Last month I registered with Heritage Toronto for a bicycle tour of the Toronto Island. Actually, the islands (as I call them) was never an island, but a peninsula, until a very bad storm cut into the eastern end, and separated it from the mainland.
But, I digress. Yesterday, about forty cyclists met at Hanlan's Point beneath Ned Hanlan's statue.
(Note: The Toronto Island is in fact an archipelago of 15 islands).
The tour leader was Sally Gibson. author of More Than An Island and Inside Toronto.
Ms Gibson talked about the history of Hanlan's Point, the airport and Edward (Ned) Hanlan, at length. Ned's had a brilliant career as a professional sculler, but, he was also a hotel owner and an alderman for the City.
Despite his dimunitve size, he only lost six of his three hundred races during his rowing career.
We then commenced to cycle around the island, stopping at selected historical sites, such as the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse or The Lake Light, which is haunted by a former lighthouse keeper.
As well, we learned that in 1883, the Lakeside Home was established for sick children, as a respite from the city.
We continued to travel westward along the pavement, until we reached Centre Island. Here, the number of visitors swelled to an overwhelming point; such that it became difficult to maneouver around the bikes, quads and families.
Centre Island is the preferred destination for families, since there is Centreville, and the Far Enough Farm, plus vendors for food and bike rentals.
At this point I became more interested in being on my own, and photographing the natural side of this place; such as these toadstools by the side of the road.
Plus, the pretty flowers blooming at the entrance to the Rectory Cafe on Ward's.
This last picture is probably my favourite beach of the bunch.
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