Woke up to one of those white scenes with the hoar frost on the trees and bushes. Temperature last night fell to -8C, the coldest we have seen it here. It was also quite misty but took the camera with me when took the dogs out and took some pictures. Must upload some. One cleaner up to catch up with some cleaning and public areas of house. When the sun came out the frost started to fall off the trees – it looked like it was snowing. So I took more pictures. After lunch I had a clear out of one of our rooms. Sat down after tea in time for Torchwood. The high pressure has been affecting our TV reception but it was back to normal today.

A late breakfast after which took the dogs for a walk. Went down town before lunch but it was one of those days when I had planned to do a lot but didn’t. An early tea, a chat with a friend on the phone and sat down to watch CSI. We had been recording it and half way through we had a power cut and we lost the end of the episode. Just as well I could find the synopsis on the internet! Noticed the temperature was dropping rapidly so Chris made sure the boiler room and water pump room would be warm enough for the night.

A busy Monday with one B&B out and one back in and five cottages out with four back in (two of them businessmen). Two cleaners up and work finished on time. Also with a couple of cottages vacant this week time the handyman came up to do some jobs. First guests in about 3pm. Their children were looking forward to meeting our dogs! The businessmen turned up about 5-6 pm and the final guests not until about 8pm. They had sat for three hours on a major road waiting for an accident to be cleared. Chris went to the Bakewell Photographice society and I worked until 10pm.

Another fine but cold and hazy start. One B&B and one cottage guest out this morning. Had narrowed the selection of walks down to three but in the end picked one that we knew nothing about so it would be all new. This was Wensleydale near the village of Wensley not far from Winster. We set off and got held up initially near Darly Dale station where the Peak Rail crosses the road. One of the steam trains was making a run. A couple of times during our walk we could hear the whistles of the steam trains going up and down the line. From Darley Bridge we set off along the track to Oker. We skirted the edge of the village and then picked up a path heading to Snitterton. Just before we reached Snitterton we veered off towards Wensleydale but before reaching the dale itself stopped for lunch while we were still in the sun. Wensleydale may not have the impact that other dales do, that’s the trouble with having so many dominant dales in the area, but it was worth seeing. I felt it was like a mini Dovedale and the frostiness added to the effect. From here we passed the edge of Wensley from which we had some nice views towards Matlock with Riber Castle also visible. From here it was downhill except I had not spotted the bit that said steep decsent and I had not brought my stick so it took me a litle longer to get down through the woods than I was expecting. We then picked up the lane that went back to Darley Bridge. We drove back via Peak Village Outlet Centre and the Chatsworth Farm Shop. Back home had tea before picking up Joanna and Andrew and going to Over Haddon to see the film The Importance of Being Earnest. On the way back the temperature was showing -5 deg C!

A quieter day but busy nontheless. Took dogs for walk after breakfast. It was sunny but cold so wore Chris’s Rigger boots (fur lined outdoor work boots). Too cold for wellies. One B&B out with one B&B and one cottage in. One cleaner up. Went down to Bakewell to top up breakfast bits but went without a dog so I had a chance to go into some shops I often don’t have the chance to. Came back and after servicing the rooms and hanging up the laundry it was almost lunch time. Minor problems today included a fridge door that wouldn’t shut properly and Chris had to sort out a problem with the emails. Sheep have gone and I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye! We have a few dogs here this weekend. One boy found our two dogs joining in his game of football and when he took his dog for a walk in the field ours went too! Weather is promising for tomorrow so I spent some time in the evening trying to decide what one to do. Must make a list!

B&B guests arrived just before 4pm and the cottage guests about 5pm. Switched off the light at 6.30 and went and made tea.

Up and after doing breakfast two cleaners up. Three cottages out but six cottages and one B&B in so plenty to do. We made good progress and everything was completed on time. Should have had a full house by tomorow but a last minute cancellation changed that. First four cottages arrived between 3-4 pm. One has been here a couple of times before and this weekend she is celebrating a special birthday so left her a litle something. Two more arrived between 6-6.30pm. The B&B arrived about 7.30. All present and correct. Sat down at 8.30.

Felt a lot colder this morning. A bit misty too. Two cottages out with one B&B in so one cleaner up this morning. Went down to Bakewell with Smudge. When I go into the shops I leave him outside with my shopping. When I came out of the Co Op I found a discarded paper bag by my shopping. At first I was surprised someone would put some rubbish by a dog then I recognised the paper bag. I looked through my shopping and realised I was missing something. My sausage roll! I had fancied a sausage roll for lunch. Could not beleive he had taken it (bearing in mind he has guarded sausages and ham and all kinds of meat in the past). I told him off but he did not look guilty (and usually he looks guilty if he knows he’s done something wrong) but thinking about it the handyman often gives him bits of sausage roll so perhaps he did not think he was doing wrong. I did not let him forget the theft for the rest of the day.

When I got back I checked the B&B rooms and did some pottering in the cottages. While Chris was down at Over Haddon I did some house work. B&B guests arrived just before 6pm. They had booked a meal in Derby so they were out again almost immediately. Did the paperwork for more bookings after tea then sat down for Ashes to Ashes.

A day of catching up. Two cottages out and one back in. One cleaner up. Another fine day – the last expected ftb so I washed our walking trousers. WI this evening with our guest a local artist who specialises in ‘one stroke’ painting. She made it look so easy but the effect was truly wonderful. She had an enraptured audience!

Shame that the weather turned out so nice and we went to Makro but that the way it goes sometimes. One B&B out after breakfast and as soon as we were ready we set off for Sheffield. We stopped first at an electical wholesaler in Chesterfield where Chris wanted to look at some bits. Then we went on to JTF just outside Rotherham. Here we bought a few bits. Like a lot of these warehouse places the stock changes regularly and JTF like Makro are starting to stock summer goods. Went onto Makro where we had a bite before doing our usual two rounds, one for toilet rolls and one for the rest! Back late afternoon. Took a few bookings and still enquires for this weekend – we have put a notice on the website to say we are full. Sat down for CSI.

A quieter Monday with one B&B and three cottages out and two cottages back in. Up for an early breakfast so hoped would find time to do some accounts but it was not to be. The morning went in washing, ironing, sorting laundry and dealing with enquiries for this coming weekend – fully booked by lunchtime. We have a couple of collies on site this week so our two have a few more ‘cousins’ to meet. An early tea then time spent finalisng the bookings taken today. Also did an article for the next Over Haddon Newsletter, a gift voucher and the shopping list for Makro for tomorrow. Finished at 9.30.