Sedbergh, Yorkshire Dales, Summer
After Saturday’s hike around Cunswick Fell for some glorious summer scenes, we sought more near the beautiful town of Sedbergh.
After Saturday’s hike around Cunswick Fell for some glorious summer scenes, we sought more near the beautiful town of Sedbergh.
I’ve commented before about the beauty of the Howgills and how Lisabet and I have barely touched them. The comely bumps and folds of these hills will see more of our footsteps in due course. But for this occasion I found a lovely hike that took us up towards the foot of the Howgills, through a couple of farms, and across some incredible wildflower meadows. We then joined the River Rawthey near Buckbank Farm and followed the river all the way back to the town.
A nice 5-mile circular, all in all.
Conditions, light, and scenes could not have been more cooperative for photography. The wildflower meadows beneath the Howgills were glorious.
All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 with my Samyang 35mm f/1.2 lens. Images were made 80% in-camera using a customised Velvia film simulation, with minor edits in Lightroom and Affinity Photo afterwards.
Serpentine Woods, Cumbria, Spring
The wild garlic in Serpentine Woods has finally flowered.
The wild garlic in Serpentine Woods has finally flowered.
It’s took its sweet time, but then spring this year has been considerably colder. Nevertheless, it’s wonderful to see the woods completely carpeted in broad green leaves and delicate white flowers once again.
The weather, too, is finally starting to warm up. Perhaps summer is on its way.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using two of my prime lenses: a Samyang 35mm f/1.2, and a Laowa 9mm f/2.8. Images were made 80% in-camera using a customised Classic Chrome film simulation, with minor edits afterwards in Lightroom and Affinity Photo.
Barkbooth Lot, Lake District, Spring
If you thought there were a lot of bluebells in Staveley…
If you thought there were a lot of bluebells in Staveley…
We’re in peak bluebell season in Cumbria now. Normally, if you think bluebells and the Lake District, you might be tempted to head straight to Rannerdale. This is a rather famous little valley, branching off from the middle of Crummock Water, where during spring the valley floor erupts in a carpet of bluebells. Being surrounded on all sides by the craggy fells of Lorton Vale, it’s quite a sight. It’s also increasingly popular, and keeping people off the bluebells is becoming problematic.
Instead, Lisabet suggested we revisit a nearby favourite of ours, Barkbooth Lot, managed by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. This is a little woodland, and open fell, just north of Bowland Bridge in the Lyth Valley, west of Kendal. The last time we visited, a couple of years ago in March/April, it was a very hot day and there were daffodils aplenty.
By the time we arrived this time, the daffodils had long disappeared for the year. Instead, the woods were absolutely crammed with bluebells.
No matter which direction we looked, bluebells everywhere. It was wonderful.
I hope these photos convey even a modicum of the wonder I experienced.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using two prime lenses: a Samyang 35mm f/1.2, and a Laowa 9mm f/2.8. The photos were 80% developed in-camera using a customised Velvia film simulation, with small edits later made in Lightroom and Affinity Photo.
Beckmickle Ing, Staveley, Lake District, Spring
It’s taken a little longer, but the bluebells have finally arrived.
It’s taken a little longer, but the bluebells have finally arrived.
After work recently, Lisabet and I hopped into the car and drove just a few miles up the A591 to Staveley, a Lake District village near Kendal. We had been recommended a walk near the village from my boss, due to the woodlands of bluebells in the area.
It did not disappoint.
The trail starts near the junction with the A591, a wooden sign points the way off the road towards the Dales Way. Just a few hundred metres down the path you enter a beautiful country lane, flanked either side by moss-covered drystone walls, with old trees providing shade to a beautiful carpet of bluebells.
Further around the hike, after crossing the footbridge near Cowan Head, you can explore arguably the showstopper of the walk: Beckmickle Ing woods (great name, btw). This wood provided Lisabet and I with one of the greatest displays of bluebells I’ve ever seen, never mind all the additional flowers such as the Wood Anemone (Anemonoides nemorosa) and finally some Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum).
For a quieter, away-from-the-crowds walk (especially in the spring), I can heartily recommend this one.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using a Samyang 35mm f/1.2 lens. The images are 85% SOOC (straight out of camera) using a customised Velvia film simulation, with some minor curve and saturation finishes in Lightroom and Affinity Photo.
Wetheral, Cumbria, Summer
The heatwaves have returned.
The heatwaves have returned.
After a pretty damp July, at least in Cumbria, we’ve recently experienced temperatures approaching 30°C. Lisabet and I decided to take advantage of this Glorious Return Of Summer by paying my Dad another visit.
The last time we visited my Dad was towards end of June, where we enjoyed a delicious BBQ followed by a wander around some of the less-visited parts of the Lake District. At least, that was the plan. Unfortunately I suffered one of the worst hayfever attacks I’ve ever experienced, which somewhat marred the day and we cut it short.
Yesterday we decided to attempt Round 2, now that I had been inoculated after a month-long course of Corticosteroids. Thankfully, things went a lot better.
Here are the photos from that day, where we explored the impossibly pretty Wetheral village, near Carlisle.
All photos shot on a Fujifilm X-T2 with a Fujinon XF 18–55mm f/2.8–4.0 lens and a Marumi DHG Super Circular Polariser attached. Photos are 95% SOOC, with minor edits made using Fujifilm X RAW Studio.
Pandemic Peregrinations: Stainbank Green, Kendal, Cumbria, Spring
Happy 75th Anniversary of VE Day, that is, “Victory In Europe” Day, when the Allies triumphed over the fascist Nazis.
Happy 75th Anniversary of VE Day, that is, “Victory In Europe” Day, when the Allies triumphed over the fascist Nazis. Never forget the sacrifice of those who fought to retain our freedoms and liberties over authoritarian fascists.
It’s a weird time to celebrate VE Day. The UK is still on Lockdown, and so people are still largely staying in their homes, except for Once Per Day Exercise and shopping for essential supplies. So celebrations, if any, are somewhat subdued.
Nevertheless, on our Government Permitted Outdoor Exercise session today, we did spot a few Union Jack flags around and a little bit of bunting.
We took the Brigsteer Road out west of Kendal today, rounded up and through Stainbank Green, and back through Kendal town, stopping briefly for a Socially Distanced takeaway flat white.
In other news
As of 9am on 8th May, 211,364 people in the UK have tested positive for COVID-19 from the Coronavirus. As of 5pm on 7th May, of those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, 31,241 have sadly died, the highest number of deaths in Europe, and a death rate of 14.78%.
May all those suffering find peace.
And I hope these photos help you to, too.