After a full days travel from the UK we were awarded with a set of keys to a car with a mind of its own! City rush hour and trams criss-crossing and everyone, apart from us, driving on the ‘wrong side of the road!’ 😂 It took a few blocks for us to work out how to turn left but 30 mins later we arrived at our first base… Hostel International Jericho Beach 🏖
HI Jericho Beach
Cue instant throw back to my budget backpacking days… and priceless to see the look on Callum’s face when he saw our room! What a difference adding the letter ‘s’ makes to a hotel!! 😂 He’s not quite getting the ‘hippies-on-the-Road-vibe’ yet! 😂😂
But what this hostel lacks in glitz and glamour it more than makes up for in beach balls, volleyballs, nets, bats, beers and big smiles! Our family room comfortably fits our suitcases … but with us 5 as well … it’s perhaps a little optimistic!
Spirits were soon lifted when the boys spotted a full size Astro pitch just outside… and the ‘Vancouver Vibe’ truly kicked in when we crossed the street and stumbled, jet lagged, onto what I’ve named ‘Midnight Beach’…
What better thing to do when your body says it’s gone midnight than to start swimming… and then try your hand taking on two volleyball locals!
At 2am UK time I took Tom back for a shower and bed.. and at 3am I went back down to prise callum and jack home! They were neck and neck in a 2v2 volleyball game against a husband and wife team! 😂😂 They finished with a dip…and then it was time for bed!
So now it’s just me… chilling out in the hostel lobby…. planning the day ahead! 😊
As mum to three sons (and auntie to ten!) Sacha is kept busy trying to keep the kids alive, safe, fed and watered.
Having specialised in Child Psychology and Linguistics at the University of Reading, Sacha went on to complete her Postgraduate Certificate in Education before taking up her first teaching post as Head of Boys Sport and Year 6 teacher. After 6 years, Sacha was fortunate enough to awarded a travelling fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, enabling her to undertake an extensive research project overseas. Sacha has worked with some of the world's top professional sports and educational institutions across Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand - researching ways of engaging young people through the medium of sport and in particular how this can help to reduce drug use and gang membership.
After returning to the UK Sacha became Education Director at Ipswich Town Football Club, leading in the government's 'Playing for Success' scheme. She went on to establish three highly respected Study Centres back in the East of England, each of which used sport as a means of motivating children and young people. After successfully completing her National Professional Qualification for Headship in Cambridge, Sacha went on to study for her Masters Degree in Education.
With the arrival of her three sons, Sacha decided it was time to 'go it alone.' She set up her own business consultancy, supporting a range of charities and organisations across the UK. Securing funds in excess of £2 million pounds, Sacha was able to 'give wings' to a wide range of charitable causes close to her heart. She continues this today with work specifically for Child First Trust.
It was her own kids that were the inspiration behind her establishing Learning Academies (www.learningacademies.co.uk) - a tutoring company that has the simple mission to motivate and encourage its students to become confident and assertive learners who are not afraid to 'take risks' and challenge themselves.
As a passionate photographer, Sacha is never more at home than when she's travelling, camera in hand, boys in tow. As a qualified medic with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, she is able to combine her love the outdoors with her passion for wild animals.
View all posts by Sacha Brakenbury
Essex Boys in Canada 🇨🇦 