Anglo French relations were certainly improved this past week as we really felt we had crossed the Channel to spend a week in France, enjoying Parisian Cafes, eating croissants, listening to Edith Piaf, and trying French cheese and wine. We danced and sang along with Natasha and made sure we had time at the weekend to watch the Wimbledon finals whilst enjoying strawberries and cream.
Monday 10 July, our morning started with Laura, our music therapist, holding a group music therapy session with residents before doing a couple of one-to-one sessions. It gives us a great opportunity to use percussion instruments, something some of us haven’t done since schooldays.
In the afternoon we held a French theme afternoon tea with a quiz prepared by Susie, one of our wonderful volunteers. There were lots of croissants and pain au chocolate for us to eat.
Tuesday 11 July, our morning was very active with table tennis being played around the home. We had lots of fun and even got a little competitive with our Activities Co-ordinator, Prabesh!
We did some word games on the ground floor. We enjoy working together, we had to find as many words as we could using the letters in Rendezvous.
In the afternoon we imagined we had visited a French bakery as a trolley with delicious Croissants and Pain au Chocolate toured Farnham Mill.
Wednesday 12 July, there was more food tasting in the morning as we sampled pancakes and crepes with lots of our favourite toppings which included chocolate and strawberry sauce, golden syrup, and fruits.
In the afternoon we welcomed Natasha back to Farnham Mill, for a very energetic and entertaining performance. She certainly knows our favourite songs and after starting with some old wartime songs she progressed through to the 50s, 60s and 70s with Elvis, and even Tina Turner. Something for everyone. It was a full house with most residents coming down to see her performance.
Thursday 13 July, in the morning we learnt lots of fun facts about France such as the French population eat approximately 30,000 tonnes of snails each year and that kilts originated in France. It also sparked lots of conversations about what we do and don’t like about France and our travels there.
Some residents did some colouring – French fashions, which was very relaxing.
In the afternoon we had our regular flower arranging session with gorgeous flowers to arrange in vases. For those that were more confident, florist’s oasis were used to make arrangements. A cup of tea and cake was also enjoyed by everyone for their hard work.
Friday 14 July, was a chance to be pampered with hand massages and manicures in the morning. All the ladies loved the new colour nail polish we have.
In the afternoon a group of residents got together for a coffee and chat and to make new friends with residents on other floors.
Saturday 15 July, was a busy morning with balloon games, colouring and playing with our new basketball net – once we had put it together!
In the afternoon we enjoyed sampling French cheese and wine – delicieux. We had a selection of red, white and rose wines, as well as Brie, Camembert and Roquefort cheeses.
Sunday 16 July, we enjoyed early morning walks in the garden before watching and attending church services. We were very lucky and spotted a deer in the garden.
Sunday afternoon, we were all glued to the television watching the Men’s Final at Wimbledon. Would it be Djokovic or Alcaraz? Tucking into strawberries and chocolate crispy cake certainly helped ease the tension.
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