Decided to go for a walk today as we haven’t had any real time off for two weeks now. Had thought about Froggatt Edge but it was a bit hazy so opted for a walk from the Longshaw Estate near Hathersage which included Padley Gorge. Although we have driven past the Longshaw Estate we have never stopped or walked from there. Longshaw Lodge now is private but it was a former hunting Lodge of the Duke of Rutland before it was sold to the National Trust. During the first world war it was used as a military hospital. The walk started at Woodcroft car park and we headed to White Edge Moor. From here we could make out Higger Tor and Carl Wark and in the haze Win and Lose hills. We were surprised to find that heather was starting to bloom and on closer inspection could make out swathes of purple covering the lower slopes of the moorland. This means the heather will be early this year. From White Edge we headed towards the Haywood car park and then down towards Grindleford skirting the edge of Nether Padley. At Grindleford station we stopped for lunch at the cafe, although we had brought sandwiches with us, but the bacon bap had four rashers of bacon and was very tasty. From here we walked up Padley Gorge and though the path was not always beside the gorge Chris found a number of spots to take some photos. I took some too. At the top of the gorge it was quite busy with families enjoying the warm day beside Burbage Brook. We headed back towards the Longshaw Estate and being a National Trust property stopped at the tea room for tea and cake with Higger Tor and Carl Wark as a backdrop. On the way back home we stopped at the Calver Garden Centre to get some bits. In the evening one of the cleaners came up and cleaned a cottage. The German family who had been with us for a fortnight went today and with a busy day tomorrow one cottage less to worry about at our Bakewell cottages is always helpful.