Time to leave HI Jericho Beach and out to Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver… to meet the Queen of Cowichan! She will sail us out to Vancouver Island and our one night stopover in Nanaimo…
Vancouver with kids has been fun.. we didn’t hit the city but instead opted for the beaches, rainforest, mountains and riversides… A spectacular city with a delicious outdoor vibe!
A great 1.5 hr crossing onto the island 🌴… apart from me smacking my head on a metal overhang all was good! Cal ‘did his own thing’ enjoying the ferry whilst Jack, Tom and I did laps of the decks enjoying the sunshine and bracing winds as we crossed The Georgia Strait.
As our hotel won’t be ready until 3pm we have time to explore .. so we set off to a place recommended by a stranger on the boat.. Pipers Lagoon!
How beautiful it was too! Driftwood, clear waters and a perfect pebbly beach! The boys were in the water before we’d even locked the car doors! 😂
Today’s pitstop is The Days Inn By Wyndham… a good family budget hotel.
Great value .. indoor pool and on site restaurant. Callum was delighted that we have a bathroom of our own.. and his smile when given the WiFi code was a slice of teenage perfection! Travelling with kids is all about compromise and pace… so, despite the ocean being just minutes away we chilled whilst they caught up on the Love Island🌴 Final!
All is good in their world! 😂
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Sacha Brakenbury
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.
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Essex Boys in Canada 🇨🇦 