|
 "Enjoying a blether" |
The sun shone for Forth & Tay¢s first outing of the season to
Quarrymill, Perth . Although the cafeteria does not open until later in the
month, staff kindly opened the toilet facilities at the start.
Park
ranger, Tam, accompanied the group and pointed out interesting features along
the way. The ramble runs along the Annaty Burn through a lovely, wooded valley.
There are way-marked walks, many natural attractions and a number of the
facilities are accessible to wheelchair and scooter users. Two of the walks
within the park have been specially laid out for wheelchair users and there are
also viewing platforms and picnic areas.
 "New FTDR chair at Quarrymill" |
 "Scone Parish Church" |
New FTDR Chair, Aileen Davis, had arranged
for the Scone Parish Church Hall to be open so that members could have lunch
inside and use the facilities there. The church beadle also opened the church,
where the organist was practicing. In the churchyard stands a monument to
botanist David Douglas (1799 -1834). Douglas was born in Scone and became one
of the greatest plant hunters and explorers of America ¢s northwest.
All in all it was voted a most enjoyable outing.
There was a large turnout at the sixth
Forth & Tay Annual General meeting at Lochore Meadows.Following the
business of the meeting volunteer Jim Wyllie took members on a tour of the
Scottish Munros. His photographs were much appreciated by all and his knowledge
of the Scottish countryside is quite exceptional.
After a soup and
sandwich lunch Jimmy Wilson, another of the group's volunteers, gave an
interesting talk with photographs of a six-week walking trip to New Zealand
covering both the north & the south islands as well as a stop over in Hong
Kong.
The rambling season kicks off on 15th April with a trip to
Quarrymill near Perth. Three new scooters have been purchased for the group's
fleet thanks to funding from Sport Relief and Tesco Charitable Trust.
 "Airundle National Nature Reserve" |
 "Neptune's Staircase, Ft William" |
Our volunteers have been out to recce
routes and accommodation for this year's holiday. It will be in the Ft William
area from Monday 2nd to Thursday 5th June. Members can choose to stay in the
bunk house at Corran Ferry, where the facilities are excellent - en-suite twin
rooms, good facilities for wheelchair users etc. Alternatively, they can opt to
stay in B&B and join the start of the rambles. After crossing to the
Ardnamurchan Peninsula on the ferry at Corran the first ramble is from
Strontian to Ariundle National Nature Reserve. The following day's ramble is
from Gairlochy on the Caledonian Canal to Neptune's Staircase near Ft William.
The annual Social Day took place in St
Serf's Church, Lochgelly. Robert & Shirley Hunter organised the hall for
the event and set up the games. Kitty Walker provided members with an
entertaining quiz as usual. Our thanks to them all for their hard
work.