Force Falls & Levens Hall Deer Park, Cumbria, Summer
A gorgeous evening on the horizon. What to do? Where to go?
A gorgeous evening on the horizon. What to do? Where to go?
Lisabet often has brilliant ideas and this no exception: park up alongside Force Falls and follow the path all the way into and around Levens Hall Deer Park and back.
Crackin’ idea.
The last time we wandered around the park was back in January this year, or month or so after Storm Arwen wreaked havoc across the UK. Now, in summer, the trees are regenerating and the land is beginning to recover.
Also, it was nice to see all the black fallow deer (Dama dama) and Bagot goats enjoying the warm summer evening light.
Photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using my Vivitar “Series 1” 28–105mm f2.8–f3.8 lens. RAW files converted with Capture One for iPad, developed in RNI Films, and finished in Affinity Photo for iPad.
Force Falls & Levens Hall Deer Park, Cumbria, Summer by Ian Cylkowski is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
The northern section of Force Falls, a series of impressive and powerful cascades along the River Kent.
After following the path underneath the A591, you soon start crossing open fields towards the Deer Park.
I enjoyed finding and making this simple composition. Flowers, tree, and sun.
By the time the River Kent reaches the Deer Park, it widens out and lazily meanders its way towards the sea at Morecambe Bay.
Siblings have fun playing in the river as the low summer sunset catches the glowing grass.
The way towards the Oak Avenue.
A bucolic English scene adorned in beautiful golden light.
One of many of the black fallow deer that call the Deer Park their home. We spotted some young fawns as well. Very skittish creatures.
Oak Avenue in gorgeous evening light.
My lovely Lisabet, soaking in nature’s restorative powers.
Pastel pink lenticular clouds begin forming above Kendal as we head back to Force Falls.
A lovely evening.
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Hawes Bridge, Kendal, Cumbria, Summer
COVID-19 is in da house.
COVID-19 is in da house.
2 years and 3 months after the initial UK-wide Lockdown announcement, my poor Lisabet has contracted the virus.
She’s being quarantined in the bedroom, door shut, windows open, and donning a mask whenever I need to go in to deliver brews or food.
She’s coping well but the coughing does not sound nice.
As I’m transitioning between jobs at the moment, I actually have a bit of free time before I start at my new position. Thankfully this means I’m able to be useful in the house and help look after her.
Today, Lisabet insisted I make use of this week’s mini-heatwave and head out for a nice waltz in nature. So I did. A good 7-mile circular jaunt from Kendal town centre to a local favourite and back, Hawes Bridge.
All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using my Vivitar “Series 1” 28–105mm ƒ/2.8–ƒ/3.8 and a Laowa 9mm ƒ/2.8 prime. Images made 90% in-camera using Øyvind Nordhagen’s OWH Daylight Fujifilm recipe, gently finished off in Affinity Photo.
A grey heron (Ardea cinerea) standing in the middle of the River Kent, waiting for lunch. I love when they adopt this more “hunched” stance; sort of makes them look like a grumpy old man in the rain.
Looking back at the heavily overgrown path I was following all the way to Scroggs Wood.
Beyond Scroggs Wood the trail heads through the open fields alongside the River Kent. It’s at this point that pollen from all the grass really starts to wreak havoc with my sinuses.
Like a beautiful bonsai tree, but bigger.
The clear way to the falls at Hawes Bridge.
Above Hawes Bridge falls lots of teeny falls trickle into the river from the fields above.
The gorge around Hawes Bridge is proper lush with flowers and vegetation. And insects. And pollen.
Hawes Bridge falls, looking a lot tamer and smaller with the lack of rain in recent months.
Thousands of years of erosion because of this waterfall have carved overhangs above the river. Be careful near the edge.
Bumble bees happily lapping up the pollen on all the flowers in the gorge. My sinuses and eyeballs were not has happy with all the pollen.
The gorge is lush and verdant, framed nicely underneath Hawes Bridge.
On goes the ultra-wide lens to really feature some of the shapes in the limestone carved by the waterfall.
Through the bridge I zoomed in deeper into the gorge, looking almost jungle-esque.
I hopped on top of Hawes Bridge for some compositions looking down into the deep dark gorge.
The other side of the gorge towards the falls. You can see how the waterfall has carved shelves and ledges.
Spider webs? No. These are probably from ermine moth caterpillars, created as a form of protection. Creepy-looking, eh?
Back out of the gorge, I elected to follow the footpath along the A591 all the way back into Kendal. I knew this route would be windier and keep the bugs away. And help cool me down.
This beautiful cottage at Prizet sits just alongside the A591.
As I near Kendal, this scene reminds me that—in Cumbria—you’re never far away from the countryside.
The ruins of Kendal Castle sitting above Lound Road.
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Pandemic Peregrinations: Brigsteer, Cumbria, Winter
After the recent wonderful wintery scenes of snow in and around Kendal, things have somewhat changed.
After the recent wonderful wintery scenes of snow in and around Kendal, things have somewhat changed.
Storm Christoph has arrived over the British Isles, as well as all the flood warnings. Whilst we’re not expecting Storm Desmond-levels of rain, there will be enough to induce mild panic and anxiety within us Desmond-survivors.
Thankfully, before the storm arrived, we had a clear day on the 17th so Lisabet and I gleefully utilised it by enjoying a 12 km hike.
We took the quiet country lanes from near the Westmorland General towards the delightfully idyllic village of Natland. Then we carried on towards the River Kent, crossing it at Hawes Bridge (and stopping for photos of the gorge, of course), carried on over the A591 and back up the fellside towards Brigsteer.
This was a part of the local area we’ve nearly properly looked at before and we were happily surprised. We essentially tracked the road that scanned northwards alongside the back of Scout Scar, with some beautiful scenes along the way. We mentally bookmarked this area for when spring and summer finally arrives.
I hope you enjoy this walk too.
All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using a Samyang 35mm f/1.2 lens. Developed using one of RNI’s Kodachrome film profiles.
I always enjoy this view down Kirkland from Highgate in Kendal, and rarely resist an opportunity for a photo. The scene almost has a timeless quality to it.
Some yarn bombing alongside the River Kent has definitely seen better days.
All in a row…
Arriving at Natland we slowed down for photos of the idyllic village and its old buildings. This big old building was once Natland Hall Farm, a relatively large farmhouse.
Riders and their horses near Hawes Bridge enjoy the lack of rain.
The River Kent was full and raging at Hawes Bridge, where it turns on its side and gouges out this little limestone gorge.
As we ascended the fell side towards Brigsteer and the back of Scout Scar, we passed through Low House Farm and snapped a few photos. I saw this old barn door and pondered the passage of time.
Once we ascended Whetstone Lane we joined Brigsteer Road and followed it northwards back towards Kendal. Here the views really opened up, including this scene of the winding dry stone wall. And you know what I’m like we a good dry stone wall…
Another variation of the above composition, picking out some of the flora in the hedgerows.
A beautifully wooded lane. One to come back to in spring and summer.
Following along the back of Scout Scar we came across these rather noisy cows, bellowing at each other.
I love her hair…
Heading back into Kendal. It’s hard to make out in the photo but in the distance we could see the snowy tops of the Kentmere fells.
Another one of my favourite Kendal scenes, heading down the steep Beast Banks back into Kendal town centre.
Kendal clock tower, still being repaired and thus still stuck at 12pm.
Pandemic Peregrinations: Hawes Bridge, Prizet, Cumbria, Spring
Today it hit 21°C in Kendal. This is where it starts to get sort of uncomfortable for me and Lisabet.
Today it hit 21°C in Kendal. This is where it starts to get sort of uncomfortable for me and Lisabet.
We’re both very much into cool and blustery conditions (by the sea in Lisabet’s case, in the mountains for me). Nevertheless, today we took our Government Permitted Outdoor Exercise to Hawes Bridge, our new local favourite. The gorge is now looking extremely lush, especially when you compare it to the first time we visited the area, less than 2 months ago.
The lane through Scroggs Wood, filled with wild garlic, bluebells, and all sorts of other flora. Oh, and midges. Never forget the midges.
Today was very much about big fluffy clouds, it seems.
The point where the River Kent drastically narrows, essentially turning on its side and cutting out this deep limestone gorge.
Isolation: Natland, Cumbria, Spring 2020
There is a global pandemic. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is here.
This is the point where the wide and lazy River Kent drastically narrows into a limestone gorge. The colour of the water was mesmerising.
There is a global pandemic. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is here.
The world has paused.
People are falling ill, and others are dying. Businesses are closing and jobs are lost. Towns and cities fall quiet as people self-isolate and quarantine themselves inside their homes.
I’ve become one of those practising self-isolation and thus working from home. As a Type 2 diabetic, I fall under the category of “vulnerable person” as my condition makes me immunocompromised. I’ve spent the past week almost completely inside the house.
Today, with care, Lisabet and I ventured out into the open countryside, taking care to keep our distance from people where needed.
We hiked south out of Kendal and followed the River Kent for a riverside walk. Along the way we discovered woods filled with wild garlic, future wild swimming spots, and a gorgeous ravine where the River Kent narrows down a limestone gorge underneath Hawes Bridge.
Times are confusing and scary. I hope these photos offer you some respite.
My lovely Lisabet leading along the lane as we rejoin the riverside. For once, today, it was not raining.
Looking back north along the River Kent. Probably a good spot for a swim when the weather warms up.
We found what we were guessing to be an old section of Kendal Canal, now extinct. Part of the wall that separated the canal from the river has succumbed to outside forces, and a cascade has formed.
Lisabet has an eye for finding bits of pottery along river banks and on beaches. Today was no exception.
The River Kent from Hawes Bridge. Here the river narrows into a limestone gorge, cutting down deep channels.
Lisabet’s photography style summarised: get close.
Hawes Bridge crossing over the limestone gorge at the River Kent. Best bet to stay away from the edges…
A couple enjoy a little wander in the gorge. Who knows how deep the river gets here…
For the highland/fell breeds in Cumbria, lambing typically doesn’t start until around the beginning of April. But for the lowland breeds, lambing is in full swing.
Take care everyone, and stay safe.