An exhilarating day spent in Marrakech, taking in the sights and sounds of the souk and square, offered a vivid contrast to the rural surroundings (see below) of the Ourika valley. Some of the hands played after a master class on defence against pre-empts were equally exotic. The one above was of particular interest...

After S opens 4♣, W has to decide what to do with his powerhouse hand. A take-out double is one option but a Michael's cue-bid, promising 5-5 in the majors, is a better option. At favourable vulnerability, N competes with 6♣ but E bids 6♥ recognising partner's super strength. S bids 7♣ - only three down - before W bids the grand, expecting ♥AK from partner.

The only thing that can stop declarer is a bad trump split. If S has four hearts (unlikely, given the pre-empt) nothing can be done, but if N has four hearts they can be picked up. Win ♣K lead with ♥A, cash ♥Q and lead towards the ♥9, covering whatever N plays. Cross to ♦A and repeat the heart finesse. Having drawn trumps, cash ♠AK. Finding S with ♠107 cross to ♦K in order to finesse.

A somewhat exotic grand slam is made!

This hand caused some problems for players this week. Cover up the N and S hands, if you can, and plan how you would bring home 3NT after a ♠5 lead.

With six top tricks, the extras are going to have to come from diamonds or hearts. With two missing diamonds to drive out but only one missing heart, go for the hearts.

Win the lead with the ♠A, cross to the ♣K and finesse in hearts, but which card do you play from dummy?

It is very tempting to play the ♥Q, let it run and throw away the ♥2. When that works, play the ♥9 or ♥2 to the ♥10...

Disaster! Instead lead ♥9 - the card which will keep you in dummy the longest. When the finesse works, now play the ♥Q, throwing away the ♥10 from hand. finally! play the ♥2 to the ♥J before cashing the ♥A. Game made.

THE temperature continues to climb. After waking to clear blue skies, bridge took a temporary back seat and 'culture' took centre stage in the shape of Berber market, a three mile walk away during which a pair of eagles swirled on the mountain breeze...

The stall holders at Bury St Edmunds market could learn a trick or two from their Moroccan cousins. In particular, the numerous open air barber's with their cut-throat razers - and a pair of DIY pliers - who double up as dentists. And there is no problem here with double yellow lines and traffic wardens...as you weave your way through the packed donkey car park.

After strolling back through orange, lemon and olive groves, lunch took shape outside on carpets and rugs. A hot picnic with lemon chicken tagine, aubergine and pepper ratatouille, a delicious Moroccan salata, olives, mixed salads - before finishing with Yummie orange cake. Supper is every bit as sumptuous but the real surprise has been the local wines - the red could pass for a decent Rhone - which has the inevitable effect on post supper bridge.

This evening's master class centred on defence and the featured hand (above) was of interest.

S leads a high-for-hate 8♥ against 1NT doubled. Declarer ducks and N wins with the ♥K. Normally N would switch to another suit but knowing the partnership has at least eight hearts, N continues with the suit...and Declarer is doomed. The defence establish four heart tricks plus four outside winners for two down doubled.

I almost forgot. The weather today? About 23º, sunny and dry. Same forecast for tomorrow...

​THE sun (remember what that looks like...) is shining. The thermometer is heading towards 20º and in the open air courtyard where bridge is played oranges hang temptingly from the lower branches. The Kasbah Bab Ourika, where we  are staying, is perched on rich, burnt orange coloured rock an hour's drive from Marrakech in the shadow of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. The journey from the airport last night was an experience. Vehicles with no lights in the dark; pedestrians strolling across busy roads, donkeys pulling carts full of local produce - and enough pot holes to keep a county councillor busy for a lifetime.

But I digress...A delicious lunch on the terrace outside has just concluded. Camel treks are being arranged, massages are being taken - together with the occasional refreshment. This morning Zeb ran the first of his bridge master classes for the 28 people on the trip - including six with links to Stansfield. He concentrated on Opening with a 6+ card suit, whether it is a Weak Two, opening one of a suit and then repeating the suit (and jumping with 16+pts) etc.The trickiest hand of the morning is featured.

E opens 1♦ W responds 1♠ and E shows a 6+ card suit and 16-18pts wth a re-bid of 3♦ With a nine card fit and a combined 31+pts, W asks for aces and soon the partnership is in 6♦.

When the ♥J is led, Declarer can see he has a spade loser and at least one club loser, neither of which can be trumped away. What is to be done? The answer lies with the spades and some careful play. Win the lead in hand and immediately play the 2♠ towards the ♠Q, which N wins. Win the likely heart return and cross to dummy by playing to 2♦ to the 9♦ Play a small spade and trump with the 10♦ play the 4♦ to the ♦J. Play another small spade and trump high, cash the A♦ (removing the opposition's final trump) before crossing back to dummy. Cash the K♠ removing the dedence's last spade, and throw away a club. Then play the 7♠ throwing away another club. Job done!

I almost forgot to ask: is it cold, windy and wet at home....

PS More to follow in the days to come.