The River Lune @ Devil's Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale (Yorkshire Dales...just!)
We swam here as kids for endless summer days and I've lost count of the number of times I've walked along the river into the village with the dogs. But today was a fresh adventure.
The story of this 14th century bridge goes that an old dear's cow legged it off across the river and wouldn't come back. The devil appeared to her and offered to build a bridge in return for the soul of the first body to cross it. Once the bridge was built she chucked a bread bun over and her dog chased after. The devil was fuming and vanished in a cloud of anger and brimstone.
I've seen people jump off it which is stupid (and is now both illegal and stupid in equal measure) as its over 40ft and the river itself is rocky, fast flowing and renowned for strong currents. So, with trepidation we made our way down to the waters edge. It was way too choppy beyond the kissing gate so we doubled back and went across to the other side of the bridge.
It started to rain and I was so happy (odd right?) - I've been longing to swim in the rain for weeks now.
Wading in was so difficult. It was really rocky. A trapped ankle felt like a real possibility and I had to steady myself with my hands a few times, which meant that they were under water way too fast for my liking. My hands are usually the last to go in and the first to freeze.
It was hard to picture all the picnics and paddling that dominate the area in the summer months. But I had to admit that the view looking out towards the bridge was eerily wonderful.
Then something underwater brushed my hand and presented a firm cue to exit.
A modest changing robe mishap meant that I bum flashed my way back into my clothes (which were thankfully dry following my swim buddy's swift rescue from the rainfall) and gracefully (!) made it back up the muddy banking in time for a flask share of Yorkshire tea before a leisurely walk along the river into the village.
We stopped at the Kings Arms Hotel on Market Street for a warm whisky and got talking to one member of the bar staff who turned out to be a fellow keen cold water swimmer. She recommended her local dip at Killington Bridge near Sedburgh. Next stop...
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