A quieter day after yesterday so my chance to catch up with all the little jobs that didn’t get done. Chris took the Discovery to Sheldon Garage for its MOT and took the dogs so they walked back. One cottage out today. After usual chores went down to Bakewell for supplies and to get hair cut. After late lunch started to tidy up some paperwork I had been meaning to do for ages as well as just some day to day bits like making another batch of yogurt. Sat down for CSI.

No peace for the wicked. Four cottages out and four cottages and one B&B back in. Three of the cottages have been here before. Two cleaners up and steady pr ogres made with one fridge defrosted. Everything ready before first guests arrived about 3pm. Two more here by 4pm with the final guests arriving between 6-7 pm. Sat down just after 9pm.

Hard to believe this time last year was Easter Sunday. Some of our guests then had a BBQ. Well today woke up to about an inch of snow. This soon started to melt once the sun got going. Took the dogs out and took some pictures which I will publish. Both B&B out with one B&B due back in. Went down to Bakewell for the paper and bottle bank run and noticed the new Thorntons shop was open. As we have been waiting for this event we decided to stop for coffee there. The only disappointment was that it is a franchise cafe rather than a traditional Thorntons cafe (where you get a free Thorntons chocolate with you coffee). Still we had a drink before coming back to turn the room around. The guests arrived before our lunch and as we had not finished the cleaning they went away for a few hours. After lunch did some paper both business and personal. One of the problems with running your own business is that personal stuff gets done last. Perhaps one day I’ll catch up! Later in the afternoon it started to snow again and surprisingly it settled. After dinner sat down and watched Dr Who!

Up and a busy day with five cottages out and five plus a B&B in. Cottage guests out promptly and no problems encountered by the two cleaners. One had brought her children up, so they helped out by taking the dogs for a walk and by stripping beds and some general jobs for some pocket money from me! A few sleety showers but nothing settled. B&B guests arrived by midday and were settled in so they could make the most of their time. One of the cottages have been here a few times before and they arrived just after 3pm with the rest arriving steadily until the last ones arrived about 5.30. Stopped about 6pm but left the light on in case anyone had any questions. Got Chris to record the first of the new series of Dr Who. I cant believe the program is still going after all these years. I remember the very first episode (even though I was very young!) The program has evolved and I have really enjoyed the programs since they revived it a few years ago. Only when we sat down to watch it we discovered Chris had set the timer wrong. Thank heavens for BBC3 repeats! Sat down to blog with Smudge snoring at my feet.

Timely departure by two cottages with one cleaner up. After taking dogs for walk went down to Bakewell for weekend bits. Three cottages and two B&B in so plenty to do. One B&B phoned to say would not be able to make it tonight due to family bereavement but would arrive early tomorrow morning. Amongst other things I hung up new curtains in one cottage. Two cottages arrived at 3pm and the third about 5.30. The B&B guests arrived whilst we were out but as previous guests had instructions so they let themselves in. Went to see Katzenjammer a piano comedy musical duo at the Buxton Opera House. (www.katzenjammer.biz) very entertaining.

Has spring arrived? Perhaps it has temporarily but a cold blast is forecast this weekend. Other signs of spring and changing seasons is my first egg of the year. We are down to two hens, both past their best for laying, but plan to purchase some more soon. Have heard the first curlew but more importantly Ian was up today ‘chain harrowing’. This levels out some of the lumps and bumps that have built up over the winter. Another sign that the fields are being prepared for the cows. Still no dates yet as the grass is too short still. Last year the first of the cows made their appearances in Andrews fields on April 10th. I shall be watching out for them. Apart from signs of spring life went on and one cleaner up today to turn B&B rooms round and do the public areas. I did some preparation for tomorrow and took up the hem of a pair of curtains I plan to hang up tomorrow. Chris went to Over Haddon for his digital photographic session. When he came back it had become pleasant enough to have a cup of tea outside! Phoned some guests who are arriving tomorrow to check arrival times as we have tickets for a show at the Opera House in the evening. Sat down about 9pm.

Up and after usual chores went to Chesterfield. One B&B guests out but no one back in. One set of soiled linen due to a bed wetting but luckily the parents had put a waterproof lining under the mattress protector so no major damage. Had a good run to Chesterfield and actually bought myself some clothes this time. Can start thinking about my holiday soon. Had a look for linen and curtains today but did not buy anything apart from some usual ‘cottage consumables’ at Wilkinsons. Came back via Morrisons. After dinner went down to Joannas for the WI committee meeting. Phoned my dad to wish him happy birthday.

New month but spent on old things. Had the quarterly accounts to finish off which I spent some time on in the afternoon. Popped down to Bakewell in the afternoon but otherwise mostly spent on accounts and paper work. In the evening sat down with the new website and did a critic for Chris.

Behind with blogging due to ‘busy social life!’ Good changeover today with guests out before time, cleaners up early so turn around completed in very good time. This gave me time to get all my bits done before lunch then get on with some other things. Three cottages and one B&B out with two cottages and one B&B in. Cottages were both in later in the afternoon but the B&B were later than planned which meant I had to leave Chris to show them in. This was because I was participating in the Derbyshire WI quiz at Buxton. Here teams from a number of north Derbyshire WI’s met to battle it out to go forward to the regional final. Over Haddon WI has done well for many years winning on a number of occasions. We came fifth this year.

Our new B&B website is now live, so please visit www.bolehillbb.co.uk Now I have to review the new cottage website which hopefully we can publish shortly.

Forgot to mention on Wednesday took the dogs to the vets for their regular check up and vaccinations. Bad news for Smudge, he has been declared a couple of kilos overweight. Have to get him to be more active!