Sunday, April 8, 2012

The petanque two-step.....!


It does look like some kind of curious ritual dance haha! but in fact it's some of the menfolk in the family getting their balls organized during a game of boules! We made it back in time yesterday for the family Easter picnic in the park. It's a tradition that's been going on for, oh let's just say a very long time, all the aunties, uncles, cousins and up until a few years ago grandparents also, all gather in the park with picnics, cricket bats, boules, footballs etc. and have a great time. We were missing P's family this Easter but with a bit of luck we'll be back to full strength next year, so not having the full quota for a cricket or footy team, it was boules all the way.  First the plan of action.....
The game begins.....!
 Then there's the measuring and debate.....!!
Which some took more seriously than others.....!
Then there's me having a run with my gorgeous grand-nephew, such a little cutie pie! I hope you are also having a wonderful and relaxing Easter break....oh and btw on the subject of chocolate, I have been pretty darn good, how about you.....??

25 comments:

  1. funny to see this french southern game played on the other side of the world! and you seem to enjoy it the same way ! Easter was great and is already gone, gosh! where does time fly..?

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  2. Crikey where did Easter Sunday go??? The first shot is fantastic, it does look like a strange dance! :-)

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  3. Looks like a fun time was had by all. I'm about to indulge in a little chocolate right now.

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  4. It looks like a wonderful day was had by all.
    Lovely to see xx

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  5. I was a good boy and only had one small chocolate egg yesterday :-).

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  6. Pétanque seems to be a male only game Grace ... We have played it a few times in our French language class and it's quite fun .... A fun day out for you all and looks like glorious weather.

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  7. Must be decades since last I've seen this game. Easter over here next week. Please have a nice new week ahead.

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  8. I have had a chocolate cupcake with marshmallow bunny, chocolate coated almonds, dark chocolate bunny, chocolate coated orange peel, and now I think I am full!
    Older men in our 'hood play bocce which is quite similar to boule and it gets quite serious with the tape measures out and the long discussions.

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  9. I was doing really well until my ex-husband (who joins us for every holiday) brought the edible fruit arrangement that included chocolate dipped-pineapple! I succumbed to the call of the chocolate... only because the kids didn't like it! SO...tomorrow when I weigh in at WeightWatcher's, I can blame him if I don't register a loss! Glad you had a fun day with family. The grandkids are gone and the house is quiet...peaceful!

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  10. Looks like it was a perfect day for it.

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  11. What fun! Looks lovely and lush where you are.

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  12. I remember petanque from France and they play a form of it here. I'll not comment on the "...menfolk in the family getting their balls organized.." ;<)

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  13. Looks like a great family fun time Grace.

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  14. What great family fun. And I don't think I've ever seen so many men playing with their balls at the same time. How do they do that? Boules is a game which I have heard of but remain unfamiliar with.

    Glad you had a fine family adventure. It was quiet here - I played golf, Lois Anne went running and last night we had some cookies with chocolate on them. Whoopee! But this is what happens when you get old! ;-)

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  15. I think it's great that your family has this tradition! Must be a fun game whether you win or not! Love this collection of photos. Hope you had a wonderful Easter!

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  16. I was extremely good chocolate-wise, I didnt eat any bunnies

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  17. The rules for petanque and curling are actually quite similar. I've always enjoyed playing a round or two of petanque at the beach!

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  18. Beautiful sun and grass!! Arianna

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  19. Great shots of fun in the sun, Grace. Looks like Summer is still lingering yonder West. We have cool weather and lots of rain with gray skies.

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  20. Fun, fun, fun (and funny).
    My grandma in Croatia loved playing "stones" whenever we had a picnic -- gather up a bunch of flat stones and toss toward a round one -- more like horse-shoes. She was so competative and very good at it. I recall crying after losing a few times as a kid, she didn't believe in letting kids win.

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  21. As a born and bread frenchman, I only have to say: zis is sirious bizness! No joking!

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  22. I see we were on the same wavelength with our players. There always seems to be a lot of looking down and pointing and discussion! HA
    V

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  23. Funny, this reminds me of a long time ago when I had fun playing with dad and granddad, By the way the Italian version is called 'bocce'...

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  24. aw! your niece even from afar looks adorable! ^0^
    i still have no inkling when it comes to this game,
    curious how it's played though.
    nice shots here Grace.

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