Wang Dang Doodle!

The Wang Dang Doodle was cancelled the last two years due to Covid.

This year, oh what fun! Held on Toronto Island at the Algonquin Clubhouse, several uke clubs come together to carol and celebrate the season. 

The ride over on the ferry is extremely cold but the winter island and city views are spectacular.

 

Cruising - Home Again

First time in all these years we've stopped at Whitby Yacht Club. Nice floating docks! Spacious. I was surprised to see the club was established in 1966, two decades before BPYC. A lovely beach.

For dinner, we walked to a nearby pub and it was eerie how quiet these suburban streets were.

Whitby Yacht Club

The next day, we sailed past Bluffers and on to Toronto Island and Queen City Yacht club for some island time. Another first - we got a slip right at the very foot of the Club House. Just a hop out and a few steps to the restaurant, washrooms and Snug. All the amenities close at hand, and not as bumpy as I thought. Lots of sandbags still, and cat walks, and the sump pump pumping. There was a Tshirt for sale - QCYC Flood of 2017 - many members were taking sharpies and updating the year.

A full day to hang out. Riding our bikes, exploring Ward's. Fun on Centre Island - Rob bought us some tickets for the log plume ride, the Haunted House, and the Sky Ride. The beach! And no cooking on the boat whatsoever, taking meals at the QCYC Dining room, Riviera, or Island Cafe.  

Such a stunning view.

QCYC - view from the restaurant patio - notice the sandbags!

QCYC

A fabulous sail home on August 20; still some holidays left!

Whitby Saturday night August 17
QCYC Sunday night August 18 and 19

Summertime!

I ended my week-long staycation with a weekend on the Island.

July 15, Rob and I dropped anchor for the first time of the season. Better late than never! Then Saturday night at Queen City Yacht club.

The Island was busy, with the Festival of India, a Comicon meet-up, family picnics and summer parties. During the day there were smiles everywhere, and the city sparkled at night. Such diversity - of ethnicities, languages, ages, cultures, styles of dress. Sikh men in colourful turbans seated at a picnic table next to a crowd of girls dressed in anime costumes and next to that Trinidadians dancing. Hare Krishnas handing out food and Baptists singing by the shore. A happy place where everyone seemed to be celebrating summer.

Next weekend we will be off on a three week sailing tour of lake Ontario, so I was making notes on things that should come on and off the boat for our get-away. Can't wait!

Grated honeydew melon with lichee liqueur. Delicious!

"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans."

"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans." I love that John Lennon quote! So apropos for sailing vacations.

Winds blasting to 40 and 50 kms an hour delayed our departure and changed our destination. Five days in Wilson New York turned into three days on Toronto Island. Not exactly what we planned, but...  love those island views!

Taking the helm on the way over, I kept pointing Yondering toward the island when we were on a starboard tack. Losing the wind when I steered in the direction I wanted to go. Telling myself, "Remember... let the wind fill your sails. It may take longer to get to where you are going, but isn't this nice, what's your hurry?" Yes, indeed.

Instead of our usual anchorage we tucked in around the corner to a slip park-side at QCYC. As soon as we were tied up we cycled one end of the island to the other, taking in the sites. Out to Hanlon's Point, out on the Pier, along the boardwalk, through Ward's, back over the bridge to Algonquin. Stopping here and there to enjoy the sights and walk the bikes. The plaque at Hanlon's reminding visitors that this is where Babe Ruth hit the first home run of his professional career. A symphony of sound: gulls reading graffiti on the pier shouting the carved hearts of lovers' names. The clackety-clack of the boardwalk as our tires play the keys. Chimes in gardens.

Watching the sun set from the cockpit as it changes into a sparkling view of the city skyline. The view of the city from the island is so spectacular I'm surprised it isn't over-crowded with visitors.

Later enjoying a bacon wrapped filet mignon with crumbled blue cheese, sauteed mushrooms, roasted potatoes with dill, salad greens. Meals after a day spent outdoors taste so much better, don't you find?

Water gardens

First trip to Toronto Island, nicely timed for the Summer Solstice. Swinging on the hook & hanging out with the Night Herons. It seems our little spot is gaining in popularity - the second night there were 5 boats keeping us company.

The new dinghy was a great way to check out the water gardens. I'm surprised I never thought of the Island as a water garden before, but I did this trip. Iris and viburnum in bloom, and yellow water lilies poking up like periscopes. The cottonwoods were also blowing their fluff everywhere, and it floated through the air and danced on top of the lake like fairy dust.

Two nights, two days. Boat time sometimes seems to defy the regular counting of minutes and hours. We guess the time of day by how light is casting shadows. We eat when we're hungry, sleep and nap when we're tired. So deeply refreshing, just Being on the boat.

 

Last days of summer

morning view from deck

When we sailed to the Island Thursday night I intended on a commute into the city for a day's work, but luckily the winds changed and I ended up only working a half day from the boat.

Rob and I took the ferry into the city, had Dim Sum at the Pearl, and then rode our bikes down to Queen's Quay and the Music Garden, where a butterfly bush was living up to its namesake, covered in Monarchs and Red Admirals.

At the marina there, Rob ended up chatting with a sailor couple that had just returned from 7 years in Europe... Spain, France, Germany, Austria.  We stood dockside chatting about their adventures. 30 foot waves in the Atlantic. Spanish sailors taking over the marine radio to sing karaoke at night.

Later, when it got dark, Rob and I went down to the beach to listen to the waves and watch them catch the moonlight. Plotting to have a sailboat down south in the winter and returning here in the summer. What would it take?

Lightning sent us hurrying back to the boat, where we zipped up the shelter to prepare for rain. One minute I was looking at the calm surface of the water with the CN Tower and a nice steady reflection. We heard the rain coming before we felt it, and then watched the skyline disappear in the haze.  A timpani of raindrops on the canvas.

waiting for the ferry

Butterfly bush in the  Music Garden

the skyline at night, between the rain showers

Fishing

We spotted this heron on a dinghy ride on Toronto Island yesterday. It was fishing minnows, quite successfully. Along the same stretch we saw a kingfisher and pair of cardinals.

City Views

You can travel from one end of the Toronto Island to the other by bike at an easy pace in 15 minutes, but I usually find myself stopping here and there to take in the views.

There is nothing quite like it anywhere on earth, and it still amazes me that there are native Torontonians who have never been. 

Spent the last two weekends there on the boat. What a pleasure!

QCYC one weekend, followed by Hanlan's Point the next.

I feel such ease there. No deadlines, just time to hang out and enjoy the views of the skyline, the beaches, and the gardens on Ward's Island.

I felt an uncomplicated happiness I haven't felt in a long, long time last Saturday morning when we nabbed a place on the Wall after floating at anchor. Alex and Penny were coming and we wanted a place where they could join us and set up a tent.  We lucked out with a site that was perfect for a game of bocci and a short pedal to the beach. Later that night went for a bike ride to watch the quarter moon float in the waves and sit in the cool breeze on the pier.

QCYC - city skyline in the mist

Birdhouse on Algonquin

beach on Hanlan's

wooden boardwalk on Ward's

September Sail

We have been spoiled by an amazing summer for sailing, and this past weekend was no exception.

Island Time

Perfect sail over to the Island - strong wind, rolling waves, sunny, and a brand new main sail.  When we got to the gap, racers from RCYC were heading out, and we had a close-up view of the floating parade.

Rob and I lucked out with a city view on a finger dock at Queen City.  Penny and Alex ferried across and when night fell, we toured the islands on our bikes.  Glowing light through cottage windows, stars above the boardwalk, indigo horizon from the pier.  What a wonderful night!

In the morning we had a big breakfast at the clubhouse, and on the way back to the boat, the book mobile was open for business.  I picked up a beach read and will be heading out to Gibraltar soon to listen to waves.  If it's not too cold, a jump in the lake... I love these summer days.

Throughout July Rob and I have taken Fridays off and these long weekends are wonderful.  So far, we've spent them all on the boat, and weather permitting, at the island.  It's almost starting to feel like our summer home. Last weekend was a mix of QCYC and RCYC, the weekend before a mix of anchoring and tying up at Hanlan's Point.  No two trips are ever quite the same.

Last Sail of the Season

dusk at anchor

The second weekend in October was our Indian summer, and Rob and I made the best of it as we sailed over to Toronto Island.  We weren't the only boaters taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather, and motored past the last available space on the wall to drop anchor at one of our favourite Island spots.

Later the next day, we went beach-combing along the rocky shore, bumping into only two or three other people...  We had the view to ourselves, but there was evidence we weren't the only ones to appreciate this unique island park.

An aspiring Andy Goldsworthy had built a cairn along the shore with found materials. 

And there was an panicked love letter, wrapped in plastic and taped to a picnic table, "Hi!  Brazilian Girl!"  The writer had fallen in love on the ferry, arranged a meeting, missed the connection, and was desperate to find his lost love.  I wonder if he ever found her, or if he will be forever unrequited? I wonder if the cairn builder and letter writer were the same person, even though the stones and the picnic table were several hundred meters apart?

Winds were light, but we kept the sails up, wing on wing, for the trip back to BPYC.  It took hours longer than it normally would, but I didn't mind a bit.

Early this morning Yondering had her Haul Out. She's in the cradle for the winter.

click to enlarge any photos below

Lost love

Andy Goldsworthy?

Yondering wih CN Tower in distance

Wing on wing is a beautiful thing......

First time mooring on the Island

View from RCYC mooring ball

Late Friday afternoon we set sail for the Islands and hit a strong wind that whipped the halyard from its rigging on the main.  Rob and I had to motor the rest of the way knowing our sailing would be limited to flying a jib until we manage to hoist a chair and reattach the two.

Spent the first night of our Island Cruise anchored near Gibraltar Lighthouse.  Along the way we looked for a place along the Hanlan's Wall, but there was no space.  Lots of power boats, rafted three deep in some points, with their tents and bonfires and boomboxes and bonhomie.  Our quiet spot wasn't even all that quiet, four other sailboats swinging on a hook and a big yacht with revellers dancing and hanging off the sides.  Still, the commotion didn't deter our cronies, the night herons, from seeking their evening feast.

It is Caribana this weekend, and appropriately Hot! Hot! Hot! The island is packed, with party-ers galore celebrating North America's largest street festival, residents attending the Ward Island Gala, and boaters taking advantage of a long weekend.

Which brought us to a mooring spot right in front of RCYC, since there were no available slips. I dipped a hook into the water and pulled out a slimy green rope that was attached to a floating tire and tied it to the bow of the boat.  Rob reinforced the mooring with a line of our own, but I was still a bit speculative about how secure we were with a meagre two lines tied to a floating tire in the middle of this busy harbour:  the constant traffic of passing boats and tenders casting their wake and tugging on the lines.

I fixed lunch and we sat in the cockpit enjoying the incredible, unobstructed view of the city skyline.  After an hour or two we felt secure enough to venture off in the dinghy and explore.

We toured QCYC and Centre Island, running into some fellow Bluffers along the way, and then took a detour into lilypad-land where and switched off the motor so as not to scare away the birds (blue jays, kingfishers and hiding herons).  A monarch butterfly landed on the brim of my hat and stayed long enough for Rob to snap a photo.

Back to our mooring - I was happy to see Yondering still there, tugging playfully at her lines. We changed into our bathing suits and went for a refreshing plunge into the lake.  Now, some people might grimace at the thought of swimming here, but there are blue flag beaches on just the other side of the island.  And, after all, it was hot! hot! hot!

Then G&Ts on the deck, watching the sun set and the city put on its sparkling evening jewels.  The green island jutting out beside us, the city glowing in front, and the RCYC clubhouse lit just behind.  Above the stars and planes.  Party boats, ferries, pleasure yachts all sharing the same view.  Hard to know where to spend your gaze.

We've been to the Island so many times, and there is always something new to discover, another corner to explore.

Seretonin Overdrive

Wow.  I am totally blissed out.  Day 14 of my holiday, another 12 to go.  Time was going really slow, now it seems to be racing ahead of me.

I am squandering my Time: rocking on the boat, bike riding, kite flying, listening to waves, looking at the city lights, going to the beach, just hanging out,  following my own rhythm, losing track of Time.

Flew this so long today the image is there even when I close my eyes.

I must have said "Awesome!" 50 times today, exclaiming at the scenery & the taste of things.  The feel of the night breeze on my bare arms, and stepping into water on the rocky shore.  Such a handy adjective, verb, noun. Chant.

This is Awe-some awesome Some-Awe some-awe

from this perspective it seems the boat is on a dangerous precipice, but it was pleasantly bobbing along the shore.

Earlier this evening.

4 nights straight enjoying the breeze on the pier... essential with such hot days!

View from the boat - the lights on the CN Tower put on a constant show....

New discoveries on the Island

Wing-on-wing

Started this Island Holiday with Maureen, Dick &  Caroline anchored on an island inlet and toasting the full raspberry moon with champagne.  This is the first time we've ever anchored overnight on the island.  Tucked around the corner without a view of the city, Dick remarked we could be in the Thousand Islands.  It sure felt secluded!  Until the party boats promenaded by with their colourful lights.

The next morning, Caroline pointed out some diving ducks and we looked them up - canvasbacks?  teals?  black ducks?  Not entirely sure,  but it was fun watching the adult coach the ducklings to dip and disappear.

Image credit

Our sailing companions headed out in the afternoon but we stayed awhile, swinging on a hook, before heading out for a late afternoon sail in favourable winds.  We even did some wing-on-wing.

After a breezy tour around the island, we dropped anchor again and I assembled a delicious meal from left-overs in the icebox (chicken on iceburg lettuce with oranges, almonds & St. Augere cheese).

Image credit

It grew dark, and I saw a creature skulking on the shore with a bristly back.  (Did I mention we were right by the water treatment plant?).  It was about the size of what I imagined to be a huge rat.  When it turned in profile, I saw the beak and realized with relief that it was a Night Heron.  In fact, a whole row of them.  We counted six silhouettes in the dark.  As they dove into the water, there was barely a splash.  One came up with a frog that it stretched like an elastic before swallowing it whole.


Today, made the acquaintance of a stoat on the docks at the Toronto Island Marina.  I can't remember ever seeing one before, but they've been around since the Ice Age.  Apparently you can tell the difference between a stoat and weasel by the length of the tail.

Image credit

At least three more days of my island holiday!  Right now I am docked at QCYC and looking forward to a cool shower.  Rob has had to head back to the city to work, and it won't be the same without him. Still, looking forward to some Island time!  Wandering in the gardens, taking in the view, and maybe making some new discoveries....

Putting things into perspective

In the distance, the CN Tower, under the arching boughs.  The yellow wildflowers in the foreground were captivating.

Being back on the Island after a long winter was like quenching a thirst.

Saw some Baltimore orioles - always a treat.  And a very graceful guest visited us to say hello in the morning.

Morning yoga, bike rides before the crowds arrived.

Feasting on in-season strawberries for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

The cottonwood fluffies were so thick they looked like snow in spots, edging pathways on the ground.   Glowing like specters in the magic hour.  Hanging delicately in overhead branches.  Waiting for the whisper of a wind.

- click on any of the photos to enlarge -