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.
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 Photo Group One - June 2023
by Tim - 15:23 on 15 June 2023
Ten of us met at the Brough of Birsay Car Park on Tuesday morning (14/6) on a perfect summer day. The sun shone, the sky was blue and the tourists were out in force !
We set off across the causeway which was dry and not slippery after all. The seaweed was multi coloured and easy to photograph in the calm conditions. On the beach below the Brough were two dead Gannets indicating that Bird Flu has not gone away yet. Up to the archaeological site, the Viking Longhouses were striking with their outlines accentuated by Sea Pink and Bird's Foot Trefoil. Alongside them there are other unexcavated Longhouses which are easy to miss in the grass. Turning right we walked along the cliff looking and finding at least 6 sets of Puffins. As usual they seemed quite happy to have their photo taken and posed nicely for us.
Up past the lighthouse with a few glances out to sea looking for Whales but none but a lone seal obliged. The south side of the island was covered in a carpet of Sea Pinks and very photogenic. Then back across the causeway for lunch on the beach. Anne and Derek joined us and we watched the local fisherman launch his boat with a very old tractor. (Has it an MOT Tom asked ?) A true rusty old fisherman's friend. Then it was off home, some via the shop and ice creams and others for a quick look see at the Terns. A great time was had by all with lashings of sun cream instead of lashed up in heavy waterproofs !
The Project this month is "Colourful or Full of Colour". With the weather as it is and the plants in full bloom there should be plenty of scope for photography.
The next meeting is the trip to Stronsay on 12 th July.
Keep clicking, Tim.
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