Our guide to late-summer docktails at Sunnyside Beach – our favourite Toronto landscape and home to one of our fave swimming holes, the Gus Ryder outdoor pool at Sunnyside Pavilion.

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1. Cross fingers for gorgeous August sun. When the skies refuse, dig out pants and sweaters and scarves and shake fist at sky. Fill bike basket with rain gear to ensure the rain stays at bay.

2. Dodge dragon-boater-and-police-boat-filled docks and find a spot on the rocks. Rename docktail rocktail.

3. Pull out the chips. (IKEA chips!!)

4. Mix Aperol Spritzes (*see Docktail post) as the sun slips through the heavy clouds. (Protip: mini prosecco bottles make for perfect docktail/rocktail pours, even though first glance at the twist-top under the foil may cause cries of foul play. Don't let this deter you. The prosecco is still awesome).

5. Take snaps of sun through glass.

6. Toast our missing swimmer, Rhya.

7. Marvel at the brilliance of the salty olive. Pretend Lake Ontario is a Venetian canal.

8. Share stories of healed hearts and swimming holes and reclaimed summers and Portugal dreams and September starts.

9. Make another round.

Salut!