Connell gives a colorful and vivid account of his visit to Swan Lake. From the Times Colonist, October 13/20, 1928- The “yellow bus” dropped me at its Lake Hill terminus. Saturday afternoon in the fore part sees Saanich folk traveling city-wards so there were few passengers, and by the time the bus prepared to turnContinue reading “On the Edge of Urban Saanich”
Category Archives: geology
Cordova’s Wooded Cliffs
Originally called “Tseleethch” by the Indigenous inhabitants, in this article Connell visits Cordova Bay’s stunning coastline and muses upon some of its geographic, as well as more recent, histories. From the Victoria Times Colonist, April 2, 1932- Cordova Bay is one of the few places in the vicinity of Victoria with a Spanish name. Yet,Continue reading “Cordova’s Wooded Cliffs”
January by the Sea
Connell visits the rocks below the Chinese Cemetery at Harling Point on two separate occasions, once in winter and once in summer. In the winter visit he focuses on bird life and geology and in the summer he befriends two young fishermen and teaches them about marine plant life. From the Victoria Daily Colonist, JanuaryContinue reading “January by the Sea”
Along the Happy Valley Road
Connell heads for the hills once again, this time to visit the picturesque Happy Valley in Colwood and Metchosin. He investigates the geography and the place names of the area and considers a peculiar local legend. From the Victoria Colonist, December 1st, 1940 – The road to Metchosin after skirting the broad gravelly plains ofContinue reading “Along the Happy Valley Road”
The Valley of Bowker Creek
Connell takes a deep dive into geological time through an examination of the landscape and stratigraphy of the Bowker Creek/Thaywun Valley. From the Victoria Daily Colonist, October 23rd, 1938- In and around Victoria there are areas of low ground usually sloping gently towards the sea and never at any great height above it. Before modernContinue reading “The Valley of Bowker Creek”
Wild Things at Beacon Hill
Connell takes a summertime ramble to Meeqan observing some of the natural and human history of the park. From the Victoria Colonist, July 4th, 1943- Fortunately there still remains in Beacon Hill Park a large part of the original tract of land more or less as it was a century ago. The fine old oaksContinue reading “Wild Things at Beacon Hill”
At Woodside by the Sea
“Some homes are destined for happy occasions, for large house parties and banquets, and any excuse at all for social entertainment with every guest entering into the festive spirit to ensure a jolly good time for all concerned”. Follow Rev. Connell to the historic farmhouse in Sooke, thus described by a contemporary writer, and thruContinue reading “At Woodside by the Sea”
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”
Jaunts by Highways and Byways
Reverend Connell hits the road via automobile, visiting Elk and Beaver Lakes and Cordova Bay beach with plenty of stops along the way. Read about “guddling” fish, magnetite at the beach, and what sounds to have been one amazing arbutus tree! From the Victoria Daily Colonist, March 16th, 1941. The first of March came inContinue reading “Jaunts by Highways and Byways”
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”