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Villages and Hampton

THE Mediterranean has been bought to a Hampton care home with residents able to set sail on a virtual cruise.

The residents at Aviary Care Home in Chaffinch Lane, Hampton Vale have cast off on their spring holidays as staff have redesigned the home to look like a cruise ship.

With casinos, European-themed menus and traditional deck games, residents have been able to get in the full spirit of the holiday - with only the Mediterranean weather missing from their break.

The residents will be on the virtual cruise for the month leading up to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Linda Mcmurray, recreation and leisure manager at the home, said: “The residents are not able to get out for a holiday, so we bought the holiday to them.

“We have named the boat the Avrianic, and we ‘set sail’ from Southampton yesterday. We will be ‘sailing’ through France, Spain, Italy and Greece, and arrive back just in time for the jubilee party.

“We have dressed a mannequin up as a captain in the reception, and we even have a shark on one of the bal- conies, to represent shark infested waters.

“This week we are in France, and the residents have been learning a bit of French and trying some French food.

“We have also held a few quizzes, put on a number of cocktail parties and enjoyed some French wine.

“It is a shame the weather has not been so nice, as we have a few traditional deck games lined up as well.

“Everyone has really been getting into the spirit of the event, and everyone seems to be enjoying what has been going on.

“If everyone has a smile on my face, then I know I have done my job well.”

Sailing: Aviary Care Home resident Rose Bowd with deputy manager Maxine Phillips, manager Jenny Dawkins, and recreation organisers Beata Pekajova and Linda Mcmurray on the home’s virtual cruise