River Lodge 2 residents whisked away to the Netherlands

 Ron Smith Care Centre’s River Lodge 2 wing residents and staff delighted in their Armchair Travel trip to the Netherlands on March 5.

This fun travel series has been held on each of the wings of the Rand Aid care centre. In line with COVID-19 social distancing protocols, the decision was taken to split the initiative into smaller groups, rather than hold one central event.

The enthusiastic group of ‘travellers’ from the River Lodge 2 wing enjoyed a wonderful morning experiencing all things Dutch. Several of the residents had visited Amsterdam before, and so thoroughly enjoyed the Armchair Travel programme devoted to the Netherlands.

Residents Ethle Cohen, Sarah Richards, Eddie Lazer and Victor van Eck were the Quiz Champions. Their extensive knowledge and memory of Dutch facts, art, culture, food, history and geography was impressive. Ria van der Westhuizen won a special prize for being the only resident out of five residential wings to give the correct answer to a particular quiz question!

Trudy Thijs, who was born in Holland, helped out with some of the Dutch language pronunciation.

Residents Malcolm Barlow-Jones, Paul Roediger and Bela Nadori and staff Odette Matamba, Lerato Pebane and Nandipha Ngesi provided hilarious entertainment by taking part in the traditional Dutch Koekhappen challenge – eating a donut hanging from a stick as quickly as possible, without using their hands!

People viewing this blog in their email: To view a video of the staff dance, click on the headline River Lodge 2 residents whisked away to the Netherlands.

Paul Roediger has a go at the elusive donut during the Koekhappen challenge!

The residents have a good laugh at the competitors’ attempts to eat a donut without using their hands!

Staff doing the traditional Dutch folk dance, the Hakketoon. 

Happy times… Eddie Lazer. 

Maria Dal Lago. 

Ria van der Westhuizen. 

Victor van Eck. 

Delyse Burgess. 

Johanna Jennings.

 Linden Millard. 

Gail Spinks. 

Bela Nadori.

 Stella Thomas.

 Trudy Thijs was born in Holland and remarked that she is ‘a real Dutch Lady’! 

Malcolm Barlow-Jones. 

Denise Anstey.

 Getty Lee.

Gail Harmer. 

Sarah Richards. 

Ethle Cohen.

 Take-off. Staff prepare for take-off! Left to right: Debbie Christen, Hilda Mabaso, Dineo Tshukutsware, Carol Legodi, Kedibone Mlavu, Lerato Pebane, Nandipha Ngesi, Charlotte Tema and Alice Molepo. Front: Alice Molepo and Odette Matamba.

Enjoying the gigantic clog are (back) Hilda Mabaso and Odette Matamba; and (front) Trudy Thijs and Bela Nadori.

The happy travel group that ‘visited’ The Netherlands on March 5. 

Gisela Meinck looks like a real Dutch lady in authentic traditional Dutch attire!