It's been ages since I had a chance to visit the Toronto harbour islands, a longtime favorite place. Most of the islands are taken up with parkland, but there are neighborhoods on Ward's Island and Algonquin Island. There was a longstanding legal dispute between the tenants (the land is leased) and the city, with the city wanting to clear the cottages for more parkland. Fortunately, the tenants have won the right to stay. Many of the cottages have been greatly improved, and I tried to photograph them without violating anyone's privacy. Private cars are not allowed on the islands, and the streets are no more than walkways, albeit wide enough for service vehicles.
Most visitors take the ferry to Centre Island, but I like to take the ferry to Ward's Island and walk around to Centre Island for the return trip. Along the way, I saw the cottages on Ward's and Algonquin Islands, the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, a disc golf course, the Centreville amusement park, beaches on the outer side of the islands, and a couple of restaurants. It was an overcast day, which is photographically regrettable, but on the other hand that kept the crowds down. The last time I thought to make the trip, the ferry terminal in the city was so crowded that I turned away. This time I went, and it was a wonderful day.


