Hello again,

July was a slightly quieter month after the buzzing June.

We enjoyed three Themed Days this month.  We couldn’t let American Independence Day go by without roast turkey, the Statue of Liberty, Stars and Stripes and an American Quiz.  Bastille Day was also celebrated again with a Themed Quiz and ‘French Food’... no snails or frogs legs at the Manor !  On the last Monday of the month we went on a ‘Cruise’... exercising to Hawaiian and Caribbean music wearing our Leis. We rounded the morning off with a Grapefruit and Pineapple Punch with fruit salad and some tasty nibbles from far away lands. 

A sing-a-long to The Andrews Sisters was enjoyed along with Hoopla, Tin Can Alley, Target Toss and Throwing Rings.  We do like to try and keep everyone moving albeit mostly from the chair.  Prepositions, Triads and The Apple Quiz got the old grey matter going.

Our Reminiscence Session brought about many memories... ’we slept 7 in a room... 6 brothers and 1 sister’.  Mothers and Fathers names were remembered by most... William and Susan, Herbert and Annie, Mable and Ernest, Harold and Kathleen, Cecil and Theodora Francis, Alice and Edward, William and Mary.  You may recognise some of these names as your Grandparents or Great Grandparents!  I think it is quite amazing how we can remember. It takes some of our ladies and gentlemen some time before they remember their early years and when they do they are delighted. ‘What was your favourite meal your mother used to cook when you were a child ?’... Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, Rice Pudding, Boiled Cod with Potatoes and fresh Peas having helped shuck them... Baked Apple, Tapioca Pudding... is your mouth watering ?  Lamb Stew and Dumplings... John's mum was good at that. Both Zoe and John enjoy Lamb Stew, myself, Sally-Ann and Damon cannot stand it ! I still make it for John and Zoe but have not mastered dumplings yet.

We start August with Cowes Week.  A decorated lounge and Nautical Quiz.  August is a busy month for birthdays... we have three to look forward to.

Can I just end by again thanking Zoe and her staff for looking after everyone during the upheaval. I must mention Zoe’s partner Robin (!) who is her rock and is so very supportive and calming. We have had many setbacks but instead of getting down everyone picks themselves up, dusts themselves off and start all over again.  I didn’t realise until the other day that they do not even have a dishwasher in the temporary kitchen !  When we have the new kitchen the staff will think they are in paradise.  Our ladies and gentlemen will benefit from a beautiful new dining room not to mention the lovely conservatory in addition to the lounge and study area  where they can relax.

Enjoy the sunny weather.

Robin