Peninsula Voices – Love at First Site: Talking with Greg Horne & Frances Carere

by Stephanie Staples | photos by Janis Jean Photography – 

You may have noticed, if you’ve been paddling or boating in the Canoe Cove area, a large, brown boathouse on a tiny island, whose giant doors are adorned with unmistakable art. Many have wondered, but few know, the story behind the island that your GPS would call Johnson Island, but henceforth you will know it affectionately as Toad’s Landing.

Originally, Toad’s Landing was the home of world-renowned naval architect, marine engineer and Order of Canada recipient William (Bill) Garden. This unique little Island was put up for sale after his passing and uninhabited for over two years before Greg Horne & Frances Carere set foot on it in 2013. They felt an immediate connection with Toad’s Landing and its undeniable magic.

Frances, always up for a challenge and Greg, a lifelong boat lover, decided immediately not to just purchase the Island, but to pay homage to Bill and all that he had created. While most new purchasers long to get rid of all signs of the past owner, this venturesome couple committed to doing everything they could to keep the spirit of Bill alive and really honour his legacy. After a five-minute boat ride on their personal commuter boat, Ribbit, we pulled up to the 160-foot dock at Toad’s Landing; we were in awe before we even got off the boat.

There is definitely a “feel” to the Island; it’s unlike any other place I’ve been to. From the toads and treasures placed carefully about, to the henhouse turned mini-cabin, to the “boat-like” design of the home, there is a real whimsical feel about Toad’s Landing. Can you tell us more about that?

To ensure his privacy, Bill Garden used to say that he lived on a remote Island in B.C. called “Toad’s Landing.” Apparently, he chose this nickname because he loved the book The Wind in the Willows. Indeed, Bill made the fairytale come to life over the 43 years he lived on the Island. The main house (complete with a Crow’s Nest) is reminiscent of the story’s Toad Hall with its many beams and ship’s knees, and an enormous stone fireplace in the Great Room. The 1.3-acre property was cleverly designed with winding pathways, dry stack stone walls, decks, bridges, secret viewing spots, ponds, saltwater pool, spire-capped fencing, archways, an artist’s cottage and outbuildings. Statues of toads, driftwood sculptures, whimsical birdhouses and, of course, many nautical nuances are found everywhere. Bird and wildlife abound, including our frequent visitors of herons, seagulls, otters, mink and racoons, all living in balanced harmony, along with our ginger cat. The word used most often by visitors to the Island is “magical,” and it is. We still walk the Island together at the end of most workdays to unwind and revel in its natural beauty.

From when you purchased the property in 2013 to where it is now, can you talk about some of the transformations that have occurred both with the property and with the structures and how you brought them back to life.

The Island was so charming already, we didn’t need to change much! It had been vacant for a couple of years before we purchased it, so the first order of business was a major cleanup of the boat shops. Over the last eight years, we have been busy repairing, replacing, painting and maintaining the existing structures, roofs, decks, docks and fences, often bringing in custom-milled lumber for our projects to maintain the original character. A helicopter pad is now an entertainment deck but remains functional with removable railings. Our project list is never-ending! The grounds are always a work in progress with a big push in the spring to fill the many window boxes and pots with colourful annuals. We’ve also had fun furnishing our house with “finds” that are befitting of an English-style home, with a nautical flair, and the 80-foot former boat shop which is now an amazing entertaining space.

Our transition from city life to rustic island living was a learning curve and not for the faint of heart. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the help of a couple of gifted tradesmen, Frances’ sister and the support and friendship we receive from our incredible community of neighbours on nearby islands!

You’ve talked about wanting to share the Island and its history and educate people about Bill’s six-plus-decade legacy in yacht design and building; what do you envision for the future of Toad’s Landing?

Many boating enthusiasts know of Bill Garden’s contribution in naval design, producing over 650 boat designs (from which 6,000+ boats have been built around the world). He was a valued mentor to many, and somehow found the time to publish four books on boat design. His collections can be found in museums in North America including the Mystic Seaport Museum. We enjoy watching the YouTube video: “WilliamGardenVisit” and reading “Rudder Posts: A Trip to Toad’s Landing” (online). We have acquired quite a collection of things that used to be on the Island, or that we feel belong here, such as photographs, books, articles, art, half models, skiffs and tons of maritime artifacts, which we display in the “Chart Room” in our home and in the large boat shop. I guess you could say that we are self-proclaimed “stewards” of Toad’s Landing and we are able to share the Island’s historic charm and fairytale magic by hosting small events and celebrations here.

I can’t imagine a more perfect couple to honour Bill Garden. What would you like people to know and do when they paddle or boat past Toad’s Landing.

We truly haven’t looked back from our decision to take on this project and are grateful every day. We hope that when your readers come by Toad’s Landing that they slow down (the speed limit is five knots!) and, as they look up at the “toad” painting on the shop doors on the east side, know that there is a lot of history behind those doors. We never take it for granted and wouldn’t change anything. We love it just the way it is!