Pandemic Peregrinations: Helsington, Cumbria, Spring
We’ve definitely had better light conditions recently.
Nevertheless, Lisabet and I embarked on a solid 15 km hike today. From the front door, down the A6, through Helsington Laithes up to Scout Scar, south towards Helsington Church, through Berry Holme Farm, across the A591 to Hawes Bridge, and back north through the fields to Kendal.
It’s a good day when you get 20,000+ steps in and lots of photos.
All photos shot on a Fujifilm X-T2 using my three lenses: a Samyang 35mm f/1.2, a Laowa 9mm f/2.8, and an adapted Pentax SMC 55mm f/2.0. Developed using RNI’s Kodachrome film profiles.
Catkins belonging to the common hazel tree, or Corylus avellana. Always good to see these, a sign of spring.
Here’s a thing: did you know there’s such a job/profession as Lichenologist? Isn’t that wonderful? And such a crucial organism, too.
An appeasing group of common yew, Taxus baccata. Most parts of the tree is poisonous… just so you know.
Some structure we found when wandering south through Helsington Barrows. Potential apocalypse shelter?
Lisabet drinking in the views south from Helsington Barrows. It was a rather hazy day.
The way towards Helsington Church.
A rather beautiful tree.
The textures of a particularly gorgeous and large oak in the grounds of Berry Holme Farm.
Holstein cows happily munching away. Won’t be long until they’re let out onto the fields.
The lane back down the valley. This is where we cross the A591 and heads towards Hawes Bridge.
Hawes Bridge. Never get sick of this place. Thankfully the limestone around the gorge was dry enough to get close to the falls.
The point where the River Kent is forced through a narrow limestone passage, gouging out a mini-gorge in the process. The water was super clear.
Don’t get too close to the ledges…
The other side of Hawes Bridge. This is was also our spot for a brief rest and an apple.
Further up the River Kent, where conditions are more calm. Plenty of sheep around too, and we’re starting to see lambs appear in the fields around here.
The way forward. Nearly back at Kendal.
Near Scroggs Wood there were plenty of Mallard ducks and swans milling about the river shore.
My first sighting of cherry blossom this year.