September’s theme reflected the colourful move from summer to early autumn. This month has seen the annual trip to the seaside, namely Southsea including lunch at Rocksby’s, also the usual much enjoyed trips to the local garden centres and the Wyvern Pub.
Here is what our residents were up to:
On the very sunny and warm morning of the 1st September a small group travelled to Fleet town centre for coffee at the Emporium. Here they met with residents from our two other homes and sat down to enjoy coffee, tea or something a little stronger if they wished! They had a chat and a laugh and enjoyed the company of the other residents before returning back to the home in time for lunch.
On the wet and windy morning of Friday 8th September a large group of residents from all three homes travelled by minibus to Southsea. Unfortunately, when they first arrived the weather was too inclement to venture out for a promenade so first order of the day was freshly made coffee and cake at Rocksby’s restaurant to revive the travellers. The group then enjoyed a delicious fish and chip lunch, by which time the weather had improved enough to take a walk along the promenade albeit it was warm but very breezy! There were a few people fishing and yes even someone swimming! Some residents walked as far as the pier before everyone returned to Rocksby’s for afternoon tea, coffee and delicious ice cream. The group eventually left Southsea at around 3.15pm under brighter skies, having had the positive benefits of lots of sea air, pleasant company and good food, all by the sea!
On the afternoon of Monday 11th September, it was ‘Musta Philippines!’ or ‘Hello Philippines’, where our residents were treated to an afternoon of the Filipino dancing, culture and traditional food. 
Our Filipino colleagues demonstrated three quaint folk dances dressed in colourful and flamboyant traditional costume, one the ‘Tinikling’ where the dancers imitating a bird jumped skilfully between bamboo canes which was much applauded! The dances were interspersed with some fascinating facts about the Philippines country itself and at the end of the dancing everyone came together to dance to some modern Filipino dance music. After this, residents were offered a delicious selection of Filipino food from spring rolls to rice flour cakes, which they sampled with tea and coffee. Residents and their relatives alike, it is fair to say very much enjoyed the cultural and fun experience, as reflected in their positive feedback after the event.
On the afternoon of Wednesday 13th September, it was ‘Singing for the Brain’ As usual, Barbara soon got everyone singing and clapping along to a selection of firm favourites such as ‘I want a Banana!’, ‘Pick a Bale of Cotton’ and ‘London’s Burning!’ The session concluded with a boisterous flag waving and stomping finale in tribute to the last night of the Proms. Afterwards residents enjoyed tea and homemade cakes.
On the bright, but chilly morning of Friday 15th September a group of residents travelled to Redfields Garden Centre, Church Crookham. Here they enjoyed a stroll around the seasonal plant and flower displays, including all the bulbs now on display for autumn planting. Later they met with residents from our two other homes for tea, coffee, cakes, cookies and conversation in the lovely restaurant. They returned home just in time for a fish and chip lunch.
Residents had a ‘Fruity Wednesday’ on 20th of September residents from across the home came together in the main lounge and enjoyed ‘Fruity Wednesday.’ This was an afternoon of tasting and learning about different fruits, a fruity quiz and even some favourite fruit themed songs, such as ‘Oranges and Lemons’ and ‘I want a Banana, I Want a Banana.’ Residents tasted fresh pineapple, strawberries, banana and mango (amongst others), learnt some interesting facts about fruits, and enjoyed the singing. The afternoon also positively benefitted nutrition with a healthy fruit snack for all.
On the beautiful sunny, early autumn morning of Friday 22nd September, a group of residents and some relatives travelled by taxi to the Wyvern Public House in Crookham Village. Here they met with residents from our two other homes and enjoyed freshly brewed tea and coffee, or an alcoholic drink for those that wanted it! The conversation was lively and residents enjoyed a good chat and a laugh or two, before returning to the home in time for lunch.
On the morning of Friday 29th September, a group of residents and one relative travelled to Badshot Lea Garden Centre. Here they enjoyed a short stroll amongst the aquaria fish and koi carp, as well as the many colourful gift displays before having their picture taken in front of a colourful Halloween pumpkin display. After this they met with residents from our other two homes for coffee, tea, biscuits and cakes. The group all sat around a big table and enjoyed the company as they chatted and enjoyed the refreshments.
During the afternoon of Friday 29th September, residents from across all three homes came together in the main lounge for country and western – a patriotic themed afternoon to celebrate harvest time with the very entertaining ‘Nev and Claire’ duo. It was a very lively afternoon with residents soon singing enthusiastically (and in some cases) even dancing along to favourites such as ‘We’ll meet Again,’ ‘Land of hope and Glory’ and ‘Show me the Way to go Home!’ Afterwards everyone enjoyed tea and homemade cakes.
