A Pleasant Surprise

Rain this morning & daughter suggested Plan B for the walk - catch the bus to the Longshaw Estate and walk back to Bamford, returning to the campsite by bus again. We were happy to agree as she knows the area far better than we do. On arriving at the estate we indulged in coffee and scones at the NT cafe and by the time we set off on our walk the rain had cleared. The first section was "typical estate" then we crossed the road and a stream and started descending through an amazing wood on the sides of the steep, narrow gorge formed by the stream. Apparently it's Padley Gorge - ancient oaks, moss-covered boulders and delicate ferns - an ancient woodland on millstone grit, designated as a SSSI and also believed to be an example of temperate rainforest. I took a few photos - the Blip was taken just after we entered the wood, where there was still plenty of light - and I'd love to visit again and explore it more fully. We crossed other woods on the way back, then meadows and footpaths alongside the River Derwent. The final stretch was very muddy, taxing our balancing skills and causing S to need hosing off in the "dog-wash" at the campsite again. I did worry that there might be raised eyebrows on the bus, but that was fine - presumably the drivers are used to muddy walkers and their dogs!