Trees over the River Lune at Kirkby Lonsdale

The River Lune snakes around Underley Park (left) below St Mary's Church in Kirkby Lonsdale. Kirfit Hall (actually a working farm) is just visible in the right hand background in front of the trees. The garish multicoloured barn at Kirfit (not visible here) is alledged to be a deliberate attempt to compromise a famous view. The Brow footpath is now commonly known as Ruskin's View, although its aesthetic fame might rightly claim to emanate from J.M.W. Turner's landscape painting "Kirkby Lonsdale Churchyard" circa 1817, which John Ruskin subsequently praised. Kirkby Lonsdale is one of those places that retains its unique charm in wintertime, and Ruskin's View is now a magnet for photographers rather than artists. The white spots in the foreground of the river appeared to be pieces of ice being gently carried downstream by the almost still water.