Up and another bright day – lovely for a walk – if there’s time! Both B&B guests departed after breakfast as did one of the cottages who were only here for two nights. As a result we needed to turn the cottage round which we did after getting a paper from Bakewell. Our neighbours from Green Cowden Farm also dropped by with a card . Our friends went for a walk in Lathkill Dale and were going to the Lathkill Hotel for a drink on the way back. We hoped to join them but didn’t have time. After lunch Fay came up and spent a few hours doing brochures. I had hoped to do some accounts but we like to get the brochures out in the few days between Xmas and New Year so I helped too. We had our last two sets of guests arriving this afternoon. Both were coming from south of London and the weather reports had indicated bad fog. Both had hoped to be here by late afternoon but with the fog and traffic one turned up just after 6pm and the others at 10 pm having taken 11 hours to get here! One thing we always do at Christmas with our friends is a jigsaw so we made a start on one. This evening we had a Chinese take away.

Up and did breakfast for our guests but left Chris to take the dogs for a walk whilst I went down to the Farmers Market. It was quite busy but I expected that. They had already nearly run out of Scotch eggs! The vegetable stalls were very busy, so much so that I walked back into town to pick up vegetables – but the shop was equally as busy. Our friends had also gone down to the market but I did not see them. Got back and sorted out the purchases. Talked to some of the guests who had arrived yesterday. One more cottage is due to arrive but not until later. When our friends came back we had lunch and checked if there was any other bits we needed for the next few days. Our friends went off to Buxton for a few hours whilst Chris and I did a few bits. I have a list of things I want to get done before I finish for Xmas. In the evening we went to the Packhorse at Crowdecote. Chris likes to check if there are any groups in and we knew there was a party of eight due in – who turned out to be Andrew Joanna and some friends. When we got back the cottage had just arrived so I showed them in and then I sat down with our friends to watch the final dance off in Strictly Come Dancing, except Chris who was not interested!

Up to do breakfast. Another gray misty start so dogs out on leads and plenty to do. Two cleaners up and two cottages including the one that has just been retiled and the games room all done and any last minute sprucing up carried out. Ovens all lined, sweets, mince pies and bottles of wine all distributed. First guests arrived at 11.30, knowing they were early but they just wanted to see where we were. They were a part of a family group who all arrived before three but went for a walk first. So we were ready when the family group who had hired four cottages rang the bell at 3pm the same time as another cottage. So by 3.15 I had five cottages in and no-one else due to arrive until 9pm! This gave us a chance to tidy up inside and put up our Xmas cards and any final decorations. Had tea and dealt with a few bookings that I had this afternoon. Our B&B guests arrived just after 9pm as did our friends who have also hired a cottage for Xmas. We had a night cap (non alcoholic!) before retiring for the night.

Another cold damp day. One cleaner up to do B&B rooms and some sprucing up in cottages. Put up last three Xmas trees. Went to Bakewell in afternoon and picked up the goose for Xmas Day as well as bits for B&B. Called around at Ashford to see couple who haved moved there. When got back Fay was here starting on the brochure run. B&B guests arrived about 8.30. They have stayed in the cottages before. About as ready as I can be for tomorrow as I spent another hour doing some bits in the cottages before a later tea.

Like all things the earlier I wanted to go to Buxton the later I ended up going. I cleaned some carpets. Last day handyman here before Xmas and he spent most of the day finishing off in the cottage where we have just retiled the shower and the B&B room we have just redecorated. I dropped him off in Bakewell after lunch before I headed to Buxton. Parked no problem and managed to carry the TV from Argos to the car without a hitch. Also had a look around M&S and Waitrose. Bought some food for next week. Back and Chris set up the new TV. Got to see Spooks from last night.

Finally! Finally BT have got our phone lines working. At long last not only can we communicate with the world but hopefully now Chris can get all the computer systems working and finally tell what is broken and what isn’t. We had also hoped for Argos to deliver a TV but the order seems to have got lost so Chris has reserved one at Buxton and I will go and collect it tomorrow. Chris spent the rest of the day and evening checking bits. Some good news some bad news. Spoke to a friend that I haven’t spoke to for a while. Paid all this months bills. Went to watch the last of Spooks but the phone went and I got a last minute booking for the B&B for the weekend so I carried on working for a while.

Another quiet day so another two Xmas trees up in the cottages. One cottage out and my business man back in. Two cleaners up to clean from weekend. BT still not fixed phone but it should be done by tomorrow. Wait and see. Finally did last of Xmas cards. One week to Xmas Eve.

Woke up feeling grotty knowing a cold was imminent. Better this side of Xmas, last year my only cold started on Boxing Day! B&B and one cottage out today. Decided to drop into Bakewell and get a paper and look at the Sunday market. It was still cold and misty. We bought a rug for one of the cottages and a few other bits and pieces. We went and had a look at the new Antiques Center that was a part of the Rutland Hotel. The coffee shop was empty so we stopped for a coffee. In the afternoon I put up our Xmas tree. An early tea then we went with Joanna and Andrew down to Over Haddon to see the film ‘March of the Penguins’.

After the beauty of yesterdays morning it was a complete reversal this morning. Still very cold but very foggy. In fact so foggy I took the dogs out for their walk on their extending leads. Smudge in particular was not impressed! Just my business man out today with one cottage and B&B in. It didn’t take long to get the cleaning done so I put up two Christmas trees in two cottages. The ground was quite icy even the gravel in the courtyard seemed slippery so we put some salt around. The cottage arrived about 5 pm but the B&B didn’t arrive until much later. Wrote a short letter to go with Xmas cards to friends. By the end of the evening had done most of the cards.