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 Photography Group One - November 2023
by Tim - 19:37 on 01 December 2023
Eleven of us turned up at the Market Green in Dounby yesterday. It was cold but with little wind and some brightness in the sky. A very brief shower slowed us in setting off on Tom's Task list. He had spent time in the village compiling a list of possible photographic items. They were not too taxing although a pointing finger ,a white triangle, a creel and a ragged Rosehip tested the participants eyesight and imagination at times .We had an hour and a half to wander around and interpret his list which also included a Rusty Roof , a leafless tree ,a Chimney and Horse's Heads. While Birsay Boundary stones were obvious on the side of the road , one Dounby native wondered why we were taking photos of his clothes pegs ! Nothing daunted almost everyone got a photo of all the suggested items . Tom has kindly agreed to collate all the photos for the outing but requests only five out of the ten items taken . It's up to you to send your 5 best . Thanks Tom for all your suggestions.
The active part of the day finished with a date at Hilary's house for soup and sandwiches she had said .However there was a sumptuous feast awaiting us with chicken soup ,Smoked Salmon sandwiches and at least 10 cheeses to try .Then it was coffee and mince pies to warm us all up . As we left a dogie bag of cheese and rolls was thrust in our hands in case we got hungry before we got home ! A VERY BIG THANK YOU to Hilary for the hospitality and everyone who helped in any way with the lunch .
I am hoping to have the next meeting in mid to late January on a morning in the Computer room in Dounby School as we usually do .The plan will be to look at the photos from the Nairn trip , this month's project of "Festival / Festivals " and the Dounby Village photo trip. I will coordinate with Hilary re the dates etc and the timing and get back to you but it will be 5 photos from each day we were away in Nairn i.e. 20 photos max from each person . I will collate them and project them on the day .
In the meantime enjoy Christmas and take your camera with you at all times ,
Keep clicking , Tim
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