A late breakfast which always puts everything behind although I always try to get some things done before hand. Still I caught up with myself and got some extra things done before lunch (found some replacement sheets for my missing laundry). One cleaner up to do one cottage and the other B&B room which were both coming in today. Cottage guests arrived about 2.30 after which I popped down to Bakewell then on to Morrisons at Buxton. Drove back in he dark and the rain but at least the usual road is now open again. B&B guests arrived about 8.30 then I sat down to watch Spooks.

A bright but cold start with early temperatures below zero! Cooked breakfast then took dogs for a walk. This morning there was five cottages and a B&B couple departing with four cottages and one B&B to arrive in the afternoon. So plenty to do today. Two cleaners here to turn everything around. We have booked one of the cottages out to do some maintenance (we did one last week if I haven’t already mentioned). Armed with a list of things to do Chris and the handyman will work their way through them over the next few days and I should have the cottage back for the weekend. Last of the cows went back across the road today. Won’t be long before they are all in the sheds for winter.

Cleaning was finished just after 1.30. Had lunch then finished bits in the cottages and B&B. The B&B guests were the first to arrive just before 4 pm. Three of the cottages arrived from 4.30 to 6 pm including my business man for another few days. My final cottage arrived just after 8 pm. Had a few things to do before sitting down including a gift voucher . This is for someone who wishes to treat her parents to a few nights B&B as a Christmas present. Sat down at 9 pm.

Today we have been here four years. Still only feels like we have been here a few weeks. This morning we were one chicken down, for the last few days we could tell one was on its way out and last night we decided it was not going to last any more (it had not moved all day) so sent it to hen heaven.

One B&B room out (they left us some wine and some biscuits for the dogs) and one cottage later in the day. Had thought about a walk but it did start to rain. Went and got the paper and decided to have an easy day. Thought about going for afternoon tea somewhere but didn’t, thought about going out for an evening meal but the place I liked is closed on Sunday evening. So we had a quiet day. Was going to do a bit of gardening but didn’t. So pottered really. Got some things ready for tomorrow as it will be a busy day. Took the dogs out for a walk in the fields just before sunset and threw sticks. Blue enjoys chasing them. Cooked dinner and sat down to watch Top Gear.

A quieter day and a chance to catch up with things. One cottage out and two in so full house proper (I think I said that yesterday but miscounted!) The morning flew by with usual bits and getting things ready. Finished cleaning by 12.30, one cleaner today who did some extra bits in the cottages. Had lunch and finished my bits including defrosting a fridge by 2.30. First guests arrived just as finishing and next guests a couple of hours later. In the meantime I started looking at next years prices. Sounds late to be doing this but noticed it was this time last year when I did this years prices. I have had a few enquiries about next year and already have a number of bookings, those who have booked recently have had their bookings at this years prices.

Cooked a roast lamb for dinner and took a couple of bookings this evening, the latest being at 9.30pm. We are now almost fully booked for next week.

Another busy day. After breakfast did usual bits and went down to Bakewell to get some bits. The cleaner was late as she was waiting for the gas man but with an extra couple of hands we were able to get the two cottages done. Two cottages out this morning (including my business man) but four cottages in. A full house for the weekend and a bit busier next week too. All cottages in by four so the rest of the afternoon was mine. (One cottage has three ladies who have come to have a weekend together and get some Christmas shopping done.) Feeling energetic I spent a couple of hours tidying up the linen room. After tea sat down at 8.30. How long will it last!

Must have been tired yesterday when I blogged because something happened that I forgot to mention. When I woke and opened the curtains there was an ambulance (with blue lights flashing) turning into the drive. It was turning and heading back to Bakewell but stopped by Andrews drive. Went downstairs to have a look and saw a fire engine and police car too. I could only guess that a car had gone off the road. This was confirmed a little later by the policemen who came up to trace the owner of the wall the car had hit. I directed them to Andrew because I wasn’t sure if it was his or not. There was not a lot of damage I noticed when I went to the vets but the owner of the car called in later to see if we owned the wall and again I sent him to Andrews. He was not hurt and apparently the car had skidded on some mud on the road and some witnesses were able to confirm this.

Back to Thursday. After taking the dogs out went down to Bakewell and bought a new fridge for one of the cottages. One cottage and the public rooms to do today. Nobody out but both B&B rooms and a cottage in. Cleaning finished by lunchtime with having to dodge the showers! The first guests to arrive were one of the B&B couples. They had got here earlier than expected and asked if they could leave their cases and go on to Bakewell. I invited them in and also made them tea and had a chat with them before my cottage guests arrived. Got on with some other bits before my next B&B guests. They were here about three months ago.

Decided must make more of an effort to sit down earlier in the evening and tonight managed 8.45.

Up and out with the dogs then a phone call to the vets. Last night one of Blue’s ears looked a bit sore so we decided to play safe. This gave me a couple of hours to get some things done. The lady from Ashford dropped by at coffee time. Went down to the vets but could not find a place to park so parked behind in another area where there is a wine shop. Unusual thing about this vets is you are just as likely to bump into a horse as another dog. They have a door for the ‘small’ animals and one for the ‘large’ animals. Despite a full car park I was the only one in the waiting room. Blue settled and wasn’t phased by being here. In a few minutes a door opened and out came a couple with a dog – one of our guests – their dog also has an ear infection! We have four dogs here this week, last week we had nine dogs at one stage! Went into the consulting room and the vet got Blue onto the table and summoned a nurse in case he started to wriggle, but he was very good. The vet confirmed the early stages of an ear infection so he was given some ear drops. Took him back to the car and I popped into the wine shop and bought a couple of bottles of wine. Then went into Bakewell and got my shopping. Talked to Sarah in Critchlows who has just had her cottages inspected by the tourist board. (Ours is due shortly). She was able to tell me what the ‘hot’ topics were this year.

Came back and had lunch. This morning Chris has been working in one of the cottages with the handyman switching the position of a fridge and dishwasher but whilst in Bakewell I saw the Co-Op had some fridges for sale so I will take Chris to look at them. Decided to spend a bit more time outside but first booked another years advertising with the WI magazine. We get a lot of approaches from magazines and papers to advertise with them but we are very selective about advertising in the media. Planted about 50 bulbs and some shrubs before coming back in. Had another purge on paper work before sitting down to watch the Nature of Britain. Isn’t it nice to see a nature program about Britain.

Another bright and sunny start. Had planned to go to Bakewell later in the morning but first got three loads of washing done whilst waiting for a visitor. She was from a local training firm who have some European funding available for certain training. I have a Food Hygiene Certificate which needs to be renewed regularly and she was able to arrange a refresher course for me next month. I showed her one of the cottages and we talked about any other training we needed (I mentioned a dry stone walling course for Chris but that is not in her remit!) A telephone call with a late booking held me up so I decided to go to Bakewell later in the day. After lunch I wrapped up and spent a couple of hours pottering around the garden. I planned where my bulbs are going to go and planted some small potted shrubs in the area cleared last week freeing up some pots for other uses. As it darkened I pottered inside before doing tea. Got some accounts finished before sitting down to watch Spooks. I do like the format of the new series.

Another busy day with two cottages out and in. We have in total four cottages in for the next few nights with further guests arriving on Thursday. Two cleaners up today to turn around the B&B rooms (just in case) and the required cottages. Everything finished by lunchtime so I had time to do my bits and more. First guest here by 3 pm and my business man is back arriving about 5 pm. Chris had another evening with the Bakewell photographic society and I entered some of last months accounts. I had done quite a bit around the house this afternoon and was in one of those moods to get things done. I spent some time doing some ‘deep’ cleaning in the kitchen and after washing the floor at 10pm I sat down.

A hazy start but a promising forecast. two choices, immerse self in paper work or a walk. Well it had to be the latter! Two cottages leaving and both B&B’s out today. One of our departing guests gave us some chocolates and wine. Yesterday one of our departing guests gave us some cider and fudge. After the guests had left and dogs taken for a quick walk we set off for Ashford in the Water. We weren’t sure how busy it would be and if we would be able to park there. Luckily we could so we set off for Monsal Head via the green lanes behind Ashford. There were some nice views but the haze hadn’t cleared as much as I had hoped. We came a across a bench just before Monsal Head so we stopped and had lunch. This was a well trodden walk as we met many people on the way. From Monsal Head we walked down to the Viaduct and then down to the river and along to White Lodge car park on the A6. Then through Shardlow Woods back to Ashford. Just over five miles and apart from the climb up to Shardlow Woods not very strenuous. From Ashford we made a detour to the bookshop at the old Hassop Station. Had a hot chocolate and piece of cake and bought two books on the area. We keep a selection of books and DVDs on the area for B&B guests to enjoy. Back home I cooked a cottage pie but it was quite late before we ate and sat down.