Showing posts with label Royal Roads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royal Roads. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Hatley Park

Overlooking Esquimalt Lagoon is Hatley Castle, built by James Dunsmuir as a residence about 100 years ago. James was the son of Robert Dunsmuir, who earlier built the city of Victoria landmark,Craigdarroch Castle. After James died, Hatley Castle became the home of Royal Roads Military College and in its most recent incarnation, it has become Royal Roads University.I actually went out there to see some of the province's largest trees, Douglas Firs that are over 250 years old. However, I got sidetracked by the castle's formal Italian, Rose and Japanese Gardens and between the heat and the floral overload I never made it to the forest. Next time! Below are a couple of shots from the Japanese Garden.

Below is a flower that was blooming in another Hatley Park Garden called the "Bog Garden." If anyone knows what this spectacularly colored flower is, kindly let me know.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Royal Roads

Within the Greater Victoria area, travelling along the coast south and west, one passes Esquimalt Harbour and then Esquimalt Lagoon. This photograph is taken from the spit that marks the outer edge of the lagoon looking towards Metchosin. Royal Roads was the name given to the anchorage to the left. The snowy mountains in the background are across the Strait of Juan de Fuca on the Olympic Peninsula, in neighbouring Washington State, USA.