Comox

[Robert Bergeron]

Hi Jes,

As a matter of fact and in pure coincidence , the Rocky Point facility CO called me yesterday ...

Guess what ? I am invited to visit the remains of the batteries at Mary Hill to my heart's content !

Will be doing that in the coming weeks as the weather improves.

Anyone interested in tagging along for the tour ?

It will have to be during daytime / week -day. Current photo ID required , I can be your sponsor.

Do not post interest here, send me an email please .

Cheers,

Robert

[Robert Bergeron]

Being from the East, I noticed since my arrival on the Island last September that there are a few differences in the lifestyle here.

First I noticed the smell of pot while walking the streets of Comox and Courtenay .

Then while cycling I spotted this sign...only on Vancouver Island I say. Only on Van Isle...

For the record that is not in Esquimalt but in nearby Saanich.

They are more spiritual up there.

[Bruce MacMillan]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

First I noticed the smell of pot while walking the streets of Comox and Courtenay and even on Base sometimes.... I would ask and the folks would say : That's Sage Sir, not pot oh no , never, oh gosh !
.

Well I see the Liberals just announced that pot will be legal July 1st, 2018.
Puts a whole different meaning to "the smoking lamp is lit"

[Robert Bergeron]

Hey Bruce,

I don't do politics but nice hearing from you. Hope they catch the associates of the bad guy that so terribly acted out against poor unsuspecting citizens last week in your part of the world..

I was hunting for old coastal gun batteries at Fort Rodd Hill, Albert Head, Marie's Head and anywhere else they had them.

Every time I looked out my window I would see this strange concrete structure with a steel deck. Then this morning I realised my balcony had a plunging view on a gun emplacement. Hidden in plain view we might say !

For those who are interested , it is on Signal Hill in Esquimalt behind the Wardroom.

[Jes Andersen]

Years ago, I tried to get access to the then fenced off Signal Hill area. Never had any luck an always wondered what else was in there. A lot has changed in almost 50 years. At one time there was a battery located at the entrance to Victoria Harbour on the end of one of the piers. It was a rather tall concrete structure with the gun emplacement on top. Along with a lot of this type of stuff around here, it was demolished many years ago. The searchlight battery is located across the harbour and is still there. The Capital Region is building their new sewage treatment plant adjacent to that area so I am not sure about access. Near where I used to have a home, on Gonzales Hill, there is the remains of an observation structure with sweeping views of the Juan de Fuca Strait. Its part of a park now and there is a pleasant walking path up to the view point. On a clear day, you can see forever....
Enjoy your exploring and post up some pictures of those places us regular folks aren't able to get to without going over the wire... Part of the Mary Hill property used to have a mortar range and was always an interesting place to sneak around. It was cleared when they cut off a chunk of the land to create the Pearson College of the Pacific or whatever its called now. There were APC tracks around the area and I think its still used for some training exercises now. Below the Mary Hill Battery is the William Head prison. It once was a quarantine station for arrivals on ships from the Orient. Many stories to be told from those days.
Enjoy Spring in Victoria. We are hoping it will warm up a bit more up my way.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Jes. Monday morning i am going for a meeting over at Rocky Point. Afterwards i will go for a recce of the batteries just for a peek. I hope to post some pictures but i have to check first with the CO. Meanwhile here is a picture of a visitor in port last night .

[Robert Bergeron]

Friends , after looking closely i found another former coastal artillery emplacement on Signal Hill. Under the crumbling wood structure is the former gun emplacement.