Bit of a gloomy start and a hectic start to the day. Whilst trying to cook breakfast I had a phone call to book a cottage, one guest was after some washing powder and another enquired about extending their stay. Additionally there were three sets of cottage guests leaving. Phew! I needed my cup of tea before taking the dogs for a walk. Met Andrew inspecting the new grass in the two fields that were sown this year. I walked around with him while he was checking for thickness and weeds. In the first field he had been thinking about grazing sheep but the grass is currently not long enough. In the second field there were some patches that looked a bit yellow, a possible sign of slugs.

Back at the cottages my Saturday cleaner had three cottages to turn around, but with only two coming back in there was less pressure so we got some extra jobs one. Additionally Chris and I went around a number of the cottages and made a list of major and minor jobs to do.

At about midday Chris noticed a group of about half a dozen people standing on our drive taking pictures of our house, the cows and scenery. Chris asked if I knew who they were. Looking from a distance they seemed quite young and I wandered if they were a group of Duke of Edinburgh walkers who had got lost, but they did not have rucksacks. I went down to see them and they turned out to be a group of Korean tourists on their way to Bakewell who saw our place and wanted to take some pictures! They asked about other scenic place to visit so I gave them some suggestions. Perhaps I should start charging an entrance fee!

First guests in at three and second set just after 5.30. Spent a few minutes with one of our regular guests who has not been feeling too well but is going home tomorrow any way. Cooked a roast chicken and sat down about 8.30 not having got much paper work done. Smudge was a bit unnerved by some fireworks going off in the distance. Was going to catch up on blogging but put Heroes on and this weeks episode was so absorbing I hardly did a thing.

Another sunny start and another day without breakfasts to do. Two cottages leaving today and three cottages and two B&B in. Sometimes, even in a few days, friendships can be made amongst guests and it was nice to see other guests saying farewell to departing guests. Two cleaners up today to clean three cottages so the work was completed without a problem. The handyman came today as well. Together with Chris they started doing some pruning but by the afternoon I found whole areas had been cleared. Their idea of pruning and mine are different so I find it better to stay away. They say a severe pruning can be good but I did object to losing one of my favorite shrubs. With a bit of time before guests arrived in the cottages I had a chance to carry out some regular routine tasks. The first set of guests arrived just after 3.30. They have been here before. The second arrived shortly afterwards. Both are here for three nights.

It was a few hours before the first of the B&B guests arrived so I did some bits indoors. The first couple have had family here who recommended us so that was nice. Had tea and did some accounts whilst waiting for the remaining guests. Watched the Tudors program and the second B&B guests arrived just before 10 pm. So that left me with one cottage couple to arrive. They had booked late last night and were going to pay on arrival, which was going to be later in the evening anyway. For B&B guests I usually take a credit card number but did not on this occasion. I had sent them a confirmation so technically they are liable for the rental. I shall phone them but luckily no-one else had tried to book the cottage.

A new day and a new month and the day got off to another fine start. One cleaner came up to clean the B&B room and public areas. I went down to Bakewell and found it surprisingly quiet. Bakewell is often more quiet on a Thursday but as it has been so busy this week I thought there would be more people around. Chris went off to the Over Haddon photo club and as it was so nice I spent a couple of hours tidying up in the garden. After tea I took a couple of bookings and then sat down to watch The Hotel Inspector.

So the good weather continues. For October the warmest day was 12 October with the highest temperature recorded as being 17.1. The coldest day was the 24th, which despite being sunny was quite deceptive. The wettest day was 28th (1/2 inch) with 1.53 inches during the month. As a point of interest the last three months total rainfall is usually what we get in October alone (according to Andrew’s dad.) What a weird year.

A quiet day and a chance to catch up with things. A later breakfast then took the dogs out for a walk. It was sunny but did cloud up during the day. Our B&B guests left and my monthly tea & coffee order arrived. The day went fast with a number of phone calls and emails and some jobs done. In the evening Geoff called around. By the time we sat down it was too late to watch Heroes but never mind.

A nice bright start and dogs out for a quick walk before preparing a light breakfast for our guests. Had planned out the day but like many days this changed by the hour. First though we had a visit from a carpet salesman. We have an account (as a trading busimness) with a carpet wholesaler and one thing we had decided to do this winter is replace some of the linos in the cottages. He came and left his samples so we can make a decision, bearing in mind we have to buy by the roll and a roll is 30 meters! I had planned to go to Bakewell and then onto Matlock to visit the new tourist attraction in the area-the new Sainsbury’s! We found the car park and decided to see how easy it was to walk into town. It took a bit longer than I thought – there is most probably a few things that still need to be finished. I was able to get my bits in Matlock that I would have done in Bakewell. There is also an art gallery at Matlock Green that Chris wanted to drop into so we walked through the park (Hall Leys) only to find the gallery closed. As there was a cafe next door (Tawneys) we had lunch there and it was nice. We went back to Sainsbury’s and did the shopping. We then went onto Chesterfield in order to purchase a TV for one of the cottages. It had started to play up yesterday and despite a number of attempts Chris had not been able to resolve the problem so it was decided the best option was to replace it. We went to Currys but they did not have what we were looking for so went to Argos. Luckily they did so we bought one and went back home to install it.

After tea we went down to the farm as Joanna had made some scones to go with the clotted cream we had received from one of the guests. We had a chat about cows and vaccinations. Each time we are there I learn something new. Andrew is planning to sell some cows and they need to be tested for TB before he can, even though it is not prevalent in the area. After that we came back and watched Spooks.

Up early – couldn’t sleep – so out for a walk with the dogs before putting more washing on then doing breakfast. Our B&B guests departed and booked for same weekend next year – so that will be their fifth visit. Also departing was one cottage. So today there was two cottages and two B&B rooms to turn over with three cottages and one B&B in. Full house in the cottages again. With one cleaner short I helped on beds to start but despite one cottage needing a little extra time good progress was made so I was able to get back to usual Monday things and make sure everything else was ready in time and it was just in time! Still missing some laundry. Two of the cottages arrived at about 3pm and the third a bit later – they had popped up in the morning to check where it was. The B&B guests arrived about 5pm. Despite having been around yesterday to change all the heating timers and water timers external lighting timers there is always one or two that don’t get changed for a day or two, like my washing machine timer which I had forgotten about.

Also the couple who moved to Ashford in the Water a couple of months ago dropped in later in the afternoon. They have been busy with renovations but wanted some advice from Chris on some building matters. I roasted a couple of joints I bought on Saturday. After tea Chris went to the Photographic Society and I caught up with myself! Sat down just before 10pm, too tired to blog but hopefully should have a better nights sleep.

An extra hour to play with today. A little bit of a sleep in before up to do breakfasts. The first morning it has rained for a long time. Got blown about a bit taking the dogs out – they did not seem to mind but the wind kept whipping my coat open so I came back wetter than I should have. One B&B out and also one cottage out later in the day (they have booked to come back next Easter). Got the necessary bits done then headed to Buxton. Purpose of visit today was to go to the ‘Great Peak District Fair and Food Fest’ at the Pavilion Gardens. It has become an annual event but it is the first time we have had a chance to go. A lot of the food exhibitors were also at The Farmers Market yesterday but there were some we don’t usually see. Plus there were the craft exhibitors too. We had a good wander and bought a few bits. Then we wandered into Buxton to pick up a paper. As it was lunchtime we stopped for lunch and had a ‘business meeting’. We have to decide what our priorities are for the next few months building/decorating wise in the cottages. After that we went into Argos and got a replacement CD player and a Christmas Tree. (We decorate the cottages for Christmas and one of the trees needs replacing this year).

By the time we got back the sun was shining and we could see the far hills again. One thing was missing. Cows. With so little rain the grass has not been growing enough for the milk cows so Andrew has only been able to let them out for a few hours a day, but they went in yesterday lunchtime and did not come out today. Normally they do stay out until early/mid November so the impact is that they are already having to start using the winter feed. Hopefully today’s rain with the forecast mild weather will result in a brief reappearance before they go in for the winter. The young cows are still on our side of the road for a little bit longer.

The two cottages arrived between 4 & 5 pm. One has been here a few times before (was here when I went on the cruise). Did not get much done apart from planning tomorrow, especially after one of my cleaners phoned to say she could not make it. Looks like I’ll be on beds again!

Had planned to cook a roast but didn’t get around to it. Made some yoghurt for the B&B, stripped some beds and started a fridge on a slow defrost. Sat down to watch Top Gear.

Another busy day ahead. Up and after breakfasts took the dogs for a quick walk so I could go to the Farmers Market. Four cottages out today but only two in but five cottages to clean as some guests arrive tomorrow or Monday. Went down to Bakewell but the Farmers Market was not as busy as I thought. I was also quicker than usual (did not queue for mushrooms). Got back with provisions and had coffee with the two cleaners. One of the cottages had been left a little untidy so had taken longer but in the end all the cleaning was finished by 1 pm. Had lunch and finished in the cottages that were arriving today. We leave questionnaires for guests and the feedback we get is useful. Today somebody reported a broken can opener, its often things like this that we don’t know about unless someone tells us. Also one of the CD players was not working. These days with so many electrical appliances to keep an eye on. Tomorrow we have lots of clocks to adjust!

Both cottages arriving today have been here before and are friends. This is the third year running they have returned. The first couple arrived at two and the next at 4 pm. I also did some finishing off in the cottages arriving tomorrow. Geoff from Chelmorton called in and we had a cup of tea. I did some sorting out from today (separating bedding for laundry or washing etc). Phoned my dad. Had tea and sat down about 8.30 after dealing with some emails and bookings.