So much for the nice weekend. Another drizzly start which again never really cleared. A strange Sunday in that none of the B&B’s left today so I had to service the rooms (after we had gone to get the paper). Also gave a new set of linen to one of the cottages who arrived last Monday and are here until next Saturday. This is the second time this year they have been here. Cooked lunch for us and Chris’s parents. After that we did the VAT returns for the business’s and I filed all the bits away from last quarter. This is basically all the booking forms for the cottages and B&B’s, registration forms all accounts paper work, statements from credit cards, Streamline (debit & credit card slips) invoices etc. Hopefully the postal dispute is now over so I need to pay this months bills. Also have a few bits to post to guests.

Checked some cottages so less to do tomorrow. Also finally ordered my spring bulbs. Had hoped to get some gardening done this weekend. Sat down before 8pm!

Another day of goodbyes and hellos. Four cottages out and two back in. Two have already booked again for next year. A 50/50 weekend with some cottages not back in until Monday for short beaks. Also one B&B out and back in. Took dogs for a walk, was a bit drizzly but was supposed to clear up (but didn’t really). Two cleaners up and four cottages cleaned as well as the B&B. Finished by lunchtime. Two cottages arrived between 3 – 3.30 pm. B&B just after 5pm. Some guests even had a sauna – long time since that has been used. Spent about an hour going through the boxed games we have in the leisure area. Replace them regularly so checking on what bits are missing, sellotaping boxes or throwing away.

Made decision about cleaner so had to let a few ladies down. Haddon Grove are also looking for some extra help so with the ladies permission I have passed their names and numbers on to them. My new lady starts on Monday.

Chris took his mum down to Bakewell for an hour or so. After tea sat down and watched Heroes.

A busier day with one cottage out and one cottage in and one B&B in. Another lovely day with a good weekend forecast. One cleaner came in and the cottage was quickly turned around. Went down to Bakewell and got the bits for the weekend. Took Smudge as per usual. (Cant remember if I have mentioned I take Smudge most times – good lead training). Came back, had lunch and got bits ready for those coming in. Popped over to see Chris’s parents a few times. Chris took them out for a drive but as I was waiting for guests I could not go. I decided to get some things ready for tomorrow like ironing. Had a few phonecalls for last minute availability. The cottage guests arrived about 4.30 pm and the B&B about 7 pm. Felt like the first time this week I had sat down in the evening.

A quiet day with non-one in or out so a chance to catch up with housework and finally complete last quarters accounts so we can do the VAT return. Also interviewed some more prospective cleaners. It turned into a nice day. I popped over to Chris’s parents a few times, chatted to some of the guests and the day just went. Earlier in the afternoon I had a phone call from a gentleman who had booked some accommodation about a month ago for a short term let but had not confirmed it. He phoned to advise he was arriving next week but as he had not confirmed or paid I had let it go. I was able to offer some accommodation but not for another couple of weeks so I have asked him to confirm by Monday if he wishes to take up the accommodation.

A busy Wednesday with two B&B out and one in with one cottage out and back in. With two cleaners they were soon done Chris’s parents are now here staying in one of the cottages Chris went up to York and brought them back. There was not room for me in the car but I had plenty to do. After lunch went to see one of the cleaners who’s birthday it is. Also had a walk around the Peak Village Outlet Centre near Rowsley. I also went to the Chatsworth Garden Centre and got a few bits. Got back to find the new B&B guests enjoying a cup of tea on the patio. A hot air balloon rising from Bakewell added to the ambiance. Popped in to have a quick chat with Chris’s parents before doing tea. Then went to WI where tonight we had a show of slides of the local area but taken at different times of the year. Some really good and unusual shots.

One of those days that just disappeared. Started off wet but it soon passed over. First time for ages had to wear rain coat to take dogs out. One cottage out but none in.Two early breakfasts but despite plans on an early trip to Bakewell it was gone 11.30 before I went down town. Had a couple of things to do for Chris’s parents: order a cake, pick up a wheelchair from the tourist office as well as my usual bits. Back for lunch and bits around the house and some extra washing. By lunchtime the sun had come out. Must order my spring bulbs…Had planned to go to a garden center tomorrow afternoon until I was reminded I have guests coming in !

After a sunny day yesterday today was dull and a bit disappointing – still forecast is promising for later in the week. So today it was two cottages out and three cottages and two B&B in. One of those cottages was to be my in laws but my father in law was not well so their arrival has been postponed for a day or so. In one of the cottages I have retuning guests and in the other my business man. I had two cleaners this morning and I also started interviewing some applicants for a new cleaner. So what with all that and laundry and rubbish being collected I still managed to make sure everything was ready in time. Had some leftovers from yesterday for lunch (and dinner) Guests arrived between 3 and 6 pm. In between kept up with phone calls and emails with a rush of phone calls between 9 and 9.30 pm. Finally sat down just before 10pm.

Woke up to a sunny start which was nice as a cloudy day was forecast. Both B&B guests left and one has booked again for a weekend next month. Had a chat with some of the guests before going to get the paper. Got back to find some of the couples from the cottages chatting in the courtyard. It is nice when we see guests chatting to each other.

Our friends who are coming to sty at Christmas called in for lunch. They had been to a wedding in Nottingham. As it was still sunny and warm we had lunch on the patio. Our cottage guests arrived just after three after which our friends left for York. By now the sun had gone and we spent the rest of the afternoon doing various things. I caught up with some personal paper work and some ironing for tomorrow. Another quiet evening in.

It feels strange waking up and knowing this Saturday will be quieter than yesterday. Only two cottages out with three in and one to arrive tomorrow. Took the dogs for a walk and nearly came back for my camera as out of the mist rose a balloon. We have had more balloons in the area this week than all summer. Two cleaners cleaned four cottages and were finished in three hours. All three cottages have been here before, two of them since I started blogging. The first couple arrived early so they could drop their bags of and go for a walk. The second couple arrived just after 3 pm, and the third couple at 5 pm. In between I had a couple come and look at he cottages. He has a contract job for a few months and is looking for somewhere to stay short term during the week. His wife came too as some weeks she might stay. I was able to sort some accommodation out for the next couple of weeks and we will see how things go. We also popped up to the Chatsworth Farm Shop to get some lunch for tomorrow. A quiet evening in and I turned the office light off at 6 pm!

Another one of those lovely photo scenic mornings with the sun rising above the mist in the valley. Two cottages and our B&B guests out but three cottages and two B&B back in so another busy Friday. The handyman came up and started chain sawing the fallen tree but the (new) chainsaw broke so he had to go into town to see if it could be fixed. Managed to get all the cleaning done just after midday and I finished all my bits by 1pm. Had a bit of lunch then went down to Bakewell. It was busy but I got all the bits done and was driving back up the drive just before 3pm and just behind our first guests. All the guests were in by 4.30 except the last B&B couple who arrived just before 8pm.