It’s funny but everywhere I seem to go lately, the signs are there. On my replacement bus service yesterday, a man sat next to me with his careworn copy of Playing Bridge No Trumps; an hour later I saw a copy on a trestle table in trendy Russell Square; and on the tube, where does the newspaper open at? Yes, you’ve guessed it – the bizarre looking but standard daily bridge puzzle.

In September 2007, I would never have guessed that all of this meant something, but after ten weeks of bridge lessons, a highly physically and mentally charged experience, I was helped to understand bridge – and quite a bit beyond. Our teacher for the ten weeks was very congenial and directed us new players – and some who had not picked up a deck of cards for some time – as to what we needed to be doing. I am no mathematician but even the bidding appears fairly straightforward now (although I am not very good at it and will need much more practice).

Bridge is a very sociable card game and over the ten weeks, I met several people of all ages to learn with and play against. I suspect I will be playing bridge for many years to come…