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.
CHAIRMAN'S BLOG 13
by Richard Thomas - 11:50 on 12 April 2013
CHAIRMAN’S BLOG 13
12 APRIL 2013
1. We had our first committee meeting on Monday following the AGM. The main items discussed were:
The need to get an accurate and up to date membership list with all those on e mail properly listed. This is to enable to communicate as much as possible by e mail and electronically for both speed and ease of feedback. In addition and equally important it keeps our costs down so we can maintain the membership fees at their present level.
Our finances remain healthy as we are continuing to attract new members.
The possibility of joining VAO was considered and deferred to enable members to think it through before deciding. The cost is modest and there are advantages in such things as finding room for meetings as well as linking with the rest of the voluntary sector in Orkney.
The U3A produces diaries and anyone wishing a diary for 2014 should let either Hilary or me know so we can place a bulk order.
For those who like Jazz, there is a national group set up and anyone who might be interested in following suit here should let me know and I can let them have further details.
We are looking to work with the Caithness U3A on joint activities as well as opening up our meetings to each other.
2. We have been contacted by Ernie Skea at the Council about a new sphere of activity for the over 50s called the Discovery Award It is an achievement Award offering challenges to individuals in the 50+ age range, presenting them with possible new heights to scale. It enables and encourages people to make choices about their own lives and to increase their contribution to life around them. By meeting a range of new personal challenges, as well as some new people - it offers the possibility and bonus of new and lasting friendships. The Challenge is to discover:
• new strengths and hidden talents
• new interests
• new life in old interests
• to meet new and interesting people
• the satisfaction of doing something for others as well as yourself
• the joy of unexpected achievement
You can find more about it on discoveryawardscotland.co.uk and I will mention it next week at the General Meeting
If you’re interested can you let me know and I will arrange for Ernie to come to a meeting to talk about further.
3. As mentioned above, Dave Woodcock is interested in starting up a Family History Group and we have two interested in joining so if you would like to come in too can you see Dave at the next meeting which is on Thursday 18 April in the MacGillvray Room when Jack MacInnes will be talking about Scott of the Antarctic and I look forward to seeing you there.
Richard Thomas
12 April 2013.
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