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u3a Walking Group One - Happy Valley & Russadale Quarry - 25 April, 2025
by Tim Wright - 03:22 on 27 April 2025
Twelve of us met at the Ring of Brodgar Car Park and transferred to 3 cars so not to block the Car Park at Happy Valley. It was cloudy with a brisk 20 mph wind and hence cool. However soon we were in the lee of the hill and on the way to Russadale Quarry. Going uphill generated some heat and the sun began to break through too. A Wren was singing as we made our way into the Quarry. The Lochan was really very low but an advantage was the rocky floor was not slippery as it is in winter. The Primroses were spectacular and Kate gave us a lesson on the different types along with her handheld Magnifying Glass. Then it was on up the hill past the old Peat Banks to the crest. The wind here was much stronger so we retreated a little and got into the shelter of a peat bank which was remarkably dry. We settled down and had our elevenses. After a while two further members of the group arrived having misread the starting time. It all gave us time to admire the view over the Lochs and the Electricity Substation as the sun was out properly now. Then it was downhill back to the cars with a diversion on arrival to Happy Valley burn and trees. The Bluebells are out but the leaves are not out on the trees giving a lovely feel to the woodland flora. The burn has little water in it but maybe that will be rectified by next week. So a nice 3 mile walk going up "14 Floors" according to one person's watch and with a lot of fresh air at the top.
The next walk will be Friday 16th May, a week earlier than usual, but I am away the following Friday. Maybe we can do the Wideford Hill walk at last but it will be weather-dependent.
Keep moving,
Tim
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