We hadn't planned on doing a walk as long as this one, but the conditions were so nice we couldn't help wandering! I had a pair a boots to pick up in Keswick, a replacement pair for my old ones which sprung a leak. Our original plan was to pick the boots up and head back to Aira Force for a shortish walk around the falls. However, as we soon realised as we drove over the A66 to Keswick, it was one of those rare 'perfect' days to be out walking. Clear blue skies, loads of bright sun and everywhere was covered in crispy white snow, what more could you ask for? After getting my boots and grabbing a couple of pasties for our lunch, we set off for our walk. We could have gone up onto Walla Crag again, the views would have been amazing from the top, but we were only there 3 weeks ago. So we paid a visit to Castlerigg Stone Circle instead, it's hard to think in all the years I've been going to the Lakes I'd never once been there before. I don't we could have picked a better day for this our first visit, the views of Blencathra, Skiddaw and the Helvellyn range where stunning. We had our lunch at the circle and I took literally dozens of photo's there, the best view was down into St John's in the Vale where there was a thin layer of mist hanging in the valley. Rather than retracing our route back to Keswick to headed towards Blencathra to join the old railway line, a nice easy route back. It did involve a little road walking but it wasn't too bad. It was another brilliant walk, I couldn't think of a nicer way to round off what's been a great year for walking!
The early morning sun catching Wild Boar Fell, seen from the A66 on the drive over to Keswick
This one is a misty view of Brough Castle, from the same spot
I just had to pull over and take this shot of Blencathra, it was just stunning in the early morning sun
Looking towards the NW fells from the same spot
The Catbells ridge as we headed out of Keswick towards Spring Woods
and a close up shot of Causey Pike
This is a panoramic shot made up of 10 jpeg images
and for comparison the same shot with my 18mm wide angle lens
Derwent Water and Catbells from the junction with the path down into Great Wood
Heading along the path behind Castlerigg Farm campsite
Sheena was enjoying been out in the snow
So was Tim dog
I was really surprised at how much snow there was, goodness knows how much is on the higher fells?
Looking across to the Helvellyn Range
A view of Blencathra as I crossed the stile
Tim dog with an icy beard!
Skiddaw and Lonscale Fell blanketed in snow
Skiddaw Little Man through a hoar frosted fence
More hoar frost, this time on a branch
Sheena and Tim with Blencathra behind
A close up shot of Blencathra
Looking towards Helvellyn from the A591 (the road is behind the hedge!)
We walked along a very snowy and icy Castle Lane to the stone circle
The Helvellyn Range from Castle Lane
The Coledale Horseshoe from the same spot
Looking down into the misty valley towards Helvellyn
I don't often do B+W shot's but I think this one works really well?
Blencathra from Castlerigg Stone Circle
Helvellyn from the stone circle
and Sheena's view ....
The mist lying in the valley was really nice
Blencathra viewed as we headed along the road away from the stone circle
and a view of Clough Head
The roads were very icy, I wouldn't fancy driving on them
Another view of Blencathra
Looking up at Blencathra after we'd crossed the A66 and heading for the old railway line
On the old railway line which we would follow back to Keswick, easy but very slippery walking
Causey Pike and Grisedale Pike from under the A66 bridge over the River Greta
The River Greta with Causey Pike in the distance
Skiddaw and Fitz Park
I hope that you have enjoyed looking at the photograph's from this walk? If you have any questions or comments regarding them or the walk in general, please either leave a message below, or send me an email, and I will get back to you asap. Thanks Gary ...
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Our last walk was to High Force in Teesdale 
Our next walk was a walk along the river bewteen Gainford and High Coniscliffe
Other Lake District walks 2009 walks journalAll of the photograph's from this walk were taken using my Sony A700 camera or Sheena's Canon Ixus 100IS camera
© www.mywainwrights.co.uk (This page was last updated - 2 January 2010)
