A nice day forecast and being the only day this weekend with no-one in or out it was a good day for a walk. Knowing it would be busy we did a walk from here. We got the paper from Bakewell and did the usual bits but it was almost midday by the time we were ready to leave. We walked down to Over Haddon then down to Lathkill Dale before heading towards Alport along the dale. We stopped in Alport and took some photos. If you leave the main road there is more to the hamlet. The Lathkill and Bradford rivers converge here so we next set off along the path beside the Bradford towards Youlgreave. We found a spot to have lunch and watched the crowds go by. It was a very busy path but then it was a lovely Bank Holiday Sunday afternoon. When we reached Youlgreave we picked up one of the paths to take us back up to Youlgreave and then out the other side across the fields back here. We were able to look back to Youlgreave and look ahead to Over Haddon. We were also able to see Bolehill from certain vantage points. Through Meadow Grange (properties with the word ‘grange’ in this area often have monastic connections) down to Lathkill Dale then back up the other side to pick up the path back home. Andrews farming neighbours in Over Haddon were moving the cows across the road for milking so a minor traffic holdup was created . As we neared Andrews milking time was approaching so we helped (unably assisted by the dogs) to round up the cows in the last field we passed through and herded them back towards the farm for milking.

When we got home I decided to have a BBQ having bought some bits at the Market yesterday. A quiet evening. PS Chris has put pictures in last Wednesdays blog.

Last phone call at 10.30pm last night. Up and after breakfast and dog walking it was off to the Farmers Market leaving Chris to bid farewell to our departing guests. Five cottages and one B&B out and six cottages and two B&B in so a busy day was still ahead. Bought most of the usual bits at the market but when I got back I discovered I had left my lunch (some samosas and pakoras) behind! Cleaning was well underway and with a full compliment of cleaners the work was finished by 1pm and with time for a proper lunch everything was ready for 3pm. Guests arrived at steady intervals from about 3.30 with the last guests, for the B&B arriving at about 7pm.

Another one of Andrews cows decided to explore the grass verges so as it was miking time Chris went to see what he could do but Joanna came and they managed to return it to its field. It had been another fine day and I had hoped we might squeeze a picnic in sometime before the end of the month. This year there has been a distinct paucity of evening picnics!

What a beautiful morning. No haze, very clear, a lovely morning to walk the dogs. Said goodbye to two cottages, including the gentleman who had been staying pending moving into his new home. He still does not have a date so is now staying in a hotel for a few weeks. He gave me a box of chocolates which I thought was very nice. We also said goodbye to one of our B&B couples. Only one cottage in today so it meant the others would be ready for tomorrow without the rush. I also used the carpet cleaner in one of the cottages whilst I had the time. The car park was empty for most of the day with guests making the most of the good weather.

The phone was very busy with people hoping for last minute availability. Chris and the handyman again spent most of the day splitting logs – but they have finished. I spent some time attending to my hanging baskets and doing some admin. Our cottage guests arrived between 5 & 6 pm. The local news on the BBC had an outside broadcast from nearby Tissington. I managed to it down before 9pm, even if it was only 10 minutes before 9pm!

The wind has died down enough to feel the strength of the sun – in fact today it felt like summer! Chris has linked into a national B&B forum and it is interesting to see how issues and regulations are affecting B&B operators around the country. Chris had posted an entry asking for ideas on removing stains from carpets. Luckily one B&B in Bakewell offered us the use of her steam cleaner so Chris went down to collect it. I said goodbye to one set of B&B guests and the room was cleaned ready for the next ones due to arrive later in the day. Chris and the handyman spent most of the day splitting logs for winter. I spent a lot of the day answering phonecalls and emails! A couple called in to pick up a brochure. I went down to Bakewell in the afternoon, I had planned to go tomorrow but decided it might be even busier so I went but without Smudge. I also returned the steam cleaner. Our guests arrived just before 6pm and we considered going to look at the heather up on the moors – it is reputed to be very good this year – but it had started to get hazy. A quieter evening and time to catch up on blogging.

So the first morning I could lay in it is spoilt by the fact I had a bad nights sleep. A cleaner came to turn the two B&B rooms around and I went down to Bakewell to do the usual bits and I needed to go into the card shop which is Smudges favourite shop because they give him a chew. Although it is called the Country Life Book Shop it is more of a card shop with a book section. It has a card for everyone so if you know what their passion is there will be a section of cards suitable for them. Went back and had lunch and made sure everything was OK for the next guests. I then went to Morrisons at Buxton and back via Focus to pick up some paint. I got back just as the first guests were settling in. I was well into the unpacking when the front doorbell went. Thinking it was the next guests I went to take them upstairs to discover that one was a previous guest who was in the area with her husband and wanted to say hello. (She was actually on of our first guests, and is from California, but was here with her mother last time). She had tried to book in here but we were already booked but wanted to bring her husband here to meet us. We had a cup of tea with them and they invited us to join them for a meal but we were still waiting for our next guests so we agreed to drop by at the Bulls Head for a drink later. We had tea, I finished unpacking the shopping and our guests (Canadian) arrived. After we settled them in we went to the pub with the dogs and had a couple of drinks. A nice end to a busy day

No blog yesterday as visiting friends and Chris’s parents in York. Got back about 10.30 pm and then spent an hour answering emails and making a note of telephone messages. Got a short break booking for a cottage from a couple in Sweden.

Both B&B couples left today and with no-one coming back in we have an empty night -our first since 30 June! I must make the most of it as the next isn’t for another six weeks and I expect that to be booked by then! So after walking the dogs Monday morning went the usual way, laundry, rubbish and washing. One cottage came in today and after they arrived I tackled another of my outstanding jobs. I recovered two dining chairs so I can put them in at the next change over They have only been sitting here for a year waiting to be done.

We had a couple of bookings and unfortunately one cancellation, but as that is some time away I should be able to re let it. Also we are starting to get enquiries about Christmas. We have found that we get a rush of enquiries after Christmas, some of which will turn into bookings, then another round of enquiries at Easter then from mid August onwards. The same is true for New Year bookings. We already have a number of bookings for Christmas and New Year. A number of brochure requests too today as the new WI magazine is out. An evening of emails and phonecalls with the Bank Holiday Weekend looming and good weather forecast. Good weather for a Bank Holiday Weekend? Now that would be unusual.

Donned the rain coat to take the dogs out. Rain was forecast but was still dry for departing guests. Six cottages out, five cottages in and one transfer so scheduling important. Also one B&B in and out. No time for extra jobs but one oven in need of cleaning. Cottages left tidy and most made a timely departure. No breakages reported or found. Even with a full compliment of cleaners the cleaning was not finished until 2pm – just when it started to rain and when the first guests arrived. They were understanding when I said the cottage was not ready and went for a drive arriving back just after three. Grabbed a slice of toast then checked cottages and B&B were ready for occupation. Next guests arrived just before 3pm and last ones arrived by 7pm. A real miserable evening (weather wise) so after the last guests arrived Chris went and got a pizza and I seemed to remember saying I’ll sit down but it was still 9pm before I turned off the light in reception.

Must not forget congratulations to Fay for getting her A level results. She has secured a place at Reading studying Food Technology.

No blog tomorrow as going to York to see some friends who have moved house and also visit Chris’s parents.

Another sunny start. One cottage leaving and one cottage and B&B arriving so a cleaner came this morning to turn them around. I went down to Bakewell just before lunch and it was quite busy already. Whilst waiting for my guests to arrive in the afternoon I sorted out ll the leaflets in the leisure area and also a couple of boxes of paper which I seemed to have accumulated – most of which went in the bin! The cottage guests arrived about 5pm and the B&B guests at 6.30pm. Chris was sorting out the PC in the leisure area so later in the evening I put the chickens away and laid the table for the morning before sitting down for the evening.

A day off as Chris reminded me. Well I suppose I could always sort out the filing system instead but with Chris’s foot not up for a long walk I chose a trip to Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth Basin. We parked in Whaley Bridge and walked along the canal, we had to stop under a tree for a passing shower. I thought we would walk a little way to give the dogs a walk then return to the car and drive around to Bugsworth Basin but before we realised it we were there. Bugsworth Basin is another example of our industrial heritage. Bugsworth was one of the largest inland ports fo the canal network. It was a centre for the production of burnt lime and the terminus of the Peak Forest Canal linked by the Peak Forest tramway. Today very little remains of the buildings but volunteers (and where would a lot of sites be without them) have restored the site with a heritage trail which was interesting. All of a sudden there was another shower so we dived into the pub and had lunch (dogs allowed on leads). Then we walked back to Whaley Bridge and had a walk around there. We then drove around to Hayfield (this is where the mass trespass of Kinder Scout started from) to have a look at Kinder Scout (must walk there some day) before going back home. We were the first ones back. On better weather days guests do come back later. Spent an hour doing accounts.

I could have sat down at 8pm but felt guilty so went and did another hours work before I sat down!