July 31, 2017

I wish someone had told me how amazing bridge is!

“I wish someone had told me” is a series of posts that feed into our inquisitive nature at CN&CO. Each week we hear from someone in our network about something interesting or surprising that’s recently happened or occurred to them. These blogs are a way to pay it forward and form part of CN&CO’s belief that the world can be a better place – and we all have a responsibility to make it so. This week’s post is by Penny.

What a fantastic game bridge is – not just some stuffy game played by old people. I used to think only my gradnparents could play bridge. If I had known how much fun the game is, I would have started playing when I was much, much younger (and brighter!) Now I am the grandparent playing bridge!

As anyone who plays bridge knows, it can be a very complicated game. In the initial auction (when the game starts) you try to communicate to your partner which cards you hold – often indicating this by saying the exact opposite of what you mean!  One thing you have to learn when playing bridge is a lot of patience and also, to trust your partner completely. Patience and trust – two great virtue in any partnership and ones we pride ourselves on at CN&CO.

When playing bridge it is important to look the part

One of the best things about bridge is the wonderful people you meet. Bridge is the best insurance policy for never being lonely. For me, it has opened up a whole new set of friends of different cultures and ages – and how I met Carel and the CN&CO team!

Bridge keeps you mentally active and you can play bridge online with people around the world – at your chosen level. Even more people to meet and learn from.

I have had some great opportunities through playing – bridge weekends away (most recently in Dullstroom with a lovely fire) and an amazing annual trip to Plett with 12 friends – to play and party for a whole week.  Everyone literally jumps up from the tables to see a whale or a pod of dolphins swim past! Special memories.

A quick disclaimer: Carel is not the strongest player in our group – but one of the joys of bridge is that you can learn from others and I have no doubt he will keep on improving. If anyone wants to learn how to play bridge, let me know penny@cnandco.com and I will connect you with a great teacher and group of players. Happy playing!

Of course, tea time is just as important as the game and below is one of the easiest recipes that we make all the time:

Crustless Tuna Tart

1 Tin tuna (or salmon)

3 Eggs

250 ml cream

2 Cups grated cheddar

1 ½ tsp Mustard

2 tsp Parsley

Dash of cayenne pepper

Salt & pepper

 

Beat eggs & cream.  Add flaked tuna and rest of ingredients.

Bake in a greased pie dish at 180 for approx. 40 minutes.