A day off for most but a normal working day for us. Up and did breakfasts for the guests before taking the dogs out. Six cottages out today with four back in. Two cleaners up and no problems encountered. First guests arrived at 10am but that was because they had set off at 7am expecting to get caught in traffic. They dropped their luggage off and went off for a few hours. Got everything finished by 2.30 and the first guests arrived a few minutes later. The next two sets of guests arrived during the next hour and the ones who were the first to arrive came back about 6pm having had a good day! After dinner caught up with emails and got post ready for tomorrow. Sat down to watch the first episode of the new series of Dirty Sexy Money.

Up and Chris took dogs out which enabled me to get ironing done before cleaner arrive. One cleaner up to clean both B&B rooms and public areas as guests will be arriving later today. Went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend by which time it had started to rain. After lunch Chris went to Over Haddon. The phone was busy for an hour or so with people phoning for last minute availability but I was still left with the cottage for two. All the calls were for family accommodation. One lady did ask if five people would fit into the cottage for two. Got some bits ready for tomorrow as it will be quite busy. After dinner did a few bits and pieces before sitting down for Ashes to Ashes.

A quieter morning with no-one in or out. An early lunch then spent an hour or so planting out the plants I bought last week. The handyman finished painting the outside garden furniture, not that we will use it this weekend. Chris did some tidying up in the courtyard. The bad news is that the temperature probe from the weather station is definitely dead so I cannot keep track of the temperature until we get a replacement. Picked Joanna up late afternoon and we went to the Over Haddon Village Hall where we set up for the local WI group meeting. We were expecting about 50 WI ladies from the other local branches and had arranged a supper and some entertainment. We got the hall set up with time to spare and when the ladies started to arrive I collected money for raffle tickets. Help serve tea then helped with washing/drying up. After the meal and entertainment was finished helped clear away. Got back just after 10.30 pm.

A quieter day with one cottage and one B&B out and no-one back in. Went to Morrison’s in Buxton after doing the usual bits. After my gripe yesterday about recycling noticed the rubbish that was left behind at the recycling centre. Came back and had lunch and caught up with phone calls and emails and also spent some time checking soft furnishings and woodwork in the empty cottages I have some ‘super polish‘ which is quite effective at removing small scratches and marks and once I get going I cant stop! Phoned a friend and after dinner sat down in time for CSI.

A busy day ahead with five cottages out and five back in so two cleaners up but no problems encountered and cleaning was finished by 1.30 just as the first guests arrived. As I hadnt done my final check they agreed to come back later. While I was doing the final check I had a phone call from a family looking for a cottage for four nights so they came up and booked one of the spare cottages. So six in! Still for every good news there is bad news with one of my bookings for next week having to cancel due to bereavement. Although she has paid and has insurance I will try to relet the cottage and if I can I will reimburse her. The only fly in the ointment is the forecast looks a bit gloomy for the weekend. Anyway first two cottages were in by 3pm with one arriving about 3.30 and three about 4.30. Three of the cottages have been here before. After dinner Chris went to the Bakewell Photographic Club and I caught up with paper work until 9.45 when I sat down.

Another busy day with both B&B and two cottages out with one B&B back in. One cleaner up to turn around the cottages and we did the B&B room. Got the paper from Bakewell before doing the cleaning. Spent some more time doing housework and paperwork before the B&B guests arrived. Grumble of the day is bottle recycling. We provide bins for glass recycling which are clearly labelled but recently I have been finding carrier bags with general rubbish and bags with mixed bottles which I have to resort. Did a roast lamb dinner then we picked up Joanna and Andrew and went to Over Haddon to see ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ at the village hall. Not as busy as usual which was a shame as it was an enjoyable film.

A quieter day with a chance to catch up with some housework. A murky start which gradually cleared but never cleared completely. The sensor from the weather station recording temperature and humidity stopped working so something for Chris to sort out. Went for lunch at the cafe at Harthill Hall. They are also a cottage complex but not in competition with us. Had what I call proper door step sandwich and although it was a limited menu I thought it was good value. On the way back we saw the High Peak Hunt (http://www.highpeakhunt.org/) crossing Andrew’s fields He had given them permission. As we were passing we called in to say hello especially as Fay is back from university for a few weeks. Did a bit of paperwork and sat down about 8pm. After blogging spent some time planning walks we can do this year hopefully!

Four cottages and both B&B out today with 7 cottages and both b&B back in so plenty to do. Two cleaners up today and finished by 1pm just as the first guests arrived but as I had not finished my bits they went away for a few hours. Had a quick bite then managed to finish my bits just before 3pm. Most guests arrived between 3 & 5pm with one cottage arriving at 6pm leaving one cottage still to arrive. Two cottages have been here before. Handyman up here again painting the benches and also clearing the logs left a few weeks ago when they pruned the trees. Also the tree contractors came back and finally finished the last tree! Last guests arrived 10.45pm.

Two cottages out today with one back in. Went down to Bakewell late morning. One cleaner up to do two cottages and public areas in house. Handyman up today too. He made a start on cleaning and preparing the patio furniture for painting. Chris went to Over Haddon in afternoon and I started to plant out some of the bits I bought yesterday. Might have a casualty in the greenhouse as my avocado tree does not look too happy. Guests arrived about 3.30. A quiet evening catching up and getting ready for tomorrow and sat down for Ashes to Ashes.

A real breezy start. After the usual bits set off for the Chatsworth Garden Centre as I wanted to get some plants and replace a couple of pots that he frost has got. Chatsworth House opens today (www.chatsworth.org) for the season so it was no surprise to see cars turning up the drive. Had coffee at the garden center the called in to see the cleaner who hopefully will be coming back to us shortly. We stopped off at the Chatsworth Farm Shop to pick up some rolls and ham for lunch. No guests out but both B&B in today. Both plan to visit Chatsworth. First guests arrived about 1.30 but hadn’t quite finished the rooms so they came back about 3.30 quickly followed by the other couple. After tea went to the WI. Our guest speaker tonight was a lady who judges at shows such as the Bakewell Sow. She gave us a talk and demonstration on staging displays. While we were there we had a short sharp hail shower and the hail was still on the car when we left.