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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 - June 2022
by Tim Wright - 16:29 on 30 June 2022
Eight of us met at the Standing Stones of Stenness to take cars to Happy Valley. With two Liners in the Stone's parking place was very busy. Happy Valley by contrast was quiet.
The rain was trying to get established although it never did, but the mist was over the top of the hill at Russadale. First stop was the Quarry where the little Loch was completely dried out but muddy in places. We carried on up the peat track with views over the Lochs, the Stones and the Ring of Brodgar. However nearing the top drizzle started obscuring the view. On a sunny day these are spectacular and from Stenness Loch all the way around to Keelylang. Then it was all down hill back to Happy Valley, a walk around Edwin Harrold's masterpiece followed by a picnic lunch on the lawn.
The next walk will be 29th July. The time and place will be decided nearer the time.
Keep moving, Tim.
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