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.
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Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, Summer
It was time for Lisabet’s quarterly haircut at Wilderness Hair in Kirkby Lonsdale.
It was time for Lisabet’s quarterly haircut at Wilderness Hair in Kirkby Lonsdale.
Whilst she was getting an upgrade for her glorious curls, I enjoyed a long summer’s hike all around Kirkby Lonsdale and it’s beautiful environs.
Kirkby Lonsdale’s generally gorgeous whatever the season, but it is particularly resplendent in summer. All the trees are in bloom, houses are decorated with flowers, and the views are rolling, green, and pleasant.
Even better, there was a cricket game on. Can you get more English bucolic?
All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using my Vivitar “Series 1” 28–105mm f2.8–f3.8 lens. Developed with the new Capture One for iPad.
Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, Summer by Ian Cylkowski is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, Spring
Cumbria’s got super cold again after last weekend’s bizarre heatwave.
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.
Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, Summer
Of all the times I’ve visited Kirkby Lonsdale, I’ve never thought to properly photograph it.
Of all the times I’ve visited Kirkby Lonsdale, I’ve never thought to properly photograph it.
So… welcome to Kirkby Lonsdale! This historic town, situated on the edge of Cumbria near the borders of both Lancashire and North Yorkshire, was where my lovely Lisabet grew up. Kirkby is a truly beautiful place, which has attracted a lot of money in recent decades. Quite the difference compared to its more humble origins.
Kirkby Lonsdale is one of the few Cumbrian towns mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 AD, where it was recorded as Cherchibi (“village with a church”). This would suggest the presence of a very old church, which is indeed the case. The earlier construction was rebuilt by the Normans in the 12th century, and parts of the church, now known as St. Mary’s, still survive from this era.
The town gained a market charter in 1227 AD and an outdoor market has been held on Thursdays ever since. This long-held tradition of trade and markets is evident in some of the street names in Kirkby Lonsdale, such as Horsemarket and Swinemarket.
After a particularly lazy start to our Sunday, we ventured around Lisabet’s home town and the surrounding countryside to get some miles under our belt and some photographs in our cameras. The day was another glorious summer fare.
All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using two of my prime lenses: a Samyang 35mm f/1.2 and a Laowa 9mm f/2.8. The images were 80% made in-camera using a customised Velvia film simulation, with minor edits afterwards in Lightroom and Affinity Photo.