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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.
Botanical Group-Stenness
by Unknown - 11:26 on 26 July 2012
Seven bots set out on Wednesday 25th July for a beach walk in Stenness. Weather damp and misty despite the forecast but it did clear up after folks donned full waterproofs, to give a pleasant clear and midge free day. After fording the burn the clear zonation of the upper shore vegetation was admired and all the team shouted out the names of the plants with early enthusiasm. Fresh Otter footprints along the shore were compared with those of dogs. Large and small prints indicating that this is the territory of a female with cubs.
Lots to see and admire, fossils in abundance, interesting geology and soil profiles, a bit of climatology..lenses out to consider the differences between Greater and Lesser Sea Spurrey. An introduction to the salt-marsh flora and a close look at the difficult Atriplex spp. over lunch....a very tasty addition to any meal!!!!! Shells, birds and much discussion about the liner outside Stromness, a garden visit and a finale at the Ice Cream parlour....camaraderie of the bots always a delight!
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