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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.
u3a Photo Group 1 - March 2023
by Tim Wright - 15:48 on 01 March 2023
Twelve of us met at the car park for the Broch of Gurness. It was cool but dry with little wind. The sun made an appearance or two lighting up the stones at the Broch. Some went in and looked around the Broch and the old stone dwellings surrounding it. Two Viking Boat Burials are there as well and well delineated. The ditches were well outlined when the sun shone and the Larks were singing too. Others made their way back to the sands looking at the birds especially the Snow Buntings that are often seen at the burn mouth. A couple of people made their way over to the small cemetery at the other end of the beach which is no longer used. A group then took the road up to the Windmills at Berger Hill. The hide, while in operation, was deserted but the Loch was disappointing with Graylags and one Mallard only to be seen. There were no Red Throated Divers. Then it was back to Barbara's for lovely hot soup and coffee plus interesting cakes from Hilary. Many thanks to both of them for feeding the starving snappers.
The next meeting is Wednesday April 12th. More details to follow later.
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