A bright day with one cleaner up to turn a few cottages around that aren’t needed until the beginning of next week. One cottage out today. I made the most of some time to do a few bits in one of the cottages like replace a pair of curtains and take some curtains down for washing. Also spent some time sorting out accounts and a little bit of time tidying up the spare room. Finished about 6pm.

Weather stats for February, a total of 2.41 in rain (3.24 2/07) with wettest day 29/2 with .64in. At 9pm on Friday the wettest day was 5th but the late downpour on Friday surpassed this. Lowest temp was -8 at 2am on 20/2 which was the coldest night turning into the coldest day. The warmest day was the 12th with the highest temp 15 deg C. A range of 23 degrees between coldest and warmest!

A busy day with four cottages out and three back in with two B&B to arrive too. It turned into a wet day. A new sofa arrived for one of the cottages so we ended up moving some sofas around. Two cleaners up and everything finished ahead of time. Went down to Bakewell to get provisions for the weekend. Cottage guests arrived between 3 & 4 pm. Chris did some odd jobs around the cottages. First B&B guests arrive about 8pm, they have an old car and are up here for a rally. Our final guests arrived just before 10 pm. A long day.

Men came to remove the debris from last week. They had a big shredder and spent most of the morning working. Now we can see what a big area has been cleared and we will have to think about some replanting for screening. Spent some time replacing leaflets in the leisure area (where we keep the main supply for guests to browse) and also started to check what leaflets are in the cottages as each cottage has a small supply, often augmented by guests. Have a few bags of paper for recycling! Chris went to Over Haddon for his photography session and I did a bit of housework. Processed a couple of bookings, made some yoghurt and then sat down for Ashes to Ashes.

‘What’s that?’ I woke up with a start. ‘An earthquake.’ he replied matter of factly. The room was shaking and I could hear rattling. It only lasted a few seconds but I could not get back to sleep for a while. If it was an earthquake would there be aftershocks? When I woke up the first thing I did was turn on the news to find confirmation that it was an earthquake centred on Market Rasen, about 70 miles away. Two cleaners up to catch up with cleaning. Went to Chatsworth House for a networking event which also involved the annual leaflet swap. Here we were able to pick up this years leaflets for local attractions. As we have eight cottages and the B&B we came away with five bags of leaflets! We were also able to chat to some of the staff at the attractions and other accommodation providers. They were doing some filming at Chatsworth, don’t know what for, but we could see all the trailers and banks of lights and a smoke (or fog) machine was in action as we left. First lambs out in he fields at Green Cowden.

In the afternoon went down to Bakewell to have my hair done. Took the couple (with their dogs) who had no car down with me so they could wander around town. In the evening we went to Simply Thai at Buxton. We had a nice meal before coming back and watching Torchwood.

Had planned to go and visit Chris’s parents today but as his dad is not too well we plan to go next week instead. So after usual tasks we set off for Leek. We went via Ashbourne where we took an old dishwasher and TV to the waste center. It has been a couple of years since we last went to Leek. Its wealth was based on the textile industry but more recently it has become an antique center and we had a wander around some of them and the town itself. There used to be a very nice cafe but that has closed since our last visit but we found a nice enough one to have lunch at. On the way back passed the Roaches – they look more spectacular when approached from Leek. We stopped at Wheeldon Trees, another local holiday complex, where we had a chat with the new owners. Back here in time for my businessmen to check in. After tea planned to rest as I had a headache but by the time I had sorted the emails and phone calls from while we were out it was almost time for CSI.

A bright start to a busy day. Four remaining cottages from weekend to go with five back in, including three businessmen – one new one today. Two cleaners up and one was able to make an early start but the other had to wait as three of the cottages had not left by 10 am. One had lost the kitchen bin lid in the rubbish and although we looked through the wheelie bin (and don’t forget we are talking about a big wheelie bin here) it was not to be found. This is not the first time a bin lid has been thrown out with the rubbish by accident but it does mean we have to buy a new bin. The cleaning was completed on time but during the course of the day I had phone calls from two of the businessmen to advise me they would not be here until tomorrow. First guests arrived before 4pm with one of the businessmen next. The third cottage arrived before six. The cottage was booked for them by friends as a way of cheering them up as they have had a rough time recently. A very nice gesture. Unfortunately since booking one had an accident on his motorbike and he is hobbling around. They had hoped to do some walking but he still has to rest for a few more days. A few phone calls in the evening with the last one just before 10pm but at least it was a booking!

A day at home doing some accounts and personal papers. Two cottages and one B&B out. Got the Sunday paper. Kept a close eye on Blue. One couple called in to ask about B&B. Switched off light in Office about 7pm.

Up and after breakfast took dogs for their walk. It was quite breezy. First Saturday this year with no-one in or out. Farmers Market at Bakewell and Chris decided to come too so I made him chief bag carrier! A couple of new stalls today. Heage Windmill, near Belper, were selling their own ground flour so we bought some for the bread we make for the B&B. Also there was a farm from Hathersage selling Hope Valley Ice cream which was very yummy so I bought some! Bought some of my usual bits and we came back for coffee. Serviced the B&B, hung up the laundry and did some bits and pieces and then it was lunchtime. I could here Chris whistling for the dogs (they usually come back to the whistle) and Smudge came back there was no sign of Blue. After about half an hour we feared that he had followed some walkers and Chris went for a drive to where some of the footpaths came out on local roads but came back with no dog. I decided to go for a walk around our fields to check he hadn’t had an accident. Last time he went awol we found him in one of the stables where Chris had accidentally locked him in. I was away about half an hour but when I came back there he was. Chris had got a phone call from some walkers who had found him at the Bulls Head at Monyash (they had dogs of their own). So we have to assume he saw someone on the footpath and went with them. The trouble is unless they discouraged him he would have followed them. It has been two years since he last attached himself to some walkers and bearing in mind there are always walkers passing by, so we are not sure why today. I decided it was because Smudge had had his spot on my blog so now it was his turn! Sat down for 8pm.

Four cottages out and six back in with one B&B due in too so plenty to do. The dogs said goodbye to their new friends – Blue will miss them! Two cleaners up and everything finished in time. Todays problem was a TV where the colour had gone and Chris had to go out and buy a replacement. Got it all sorted in time for the next arrivals! All cottages arrived between 3 & 6pm. One has been here before. B&B guests arrived about 7pm. Sat down about 9.15pm.

Up early to get any tasks done that needed electricity before the power went out. Lights went out just after 8.30. This spooked the dogs. I think poor Smudge was waiting for a clap of thunder. Did a fried breakfast for the guests rather than a grilled breakfast. One B&B out today. Took the dogs out for their normal walk and this seemed to settle them. The electricity and tree contractors turned up about half ten. I went down town and got some bits and bought a couple of sandwiches from Relish, a little sandwich shop in one of the alleyways. Brought that back and ate it for lunch. It was nice! Chris then went off to Over Haddon and I went to Buxton. Decided to go to Waitrose for a change but had a little wander around Buxton first. Came back about 4pm just after Chris got back. Was surprised at many trees had been pruned or removed. I have more of a view towards Baslow and the escarpment behind Chatsworth House! Light came back on about 4.45 so I went round and checked the heating in the cottages. Finished to sit down for Ashes to Ashes.