Walla Crag - Pre Covid - 19.
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2020 7:00 pmLike everyone else who loves to get out on to the fells and mountains I have been grounded for the last 5 weeks and getting increasingly frustrated by the sight of Cross Fell and its siblings on the north side of the A66, so near yet so far away, as the saying goes. But recent rules imposed on us means that I can’t even take the short drive to Dufton or Blencarn from where it is easy enough to reach those fine Pennine hills. Looking west I can see Blencathra, a Lake District favourite of mine, but that is even further away and a drive to Threlkeld or Mousthwaite Comb is a definite no no. So, what to do during these times of confinement?
The garden is tired of being poked and prodded by various tools, the lawns have been scarified, lawn raked, and mown so much the grass refuses to grow any more, small construction projects are completed, decorating done to E’s satisfaction, that is a task in itself, jet washing paths, drive, and patios is almost done and the final task that I’ve been ordered to do is sort out my man cave. It may look a mess and cluttered up but as it is now I know where everything is, it’s my domain, a place of refuge, a place of nuts and bolts, screws, nails, and a multitude of other things including tools and cobwebs, but now it’s going the way of the old tap rooms at the local pub, once a place where a man could enjoy a quiet drink and some masculine banter, where only the barmaid or landlady was allowed in to exchange empty glasses for full ones. Some things should just be left as they were.
So what to do to keep body and soul together, well, I have a few short walks that I had done prior to Covid-19, walks that were recce walks for the group during 2020 the photos taken just to give the group a flavour of what the walk was about, although I’m sure that there may be enough content to warrant some sort of report and maybe a reminder of what the LD looks like after so many weeks of forced abstinence from the fells. I will now attempt to cast my mind back to those days and try and portray a flavour of those short walks.
It was two days before Christmas and Martin and I collected our Australian/Yorkshire mate from Penrith and set off to embark on a short walk to Walla Crag from the car park in Great Wood. This pre-Christmas walk was meant to be a recce for a planned group walk for later in the year of 2021 but seeing as it was only a short one and we needed to get out before the likelihood of being bogged down by the festive season and all that it has to offer, including short visits by friends and relatives that invariably turn into long ones, we turned out on this damp, cloudy, cold and windy day.
There weren’t many cars about as we turned into the NT car park of Great Wood from where we would take the lower level path that runs beneath Falcon Crag and Brown Knotts to one of Lakelands most distinguished and photographed structures, Ashness Bridge, with its glorious views along Derwent Water.
So we set off along the leaf strewn path through the trees under a grey sky, although the dampness seemed to bring out and enhance the various colours of the fallen leaves and the moss covered tree trunks and rocks.
Winter in Great Wood Within just a few minutes we were passing below the craggy face of Walla Crag and marvelling at how the trees could hang on so precariously to the seemingly bare rock. Looking at the clear area below the crag it appears that some tree felling has been going on.
The face of Walla Crag It’s was a pleasant walk through the wood in spite of the bare trees and cold dampness of the day and we soon arrived at the junction of paths with the slippery stone steps looking very much so as we passed it by to continue along towards the base of Falcon Crag.
A slippery set of steps to Cat Gill Access to Walla Crag by the way of Cat Gill can be a strenuous effort – both ways – as its steep and dark with not a lot to see apart from the toes of your boots as steady passage is made, especially in the higher reaches where some exposure is met above the dark gully of the gill.
6 - Tumbling waters on Cat Gill But we are not going that way today as it would make the walk even shorter than it is to be now.
A short distance from Cat Gill the path leaves the wood, the trees being replaced by acres of dead bracken with the views opening up as we began to walk below Falcon Crag; pyramidal in shape and devoid of tree’s its front face sitting in front of the higher crags behind it.
The face of Falcon Crag Everything was covered in a fine layer of moisture making the rock strewn path below the crags a real ankle breaker if not taking enough care when placing ones feet.
Very stony path below the crags We were fairly sheltered below the crags but there was still a hint of a fair breeze that was to get much stronger as we climbed up from Ashness Bridge but just now we began to enjoy the wintery views across Derwent Water from just behind Barrow Bay...
North along Derwent Water and as we progressed a ray of sunshine lit up the ridge of Skelgill Bank, the beginning of the great ridge walk to High Spy.
A fine ridge behind Derwent Water 
Viewpoint near Barrow Bay Once the crags are left behind the path becomes more civilised and we could now see the south end of Derwent Water and into Borrowdale.
Looking south towards Manesty Park and the Jaws of Borrowdale Some good and easy walking soon had us at Ashness Bridge where we didn’t linger as we turned around and started the steady climb away from it as a good view of the craggy face of Dodd was to be seen from the side of Barrow Beck...
Dodd below High Seat and from below the crags of Brown Knotts we could look down to that most famous of bridges.
Looking down on Ashness Bridge with Castle Crag centre skyline It was still a dull old day and the wind was picking up now as we climbed a little higher but despite the winter weather the countryside still has that look of autumn about it.
The south end of Derwent Water Not many minutes after taking the last photo we were on top of Falcon Crag from where a good view of Walla Crag and surrounding fells could be had and with the low cloud cover and haze in the distance I was surprised to get any decent photos at all. A short walk down the fell over the top of the crag to its front face finds a great viewpoint with unhindered views along and across the lake.
Walla Crag from the top of Falcon Crag 
West across Derwent Water 
Walla Crag with the Dodds under cloud Another few strides and we arrived at the northern feeder of Cat Gill.
A view along Cat Gill From there we pushed on through the wind to soon arrive at the summit of Walla Crag from where the views are always amazing in all directions with even Bleaberry Fell over to the southeast making for a great skyline. The sprawl of Keswick was overlooked by a sun spotted Carl Side...
Keswick 1 and the gloom of the day made the waters of the lake look like dull polished silver with the bright green pastures shapes marked out by the dark lines of trees, hedgerows, walls and metalled lanes as they stretched out below from the outskirts of Keswick to the shores of Bassenthwaite over to the north.
A gloomy day over Derwent 
Bleaberry Fell from Walla Crag After a while of enjoying the views it was time to get some refuelling done so we hunkered down behind the wall out of the wind and enjoyed what views we could of Bleaberry Fell.
Star Wars storm troopers Occasionally the clouds were interrupted by large patches of brightness caused by the suns efforts to break its way through the clouds defences...
Bursting through the clouds but to no avail apart from the odd spot in the far distance.
It was time to move on and merely followed the ‘tourist’ trail that would see us descending towards Rakefoot Farm and the path above the gully of Brockle Beck...
Blencathra-Lonscale Fell-Latrigg and a hint of Skiddaw whilst from somewhere in between the last photo was taken...
and then the next one from a bit further along.
Another view of Keswick From the gate a nice steady stroll soon had us back in Great Wood...
Back in Great Wood where the evidence of the previously mentioned tree felling was to be seen.
Take heed 
No climbing on the logs Birds were a singing all around us, it sounded more like spring than winter and I managed to get a blurry shot of this robin perched amongst some brambles.
Fearless Robin Back at the car minutes after passing the log piles, boots and jackets off post haste and back to our favourite inn for a last 2019 Christmas drink together, none of us aware of what March of 2020 would bring. A short walk but nevertheless a decent one and maybe a good one to start off with to get the legs going again when all this trouble is done with.
Just now, unlike many others who like the great outdoors, I am fortunate enough to be able to, and am happy with, a walk along the river bank and although it’s short and level at least I can get out into near countryside and fortunately I have a rowing machine and treadmill that I use daily hoping at least to keep some semblance of hill fitness in my legs.
This is a lovely walk and an easy way to go, not as it's any harder the other way from Great Wood. The advantage is the lovely scenery in all directions to savour and enjoy 
Again, thanks for your comments 
and when all this Covid-19 is over maybe you can get it done with the family