A nice but cold start with traces of snow in the fields but in the distance I could see there was still snow towards Longnor and above Eyam. One cottage out today and one cleaner up to do cottages as two cottages in tomorrow. As we had time we checked the inventories in a couple of cottages. After lunch a couple came to look at the cottages and made a booking for April. Chris and I also did an inventory of light bulbs as a few seem to have blown recently. We have tried to standardise bulbs and switch to low energy bulbs. To give an idea in one of the cottages sleeping two there are sixteen bulbs, thirteen of the same type, but we are running low on spares so need to restock. I also did a stock take of linen.

We had tickets for a show at Buxton so thought would eat out. Went to the tapas bar but there was a large party in so went to the Mexican and enjoyed a fajita. The show was called ‘Beyond the Barricade’ where a group of former lead singers from the show Les Miserables sung a number of songs from previous and current west end musicals. It was a very entertaining evening. During the interval we bumped into some residents from Over Haddon. It had been raining whilst we were in the House so the roads were very wet. A wet day forecast tomorrow too.

A busy day with a last minute booking for the vacant B&B room by a set of previous guests. Additionally two sets of guests were expected for the cottages. One cleaner up to turn round the two cottages. The morning went quickly and I went down town in the afternoon to get the B&B bits for the weekend. It was raining in Bakewell but on the way back it was sleeting here and according to the radio it was snowing in the high peak and soon it was snowing here too. The laundry man found it difficult to get up the drive but luckily the guests didn’t. The B&B guests arrived about 6pm with the first cottage guests about 6.30. It was still snowing but it was slushy . By the time the next guests arrived at bout 8.30 it had stopped snowing and by the time we went to bed it was melting.

Time to catch up today but the phone calls and emails still were coming in. One cleaner up today to turn a cottage around for guests arriving today. We are overdue for our annual inspection of the cottages by the tourist board and today I had a phone call from an inspector trying to arrange a visit. For the cottages we are given notice and they do try to fit in with vacancies so they can see as many as possible empty. If I have guests in we always ask the guests if we can show the inspector in so they can at least check there have been no major deterioration in the state of the cottage. I will have a definite date confirmed in the next few days but it will probably be during the w/c 28 January. Chris went to the photo work shop at Over Haddon and I welcomed in some guests for a week. Their daughter, who lives locally, brought in some provisions for them. Sat down by 9pm so did a bit of blogging.

Up and after all the chores were done and Chris had taken a conference call we set off for Sheffield. The chance to do a little personal shopping. We could go to Meadowhall but I prefer the old town center with its lovely old buildings. They are spending a lot of money on Sheffield. It has a tram system, a new transport interchange, two good universities but tarnished with a past. Councillors have worried about the image the film ‘The Full Monty’ portrayed of Sheffield but perhaps it was instrumental in its current revtalisation. We had a reason to go Sheffield as we went to see our solicitor to sign contracts for the purchase of the small strip of land behind us from our neighbours. We had lunch in a little cafe behind the town hall. Came back with a couple of bits for myself but we also stopped at Dunelm and bought a few bits there too. Next door was Comet where we bought a dishwasher to replace the one we use for the B&B as this has started to play up as it is very old.

Got back home and got the food ready for the WI. Shared a portion of fish & chips with Chris before welcoming the latest guest into one of the cottages. Had a few phone calls and emails to see to before going to the WI. This evening our guests speaker was a local organ grinder. We had a very interesting talk and demonstration. Did refreshments with Joanna and the evening finished a bit earlier than usual but it meant when I got back I could catch up with any bookings (and Chris had taken a few). Finished about 10.30.

After breakfast and the B&B guests had departed went down to Bakewell to get hair cut. Also popped into the Bank and got a few bits to see us through the next few days including the bits I need for doing the WI refreshments tomorrow. Afternoon was spent taking a few more bookings, emails and phone calls and making sure I have done all the paper work from last night. One of the cleaners came up to do the B&B rooms later in the afternoon. After tea took a few more bookings but sat down to watch the first of the new series of CSI (the original). Luckily no phone calls.

So another Monday. Where do they go? Start off with two cleaners to turn around a couple of cottages. Two cottages in today,one a guest house owner from Somerset and the other my businessman. That was until mid morning when I acquired another business man from the same place and he wished to stay from today! The first guests arrived just after two while I was eating lunch. The others arrived later in the afternoon. Had an early tea as Chris was off to the photography club in Bakewell. I spent most of the evening answering phone calls and emails and took quite a few bookings. Finished work at 10.30 just as Chris came back. Had a cup of fruit tea and went to bed! On the go for 14 1/2 hours today.

Up and after breakfast our guests left. Looked like a nice day for a walk but lots to do. Usually watch weather for farmers on Countryfile but had two phonecalls but got bookings from them. We took one of the guests down to Bakewell to get some bits from the Spar whilst we picked up the paper. When we got back we turned the room around for tonight’s guests. Spent the afternoon doing bits and pieces and took some bookings. Guests arrived about 5pm. Had tea and sat down about 8pm.

Said goodbye to six cottages today some of whom have been here before. With only one back in it was strange almost having the place back ourselves. We have more guests arriving Monday so the cleaner got a few done in readiness. We had a little grumble about some damage in one of the cottages which was done before Xmas. Despite the fact we leave bread/chopping boards and work top protectors in each cottage someone had cut something on one of the work tops with a knife and damaged it so we will have to replace it. Do guests do this at home? Unlikely, so why do it here?

Chris took down most of the outside lights and I took down the remaining lights and tree eventually finishing about 6 pm. The new couple arrived a bit early as they were coming by train so theirs was done first. Took a few bookings and sat down in the evening and did a bit more blogging. Felt really tired but still cooked a roast dinner.

A bit brighter start but that soon deteriorated. One B&B out with one cottage and B&B in but no cleaners in today as everything ready. Both sets arriving today have been here before. Had a bit of time to do some bits in the empty cottage. We still need to go around and make proper lists of any jobs to be done. Both sets of guests settled in before tea so was able to sit down and catch up with some blogging.

A very cold day with possible snow forecast and it did look threatening at times and there were a few flurries but saw on the lunch time news that else where had snow. One cottage out but a chance to catch up with some cleaning with nobody in. Went down to Bakewell after lunch to get bits for weekend. Noticed there were still empty shelves in Co op (turned out that there had been some ‘panic buying’ because of forecasted snow). Went to hairdressers to book an appointment and found they had cancellations due to forecasted snow. After tea the couple who we have become friendly with who are staying in one of the cottages came over for a drink.