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 Photo Group One - July 2023
by Tim Wright - 16:10 on 13 July 2023
Eight of us caught the 7 am boat to Stronsay on a damp morning with light wind. We were picked up by Brother Dominic and taken over to Papa Stronsay in the Monks’ little ferry. Landing at the Porta Caelip pier, he gave us a rundown on the Trans Alpine Redemptorist Order. They are a strongly traditional Catholic Order who keep the Latin Liturgy as opposed to the local language form of worship. He showed two chapels where the Community worship and the it was off to see the huge greenhouse full of fruit trees bursting with produce including Grapes, Apricots, Kiwi Fruit and Hops among all the usual tomatoes and courgettes. We then wandered around the island looking in another chapel and the large bells. Then it was back over to Stronsay for coffee and lunch in The Fish Market Cafe.
Having heard the sheep shearing was taking place at Cleat we decamped to get some men at work photos. Following that, one car went on a tour of the local craft shops including a silversmith and a soap maker. The other car went to the Vat of Kirbister, a spectacular natural arch. Some 40 years ago I went with Charles Tait on the Shaldar right under the arch and it appears regularly in his guide books. We then went to Rothiesholm beach and St John's viewpoint before heading to the pier for the trip home. A great day out and the only rain seen happened when we were having lunch in the cafe.
Discussion about the Project led to the subject being "Religion and Churches". The next meeting will be Wednesday 23th August. The plan is to go to see the photographic exhibition of the building of the Barriers in St Nicholas Church in Holm. The exhibition is excellent and well worth the effort. Further details as to timing etc nearer the day.
Keep clicking, Tim.
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