9 Sep. - Walla Crag

 

Image: Centenary Stone, by Peter Randall-Page

At the launch landing stage, the rowboats all with orange life-rings today.
Up through Cockshot Wood to a hedgerow path, all rosehips, blackberry, tangled + thorny ... And a robin with russet breast eating a worm.
Then Castlehead Wood with a winking Ent in oak tree guise.
Past cottages, then up, still up, now Springs Wood, between stone-built wall + babbling Brockle Brook.
Pastures below, Bleaberry Fell above ... Across Low Moss to the summit of Walla Crag above Great Wood + Derwent Water.
All of Keswick spread below + distant Bassenthwaite Lake.
And then down ... Across Cat Gill, past Falcon Cragg, over Brown Knotts and down to Ashness Bridge all skinny + humped above busy Barrow Beck.
Then down yet further to Ashness Gate landing stage and the lakeside return walk past riven + deep-graved Centenary Stone - Speaking of eternity, reflected in itself + the chill clear waters.

Notes: Tolkien fans will know that Ents can often be found resting in British woodlands and forests. A walk through this landscape is also a walk through history and language - physical, mental and emotional exercise combined. Centenary Stone was commissioned by the National Trust.