Another quiet but busy day. Chris took Fay to Sheffield to help get a PC for when she goes to University. She had ordered one by mail but but discovered that it would not be delivered in time. They were gone until mid afternoon – roadworks did not help.

We had one set of B&B guests depart and I turned the room around even though the next guests do not arrive until tomorrow. It will be a busy day tomorrow. I also went down to Bakewell which was still quite busy. A quiet evening and a chance to catch up with this weeks episode of Heroes. Must make an effort to sit down earlier.

Another quiet but busy day. One B&B out and another to arrive so I turned the room around and most of the day I spent doing a late ‘spring clean’. Chris resumed his photography at the Over Haddon village Hall. The B&B guests arrived just before 8pm as expected. Watched ‘The Hotel Inspector’ – we find it a very interesting program – always learn from the mistakes of others. The Inspector herself is going to speak at the local Tourism conference in November so that will be interesting.

Our day off in theory. After breakfast and usual bits Chris had a tap to fix in one of the cottages. Its easy to forget that here problems are multiplied by nine. I had sorted out a couple of potential walks in the dark peak area either by Howden Dam or Edale. In the end Chris chose Edale – but not the walk I had selected. We have not been to Edale since we moved here and the last time we went there was to look at a couple of properties when we were looking for somewhere. One was a development opportunity, now developed, and the other an existing business.

It was certainly a warm day and we set of from Edale along the Pennine Way briefly before turning off and heading up to Grindslow Knoll. It was a bit of a climb but I made it (although there was a lot of puffing from me!) The views were worth it. We had lunch by he cairn stones then walked along the top and looked for the path down by Crowden Brook. Luckily someone ahead was going the same way. It was a steep path down (many wouldn’t like it) but I took it at my own speed. It was a four mile walk, well 1 1/2 up, 1/2 along, 1 1/2 down the the final stretch back along the Pennine Way into Edale. It took nearly 4 1/2 hours to do the walk (including lunch) Back at Edale we thought we would stop and look at the Moorland Center, but it was closing as it was 5pm. We stopped for a drink then as we were going back to the car I realised I had left my walking stick at the Moorland center (I had put it down when we had tied up the dogs). Luckily a couple had seen us leave and they saw us come back and showed us where they had put it.

We got home where I found I had just 3/4 hour before I had to pick Joanna for WI. Some hot air balloons went over and that got the dogs barking.

WI tonight was a talk about a local charity called ‘Challenge Cancer through Adventure’ which raises funds for terminally ill and cancer sufferers to undertake an adventurous challenge, eg abseiling.

And of course the last news we wanted to hear – its back. Foot and mouth has been confirmed in Surrey again. Today was the first of the big sheep sales in Bakewell and the numbers of sheep temporarily grounded ranged from 6-12000. Watch this space again.

Another day another turn around. One B&B couple left and we turned the room around. I did some general cleaning and in the afternoon went down to Bakewell. It was still quite busy, but then so are we, but the fine weather will have brought people out. Our guests arrived just after 7pm. Chris and the handyman kept themselves busy, mainly tidying up.

I always mention what I have been doing but often forget to mention what Chris is up to. He is always busy too, maintenance and website matters take up a lot of time.

Hurrah! Today was one of those days when I got things done. With an early breakfast and dogs walked we were able to make an early change over of the king room. With another fine day forecast I was able to get some extra washing done. I also got some of my outstanding jobs done including a clean of the cellar, some kitchen cupboards and some gardening. Also did some accounts. New B&B guests arrived later in the afternoon.

In the evening we went to the Grouse and Claret at Rowsley where we met up with the former owners. It as the first time we had eaten here. It had changed hands not long after we moved here. We had a good evening, nice meal and were one of the last to leave!

Another fine day was in the offing and after the B&B guests had departed we turned round the double room ready for the next guests. Went down to Bakewell to get the paper but also stopped and had a coffee in Frederick’s. Downstairs it sells ice creams but if you brave the stairs and the glass floor(!) there is a little area for enjoying drinks. Architecturally it is very well done but we were the only ones there. We then went round to the Agricultural Center. Here there was a Bird Art exhibition, mainly sculptures. One of our departing B&B guests was involved with the show and we thought it would be worth a look, which it was. From the sound of it the exhibition could be back in Bakewell next year. By the time we got home it had clouded up a little. Our guests arrived at the time they planned. We got some bits done and had an early tea as we had seats to see Casino Royale at the Over Haddon village hall. It was a free showing of the film ahead of the new season and to celebrate the funding to buy a projector. It as an enjoyable evening helped by a glass of ‘Vesper Martini’ a cocktail from the film. Got back and answered the emails before going to bed.

Today was one of those Saturday change overs you wish for all the time. Most of the guests had gone by 9.30, most had stripped the beds and all were left clean and tidy. With eight cottages out and eight to come back in the cleaning was finished by 12.30 and even I was finished with plenty of time to spare. Chris did his weekly clean up of the courtyard and cut the grass. Guests came in at regular intervals from 3 – 6 pm with one couple due to arrive nearer midnight, but they are a part of a cottage already in so I dont have to worry. This week we have four cottages with returning guests, one of which we have become quite friendly with. After a dull start the sun came out as guests arrived and the forecast still looks good for the next few days. Lets hope they are right. We had a number of phonecalls looking for last minute availabilty.

A little catching up on accounts and sat down to Last Night of the Proms – a sign that summer is on the way out, along with the nights drawing in, daddy long legs…

A quiet day on the change overs. One B&B in so a chance to get things done like post the tax returns! I also had a chat with a lady who is looking for some cleaning work. With the weather being so nice I did some extra washing and with all the bits done by lunchtime I went to Bakewell in the early afternoon. The B&B guests arrived about 5pm (in a Porsche – we don’t get many of those here!) This meant we had the evening to ourselves but the good weather meant a lot of phone calls for B&B on Saturday.

Another nice morning and our B&B guests in both rooms departed. Chris and I turned around both rooms although only one was coming in. They have been here before. By the time we had done all our tasks it was lunch time. Chris wanted to go to one of the outdoor shops to buy a pair of boots so we went to the one at Calver first. He found what he wanted here so we came back via the garden center at Calver and Ashford. Here we popped into to see the house our guests were moving into. It is very nice. We then went back home in time for our B&B guests. As it was nice they enjoyed their welcome tea on the patio.

Chris had an evening session at Buxton in the University about web design for accommodation providers organised by the East Midlands Development Agency. Here he met the former owner of Bolehill who we still keep in touch with. We have organised a get together for next week.

While he was there I had a situation which I hope won’t happen again. A couple turned up for their cottage – two weeks early. They had made the booking while they were here a few months ago but now it seems there was confusion over the dates. They thought they had booked for this weekend but I had them booked for two weeks time. I had given them a letter and they had paid the deposit and I was about to chase them for the final payment. The confusion had arisen because there are two similar events at Chatsworth House a couple of weeks apart. After a few phone calls I found them some accommodation for the night and they would go to the Bakewell Tourist Office tomorrow.

PS They did phone after they got home and confirmed they would still be coming next year and would have come for the weekend I had booked for them if I had not already relet it.

Finally today the tenor Luciano Pavarotti died. Perhaps fewer tears shed in the Peak District than other places. Two years ago he cancelled a concert at Chatsworth House. A lot of accommodation provides like ourselves had bookings for that weekend and when he cancelled most of our guests decided to come anyway. The concert was rescheduled for last year but he cancelled at the last moment leaving many accommodation providers with cancellations and Chatsworth House having spent large sums twice for concerts that never went ahead. The feeling was that he should not have rescheduled the second concert.

After breakfast I went down to Bakewell to get a few bits. As it was only 10 am I thought I would try parking in the council run car park. As a resident I have a car park permit which allows limited free parking until 11am and from 4pm. The problem is that because of the B&B and cottages these are the times I need to be at home and in quieter times I am ‘fighting’ with all the other residents for the limited spaces so most times I rarely bother. Today I thought I would and I was surprised to find a space. In fact I was surprised at how quiet Bakewell was. It was strange. I did not know if it was because the schools were back, but then we are full. One of the items I bought was a condolence card for one of our regular guests whose daughter had died. She had been ill for a long time. When I got back I did all my regular jobs so I could go out again in the afternoon to Chesterfield.

It was nearly 2.30 before I got away but I had a good run. I parked in my usual car park and it was quite empty. In fact I thought Chesterfield was pretty empty too! They were preparing the well dressings for this weekend. I zipped round Chesterfield and went to Dunelm before Morrisons. I got back home just before 7pm. There was a number of messages, both phone and emails, to take care of, and by the time we had eaten and I had sorted out the emails and phone calls it was 9.30 before I sat down and watched Heroes. Thank Heavens for DVD recorders!