British weather has returned to its unpredictable norm since the heatwave.
This has made getting out for good long hikes—either during the weekends or in the evenings—difficult. We’ve had periods of torrential downpours, almost monsoon-like.
Britain gets more tropical by the year.
Finally, yesterday evening, an opportunity arose to vacate Kendal for a nice hike around Sedbergh and its gorgeous meadow fields underneath the Howgills.
The good light didn’t last long… but it was long enough.
All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using a Vivitar “Series 1” 28–105mm f2.8–f3.8 zoom lens. RAWs converted in Capture One for iPad, developed in RNI Films, finalised in Affinity Photo for iPad.
The walk begins up Castlehaw Lane, which takes you up and around the shoulder of Castlehaw Tower. Sedbergh is full of ancient buildings, some better preserved than others.
Soft light on this tree trunk provides an irresistible scene for me to capture.
Further up Castlehaw Lane lots of wild vegetation lined the track, including something more unfamiliar and almost “alien” to us. Turns out this is Elephant Garlic, or Allium ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum . Closer relative of leek than garlic, apparently. Never seen one before.
Beyond Castlehaw Lane and Howgill Barns, the track becomes little more than a vague depression across the fields. The views also open up tremendously, here showing a clear view towards Garsdale in the Yorkshire Dales.
What turned out to be the last of the evening’s light finally appeared, illuminating the fields, trees and fellside. It was very localised though, and the Dentdale fells were still dark with rain clouds.
A variety of cross-breed upland lambs glow in the evening light. They stared at us curiously, incessantly baaing and warning each other.
The light quickly started to fade but the views were still spectacular.
At Ghyll Farm we cut the usual long hike short as the light was fading. A vague path bisected through the fields towards Underbank, which we took. Along the way, beautiful strong horses were peacefully grazing the meadows.
A brave Texel yow approaches us for a closer look.
The famous Herdwick. Just look at that Teddy Bear-like face.
From Underbank we located an ancient lonnin (country lane), which heads all the way back to town. You can almost picture a shepherd guiding their flock along the lane.
An almost timeless scene.