We left Quadra Island in a Pacific downpour this morning. The smell of pine cocktails mixed with an earthy liquor…intoxicating! As we missed the first ferry by 7 cars I had a chance to sit out on the bay at Quathiaski Cove, with time to watch the fish jump in the rain! The Four remained in the car … gadget time 😂
Loading up the ferry to Vancouver Island from Q Quay
Through the misty murk of the morning the ferry eventually chugged her way out of the little harbour… trudging over the waves on the short, 10 minute, crossing to Campbell River, Vancouver Island. Even in the rain this island is beautiful…and the ocean even more so.
The drive from Campbell River to Nanaimo was chilled and, with two hours to spare before we were to board the ferry to Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver, we dodged the rain with a visit to Airbourne Parkour and Trampoling Centre, Nanaimo. Brakenbury Boy heaven!
It’s not everyday you get to trampoline in 🎿 skis, snowboards or on a bike?! Relieved that the boys have left in one piece! 👍😊
En route to Vancouver
Man over board!
Watching the captain dock, inch perfect, was pretty impressive! Reminds me of my parking! 😂
Docking into Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver
Our pitstop for the night is the Best Western, North Vancouver – just a 15 minute drive from the ferry terminal. The motel style rooms are pretty basic but with a Dutch pancake house on site we are sorted for a delicious breakfast!
The car park has a swimming pool as a ‘focal feature’ 😂 which the boys were in within seconds of arriving! As soon as they had put the WiFi code into their phones they were in their trunks and enjoying Costa Del Capilano!
I decided to give this one a miss! 😂
I have successfully bribed them with maple 🍁 syrup pancakes so the usual hobby of ‘winding up’ has been postponed (for tonight!)… All quiet on the northern front! 😉
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
We left Quadra Island in a Pacific downpour this morning. The smell of pine cocktails mixed with an earthy liquor…intoxicating! As we missed the first ferry by 7 cars I had a chance to sit out on the bay at Quathiaski Cove, with time to watch the fish jump in the rain! The Four remained in the car … gadget time 😂
It’s not everyday you get to trampoline in 🎿 skis, snowboards or on a bike?! Relieved that the boys have left in one piece! 👍😊
The car park has a swimming pool as a ‘focal feature’ 😂 which the boys were in within seconds of arriving! As soon as they had put the WiFi code into their phones they were in their trunks and enjoying Costa Del Capilano!
Essex Boys in Canada 🇨🇦 