To help celebrate what would have been Sam's sixth birthday, and his first since he passed in May 2021, we are organising a group walk up Thorpe Cloud in Dovedale. Sam loved climbing Thorpe Cloud with his dog Daisy. He was an active little boy who really enjoyed nature and the great outdoors, so it's fitting that we spend his birthday doing something he would have thoroughly enjoyed with this friends and family. EVERYONE is welcome to join us, children, adults and our furry four legged friends!

An overview of the day and timings is below,

 

BUBBLES: We will blow bubbles when we get to the top of Thorpe cloud. We will have some to give out, but feel free to bring your own as well.

 

PAINTED STONES: We are using the walk as a way of launching our Love2Sam painted stones. Bring a painted stone(s) with you so we can hide them on route, bring as many as you want! Just make sure you put Facebook #Love2Sam on the back of them so people know to 1. Take a photo 2. Post on Facebook 3. Rehide! We can then spread Sam’s legacy around the world and get more people to know how truly awesome he is! See our Facebook page for examples of painted stones and the wording we have used on the reverse (click here)

 

Timings are:

 

10.30 to 11am – Meet in Thorpe Cloud car park by the snack hut, see photo (click here) near the ticket machine at Thorpe Cloud car park.

11am to 2pm – Walk up Thorpe Cloud following a circular route. We will walk over the footbridge on the right hand side, head up Thorpe Cloud and follow the route back which will lead us back via the stepping stones, with a picnic on route!

 

Planning Bits:

 

NATIONAL TRUST: Thorpe cloud is National Trust property so make sure you bring your membership card if you have one.

NEAREST CAR PARK: Thorpe Cloud carpark Sat Nav is DE6 2AY, and just off the A515. It will probably be busy, aim to get there in plenty of time to park. We will be there by the snack hut from 10.30am

OTHER CAR PARKS: If Thorpe Cloud car park is busy, the other nearest car park is Ilam Park car park (one mile away). The walk to Dovedale carpark is approx. 30 minutes across fields

TOILETS: cost 20p, so make sure you have change

CAR PARKING: CASH only, so bring COINS. It is £3.50 for up to four hours and £5 for all day. 

NATIONAL TRUST CARD: Bring your card with you! Members can PARK for FREE, but you need your membership QR CODE to scan at the machines

SNACK HUT: There is a snack hut selling drinks, snacks and ice-creams

MOBILE PHONE: signal is pretty much non-existent to be aware! Might be best to text me in the event of any issues 07880343416.

HEADS UP: When we went today it was still pretty muddy and a bit slippery in parts so make sure you wear shoes with good grip. The stepping-stones were also impassable, but hopefully by next week the water levels will have reduced and the ground dried up a bit more.

 

Sam would absolutely love to have his friends doing this walk for him, and I hope to see lots of you there.

 

Much love, and thanks

 

Rachel

Sam's mummy ❤