Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, Spring
Cumbria’s got super cold again after last weekend’s bizarre heatwave.
Following the weekend’s temperatures pushing 20ºC, Monday onwards saw conditions plunge back down to freezing point with fresh snow falling on the fells. Thankfully, as the week progressed, the atmosphere cleared up and blue skies have been a regular feature, but temperatures are still barely reaching 10ºC.
Yesterday, after a morning of Life Admin, Lisabet had a long-awaited hair appointment at the newly established Wilderness Hair Lune Valley at Kirkby Lonsdale. Whilst she was enjoying having her glorious curls revived, I enjoy the glorious spring day in this ancient and bonny town.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using my three prime lenses: a Fujinon 23mm f/2.0, a Laowa 9mm f/2.8, and an adapted Pentax SMC 55mm f/2.0. All images made 80% in-camera using the standard Provia profile, finalised afterwards in Affinity Photo on my iPad.
The site of the old Swine Market before you head down Mill Brow.
Heading down Mill Brow, an almost timeless scene.
The Old Manor House, largely built in the 1700s, though some surviving parts of the building are even older.
From the bottom of Mill Brow I followed the River Lune all the way to Devil’s Bridge. Here, limestone formations are abundant and I had fun arranging compositions involving these rocks and the formidable Devil’s Bridge.
On top of Devil’s Bridge a clear is offered to Stanley Bridge, which carries the A65 over the River Lune. Below, some folk play around the limestone formations alongside the river.
People checking out the views from Devil’s Bridge and helpfully providing my photo a sense of scale.
Always a good view from the top of Devil’s Bridge.
Heading back into town, I can never resist a shot of this majestic house covered in ivy.
On Market Square in the middle of Kirkby Lonsdale sits the former Trustees Savings Bank, built in the middle of the 19th-century. It’s now a private abode.
St. Mary’s Church, one of the oldest buildings in Kirkby Lonsdale. Parts of it date back to Norman times.
And, at this time of year, the cemetery grounds of St. Mary’s are covered in a variety of daffodils.
Just beyond the church is a short path to Ruskin’s View. Described by 19th century art critic, social theorist, painter and poet John Ruskin thus: “I do not know in all my country, still less in France or Italy, a place more naturally divine.”
Zooming in on the Barbondale fells and the heavy clouds looming above.
From Ruskin’s View, I navigated back to the town centre and up to nab one of my favourite views in all of Kirkby Lonsdale: the view down Mitchelgate with Gragareth in the distance.