Back to school at Ngamuwahine Lodge

‘Every day is a school day’ – especially when you are having fun – as those at Ngamuwahine Lodge discovered.

Right from the start of the weekend on Friday night the place was buzzing. As people arrived, they were shown to their accommodation. As it happened, all the couples had their own rooms, and the unattached either had the choice of numerous beds in the dorms or their own rooms with two bunks (4 beds). The ‘teacher’, (P), was assigned the ‘teachers room’, complete with his own ensuite!

The large communal kitchen allowed plenty of space for everyone to store and prepare their meals. Many cooked on the large BBQ outside and with the weather being fine and warm, most ate their meals outside. On Friday night, we watched some music DVDs from our younger days like Queen, the Eagles, the Bee Gees etc. 

Saturday morning saw lots of activity in the kitchen and once breakfast was over, most settled down to partake in the school activities on offer.

On both mornings after breakfast, one couple took us through our exercise class, which was well attended. These were the Age Concern Otago ‘Steady as you go’ falls prevention exercises

(https://ageconcernotago.com/steady-as-you-go) which were a mix of balance, yoga breathing and Tai Chi type exercises. Though not vigorous, we all felt a little stiffer the next day. It just shows how simple exercises can strengthen muscles and joints that need it.

A group went tramping (or should I say boulder hopping) on the Ngamuwahine Track.

Another member took his baking class and made two large batches of cheese and date scones, others did jigsaws, some attended the art class doing some colouring in. Others played sport. Kubb was popular along with petanque, cornhole, and croquet. Music class was provided by a member with his ukulele. Others preferred to spend the day at permanent playtime, staying out of the action, sitting around talking to others. On Saturday night we had a quiz, which was followed by some more music DVDs and carpet bowls.

The clean-up crew on Sunday were amazing! They tidied up, swept, mopped, vacuumed, cleaned surfaces, washed dishes, cleaned bathrooms and loos, and did all the myriad of chores to make the place even cleaner when we left compared to when we arrived. The custodian was very impressed with how we left the lodge and the fact that Col and I had nothing to do on Sunday as far as cleaning went was testament to all who helped. There were so many of you who 'just did it'.

Thanks to those who dressed up in the schoolyard theme of the weekend – what a motley bunch of kids – but you all made the weekend the fun it was planned to be.

(This weekend was 2 weeks before NZ went into total lockdown due to Covid-19)