Celebration on Departure 26

Some people go out drinking after they pass their flight test, but we decided we'd go plane watching -- Hanlan's Point style...  There is a beach on the Toronto Islands that borders the airport.  It is "clothing optional", tee hee.  Ideal conditions are when rwy 08 and 06 are in use, as you can see the heavenly bodies on approach.  But winds were from the west, and strong at that, so 26 was in use, and there was not much Cessna traffic.  Nevertheless, we set out to do what we intended...

First, we walked in awe past the great variety on the clothing optional beach,  on towards the amazing parasailing/surfing club and onwards still to the fence that  divides the public island from the airport.  It was pretty neat to be that  close to the departing Dash 8s!!!

We watched for a bit,  and took some photos; then we went for the "option" (wink wink), swimming in  the cool lake to get some relief from the heat.  As we were plane watching,  we were blessed with a Cessna.  And not just any Cessna, but the 150 that  had so recently carried me bravely through my PPL test.  Wow!  Neat!!

 We waved like mad, jumping up and down in the water and on the beach as GFDH did circuits, but whether the poor folks inside saw us, who knows, tee hee.

After that, we walked back to the "clothing must be worn beyond this point" sign, obliged, then got on our bikes and rode over to Wards to meet a friend for dinner and sit out the storm.  (The latter resulted in soggy fries, watered-down beer, and moist burger, as my dinner date noted.)

On the ferry ride home, we were blessed with a double rainbow.  What a lovely way to celebrate a miraculous event!