Across the Links to Oak Hill

Take a ramble with Reverend Connell across the Cedar Hill golf links and through the pastures and woodlands of North Dairy farm to the summit of Oak Hill overlooking the Shelbourne Valley. From the Victoria Daily Colonist, March 29th, 1942. Under a gray March sky and with a pleasant coolness in the air for walkingContinue reading “Across the Links to Oak Hill”

“Sweetest of All Things”

This article is Connell’s ode to springtime in Victoria and to the botanical realm in particular. Strongly reflecting Connell’s own cultural roots, it is also a nod to one of his biggest literary inspirations, English nature writer Richard Jefferies (1848-87). From the Victoria Daily Colonist, March 7th, 1937. I am going to write today aboutContinue reading ““Sweetest of All Things””

In February Showers

In this article Reverend Connell takes a walk among the firs and oaks of a still-forested section of the old Hudson’s Bay Company lands on the Lansdowne slope, near the Saanich/Oak Bay border, almost exactly 80 years ago. His reflections on the historic landscape and the abundance of introduced species of flora and fauna thatContinue reading “In February Showers”

Salt Air by Shoal and Oak Bays

Reverend Connell’s botanical ramble along the shoreline of south Oak Bay. From the Victoria Daily Colonist, December 7, 1941. I hardly think anything could be finer than this Victoria November day with a little breeze from the east for additional zest. We leave the Victoria boundary at Foul Bay Road, and follow Runnymede to Mountjoy,Continue reading “Salt Air by Shoal and Oak Bays”

February Grey and Green

Reverend Connell paints a visceral portrait of the hills and farmlands of Strawberry Vale and the Colquitz River valley in late winter. From the Victoria Daily Colonist, February 22nd, 1942. The bus as it runs along Burnside Road gives a broad view of dark sloughed fields with a background of dark timber. It is surprisingContinue reading “February Grey and Green”

 Old Orchards by the Colquitz           

In the fall of 1941 Rev. Connell set out to find the remains of a heritage orchard on the banks of the Colquitz River. His narrative weaves together the environmental and settler histories of the area. From the Victoria Daily Colonist, Oct. 12, 1941. I have just returned from a visit to the Provincial ArchivesContinue reading ” Old Orchards by the Colquitz           “

The New Mount Douglas Road

Follow Rev. Connell along Shelbourne Street and up the unfinished “new” road to the summit of Pkols/Mount Douglas. Take in some of the flora, geology and history of the valley, with a little turkey trivia for good measure! From the Victoria Daily Colonist, January 1st, 1939. After a night of frost a brilliantly sunny morningContinue reading “The New Mount Douglas Road”