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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.
U3A Walking Group - July 2021
by Tim Wright - 10:04 on 16 July 2021
Eleven of us met at the Sands of Wright to walk around Hoxa Head .It was overcast and a bit breezy but the sun soon came out and layers were shed .We followed the main road past the Tapestry Gallery spotting two young Arctic Terns at the Quarry on the way .We went up the farm track straight to the point where we stopped for a while looking for Whales or dolphins but they were on their Summer Holidays elsewhere .Back along the cliff path with increasing sun ,taking the left hand turning by the Quarry .Then back via a quiet back road with good views of the Flow and a Tanker being shepherded in by two Tugs .We then went along side the Lochan at the bottom of the hill and back to the car park .A good 4+ miles on a lovely day .Some then headed off but many stayed and enjoyed a picnic at the top of the beach watching the six bathers in the sea . Nobody felt hot enough to join them unlike the Photography Group trip to Hoy last week .
The next meeting is on Friday 13 th August .With a date like that ,the Venue will be carefully considered and communicated nearer the time depending on the forecast .
Keep moving ,Tim.
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