Another changeover Monday. Three out and two back in and two cleaners up today so cottages were turned around promptly. Chris went down to the Market at Bakewell and I was tempted to go too but have decided to wait for a Monday when I have no cottages changing over. With both cottages arriving later in the afternoon I had a chance to do some bits in the greenhouse and around the house. Guests in between 5&6pm. After dinner did a bit of paper work then sat down for Waking the Dead.

Up and after doing breakfast took dogs for a walk. A bit fresher this morning with rain forecast. Both B&B guests out and one due back in. Went and got the paper before coming back and turning the room around. After lunch spent a couple of hours in the greenhouse. Planted on 130 geranium plugs. Despite the forecast we did not get the rain until later. It had been quite muggy so it was no surprise that we had some lightning and thunder. Chris disconnected the phones but something affected the computer controlling the heating system so Chris had to sort that out. B&B guests arrived about 6.30. They had been in Bakewell when it started to rain so they waited until it stopped and in the meantime had something to eat. Carried on working until 9pm.

Bakewell Farmers Market after doing breakfasts leaving Chris to take the dogs for their morning stroll. A lovely spring feel to the day as I went down to the Market. Got my fudge and I only had to queue for a couple of minutes for my mushrooms! After getting my usual bits popped into town to get a lottery ticket as it was a double rollover. Back home my Saturday cleaner was getting on well with her cottages. Only one was due out today with four back in. Three are regular customers. It was pleasant enough to eat lunch outside. Three guests arrived between 3-4 pm. I spent an hour or so potting up plants in the greenhouse before the final guests arrived. It was a nice evening and perhaps we should have gone for an evening walk but never mind. After dinner watched Dr Who, Heroes and CSI, New York back to back. There has been a lot of talk about Heroes season 2 being disappointing, but I enjoyed the first episode so will continue to watch it.

A busy day with four cottages out and three back in plus both B&B in as well. Two cleaners up today. Took dogs out and when got back spotted that the cows were being let out. Like children being let out into the playground some ran out and began gamboling, some were being more hesitant but soon they were all out and finding some grass to chomp on! For the next few days they will stay in after evening milking. Went down to Bakewell to get bits for the weekend. Cleaning finished with no problems encountered. As usual there is always other jobs to do and I got two fridges defrosted too. First cottage arrived about 3 pm. Two of the cottages were together and here for an 80th birthday. They arrived between 6&7 pm as did the first of the B&B guests. The two sets of B&B guests were also together. The second couple were arriving separately. The first at 9pm and the second not until nearer midnight as she was flying in from Hungary. I offered to wait up but they made their own arrangements.

B&B guest out and after dad had breakfast he left too. One cleaner up to do B&B room and dads cottage and public areas. Finished before lunch and as Chris did not have his digital photography session we decided to go out. As the weather was a bit mixed we felt we could not go for a walk. One place we have been meaning to go to for a long time is the Peak District Mining Museum in Matlock Bath. (www.peakmines.co.uk) We parked at the station and walked along the promenade. Called into the Real Fudge Company shop. This is who I get my fudge from at the Farmers Market. At the shop there is a bigger selection of sweets as well as fudge so I bought some sweets and decided to buy the fudge on Saturday at the Farmers Market. Went over to the museum and found out that a tour of the Temple Mine, a former lead and fluorspar mine, would be departing shortly. We started to wander around the museum then joined the guided tour of the mine. Best news is that we were the only one on the tour! We had to cross the A6 to get to the mine and of course one of those heavy showers appeared. We were given hard hats to wear as the ceiling was very low in places. There was a couple of times when my helmet clunked on the ceiling! It wasn’t a deep mine but it was interesting. I now know what fluorspar looks like in its natural state. By the time the tour finished it had stopped raining. We went back to the museum and finished our looking around. It is a very interesting museum to find out about the mining that went on in the area. The maps showed the veins or ‘rakes’ of various deposits such as lead and there is a section on recycling lead. There are some reclaimed pumping items, some hands on exhibits for children and some videos and overall it was a worthwhile couple of hours. We then went on to the Masson Mill Shopping Outlet where we had a bite to eat as we still had not had lunch! On the way back we called in to see the former owners of Bolehill where we chatted for a few hours. Back for a late supper then sat down at 10pm.

After an early breakfast took dogs for a walk. My dad came over for breakfast after which I got on with a few bits before lunch. Saw Andrew come up and check the water troughs and when I went out he was talking to Chris. All being well the cows should be out in the next few days. After lunch took my dad out for a drive as it was nice. Went up to Ladybower reservoir then onto Brough where I popped in Eyres for some chicken and dog food. The veterinary nurse had suggested a change of dog food so I got some different types for them. Went to the Packhorse at Crowdecote for dinner with dad and found ourselves sitting next to the Finney’s from nearby Mandale House. We stayed with them for B&B before we moved up here and I refer B&B to her and vice versa. They also farm and have a campsite and camping barn. Dad enjoyed his meal.

Another fine day. The grass is getting longer. Went down to Bakewell as soon as I could to get bits for the next few days. As soon as I got back we took the dogs to the vets for the booster jabs. One B&B in as well as my dad coming for a few days so one cleaner up to clean a B&B and cottage and spend some time steam cleaning bits. Got a few bits done before my dad arrived and spent some time with him in the afternoon. First of my bedding plants arrived so they were put in the greenhouse. After tea B&B guest arrived about 9pm. A businessman for two nights for a change. Carried on working until 10pm before sitting down.

Finally the sun came out and we had a spring like day! After taking the dogs for their walk we had five cottages out with four cottages due in later. One of the cottages was out late which didn’t hinder the cleaning but we did want to get some maintenance work done before it was cleaned. No problems with cleaning and an early finish meant I could get my bits done before lunch. This also allowed me time to get some of the ‘post changeover’ tasks like getting the laundry ready for collection and just catch up with emails and post. Guests arrived in a steady stream from 3-5pm. After dinner Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Circle AGM and I filed the final paper work for the last quarter before sitting down for Waking the Dead.

Another cold day and a lot murkier with drizzle. Said goodbye to both B&B guests and with no one back in a day to ourselves. Pity the weather wasn’t good enough for a walk, although one of the guests mentioned it was more sheltered down in Lathkill Dale. Went and got the paper and caught up with my daily tasks before lunch. Laundry is starting to build up so I may have to start doing extra washes to catch up – some better weather would help so I can dry some stuff outside. In the afternoon spent time going through spare bedding as well as doing the VAT returns. In the evening we went to the Buxton Opera House to see a performance of The Mikado by the Opera della Luna This was a modern variation of the well known Gilbert & Sullivan operetta. This was a delightful, humorous production set in a modern fashion house with costumes inspired by Versace and Gaultier. It is ironic that the next production we are going to see is The Gondoliers during the annual Buxton Gilbert & Sullivan Festival!

Another change over day. Three cottages out and two back in, one of which is returning guests and they have already booked for Xmas. One cleaner up today and all three done. There are always things that we find need replacing. Today it was a bread board that had started to crack and a saucepan lid. Started a bit brighter than yesterday but stayed cold again. I just could not get warm and after the guests had arrived I found bits to do in the house rather than the office. Cooked a roast dinner and sat down about 8pm. Watched Dr Who; Dirty, Sexy Money; and CSI New York thanks to the DVD recorder!