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Walking Group One 25th April 2024
Five hardy souls collected today at Happy Valley for the first Hill Walk of the year .The temperature was cool with a North Easterly wind blowing and a hint of rain on arrival.
Off we set heading towards Russadale Quarry, spotting a Buzzard on the way.Turning into the footpath we remained sheltered from the wind all the way to the top of the hill.
The sun was out at the Quarry and a Greenshank was feeding at the edge of the Lochan. Then it was up the Peat road to the summit with spectacular views across Stenness and Harray Lochs, plus a view of the Closed Road beyond the Watch Stone. On the other side we looked over the Flow and down towards the Oil Platform and South Ronaldsay
Then it was back down after a stop for a snack and finally a walk around Happy Valley itself. The Daffodils planted by James and others were looking lovely and the Bluebells are days away from opening. Then it was on to a well deserved lunch at the Pier Cafe, having walked 4 miles and gone up 800 feet (and down again )
The next walk will be on Friday 24th May and hopefully more hills and views.
Keep moving.
Botany Group
by U3A Botany Group - 17:45 on 17 September 2015
Orkney U3A Botany Group 15th September 2015
The car park at ‘Happy Valley’ was the meeting point for an afternoon’s exploration of Russa Dale. Doubts about there being much of botanical interest this late in the season were dispelled as soon as we reached the, at times, muddy track leading up Russa Dale. As we wandered up to the disused quarry we found:
Devil’s bit scabious, Meadowsweet, Ragwort sp. Red clover, Yellow rattle, Meadow vetchling, Rugosa rose, Field buttercup, Dock sp., Angelica, Ribwort plantain, Tormentil, Common cat’s ear, Woodrush, Bell heather, Ling, Marsh willow herb, Ragged robin, Hogweed, Sneezewort, Silverweed, Water avens, ,Selfheal, Creeping willow, Dog rose, Hard fern, Horsetail sp., Common valerian, Daisy, Marsh marigold, Bogbean, Forget-me-not sp., Eared willow, White clover, Primrose, Rose-bay willowherb, Round leaved sundew.
Not all of them were in bloom.
During our wandering we often paused to admire the wide, open expanse of the centre of Mainland Orkney at its best in brilliant sunshine.
The Group’s next meeting is planned for Tuesday 29th September to explore Rerwick Head in Tankerness. (map reference HY539119). More information as to where to meet later.
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