Opening the Cottage and a Side Trip to Marks Point Park

May 31, 2026

Last week, our daughter, Andrea offered to drive with me to the cottage to open it up for the season. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.

We left Sunday morning and arrived at the ferry dock about an hour early. It was a beautiful day. The new ferry wasn’t up and running yet but it was the last day for the Sandy Graham. Starting today a barge is taking its place until the new boat passes inspection.

When we arrived at the cottage we went to see our neighbours and shared some tea before the work began. We heard stories about how bad the mouse infestation was for some of our other neighbours. Fingers crossed, we opened the cottage to find only one dead mouse and minimal evidence that mice had even been there. We wiped down all the counters, swept the floors, put the deck furniture back outside, unpacked all the cushions, set up the BBQ and racked the leaves off the pathways and the deck.

Not wanting to return on the barge the next day we decided to take the old ferry back to the mainland that evening and have dinner at Andrea’s cottage which was only 10 minutes away. Seeing we weren’t rushed for time we decided to explore a road that we don’t normally take. We took it as far as it went and ended up at a very small park called Marks Point. We parked the car and walked towards the water.

There wasn’t much to see so after 10 minutes we got back into the car and drove to Andrea’s cottage. The lot next to her place had recently sold and the new owners had cleared out quite a few trees. Hopefully that is all that they’re planning to take out. It certainly changes Andrea’s and Josie’s view but there is more sun on their deck.

View From Something on the Water – CFFC

…thanks to Dan Antion for keeping Cee’s CFFC going https://nofacilities.com/2026/03/23/view-from-something-on-water-cffc/

View from one of the Toronto Island Ferries
View from the dock at the Lakeshore Yacht Club
View of Big Sand Bay beach from the canoe
View from the water taxi in Venice
View from the motor boat on Kashee Lake

Hope as in the Island

thanks to Fandango for hosting the One Word Challenge https://zombieflamingoes.com/2026/01/06/fandangos-one-word-challenge-hopeful/

This week’s word is hopeful. When I see photos of Hope Island, which is across the bay from my cottage I am always hopeful that summer is not far away.

Judy’s Numbers Challenge

this week’s number is 227

This week’s number brings back memories of a visit to the High Park Zoo, an art exhibit at the ROM, a day at the opera with my good friend, LInda, several of my art projects from years ago, friends and family, photos from my retirement party and pictures from the cottage.