20 December. Masses of snow, beautiful views of the Peak District, piles of logs in, glass of mulled wine, bliss.
22 December. Snowmen, sledging, kids happy. Wheelbarrowed the bags of plaster for the snug up from the road.
4 January. Guests thought it an adventure between Christmas and New Year, yet again we are marooned with stunning views.
20 January. We now have more green than white on the ground. Our Plasterer has managed to make it and is finishing our snug, dining room and utility.
31 January. Kirsten and I had a gorgeous walk down Lathkill Dale, around Ricklow quarry, looking forward to picnics.
15 Febraury. Can't believe we have more snow when the remains of the first lot is still here.
21 Febraury. I was meant to go mountan biking with a mate from Middleton, but I couldn't get to Middleton on a bike. So I went for a snow run instead, Vancouver be jealous.
9 March. Walking weather is here, Kirsten and I walked from here to Monyash via Lathkill Dale yesterday. An hour and a half, with interludes for bow and arrowing. Blue sky, solid ground, water flowing from the cave, bliss.
24 March. The Geese were late to start laying, the theory is the first egg is Valentines day, ours were a week ago, not that far out really.
10 April. Last weekend it was snowing, today we were having our first swim in the Lathkill in Youlgreave.
27 April. Beautiful weather today and yesterday. And with only 52 days untill Mountain Mayhem I just hope the weather stays nice.
15 may.. ooooooooooooh nooooooooooooooooooo. we are only 10 days from our episode of channel 4 three in a bed, we will not see it before you do, on wed 25 may at 8pm. i am going to put my passport on the kitchen table, and watch with the yarwood family rather than die of embarrassment on our own. we have horse guests in that evening too, so, that could be even worse or they might not watch?
19 may. just seen the trailer for next week, as a digger is outside his window, mike says he`d just like to drop a bomb on the whole place. i can`t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!
27 may, pheeeeeeeeeeew, i had been secretly rather worried about this and am now mightily relieved. we have had masses of really supportive emails, some from regular guests, or one off guests who remember staying here, some from total strangers saying keep it as is it is, some from people now booking stays. All the messages took somebody some time to do and have been a real bonus, I couldnt be happier.
8 june. more horse riders away this morning. one lonely gosling has just hatched. i was racing in milton keynes at the week end and people even recognised me there, from the tv, totally out of context.
14 june. antonia made a birthday cake for a guest, alex appeared covered in crumbs and icing to report that the cats had eaten the new cake.
24 june. solstice days were warm dry and calm, lovely crowd of regulars, some call in to say hello, some call the kids over when the kids go up to the top, all is lovely.
10 july. the marquee is up,catering is all in hand, the grass is dry, the sun will shine. luke and eli should have a beatiful day, and nobody will be disturbed by the noise!
17 july.guests for buxton arts festival this weekend, last week horse guests, all have stayed before and are a joy to have.
10 august. lathkill dale walking with the kids, bradford dale swimming with the kids. bakewell show guests last week. we have the waterslide up in the field and raspberries by the bucketload in the woods.
2 sept. back rom rainy camping and surfing in devon, now its sunny. plenty of horse holiday riders, seem to have bred horse boxes in the last few days.
