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.
[email protected]
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.
Photo Group One - 29 March 2017
by Tim Wright - 17:13 on 29 March 2017
Eleven of us met at a rather chilly but dry Gloup to take photos. Eventually, the sun came out but it remained cold with the fresh East wind. Nothing daunted, photos of the Gloup were soon taken but the pairing up of the Fulmars at the entrance to the tunnel caught everyone's attention. A brisk walk over to the Brough warmed us up. No one went on top of the Brough as it was a bit too windy but flowers, rocks and a colony of early nesting Cormorants kept the cameras busy. Then, it was off to the Sands Hotel for lunch and some warming soup and coffee.
Our photos of the trip to Finstown were looked at. The snow at the top of Heddle Hill and on the Standing Stones there featured heavily as well as stone stacks above Culween Cairn. The early snowdrops and crocuses in the Community Garden were well represented as was the gardener planting trees. The Ouze and the bridge walk by the school were also prominent, but the pick of the photos was the snow scene shot by the restored Mill at the top of the inlet. Thanks to all who took part, even to the person who arrived so late at the top of the Heddle Hill that he was the only one who managed to take photos of the Aurora from there!
"Yellow" was the project subject and did it come in many forms. We had yellow lines, yellow harbour-side items in Stromness, yellow Lichens, yellow notices and old adverts, yellow houses even a few yellow sunsets. Some bits of yellow were a little hard to find, others were blazing with yellow but not one yellow egg yolk. For variety, I think the entry was one of the best we have had. Well done for all the entries.
The next meeting is the 3 day trip to Ullapool leaving on 25th April on the 7.45 boat from St Margaret's Hope and returning on 27th April at 6.30 from Gills Bay. Would drivers please make sure their cars are booked to cross that day. We will make our separate ways down to Ullapool to the Hotel, via whichever way the car drivers wish, stopping for photos on the way. We will eat together that night and decide on the plan of action for the next day as it will be weather dependent.
The project this month is "Lights" (not light). For those not coming to Ullapool, the project for May will be "Chimneys".
See you at the boat if not before, Tim.
Add your comment
Please note that whenever you submit something which may be publicly shown on a website you should take care not to make any statements which could be considered defamatory to any person or organisation.
