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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.
Orkney u3a Walking Group 1 - May 2023
by Tim - 19:16 on 04 May 2023
Eleven of us met up in Finstown today on a breezy but cool, dry day. We firstly made our way across the field to Binsgarth Woods. The wild garlic was out in profusion alongside the burn but the Bluebells need a few more days.
One member tried the rope swings and managed to avoid falling into the mud on the river bank. The gorse was in full bloom alongside path out of the wood and surprisingly a couple of Bonxies passed overhead heading back toward the Ouse. Then alongside Wasdale Loch the island causeway was exposed due to the lack of water. There is a structure of some sort on the island but what it is remains a mystery. Tufted ducks and a couple of Shelduck were over on the far side of the water here. Up we went to Refuge Corner about turned and retraced our footsteps but following the farm track through the woods.
A surprise meeting at the gate out of the woods with Tim Dean and his Flower Class looking for Opposite Leaf Saxifrage among other plants. Then back to the cars after a nice easy 3 1/2 mile walk that had remained dry except under foot in places.
The next walk will be Friday 2nd June, the time and place to be given a couple of days before. A reminder will be sent out a week before.
Keep moving, Tim.
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