaning and all finished by midday!  Chris cleared some leaves out of the car park and gardens and I showed some existing guests around the cleaned cottages.  Two cottages arrived between 3 & 4 pm and one between 5 & 6pm.  They have been before.  Installed my new washing machine before dinner.  Things are getting there!