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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.
U3A Walking Group - May 2019 (2)
by Tim Wright - 18:35 on 24 May 2019
Seven intrepid people set off from Refuge with the threat of rain and wind to walk back to Finstown via Binsgarth Woods. In the event very little rain fell and the wind was moderate. Even with the recent rain, the path was dry and it was a straight forward walk.
Wasdale Loch seemed quite low. A Sedge Warbler sang to us and made a brief appearance there while we heard but didn't see multiple Willow Warblers. Lots of lovely Bluebells were seen in the woods and a tree mystified as to it's identity despite David's efforts on his smart phone. (Not quite as smart as it thought it was !) Coffee was taken at The Merkister at the end of the walk.
The next walk is planned for Thursday July 4th. Will we at last be able to take to the hills ? I sincerely hope so !
Keep moving, Tim.
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