01.03.2010 - Walla Crag

Today we walked up Walla Crag with a group of walkers, the leader of which is a regular volunteer for 'Fix the Fells', a Lake District charity.

We started at Springs Road, past Springs Farm and up the steep ascent of Walla Crag. The views were fabulous, it was just a shame that a telephone mast has been built in the field next to the path.
On the way up our dog, Ron, got into a fight with Dawn's dog, Raven. None of us were sure who started it, but Ron definitely carried it on.
We carried on up the side of Walla, when we reached the gate leading to the summit. We all started that way, but Amanda, Susie and Jenny decided they didn't like the dangerous combination of ice and heights, and they decided to go round the other way. After battling our over fallen trees and slippy ice, we reached the top. It was freezing, but the view was amazing. Frm the summit of Walla Crag you can see Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite, and all the way across to Scotland. You can even see the wind farm in Bothel. After a few minutes at the summit we were re-joined by Amanda, Susie and Jenny. We set off down the other side, stopping at some rocks to have lunch. Greggs sandwiches, bananas and hot chocolate; lovely. Even better when you have two big dogs slobbering on you. (Not our dogs, I hasten to add)
It was very boggy on the way down, and I wasn't wearing particularly sensible shoes. After we came off Walla we walked past Ashness Bridge, where there was a herd of 'bandaged' cows. John, the leader, told us about the work he was doing with the volunteers at 'Fix the Fells'. He told us about a rock that a man named Colin had given himself his first of 3 hernias over. (Incidentally, we named the rock 'Colin's hernia').
After we'd past Ashness Bridge we walked through Great Wood, round Calf Close Bay, past Friar's Crag (which has some of the best views in Keswick) and through town to the Dog and Gun for a pint.