A busier day today but an early breakfast as one of the B&B guests had a plane to catch. Two more cottages out today with two cottages and one B&B in so two cleaners here today to clean. Quite a busy day with phone calls and emails so more bookings. Weather a bit brighter today. First guests in about three followed by the next set. They are here for a few days but with no car so will be walking a bit. (They arrived by taxi). We do get some guests without cars but do advise them that we are not well served by public transport. B&B guests arrived shortly afterwards so all in promptly. WI committee meeting this evening.

Up and after breakfasts took the dogs out. Had hoped we might squeeze in a short walk but it was quite misty but promising better. One set of B&B guests out but no one back in so just one set in tonight. By the time we had done the usual bits the mists seemed to be closing in so a walk was out of the question. A few emails and phone calls. Did a few odd jobs around the house and after lunch did a few more. Had said we would go down to Andrew and Joanna’s for afternoon tea and despite the mists I thought we would walk so at least we had a walk of sorts! The dogs came too although they stayed outside but they had a little run. Quiet evening in. One set of cottages guests left toady although booked until tomorrow.

A pleasant day weather wise not that it matters as I have to get the accounts finished today. Went and got the paper and took the bottles down to the bottle bank. Called in to see Andrew on the way back as Chris wanted to borrow one of Andrews tools. Its handy having a neighbour with some ‘big boys toys’! Chatted to a few of the guests and serviced the rooms and after lunch started the last phase of the accounts finishing finally about 7pm (allowing for emails and a couple of phone calls). Sat down after tea.

Up and a nice start albeit cold. One cottage and one B&B out and five cottages and one B&B in. Good day for returning guests as three of the cottages and B&B guests are returning guests. First guests, who have been here twice already this year, arrived early but as their cottage was ready I let them in. Three cleaners up today so good progress was made and finished about lunchtime. Most guests arrived between three and five pm with the final ones arriving about 6.30. Laundry collected and hopefully back by next change over. Cooked an evening meal and sat down about 8pm.

Up and whilst doing breakfast the first of the cottage guests left. It was quite tearful in the family group as one part of the family is going back to Canada. Six cottages out today but only three back in plus one B&B. All cottages out by 10am and luckily all were left in a good condition. Unfortunately only one cleaner so three cottages was all that could be managed. Fay came up and helped strip and make up beds so that as a great help. Posted all the brochures today so we’ll see when the phone calls start! Managed to get everything ready before the first guests arrived just after 3pm. They have been here before. Rest of guests arrived by just after 5pm including the B&B guests.

Up and back to the grindstone! One cleaner up to do both rooms and the house. A steady procession of guests popped in for various reasons, such as unable to find the inventory for the cottage. Nobody out, although our friends will be leaving this evening, but one set of B&B guests in this evening. Took dogs out for walk then back to business like laundry etc. Fay came up this morning to get on with the brochures and most were done by early afternoon. Wanted to get one more section of accounts done before guest arrive which I did. Guests arrived about 5pm after which we had tea with our friends after which they left for home and we sat down.

Up and after a breakfast we set off with our friends for a walk. Boxing Day always sees the High Peak Hunt set off from Bakewell and going down to Bakewell we got caught up with the horses going to the starting point. Bakewell was quite busy as we drove through and headed up to the old station. Here we set off for a five or so mile walk leaving the fellows to do the map reading for a change! Good start because we argued over the first turn but we got back on track heading up to Ballcross Farm. From here we started across Calton Pastures stopping for a few minutes to search out Bolehill Farm on the horizon which we found with the binoculars. From here we headed to Manners Wood where we stopped at the same place for lunch as we did the last time we were here ,the place with the wonderful views that were now obscured by the trees. This time we headed off to Haddon Hall rather than Rowsley and on the way found the old railway tunnel entrance that goes under the estate. We had the option of walking back along the river to Bakewell or taking the Monsal Trail. We found ourselves on the latter which meant no climb at the end of the walk. It had been a nice walk on a reasonably sunny afternoon. Back home we relaxed a little and I left the office light on for a few hours in case anyone needed anything but no-one rung the bell. No emails either! We had a buffet tea and a game of trivial pursuits. Back to work tomorrow.

Merry Xmas! I put a ‘closed’ sign up on the door and resolved not to look at the computer! After a breakfast with our friends we got everything ready for lunch and put the goose in the oven before setting off for a short walk to Sheldon. Here we stopped at the Cock & Pullet for a drink. We sat outside with the dogs, there was room inside but it was nice enough outside, despite the fact we were joined by smokers from time to time! The walk back was improved by the suns appearance. We had lunch, opened our pressies, did some jigsaw and watched Dr Who. We had a piece of Xmas cake for tea then played a game of ‘The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game’. We always enjoy a few board games at Xmas.

Had a few hours off today. Our friends had to go to Chesterfield to pick up a part for their car but when they came back we set off for a walk. Parked at Calton Lees car park at Chatsworth and did a five mile circuit heading initially to Beeley hilltop, then past the lakes that feed the water features at Chatsworth. We stopped for lunch at the Hunting Lodge before continuing along the top then back down to he park and back to the car park. By now it was starting to drizzle but we did not get too wet. Went back home and had a cup of tea and did my last few bits before tomorrow. This included wrapping presents and marinating the goose. One phone call to see if we had any vacancies for the New Year. This evening we went to the Monsal Head for a meal. Always enjoy the food there and it was not as busy as I thought in the restaurant.