A better day weather wise. Both B&B’s out as well as two cottages, one this morning and one this evening. Both B&B back in but first we went to get the paper from Ashford so we could look at the well dressings. Ashford is usually one of the better ones with about six dressed wells. The village was busy with walkers and people admiring the wells. There was also a flower festival in the church which I enjoyed. We came back and turned the rooms round ready for our guests who have been here before. They turned up about 4pm. Cooked a roast dinner and sat down for 8pm although the phone did ring a few times.
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May 17 Happy Birthday to me
Wake up and its raining! It always rains at some stage on my birthday. Birthday it may be but its a Saturday and plenty to do. Three cottages out with five back in and two cleaners up. One has been here before. Stopped for coffee and cake, Chris had popped into Bakewell to pick up some cake, before finishing the cleaning. It was still miserable and cold when the first two cottages arrived at 3pm. The next one arrived about 3.30 and the final two about 5pm. Had a Chinese take away for dinner and sat down about 8pm. Today has been the coldest day this month
Friday 16 May Dambusters remembered
Today is the 65th anniversary of the Dambusters raid. Today they had a special service at Ladybower with three fly pasts. One would be a Lancaster only with two fly pasts accompanied by modern jets. We had had some jets fly over during the last day or two, which spooked the dogs, but could not think why they were this way. The last time we saw one was two years ago when we were helping bring some heifers across for the first time. We had rounded them up on Andrews side and suddenly this jet flew over low and fast and two dozen heifers were suddenly scattered over a couple of acres and we had to spend twenty minutes rounding them up again. There were rumours that the fly past would proceed down the Derwent Valley, in which case there was a chance we might catch a glimpse from here. It was much cooler today with drizzle in the air so although we could hear the planes in the distance we did not see them. I spent about half an hour poised with the camera but to no avail.
Back to reality and today four cottages and one B&B out with two cottages and two B&B back in. A trip down town to get weekends provisions and two cleaners up. B&B’s arrived late afternoon and cottages early evening. One has been here before. Compared to last weekend the forecast wasn’t nice, but then its my birthday so I expect no less!
Thursday 15 May
An expensive day. One B&B and one cottage out. The cottage have booked again for next year. After I had done my usual chores I took the car down to the Tyre Specialists at Rowsley. Its where we always go for tyres and send our guests there if they have problems with tyres. Decided the front tyres needed replacing and whilst they were doing that I popped across to the Peak Village Outlet Centre. Three pairs of shoes later, one is for my holiday, I collected the car and went home and did a quick lunch so Chris could go down to his digital photo session. Whilst he was out I did some housework and paid any outstanding bills this month. After dinner got Chris to enter some accounts and I looked at what was needed to bring our accounts up to date before sitting down for Heroes.
Wednesday 14 May
A lot more going on today. Up and with early breakfasts ready to go to Buxton shopping by 10.30. Chris decided to come with me. We stopped in Cafe Nero for a drink then got a few bits in town before coming back via Morrisons. Had lunch before my next cottage guests arrived With Andrew and Joanna away for a few days Chris went down with Smudge to ensure the cows went in for milking, as he did yesterday. Unfortunately today he lost one of his caps, thought he had put it in his pocket but must of fallen out. I cooked dinner for us and Ian and also sausage rolls for the WI. Went down to WI where today’s meeting was about the resolutions to be discussed at the WI AGM in Liverpool. After that we had an update about he plans for the village hall. We then had a couple of games of card bingo and our supper. Home by 10.30. While I was out Geoff called round to see Chris and brought some spare plants for our pond.
Tuesday 13 May
Another quieter day with no-one in or out today. Usual bits in morning as well as a trip down to Bakewell. After lunch we cleaned a carpet in an empty cottage as well as doing some other maintenance and gardening jobs. Some paper work in evening and sitting down by 9pm.
Monday 12 May
After all the excitement of the last few days it was a lot quieter today and a lot fresher. Two cottage out and two back in as well as both B&B in, one of which has been before. Two cleaners up this morning and no problems encountered. After lunch spent some time planting out some bedding plants. They have come on so well I have decided to take the risk. Chris went and got some more compost and we did a few more plants in pots. First guests arrived about 2.30 and then the rest all arrived from 5-5.30pm. After dinner did a few bits and sat down for Waking the Dead.
Sunday 11 May the trouble with cows pt 2
Hottest day of the year so far forecasted so I donned my (one and only) sundress. Early breakfasts and departure for the guests so an early walk for the dogs and even getting paper by 10am! Came back and noticed Andrew getting the cows ready to bring across so Chris was summoned to help with the ‘lollipop crossing’. I was chatting to one of the guests and could hear the traffic was moving again so assumed cows across safely especially when Chris came back up the drive. ‘quick, jump in the car – the cows are half way down to Bakewell!’ Jumped in leaving two startled dogs wondering what was happening. Just along the road we met another local farmer who was walking one of the heifers back and Chris explained where she needed to go. His wife followed us in her car in case any more hands were needed and we were almost on the outskirts of Bakewell before we caught up with the cows. Some had got into a field, but at least were safe. Andrew and Ian had herded the rest into a gated entrance so Chris jumped out to help them take back, the farmers wife reversed her car to stop the down traffic and when it was safe I directed the up traffic up. When all that had passed I drove back home via Over Haddon. As I got back I could see the traffic starting to build up on this side heading down to Bakewell with the occasional car driving up. Jumped into my wellies and started down he field with the initial intention of helping get them in the field when they got here but realising that could still be some time away I headed to the road and started to explain to each car what was happening and suggesting an alternative route and using our drive to turn around in. Gradually I could see the cows getting closer and there were a few more helpers too so I just made sure traffic was starting to move safely. When I got down to the field where they had put the heifers (less the seven still in the field nearer to Bakewell) I found that Andrews neighbours on the Over Haddon side, the Mycocks were also there. They were coming back back from Bakewell when they got caught up in the delays and when they realised why they had naturally helped… It had taken the best part of an hour from jumping in the car to getting back indoors! Turned out a revving motorbike had spooked them. Luckily this had not put us too much behind with our scheduled BBQ.. Geoff and Margaret from Chelmorton came over. Looked like we had picked the best day for it! They stayed until early evening when Andrew brought up the missing cows. He knew the farmer the field belonged to and apparently he had also had trouble with ‘skittish youngster’. Took a few phone calls and bookings in the evening. More balloons. What a day!
Saturday 10 November The trouble with cows pt 1
Another summer day. It seems like we have gone from winter to summer. Lets make the most of it. One cottage out, one moving to another cottage and three cottages back in. Departing guest has booked for later in the year and this time next year and also bought me a little present. One cleaner up and good time made with cleaning. As it was pleasant we decided to have coffee on the patio. We noticed some cows seemed to be going in then coming out again. We thought perhaps he was bringing some in for vaccination then releasing them but could not make out exactly what was happening. Heifers, like dogs, cats and horses need vaccinations at certain times of their lives. As I had time I did a utensil check in some of the cottages. Guests arrived between 3&4 pm. One has been here before as B&B guests. I spent more time in the greenhouse and have now planted up all the hanging baskets. Some of the latest arrivals are not looking good. Naturally I had an audience but this year they cannot reach the rhubarb as we have fenced an area of the field off where all the chippings and logs from the fallen trees are. By the time we had finished it was almost 6.30 pm so we ordered a pizza from Riccis in Bakewell. One of the B&B guests were enjoying a take away on the patio so we commandeered the patio set from the cancellation cottage. We were enjoying the pizza when we heard Andrew drive through the field with his trailer. That usually means a poorly cow. From where we were sitting I saw him stop and reverse the trailer into the next field. Joanna opened the trailer and out came four heifers. Three stayed in the field but one jumped back into the first field. Chris went to help and between the three of them got in back into the field where the other three were having a little run and exploring their new home. Chris came back and told me that the scene we had witnessed this morning were the youngsters being let out for the first time before coming over here but they were running amok in the yards (and their garden knocking down some walls in the process) so in the end they were rounded up and put back in the shed. He had therefore decided to bring them across by trailer. Andrew went to get another load of heifers and let them into the field and immediately three jumped into our field at the back and one over the fence back into the first field. I decided I would go and help and while they cornered the escapee I went to check on the other three. As it is an ‘L’ shaped field we could not see where they were so I went to check on them. In the meantime the cows in the front field were spectating but as I walked through the front field to find the other three I was followed by the cows being their usual inquisitive selves. Normally it does not worry me but it is a bit disconcerting to hear hooves behind you all the way. I found the other three still in the field but getting acquainted with the older cows over the wall. Went back to Andrew and the others who had cornered the cow and was going to take her back. Andrew decided to call it a day and bring the rest over tomorrow. We went back and finished our dinner and watched three hot air balloons before retiring inside to watch CSI New York.
Friday 9 May
Another pleasant day forecast. Andrew brought the cows into our front field when I wasn’t looking but we now have a green black and white front field and when it is quiet you can hear them munching! Two cleaners up with two cottages and two B&B out and the same back in. Also went down to Bakewell to get bits for the weekend. Last of bedding plants arrived so will find time to do those in the next day or so. Some were not looking happy. First guests arrived about 3.30. They are here for the Chatsworth Horse Trials. This three day event has been taking part at Chatsworth for a number of years. The B&B guests arrived about 5pm, one of those is here for the Horse Trials too. Had dinner then spent some time in the greenhouse before the final cottage guests arrived about 8pm. It was a lovely warm evening – lets hope there are more to come this summer.