To make the best of a bad day I ventured up onto Walla Crag . . . only for the cloud to come down and hide what little view was on offer.

This was the last I saw of the lake . . . the poor day hadn't really got much better.

So four weeks later, when Loes fancied a gentle walk in the Keswick area, my mind turned to thoughts of a return visit.

I wished to reacquaint myself (and Loes) with the view from the edge on what was now a glorious summer day.

Walk starting point . . . each time was the road end near Rakefoot Farm (note: limited parking !)

Beyond the end of the tarmac the track crosses the Brockle Beck and heads off up the slope.

Once clear of the trees, the views north over Keswick just got better and better.

Looking back at Lonscale Fell and Blencathra as the track splits.

The main track heads on up the steep-ish slope, the smaller side track we chose tends to take a gentler course,

closer to the Brockle Beck valley ravine.

The small beck drains Low Moss between Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell seen in the distance.

Ultimately all tracks end up close to the top boundary wall, with a slightly muddy grass area then rocky climb up to the stile in the wall,

somewhere up near Dougal the Meerkat is sitting.

Over the wooden stile and just the last short distance to the top of the Walla Crag rock outcrop.

The views are definitely better today . . . I can see that from here.

Loes gazes north as I include her in a picture looking south to the Central Fells.

The highest looking peak in the distance is Great Gable, only by virtue of being closer. 

Scafell Pike in the far distance overtops it by 250 feet.

From here Derwent Water is more than 900 feet below us

which explains why the Keswick Launch and the sailing boat on the far shore look so small.

There's a fine view of the Derwent Water Islands from up at the edge.

Loes insisted on a picture of me on the top as well . . . man with trusty steeds in attendance.

A slightly zoomed in view of the many summits of the Skiddaw Fells, seen over the houses of Keswick.

To the other extent, this was the wider view from the top . . . looking south and west.

Click here or on the photo above for a larger annotated panorama

North and east this time as the phone camera wouldn't take one complete 360 degree shot for some reason.

Click here or on the photo above for a larger annotated panorama

After time on the edge we decided to head back to the car.

We chose the secondary footpath, north along the edge, starting with a leap of faith over these rocks.

It didn't need that much faith as the ground hardly drops beyond, it stays high on a heather covered edge of the escarpment.

The sunny weather has provided good colour on the heather this year, but here it seems to have already started to die back.

A delightful path maintaining great views all along the edge.

Our return to the main path on the other side of the wall utilised the gate this time

The return path brought is down the steep slope to re-join our outward track.

There is a bridge if you want Dougal . . . but presumably the river is cooling the feet in this warm weather.

- - - o o o - - -

Six days later I was shopping for a few items in Lorton and combined it with a visit to Spout Force in Whinlatter.

It's been a while since I was here and it would be interesting to see how the forestry clearance is getting on.

The tree shelter which was always slightly secret, tucked deep in the trees, is now rather open to view.

Together we head back to the car park adjacent to Scawgill Bridge.

The forest clearance has done little to enhance the area but the summer growth is starting to soften the damaged outlines.

All that needs doing now is to reinstate the safe path to the viewing area and replace a few rotten looking fence rails at the same time !