Oh we do like to be beside the seaside… On Wednesday 26th July 2017, 18 residents from Weybourne Care Home in Abbey Wood set off for a day trip down to Herne Bay In Kent. The residents were accompanied by staff, volunteers and family members for a day trip down to the South Coast. Unfortunately at times throughout the day the weather wasn’t on their side and they all had to deal with the odd drizzly shower here and there, but this did not dampen the spirits of the Weybourne residents who had been looking forward to this day trip for some time.

For some of the residents it was their first visit to Herne Bay, but for others it was a trip down memory lane as many had holidayed down at the South Coast during the summer months many years ago.

The first stop was fish and chips by the Bandstand at Herne bay. Residents thoroughly enjoyed the freshly cooked fish and chatted as to where they thought the fish may have been locally caught. Once lunch had been eaten the next stop was the Ice Cream Parlour where the residents could choose any flavour they desired, not surprisingly many steered clear of flavours such as Bubble Gum or Cola flavour and settled for the more traditional Rum and Raisin and Mint Choc Chip!

After the Ice Cream everyone by now was very keen to burn off a few calories before heading home so a short walk along the pier proved popular even if it was a little breezy at times.

Mary O’Connor, Home Manager said ‘Staff had put a lot of thought and effort into the planning of this day trip for residents at Weybourne. Many residents had spoken about their love of the seaside and of some of their fondest memories down by the South Coast as a child. It was lovely to see so many residents take part and enjoy the day, it was certainly the topic of conversation when they arrived back that evening! I would like to thank all of those that helped make this day trip happen and also to thank one of our family members who has donated £100 to the amenity fund recognising staffs hard work from the day and another family member who donated money to pay for the Ice cream’.

Submitted by Lyndsay Hopper