Cat Bells
A Villanelle For A Lakeland Fell
Introduction
I am just reading "The Pie At Night" by Stuart Maconie and at the moment he is in the Lake District, Keswick to be more precise.
He then mentions what is a beautiful small Fell that is a magnet for walkers by the name of Cat Bells, which I thought was a lovely name for a hill or fell.
The Lake District writer and walker Alfred Wainwright acknowledges the popularity of Cat Bells among fellwalkers of all abilities by saying:
"It is one of the great favourites, a family fell where grandmothers and infants can climb the heights together, a place beloved. Its popularity is well deserved: its shapely topknott attracts the eye offering a steep but obviously simple scramble."
Though I have been to Keswick many times, a lovely place with an awful one-way system, I was completely unaware of Cat Bells.
I know the Lake District very well, but it is mainly the towns, villages and lakes rather than the hills, though Scafell Pike is the highest peak in England at 3,209 feet (one-tenth the height of Everest).
I will go one day, most definitely, but for the moment I will leave you with this villanelle
The music is "Mountains" by Biffy Clyro.
Cat Bells
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Let Us Take A Walk To Cat Bells
On Derwentwater's Western Shore
This Lovely Little Lakeland Fell
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Wainwright, He Knew Its Beauty Well
A Fell For Young And Old And More
Let Us Take A Walk To Cat Bells
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From Keswick, You Walk Just Three Miles
Then A Climb Up The Little Tor
This Lovely Little Lakeland Fell
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Shelter Of The Wild Cat, Cat Bields
Is This Fell's Nomination Source
Let Us Take A Walk To Cat Bells
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From The Top See The Lake So Well
Derwentwater Shines, You Explore
This Lovely Little Lakeland Fell
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At The Top There Are Tales To Tell
A Thousand Feet Above The Shore
Let Us Take A Walk To Cat Bells
This Lovely Little Lakeland Fell
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Comments (7)
The pic is beautiful, and your words do it justice. Nicely done.
I adore that region! I'll likely write a wander piece about it soon. Be on the look out!
I love the name. What a great poem!
Marvelous and love your performance poem!!!β€οΈβ€οΈπ
βΊοΈπ..& Sounds like a wonderful and very relaxing place!
man this is so peaceful....
Seems like a very beautiful place to visit. Loved your Villanelle!