Christmas is well on its way and there has already been a positively festive whirl of events at The Vale Living.
Residents donned their sparkling finery to enjoy a delightful, early Christmas dinner. The three-course menu offered a choice of temptingdishes beginning with smoked salmon blini, halloumi and mushroom skewers or broccoli and Stilton soup. Traditional turkey with all the trimmings proved as popular as ever for the main course. Pescatarians could please their palates with salmon, monkfish and prawn skewers; and vegetarians were catered for too with a colourful butternut squash and red bean casserole with risotto rice. Desserts of Christmas pudding, crepe with caramelised fruit or cheese were the perfect finale.
The opportunity to ease down a bit came the next day in the form of a yoga session. Gentle exercise, stretching and deep breathing helped to relax but also re-energise both bodies and minds. Nothing was too demanding – not even the ‘tree’ pose that brought everyone together to create a cheerful forest of human Christmas trees.
Our Christmas carol singing is always a highlight of The Vale Living’s yuletide calendar and so it proved again. It was a pleasure see our yoga and dance teacher Kathryn attend and join in the singing. We also welcomed longtime friend, Father Steffan, from St. Peter’s, together with the choirmaster, to lead the session. The repertoire included a beautifully sensitive rendition of ‘Silent Night’, as well as ‘We Three Kings’ with a solo from one of our residents. Volume levels rose for a hearty rendition of ‘Hark the Herald’, before a full-throated finale of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’.
Laughter, conversation and good cheer continued as everyone made their way to the Bistro, where the celebrations carried on over an enjoyable and sociable lunch.