CarolinaPetanque: August 2011

We got a very pleasant surprise yesterday when our good friend Tommy Munroe made an unexpected appearance after a lengthy absence. Even better- he's back to stay! After enjoying the bright lights of the big city, Los Angeles, for quite some time, he and his wife are back in Winston-Salem. California's loss is North Carolina's gain.

More good news-- Fred rejoined play after his recent recuperative hiatus following surgery. He may have been a little rusty at first, but he was soon back in form pointing with the best of our group.

We also got to meet Tom Cearley's mom and dad for the first time on Sunday. Despite his protests to the contrary, Tom's dad, Robert, played very well and fit right into our game seamlessly.

Tom's son, Wesley, was down from Asheville, NC, and played with us for the first time in a while. And, since Tom's father-in-law and mother-in-law (Ronnie and Faye) were there too, it was practically a family reunion! Carol is in Houston babysitting with the grandchildren, but she'll be back soon.

We were pleased to have two walkups from the bocce courts. Rom and Barbara took time out from their head-to-head bocce play to give our game a try. We hope they'll be back!

Myron, last week's walkup, was back for more, so we hope he may become a regular too.

August 25, 2011--Lexington, NC

Khalid and his friend, Raed, came over and played at our Lexington terrain. Danny & Sue were spending a couple of nights with us on their way back to the mountains from the beach, so they joined our play as well. Khalid's game was in fine form after his recent month in Morocco. He's tuning up to make a good showing at the November Petanque America Open in Amelia Island, Florida.

August 23, 2011--Carolina Beach, NC

Staying and playing with our good friends Bobby & Peggy at their channel-side beach cottage in Carolina Beach is always a special treat. Danny & Sue were also able to join us and we all had a great time. The girls played the guys and beat us more than once. Surprised? Not!

August 21, 2011--Winston-Salem, NC--Miller Park

Ed and Anne Shoaf made the trip over from Charlotte to join us at the Winston-Salem Miller Park terrain. They had been on a hiking excursion in Ashe county and decided to make the detour for Sunday afternoon's play. It was great to see them again for the first time in a while, and we hope to get back over their way soon.

August 14, 2011--Austin, Texas--French Legation

While visiting our grandchildren this trip, we discovered that two of our favorite people had recently tied the knot after many years of courtship. David Edwards, esteemed professor of government at the University of Texas, and his beautiful wife Sasha are pictured above. Congratulations, guys!!!

Monday, August 8, 2011

New venue for Heart of Texas Petanque Club

We played at the Heart of Texas Club's newest venue for the first time yesterday. The Browning Hangar
http://texdraft.wordpress.com/2009/03/14/historic-browning-hangar-at-mueller/

is even more impressive in real life than in the pictures. What was once an airplane hangar is now part of the Austin park system and definitely one of the most unique petanque terrains in the US--heck, the world!

While it was bright sunshine and 104F outside, we were actually very comfortable inside the hangar due both to the shade and the slight wind tunnel effect that the hangar creates. (Thanks to Jim for the photos; Shirley forgot her camera.)