Wainwright's Walking Guide to the Lake District Fells - Book 6 The North Western Fells

Cat Bells

by Inkpotpoet

   Heavy clouds rest their shoulders across distant summits
   like ancient walkers respiting as the silver tongue
   splinters the grazing worn threadbare under footfalls
   seeking some divine acknowledgement
   as they reach for the heavens; gods of their own destiny.

   Lungs fuelled with wonder keep heroic adventurers steadfast
   in their ascent. Nature all around lays herself at their feet,
   the cooling damp of her breath kissing their ruddy cheeks, a welcoming
   greeting like that of a long past relative.

   As the majesty awaits at its peak, Derwent shimmers
   from below in full view as forests give shape to the metallic
   sheet. No time to stop. The snake-like silver tongue eagerly beckons
   the fell walkers across the towering back of the Cat Bells,
   their breath purring delighted with Skiddaw a distant audience.

   Moon-like, the peak shingles rustling to each step whilst hearts race
   to rest before descending, leaving behind their footprint. Pausing.
   The panorama spread out in full view, a reminder of the miniscule human
   life, reaches deep within like the tremulations of the first love
   etching itself into memory.

   (C) A.J Westley 17th Feb 2022

Scenes of great beauty unfold on all sides and they are scenes in depth to a degree not usual, the narrow summit permitting downward views of Borrowdale and Newlands within a few paces.

Nearby valley and lake attract the eye more than the distant mountain surround, although Hindscarth and Robinson are particularly prominent at the head of Newlands
and Causey Pike towers up almost grotesquely directly opposite.

On this side the hamlet of Little Town is well seen down below, a charming picture, but it is to Derwent Water and mid-Borrowdale that the captivated gaze returns again and again.