Wandering in wonderful Whistler exploring the town, taking in the bike fest, buying cookies and stopping for a nice cuppa with Cal.
A good way to spend the morning! Whistler is way more than a village …each level reveals another array of eateries and outdoor adventure shops…With the same vibrancy. I was last here in the winter time so seeing her ‘sunny side up’ has been fresh! I took the boys down to the Olympic Plaza I’d visited last night but all too soon it was time to leave this pristine adventurer’s paradise and get on our way…
With the sun blazing we opted to go ‘lakeside’ and headed to Alta Lake … nestled between Green and Nica Lakes .. and the brightly named Rainbow Beach! What a perfect stop!
Surrounded by snow capped mountains the kids swam for hours… Tom didn’t emerge from the water in the whole time we were there… diving off the jetties, making friends, rescuing dingies and enjoying every moment!
Back on the Sea to Sky highway, we opted for dinner in Brackendale Eagle Provincial Park, Squarmish. 🦅 Home to the bald headed eagle… usually! Unfortunately, I overlooked the fact that they leave the place they call home in the summer months … heading for the more plentiful summer feeding grounds of the gulf islands, returning for the ski season!😂
The 3000+ that I’d seen on my last visit were all on holiday … so a nice pub lunch at the Eagle’s Nest was as close as we got! We’ll just need to return, with the salmon, to the Squarmish River one day for the feeding phenomenon.
The drive home to Vancouver along the last stretch of the sea to sky highway is spectacular. Our final stop was Porteau Cove Marine Park. Couldn’t quite persuade the whole crew to visit – but so pleased that Tom and Jack did! A beautiful spot … and now safely on my bucket list for a return picnic!!
Tomorrow we leave BC and fly to Ontario… Toronto here we come!
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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 🇨🇦 