Up to very cold morning with temperatures well below zero. It was really beautiful and I took some photos. Left Chris to take the dogs out as I had an early appointment at the Monsal Head Hotel to take the exam for the food hygiene certificate. There were a number of us who had done the e learning course so we took the exam and then it was over for us. There was also a small number of people who were doing the course in the more traditional way. I went down to Bakewell and got my shopping for the weekend. Back for lunch and then caught up with my usual bits. One cottage in today. They have been here for B&B before. Chris and the handyman are decorating one of the B&B rooms as we have a quieter weekend ahead. Our neighbours came up in the evening to use the internet to check thier emails. Did some more Xmas cards.

A quiet day on the whole. After my usual bits I spent the rest of the morning doing an e learning course to renew my food hygiene certificate. It took about two hours but as I was doing well I wanted to finish before having lunch. After lunch I did a bit of tidying up before doing my bit of the food preparation for the WI party. As usual it was a good evening with a few games and the food prepared by the committee. It was quite icy when we came home.

A quiet morning doing normal bits but after lunch went to Dunelm and Morrisons in Chesterfield mainly to stock up on non perishable stuff for over the Xmas/New Year period. When got back Chris wanted to play with the new toy that arrived today – a steam cleaner. Can be used to clean may things including ovens (useful after Xmas) and carpet stains. Had hoped to start catching up with paper work but no chance. Watched Spooks and wrote another batch of Xmas cards.

One cottage and the B&B out today. Bakewell was having a Sunday market so decided to go to Ashford to pick up the paper. Intercepted by the couple who have moved to Ashford who had some technical questions about their. Dropped in after buying the paper and was able to give them some advice. Stayed for a cup of tea and a chat then came back and had lunch. Organised myself to start Xmas cards which I did after dinner.

In fact a quiet day and a chance to start getting ready for Xmas. Got all the boxes down from the loft. Two cottages out and one in and two cleaners in to get them cleaned. Laundry went to a different place so we will wait for the results. Welcomed my latest business man. Strange seeing all those cottages with no lights on! Sat down and wrote a few more Xmas cards.

A wet and horrible start with a wet day forecast. Took the dogs for a walk in sodden fields. We have already had a couple of inches of rain this month. One cottage out and one cleaner up to turn a couple of cottages around. I had a blitz on a number of outstanding jobs including tidying up the cellar. We had also bought tickets for the Baslow Choir’s Christmas concert at Curbar church so after dinner we left about 7pm. The concert was very good and they performed Carl Jenkins’s ‘The Armed Man’. This was the first time I had heard the piece in full and I might buy it. The audience had their part to play and joined in with some carols so I ended up singing some of the same ones that I sang last night! Also performing were The Plague O’ Bells aka the Eyam hand bell ringers. I first heard them a couple of years ago and enjoy listening to their work. After that we retired to the pub across the road for a drink before going home. On the way back we stopped in Bakewell and walked to the river. It was very swollen and fast and we had seen that it had already breached it’s bank along the flood plain in a couple of places. Very worrying.

Plenty to do today with two cottages out and two back in with a B&B in too. Cleaning was done with no problem and my business man left for the last time. Luckily someone else where he is working is looking for similar accommodation so I have a replacement. This also sets me up for a record as it will mean that in 2007 we will not have had a night with nobody in. We usually have a few nights a year with no-one in. In the morning Chris and the handyman finished the fencing. It was cold but dry with a biting wind. I planted a further 90 bulbs. Not many left to plant now.

Our two cottage guests have both been here before. The first cottage arrived just before three pm. For a while the lights kept on flickering on and off and just after Chris took the handyman back to Bakewell at 4pm the lights went out completely. Used the mobile to phone electricity board ‘who were aware of problem in the area’ but were unable to give an idea of time it would be out. When Chris came back we put our ‘power cut emergency plan’ into action. This is only the second time we have had to use it but we issued torches, Tilly Lamps, candles in jars and matches to the three cottages who were here. When the next cottage arrived about five pm they received the same kit too. In the meantime Chris went back to Bakewell to get some extra kits. When we first made up the kits we did not do B&B so we decided we ought to make up some more sets. At about 5.30 the lights came back on. Phew! I was just about to phone the B&B guests to advise them of the situation. Had tea then Joanna came to pick me up as we were going to be the Over Haddon reps at the group WI Carol Service at Great Longstone. It was a nice service but only about two dozen were there. They had also had the power cut in the afternoon and were worried they would have to cancel. When I got back at about 9pm the B&B guests had still not arrived and they arrived about 9.30.

After our B&B guests and one cottage left and after my dad set off back home we went down to Bakewell four our six monthly dental check up. Both of us had no problems and both the dentist and hygienist said my teeth were a lot better. I have learnt though that green tea actually stains teeth more than black tea. Fact for the day! Had a coffee in town before coming back. Here one cleaner was turning around two cottages, one for a late booking arriving today. They arrived mid afternoon. Did some bits around the house and before you knew it it was time for bed! We are now full for Xmas and New Year.

A mixed day. After cooking breakfast Chris took the dogs out for their walk as we now have sheep on our fields and on the first day I thought it better Chris took them out. As it happens the dogs were very good. We had one cottage leaving today. Chris spent more time sorting out the computers and so far we have about two dozen items of equipment, mainly routers but one computer and one cctv camera as well, that have been affected but until the phone lines are up and running we will not know the full extent. Spent some time with my dad during the day and as the weather was not too bad offered to take him for a drive to show him more of the area but he was happy to relax and read. I cooked us all a dinner and then I went to my first WI committee meeting. Here we discussed next weeks party amongst other things.

Chris spent most of the day trying to alleviate the problems of yesterday. BT came to fix the phones but decided the problem could not be fixed without repacing a duct box which would take a few more days. Our broadband connection was fixed by lunch time and by the afternoon Chris was able to get our email working again. With our internet connection back up Chris was able to get a VOIP (voice over internet protocol) working so we could make and receive phonecalls over the internet rather than the mobile. (BT have redirected our incoming calls to this protocol).

This morning I found one of the RCB’s had blown in the garage where I kept the freezer but luckily no damage was done We also took delivery of a roll of lino which should have been delivered yesterday but in the circumsytances I think it was just as well it came today. Also just after lunch my dad arrived to spend a couple of days here. We spent the afternoon chatting and in the evening we went to the Bulls Head in Monyash for a meal. He is staying in the ground floor cottage nearest us. Apart from spending time with us he uses it as a holiday too so he can enjoy some reading.