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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 Walking Group 2 - May 2023
by Ellie - 09:06 on 01 June 2023
Twelve of us met on Monday 29th May at Newark Bay, Deerness for an out -and-return walk along the coast, with a sandy beach, rocky foreshore and great views of Copinsay. As is usual for our Monday walks the weather forecast was for a gusty day, but at least it was dry. We welcomed a new member to the group Moyra, her first walk with us.
We set off with the wind in our backs and followed the path above the beach, continuing along the path we spotted Sanderlings, Ringed Plovers, Purple Sandpipers and Turnstones and of course Oystercatchers. On reaching the second car park two ladies, who only wished to do a short walk bid us farewell and made their way back to the cars. The rest of us continued on until we reached the Point of Ayre where we again said goodbye to three folk who needed to return home. Now down to seven and following Sue’s suggestion, we found the perfect spot for our lunch; we sat on a ledge in a gully, out of the wind and facing the sea - the sandwiches went down a treat. From where we were sitting we could see what we thought was a trig point, so being an adventurous group after our lunch break we decided to walk up the hill to investigate only to find it was a tree stump.
Our return was a bit more challenging, with the wind in our face and mist descending it was hard going at times, but we braved on and gradually the mist lifted, and the wind eased and on reaching the bay the sun and tide were out and we were greeted with a beautiful golden beach.
Tea and cake at Sheila Fleet’s was the end to a very good day.
Our next walk is on Monday 12th June 2023 – details nearer the time but if the weather is looking o.k. I am very much hoping to be able to arrange a walk on Flotta.
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