by Steve Tanham
A simple (self) assignment… I was on my way to a haircut in Kendal and – leaving the main car park – I emerged into ‘bright soft sunshine’. It’s a feeling that only happens a few times each year and it has a definite ‘sweet’ quality to it.
I decided to try to capture the light (in all senses of the word) mood in a few photos.
The Westmorland Centre offers all day parking for a mere £1.10, as long as you’re in before 09:00! It’s a lovely concession, and I’m normally an early riser – I have to be as Tess the collie needs to go out as soon as she hears sounds of life in our waking household.
The Westmorland Centre connects on different levels to the sloping streets around it. It can be confusing for those visiting for the first time. We often extend help in the stairwell!
The old cobbles reveal the age of the underlying structure on which the retail complex was built.
We emerge into Kendal’s Main Street – Stricklandgate – with the sunlight streaming along the old highway.
The ‘gap’ on the left is market square, bounded by the white ‘bell tower’ above one of the larger jewellers. In the far middle distance; actually only a few minutes’ walk, is the iconic town hall.
The ‘bandstand’, at the top of Finkle Street, is the point of intersection with Stricklandgate. The bandstand structure is used by local MPs to host open meetings.
It’s a nice morning, and I’m early. I remember that my usual coffee shop is closed on Wednesday … and it’s Wednesday. So, we have an extra ten minutes to fill before I’m due at Karol’s salon.
I double back and linger in the best of Kendal’s surviving commercial alleyways. With a smile, I remember that a new coffee shop has opened at the far end of this which will enable me to have a take-away.
Above and below: Alfred Wainwright, local author of the famous Walkers guides to the Lake District.
With a final turn, we emerge from the end of Finkle Street to see the iconic town hall before us. Karal’s salon is fifty metres beyond.
It’s been a perfect start to the day… and that coffee was a treat. I hope you enjoyed our walk.
©Stephen Tanham 2024
All photos taken and processed on an iPhone 12.
Stephen Tanham is a writer-photographer and mystical teacher. He is the founding Director of the Silent Eye, which offers a monthly Zoom-based gathering of companions, each one on their own, unique journey to deeper states of self-realisation.
Sun in Gemini 
Many thanks, Steve, for this loveley sightseeing tour of Kendal!
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Glad you enjoyed it, Martina. Thank you!
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My parents and I were to have a holiday in Scotland when I was a teenager but the gearbox on the car gave out and we were stuck in Kendal for a few days for it to be repaired. We stayed in a family room in a B&B and were well looked after. I took my parents to see The Sound of Music, and bought some poster paints from a craft shop, I believe in Market Street. Lovely photos Steve.
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Thank you, Di! Happy memories, then, despite the stalled journey? Did you get to your destination eventually?
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Yes, and had a lot of fun camping. We went back in 1972, this time my sister joined us, and had a lot of fun. I still remember the cow trying to get into the tent.
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Quite a moment I would imagine!
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You could say that. 🙂
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Bernie says she would have left home!
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haha. It wasn’t a problem, just a surprise.
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She’s very scared of cows. Believe me, she would have packed her bags and been on the dawn train…
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Aw, bless!
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Sad to say although I frequently bypass the town, I’ve yet to make it’s acquaintance, Steve. I must put that right soon.
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It’s a good place to stop for that coffee, Michael.
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Thanks, Steve. I was at the 2 Sisters café at Plumgarths, on Friday – not too far out of Kendal, after a wander up Longsledale. Possibly the best Mocha anywhere.
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And one of our favourite breakfast (coffee and croissant) stops if we’re taking the collie to Fell Foot Park for a run.
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