Residents and staff of Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre recently enjoyed a week of activities with a ‘beach holiday’ theme, which was designed to bring back memories of all past summer holidays taken on the north and south coasts of KZN.
On January 16, the residents were invited to the recreation centre, which was decorated with cut-outs of sailboats, lighthouses, anchors, lifebuoys, beach balls, flotation devices, seashells and starfish.
The morning began with a short video clip of various holiday attractions and landmarks in Durban and was followed by a lucky draw. Each resident drew a slip of paper from a hat. Three winners drew slips depicting a beach umbrella, a dolphin, and a mermaid, while another three winners drew slips with well-known hotels: Oyster Box Hotel – Umhlanga, St Michael’s Sands Hotel – Margate, and Blue Marlin Hotel – Scottburgh.
Many of the residents said that these had been favourite places to stay when they were on holiday. Others mentioned the Beverley Hills Hotel, beachfront holiday flats and cottages, and camping trips in iconic coastal caravan parks.
Residents then enjoyed a quiz, where they were given clues to identify various beaches on the coast and another game where they needed to locate various holiday spots on a map.
After all this brain work, everyone enjoyed a picnic snack of egg salad sandwiches, potato chips and tea.
Friday, January 19, was a beautiful, sunny morning with blue skies – perfect weather for a beach party at the pool, which was filled with inflatable balls and tubes. The pool deck was decorated with blue, white and yellow balloons, beach balls, marine décor, beach towels, sarongs, and sandboxes filled with seashells and starfish. Music by Cliff Richards and the Beach Boys played in the background, creating a fun holiday atmosphere.
Each resident received a welcome cocktail punch on arrival and then enjoyed fresh fruit kebabs with watermelon, pineapple, pawpaw, strawberries and grapes.
After enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, it was time for another favourite beach holiday treat: Vanilla ice cream cones topped with chocolate sauce! A perfect ending to a lovely ‘day at the beach’.
Many of the residents said that their favourite holiday destination used to be the coast and were thankful that the week’s activities at the care centre brought back happy memories of coastal family holidays in KZN.
Andy and Barbara Tasker.
Olive Jew has a ball.
Beach babes… Lerato Masoga, Ellessen Motloutsi, Catherine Mphahlele, Winnie Morero and Christina Maluka.
Rhona Burnham enjoyed reminiscing about past holidays.
