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u3a Photography Group - Sanday - 22 July, 2026
by Tim Wright - 14:40 on 23 July 2026
Ten of us met early yesterday morning on an unpromising looking day weather wise . It was drizzling with a moderate North West wind . Waiting for us in Sanday was Tom who was staying there for a few days .We went to his lovely rental cottage at Backaskaill where he treated us to coffee .He also gave us a list of suggested photographic subjects from around the island .The rain had eased a lot by the time we set off to look for the various items from the list . All three cars went off in different directions on the hunt .Some items were easy to find like the wreck of the German Destroyer but where was the Victorian Post Box ? Would we be able to see North Ronaldsay through the mist ? Well everything was finally found but not by each car .Going to view Start Point Lighthouse was problematic as the Sanday Foy were having a guided walk on the way, there looking for Oyster Plant . The access road was very crowded but one group managed to get down before the masses turned up .Bill MacArthur's Studio is close by so another group paid a visit and admired his atmospheric paintings . Then it was time for a Pizza at 59 degrees North ,which is not to be missed on any Sanday trip . After a suitably enormous ice cream dessert the search resumed, now in dry weather with some sun, for Basil in a Tin , a Red Phone Box and a Wind Turbine all of which could be found close to or in the lunch spot . A big Chimney was located at Stove in the remains of the experimental farm . A quick visit to the dig that was getting underway nearby showed some cup markings on the prominent upright stones of this 5000 year old structure . Beaches were easy to find ,unsurprisingly ,as were Ruined Churches .A lovely Swan and a group of five Cygnets fulfilled the Bird requirement and there was an abundance of Summer Flowers including Fragrant Orchids . Then just time for a quick look down to Kettletoft and the Harbour with the old Capstan there .A few fishing boats providing lots of reflections of days past when it was a hive of activity on Steamer days . The Craft Hub nearby has a wonderful Mural on the side of the house of fish in a huge breaking wave , But where was the Golf Course ? The old Club house shed was eventually located but the rest of the course was difficult to differentiate .Up the road from this is the Hearse Hoosie which houses the Horse Drawn Hearse which has been done up immaculately, housed in a stone roofed shed appropriate to it's age . Finally it was back to Tom's cottage again for tea and cakes . Thank you to Tom for your generous hospitality which added greatly to the enjoyment of the day . Then as the weather closed in again we made our way back to the Ferry after an excellent day out taking photographs .
The next Project will be " Purple or Black " or both if you can find something that combines the two .The closing date for the 5 photos will be August 17th . Please send them to David .
Ten photos max from the Sanday trip to come for the same day .Please include any other photos that you were pleased with over and above Tom's search list .The list was advisory not mandatory . Send them to me .August 17th closing date for these too.
The next meeting will be Wednesday August 19th perhaps to Happy Valley .There is not much water in the Burn apparently so I will go and look nearer the time and decide if it is a good venue for photos .
In the meantime ,Keep clicking ,
Tim
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