Paddy’s Lane, Cumbria, Summer
2022 has got more twists and turns than a goat’s intestines.
This isn’t the place to rant. Suffice it to say, it’s been a super frustrating year. Thankfully, I have had a small nugget of personal positive news, which I’ll clutch tightly to my chest and use as a shield for whatever 2022 has next for me.
As it’s summer in Cumbria that means it’s sunny as well as rainy. Over the weekend I had some time to enjoy a local hike from Kendal up to Paddy’s Lane via Old Sedbergh Road. The clouds and conditions were pretty epic on the way up; unfortunately I got caught out on the way down and got pretty soaked.
Managed to keep the new lens dry, though. And thankfully, the Fujifilm X-T2 is weather sealed.
All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using a Vivitar “Series 1” 28–105 mm f/2.8–3.8 lens. Developed in Lightroom, finished off in Affinity Photo.
Now that the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations are over, Kendal Town Hall has re-erected the Ukrainian flag above the town.
These houses along Thorny Hill always put me in mind of Harrogate.
Underneath the railway line and onwards to Old Sedbergh Road.
With all the intermittent periods of rain + sun + rain + sun, I imagine this fella’s got his work cut out on his allotment.
Heading up Old Sedbergh Road, I spy three alpacas happily grazing in the fields.
Looking back at the route I took, the light still good. This wouldn’t last long. Look at those clouds above Kendal Fell…
As I climb the Lake District fells reveal themselves. It’s all looking a bit brooding and foreboding.
A final blast of sun before the storm clouds really close in.
The distant fells start to get hazy as the approaching rain saturates them.
Hoo boy, that’s the direction I’m heading in, too. Looks like I’m gunna get drenched…
Other people had timed it well and were already on their back down into the town.
I took the opportunity to nab some proper stormy images before the rain blew across the Kendal valley towards my position.
The dog walkers ahead quickly donned their hoodies as the gentle pitter-patter of rain started to fall.
As the rain got heavier I took shelter underneath a thick pair of trees and decided to wait things out. Whilst I did, I snagged this composition of the road onwards.
Eventually I made it back to town and the rain let up for long enough that I could snap a pic of this magnificent and ancient building.