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 PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP ONE June 2015
by Tim Wright - 12:14 on 05 June 2015
What a Great trip so Sanday for the ten who dragged themselves out of bed in the early hours to catch the ferry. We were blessed with blue skies and sun, a combination with Sanday's white beaches made for compelling photography. We started with bacon butties and coffee on the deck of the Varagan, looking at the Marco Polo anchored in the bay and gradually being disgorged of it's passengers. Then, lots of birds and views until we finally arrived in Sanday to be met by Evan Williams and the Sanday Afternoon Club Bus as well as Beth, a keen local Sanday photographer. We went straight to Stove and the old factory buildings there and ahead for a quick walk on the beach looking at the reflections in the pools of water. Stone, rust, verdigris and marsh marigolds were the favourite subjects. Next up, we stopped by an old cottage at Ayre's Rock Campsite that had lovely yellow lichen on the roof. We then went up to Scar and took photos of the sadly declining old farm house and the working farmyard. Next, a coffee stop at the Youth Centre followed by a trip to the graveyard at Backaskaill. There were some very old gravestones with the ground having been used since Medieval times. Then it was time for lunch at Belsair Hotel in Kettletoft and a wander down the pier for some, while others just sat in the sun and ate in peace.
Back on the bus we went up to look at the remains of the old destroyer on Lopness Beach but the tide was in and the rust hunters had to be content with a token offering just above the waves in the distance. Start Point was the next item on the agenda. We walked up to the Point as the track is very eroded and inpassable. Great views of the lighthouse were obtained, with a dramatic blue sky as well as seeing some Ringed Plovers and Dunlin. Back then to the Heritage Centre and the lovely little Croft House Museum, which is excellently set out. Finally, we rushed off to catch the ferry home after a photographic gem of a day. Many thanks to Evan and Beth for a memorable day. On the boat we viewed the photos of Kirbister Farm Museum. The most photographed item seemed to be the dried and smoked fish above the peat hearth. It was interesting to see the variation in colours different cameras and printers made of the same item. Plants and windows and their sills were popular too, as was detail of farm machinery.
"Three/Triangles" produced a plethora of ideas with "Threes" being the winner. Stones, birds, people and even brass monkeys got a look in although they were not needed on such a sunny day! A great selection to while away an hour on a boat journey.
The next meeting is on Wednesday 1st July at 2pm and we are going to Binscarth Woods. The project is "Flowers/Flours"
Keep Clicking, Tim
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