Pandemic Peregrinations: Serpentine Woods, Spring, Cumbria
Step 1 of the government’s Spring COVID-19 Response Plan is in action.
Students have gone back to school and in theory by the 29th of March people will be allowed to meet outdoors in bigger groups.
The UK has also recently passed the vaccine milestone of 25 million people.
There is a… careful optimism in the air. The weather appears to be brightening and drying up, and the days are getting longer.
I know, personally, that I’m feeling a growing urge to be in the outdoors and for longer.
Thankfully, and fortunately, Lisabet and I have been able to plan some holidaying and exploring within the UK for 2021 (finger’s crossed). We’re looking at the Northumberland coast in the summer, and two areas of Scotland in the autumn.
Let’s hope all goes well with the vaccination programme and easing of restrictions.
In the meantime, here’s some photos of a recent post-work wander Lisabet and I enjoyed, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of Serpentine Woods, above Kendal. Can’t wait until this place is filled with wild garlic blossom.
All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using a Samyang 35mm f/1.2 lens. Developed using RNI’s Kodachrome film profiles.
This bookshop hasn’t been in operation here since 2013, but this wonderful signage is still attached to the building.
Heading up Finkle Street with the setting sun creating a lovely warm glow on the horizon. The name of the street comes from the Old Norse vinkl, meaning “elbow”. Appropriate.
As we start to head up Beast Banks, I look back for a shot of Kendal Town Hall as it catches some golden light.
Part way up Beast Banks, I took another look back down for one of my favourite views in Kendal.
Kendal has proper lovely buildings.
On the entrance to Serpentine Woods we found this lovely patch of flowers in the shade and thought, “Bluebells? Already?!” Turns out, probably not. Google thinks they’re alpine squill, Scilla bifolia.
There was a time when I was overly concerned with achieving maximum exposure in my photos, attempting to capture as much highlight and shadow information as possible. Then later, a variety of complex editing and blending methods would be used to eke out as much dynamic range in an image as possible. These days, I’m much content to let a blown out highlight remain so, especially when shooting right into the sun. It’s the sun, of course it’s bright.
Serpentine Woods is filled with charming little scenes like this.
I love that soft light you get in the woods, especially when the last of the day’s light is dipping below the horizon.
One of my favourite little spots in Serpentine Woods: the Unnecessary Gate.
One of the aforementioned sculptures: a ladybird on the edge of a bench.
Once you pop out of the top of Serpentine Woods, an old bench invites you to rest and take in the view across Kendal towards the Eastern Lake District fells. Lisabet happily did so.
Vines weaving over a tree trunk like a novice knitter.
Not entirely sure what this sculpture is supposed to represent…
A lovely little sculpture of a rat perched on some limestone as we leave Serpentine Woods.
Back out the woods, we branch off Beast Banks towards Garth Row, passing by this view of Kendal near Castle Howe.
It’ll be a fine day when the Brewery Arts Centre is back open again.