It was never going to end well.. wearing sliders in a slippery rock pool… The bookies would surely have had me down as the be odds on favourite to take a tumble but today that honour goes to Tom! Phone full of mud.. partially cracked screen but … a star fish! Not the best start to our Stanley Park visit!
But it got better! Apart from the moment where Cal and Tom were almost wiped out by one I’d the million kamikaze bikes!!!
We came to see the totem poles.. and did. I didn’t realise how ‘3D’ they are… and then a lovely walk on the sea wall.
From Stanley Park we drove on to Grouse 🏔 Mountain. An expensive day out but well worth it! Callum was first to spot the two resident grizzlies and he suddenly forgot to be a teenager and was sprinting to take photos!
The gondola 🚠 up was stunning .. but the final cable car was even more spectacular to the summit!
Tom and I were swinging our legs looking out at the Pacific Ocean and in awe!
A little chipmunk at the top took shelter under Tom’s bent knee.. his tail swishing against his leg.. he stayed as still as a statue… despite jack’s warning he was about to be bitten .. and was absolutely fine 😊 He grew an inch or two in confidence and his smile was just perfect!
The same lumberjack show that I’d seen almost 20 years ago had them all laughing …
Back to base and a picnic to finish.. although poor cal looked unwell.. he’s been bitten terribly by mozzies and has a sore throat… but his early night should help. Tom, Jack and I went for an evening dip before packing and said goodbye to the beach… they’ve had a great time in Vancouver.. and Jericho Beach was a perfect spot for kids who love sport and water!!! Tomorrow …on to Vancouver Island…
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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 🇨🇦 