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U3A Photo Group One - October 2022
by Tim Wright - 09:30 on 06 October 2022
U3A trip to Kinlochbervie 1st to 4th October 2022
Twelve of us, including new members Kate and Brian, set off on a rather lumpy Hamnavoe to Scrabster on Saturday morning 1st October. We were in three cars giving scope for individual choice as to where to go and when to stop and take photos. Two cars set off to lunch at the Bettyhill Cafe while the last car had a picnic at Sandside Beach watching some very competent surfers ride the waves and giving some excellent Sport photos. The next almost obligatory stop for some was Cocoa Mountain in Durness for the most perfect hot Chocolate drink.
We then arrived at the Kinlochbervie hotel that we had taken over for the next three days. The rooms were comfortable, warm and plenty of hot water too. The dinner menu changed each day and most moved to the 2 course option as the quantities were more than adequate. The wind got up in the night and rain lashed at the windows but by morning had settled. Breakfast, chosen the night before, was very good and promptly delivered. We then did the local walk along the road and by loch Innes, passing the memorial to the local man who had won a VC in the first world war for outstanding bravery only to be murdered 4 years later while work as a policeman in Vancouver. We walked beside the local Church which had a full congregation as it was Sunday. An abandoned croft cottage painted bright red was a popular photo subject on the way back to the hotel.
The party then split up with most looking around Kinlochbervie Harbour and surrounds such as Oldshoremore beach while some went further to Scourie and beyond. The light was not good with a blanket grey sky but the rain never really got going. There are some wonderful examples of Lewisian Gneiss at the end of Oldshoremore beach with pink rock squeezed in layers between black larva. All very photographic on a grey day. After Dinner we had an Orkney Quiz by Tim. Barbara won a box of Chocolates which she doesn't eat. However, everyone helped her dispose of her prize. We also looked at a few "Projects" from the recent past plus the photos from last year's trip to Lairg.
The next day was looking a bit less windy but it started grey again. One party set off to Lochinver to the Pie shop for lunch plus a trip to Highland Pottery and back on the coast road. The sun came out for them and they even managed to sit out for a while in the rays. Another group went to the Fish market at Kinlochbervie where a very modern Trawler was landing 60 tons of fish fresh from the Faeroes. The Skipper gave them a conducted tour of the boat from the bridge to the engines. The boat was gone by the time we had dinner, back to the Faeroe fishing grounds despite the forecast gale ! The last four walked to Sandwood Bay a 10 mile round hike across the moors. The sun came out as we arrived and the views were spectacular. Gannets were diving in front of the rock stack called The Shepherd and the breakers were crashing into the sand. Cape Wrath Lighthouse could be seen in the distance. While we picnicked on the beach 10 Whooper Swans flew overhead having been resting on the loch behind. Then, on the long walk back rain started. We got wet but at Sandwood Bay the sun always shines. (Well it has does for me every time, and I've been five times now) It is a most enchanting place but more people are going there now. Many years ago my wife and I had it to ourselves one memorable day.
The next day we left for our return to Orkney. The weather was much kinder but breezy. One group headed to Lairg to see the Lamb Sales. It is a huge event with 16,000 lambs going under the hammer. It is smaller than in the past when 29,000 were sold when we were in Brora but maybe it is due to all the re wilding projects being undertaken in the Highlands these days.
Another group went to the Falls of Shin to see the Salmon leaping. They managed to get some excellent photos of the fish in mid leap. They then met up with the other group for lunch in Dornoch before heading to the boat. The other group went North back to Balnakeil Beach for a walk. The Army and Navy were on exercise at Garvie Island and there were lots of bangs and smoke over towards what we hope was the intended targets. A stop at Smoo Cave where the waterfall was in full spate producing so much spray that it was impossible to take photos of it. However, an obliging Dipper was in the burn, obviously used to people and happy to have his photo taken. Then it was back to the boat for another lumpy trip home for twelve very happy photographers.
So, many very thanks to Hilary for arranging such a wonderful trip for us all. You found a great place for us Hilary, you are a Star ! It was an excellent venue and we all found plenty of things to photograph as well as having a very convivial time together and on our separate wanderings. Now we have to come up with a place and time for next year but it will be very hard to beat the trip to Kinlochbervie.
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