Ulverston, Cumbria, Winter
It’s been a while since my last post.
It’s been a while since my last post.
Apologies.
I hope every one has had a nice and/or peaceful Christmas.
Following the arctic blast at the beginning of December, the UK has been wet. Two storms washed over the British Isles—Elin and Fergus—bringing with them intense winds and lots of rain.
Being in Cumbria, we got the bulk of the rain.
Finally, on Boxing Day, clear skies and cool temperatures greeted us. We immediately donned gear and head out to the Furness Peninsula of Cumbria. It was time to hike up the Hoad above Ulverston.
It felt good to finally get out and about.
All photos taken on my Sony α7ii, using my Pentax SMC 28mm F3.5 and Pentax SMC 55mm f2.0 prime lenses, plus my Vivitar “Series 1” 70–210mm f2.8–4.0 zoom lenses. RAW images edited in Lightroom using RNI Films’ Kodachrome film profiles, finalised in Photoshop.
Ulverston, Winter, Cumbria by Ian Cylkowski is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Locating the path from Ford Park, we followed it gently up towards the Hoad. Along the way, this group of trees presented a wonderful framing composition of the Hoad.
The trail quickly grew steeper, which also provided fantastic views. From the shoulder of Hoad Hill, the wet autumn and December are evident in the flooded fields near the coast of the Leven Estuary.
Near the top of the hill, as the trail levelled out, we could start making out the Lakeland fells above the Furness hills. The particularly rounded fell centre-right is Wetherlam (763 m/2,502 ft).
Near the monument, outcrops of Bannisdale Slate gave me a wonderful opportunity for some compositions involving the Hoad.
The Hoad goes by a few names. It’s officially known as the Sir John Barrow Monument, but is also known locally as “the Pepperpot”.
The Hoad was built in 1850 at a cost of £1,250, roughly £138,000 in today’s money. It was built to commemorate Sir John Barrow, who was a founding member of the Royal Geographical Society, and born in Ulverston. Though it looks like a lighthouse, it has never functioned as one.
The views from the Hoad are extensive and panoramic. Plenty of folk were out and about, enjoying a Boxing Day waltz and soaking in the views from the Hoad.
With my 70–210 mm equipped, I was able to pick small sections of Ulverston town. Here, looking southwest from the Hoad, the winding A590 road provides a focal point for the busy architectural landscape of Ulverston.
The view north from the Hoad couldn’t be more different. Rolling countryside, drystone walls, and sheep give way to the mighty Coniston Fells.
Northeast of Hoad Hill, another small hill provides sustenance to yet more sheep. In the distance, the Windermere fells partially obscure the Kentmere fells.
The way back to Ulverston town. You know me, I can’t resist a winding path.
A winding drystone wall catches my eye for a nice composition involving the Hoad.
Back in Ulverston, a wall mural tells the story of Sir John Barrow.
Did you enjoy these photos?
Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, Winter
Merry Christmas everyone!
Merry Christmas everyone!
I hope you all find peace and rest this holiday season.
We had our usual quiet affair for Christmas. Dad came over to stay with us, and we all enjoyed a fantastic Christmas dinner that my lovely Lisabet put together. But, to the eternal question: what to do on Boxing Day? Apart from stuff ourselves silly with Christmas Day Leftover Sandwiches, of course…
Well, after early December’s sub-zero temperatures, the rain has returned in full force. Thankfully, Boxing Day was looking a little drier, so we head to beautiful Kirkby Lonsdale for a gentle wander around the town and the riverside.
All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using my Vivitar “Series 1” 28–105mm f2.8–3.8 zoom lens. Images were developed in Capture One for iPad, then finalised in Affinity Photo 2 for iPad.
Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, Winter by Ian Cylkowski is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
In the grounds of St. Mary’s church, the way to the rectory is lit in soft and golden winter light.
We exited the grounds of St. Mary’s church and gingerly made our way down the Radical Steps to get to the riverside of the Lune. Next door to a rather splendid new house—where the old gas works used to be—some old horse boxes provided a rather timeless rustic scene.
Next to the new build is the Old Gas House, where gas workers lived. Nowadays it’s been properly pimped up in true Kirkby Lonsdale style.
From the famous Devil’s Bridge, we could see the full extent of how swollen and fast the River Lune was. Lots of rain, recently.
Even on a cold Boxing Day, there were still plenty of people paying a visit to Devil’s Bridge Snacks.
The clouds were speeding above us, intermittently covering and revealing the light from the sun in glorious ways.
From the newer Stanley Bridge, low winter light breaks through the racing clouds and drenches Devil’s Bridge.
Some brave people clambered down to the riverside near Devil’s Bridge to get near the rapids of the River Lune.
Huge storm clouds build up above the Barbondale fells of the Yorkshire Dales. Time for us to get back to the car.