Please take a photograph of your group "in action." Don't forget to ask for permission from everyone for the photo to be published on the web. Then email it to the address below and we will upload it to the gallery.
Photography Group One 1st May 2024
Ten of us met at the roadside Car Park in Finstown on a day with little wind and some low cloud but with the sun trying to get through. We set off to the Community Garden where we found lots of lovely colourful flowers out as well as tree buds bursting forth. The Burn was a great source of images.
Jocky Wood was painting a new picnic bench with the appropriately titled Wood Stain! He does a great deal of the work on the garden as well as his own just up the hill opposite.
Six of us then headed for Binsgarth Woods.
The track was muddy in places but the spring flowers were out all the way. There was Pink Purselaine, Wild Garlic, Wood Anemone, and the invasive Salmon Berry. Since the tree leaves were not blanketing the light, one was able to get good photos close up. The Burn had lots of interesting tree roots and hanging tyres and ropes from the kids' dare devil antics. Then it was back to the shop for rolls and along to Tom's house for a cuppa and a nice piece of cake. Thank you very much for that Tom and all the stories too.
The next meeting will be going to Westray on Wednesday 29th May for the day. Arrangement will be made nearer the time.
All in all a lovely morning, taking time to look at the flowers and listen to the Wrens, Willow Warblers, Chaffinches and Robins singing in the woods.
Keep clicking.
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.
PHOTOGROUP 1 APRIL 23rd
by Tim Wright - 18:39 on 23 April 2014
Nine of us made it to Happy Valley on a foggy afternoon with a brisk Easterly wind. The blue bells were just on their way out but we were greeted by very noisy Ravens waiting to be fed by long suffering parents. The house has had its roof done up but this may need further surgery yet it seems . As usual lots of photographic opportunities around the trees ,the burn ,the house and all the stone work plus a chance to meet the fairies too.
Tea was taken ,after an hour due to the chill factor, at the Standing Stones.
The trip to the Barony Mill had produced lots of excellent photos of flour caked apparatus ,including lights ,a spiders web ,all the Machinery and a rotund Miller. Much hilarity of the photos of the brushing off of the Flour afterwards including one of Hilary applying the brush rather intimately to the Miller (or so it seemed ) The camera never lies !!
"Spring " was this month's theme and included many Lambs ,a very new calf, frogs spawn, lots of flowers and daffs along with some genuine springs. The one causing the most laughs was the Emerging Rhubarb or were they embarrassed sniggers ? Well done for all those great contributions.
The next meeting is on 21st May at 2pm at the Brough of Birsay Car Park with the intention of going for tea to the Birsay tea Rooms for tea. A wander around the shore to the Whale Bone Cross or to the Palace depending on weather at the time, it will be up to you. We might even get across to the Brough if the tides are right.
The theme for this month is "Outdoor Activities". Sporting or non sporting will do well.
Keep clicking,
Tim
Spring Flowers - photo by Tim Wright
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