Windmills, tulips, Dutch treats - and wide smiles from Armchair Travellers

A whirlwind tour of the Netherlands 

Ron Smith Care Centre is enjoying an explosion of all things Dutch, with residents and staff of each wing enjoying the care centre’s Armchair Travel trips to the Netherlands.

The latest ‘trip’ was made by the residents of the River Lodge 1 wing.

The travel sessions are an opportunity to learn more about Holland – the land of tulip fields, flower gardens, gabled houses, windmills, canals, wooden clogs, bicycles, Van Gogh, Delft, Gouda cheese and herring. 

The programmes involve music from the residents’ favourite musician, Andre Rieu, who was born in Maastricht in the Netherlands, a whirlwind tour through the highlights of Holland and a learn-to-speak Dutch session. 

The staff performed a Dutch folk dance called Hakketoon and the traditional koekhappen competition, in which participants had to eat a donut which hung from a stick without using their hands, was cause for much fun! Stroopwafels, Dutch raisin bread and speculaas were served at teatime, some of which were kindly sponsored by Mark Verhoogt from De Backery in Edenvale. 

Basha Videlefsky.

Sylvia Kree looks like a real Dutch lady wearing traditional Dutch attire.

The happy tour group, many wearing the Dutch national colour – orange. They all had a wonderful time visiting The Netherlands!

Irene Watson.

Cecilia Lombard.

A display of Dutch items.

Maureen Morrow.

Staff Folk Dancers dance around a giant clog.

Josephine Kew.

Dolly Luke.

River Lodge 1 staff performing the Dutch Folk Dance, the Hakketoon.

Marie Roberts.

Dolly Luke has her Dutch hat arranged by Debbie Christen.

Corlia Schutte teaches everyone how to say a few words in Dutch.

Staff drumming up some Dutch spirit before the trip to the Netherlands! Left to right:  Lebo Mashale, Lee-Ann Ramithibela, Lucia Nkuna, Lettia Nyelele, Debbie Christen, Petunia Moloea, Grace Ratisani and Salina Mtshali.

Mariana Duvenage and Joy Klopper.