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 Walking Group 1 - January 2023
by Tim Wright - 16:45 on 26 January 2023
Nine of us met at the St .Nicholas Church on a dry but cool morning. The sun soon came out and with a brisk walk along the first mile of road to the cliffs we warmed up. Then it was across a field through a gate and onto the moorland of the Roseness Peninsular.
There is a good path that goes by a Gloup. This is fenced and although one can hear the waters below one cannot see them. Then it was on past the Burial Cairn to the first Mark. This is in the shape of an elongated pyramid with a wooden direction marker on top. I have not managed to find out the history of this mark but is is very well built out of stone. We then walked down to the low Lighthouse which is of much more recent vintage. The all around views were spectacular with a rather different perspective of South Ronaldsay, Burray and the Barriers plus sun shining on Copinsay and the Horse as well as on us.
After a brief rest we returned the way we had come to complete a very pleasant four miles trip. A rare occurrence to have such good conditions for walking in late January. A number of us then went to the old Commodore for lunch of Soup and sandwiches which was excellent.
The next walk will be Friday 24th February. More details will be passed nearer the time when the forecast becomes clearer.
Keep moving, Tim.
Add your comment