Although Rod and I had walked with David separately last October it was the 12th September 2020 when we last walked together, on that day we walked the Whinfell Ridge from Huck's Bridge. We were on the cusp of Autumn and the leaves on the trees were about to turn and after enjoying the walk so much we all agreed that we would return in one months time when we could enjoy Borrowdale in all her Autumnal glory, it never happened.

Travel restrictions meant we were to walk locally, while I explored the Bowland Fells, David kept to the western edge of Lakeland and Rod explored North Yorkshire and its surrounding countryside until restrictions became tighter when we were forced to walk from home which for me was the hardest time made more difficult given that it was Winter but in the end we prevailed and once we had the green light to return we pencilled in this date and this walk.

Eight months ago David introduced us to Calva who as you have probably guessed from the title of this walk is a Whippet. Calva (named after Great Calva) is no ordinary Whippet at just 8 months of age he has already started a journey that will see him cross Lakeland through to his senior years by which time he'll know and love Lakeland like the back of his paw, just like his dad.

We had arranged to meet at 07:45 for a 08:00am start and I arrived at the roadside parking to find David and Calva already there. After only seeing pictures through our regular emails I was really excited to meet Calva in the flesh.

I'd packed some party sausages which I thought I'd treat Calva too along the way starting here at Apronful of Stones but on opening the packet the sausages went everywhere which caused Calva's little eyes to light up and within seconds he was hoovering them up until they were gone. If ever you want to make an instant impact with a dog you've never met bring along party sausages, they'll be your best friend for life.

Rod soon turned up and it was Calva's turn to get all the attention again which he loved, I think by now we'd all forgotten about it being 6 months since we last saw one another - today was all about Calva. David explained that this was probably going to be Calva's longest walk and we were all interested in how he would cope, well lets get that bit out of the way because Calva coped impeccably and had us in stitches for the best part of walk.

From Apronful of Stones we left the cars and started the steep ascent towards the base of Further Gill Syke situated just where the trees are in the picture. Despite there being a slight frost underfoot it's warming up pretty quickly at which point I felt I'd made the right choice wearing shorts today.

From the rock spur we rejoined the path and passed a woman with her Labradoodle which took an interest in Calva and likewise. As it turned out the woman's friend was waiting for her at the summit enjoying the views and sunshine. They went on to explain that Carrock Fell was only their second Lakeland fell they'd climbed after Blencathra last weekend and were really enjoying themselves.

As Calva helped himself to some water the woman had laid out for her dog we explained the (pretty straight forward) route to High Pike which they where visiting next. It's Round Knott next for us.

With the comforts of West Fell behind us we joined the road close to the Ford over Carrock Beck by which time the afternoon sunshine felt pleasant on the neck all the while being passed by cyclists who came and went while we dawdled our way back to Apronful of Stones. It was much busier when we got back but the place still felt silent as we talked over the sound of passing cars or the odd bleat from distant Lambs.

We could have easily covered this walk in half the time or thereabouts but when you have a new team member who's as cute as button and you haven't put the world to rights for months, well all that takes time and what finer way to do it.