Mahjong, by Gwen Goodhew: Trying Something New

I have been fascinated with Mahjong ever since I went to China and came across groups of serious-faced women sitting in the most unlikely corners throwing down tiles and uttering sharp words I did not understand. So, as all the pundits tell you it’s important to try new things, I asked for a Mahjong set for Christmas and joined one of Chester u3a’s groups.

I was lucky to have had a starter session with Doreen King, one of the group’s established members, and felt reasonably confident that I knew my pungs from my chows when I presented myself at Oaklands Hotel in Hoole one Wednesday afternoon.

Frederika, the group leader, was endlessly patient as I fumbled to build my wall, confused my bamboos with my circles and tried to collect chows when I should have been  making pungs.

I am just about getting my head round knitting pairs and terminals, but goulashing and the two-page list of possible hands with names like Granny’s Sweater, Potpourri, Little Brothers and Smelly Garden still send me into a spin.

I have now acquired a notebook for scoring and a little fish to place above my rack for when I am fishing (i.e. I need only one more tile to be able to Mahjong). With a bit of luck, I should be more prepared for the next session.

Trying a new experience, like Mahjong, can be a bit daunting at the outset but I am so glad that I crossed the threshold into Oaklands Hotel. It’s a stimulating way to spend a couple of hours and great fun.

The Friday group is bursting at the seams but contact Frederika via the groups page if you might be interested in joining the Wednesday group.