Sunday's Play 9/18/11

It was a day of, "Welcome back!," at Miller Park on Sunday.

Augustin, Marc, and Juan made the drive over from Hickory for the first time in a couple of months (we missed you, Susanne!). Augustin and Susanne have only recently returned from an extended stay at their place in Corsica.

Francis and Bonnie rejoined the group after a couple of months off as well. No overseas trip to blame-- just too much other stuff to do and too blasted hot in August!

Ronnie & Faye and Tom & Carol were back after a few weeks away. Work and family obligations have been their reasons for the absence.

Bob M. was back after a long stay in Germany. You may have seen some of his photos in prior posts.

Then there were the regulars: Fred, Shirley, and I rounded out the group.

Weather should be great in the Carolinas for the next few months. Plan to come!

Over Labor Day Ed and Anne Shoaf visited Gainesville, FL, and played on a court behind Satchel’s pizza, a local landmark. In the photo with Anne is their daughter Amanda, who is the French scholar. Pretty girl(s)!

Remembrance Day

Eight of us spent 9/11/2011 playing petanque at Miller Park. Shirley pulled out some of her patriotic tablecloths and flags to honor the day. We were particularly glad to have our friend, Sandy Boone, from Austin, Texas, join us.

More from Bob in Germany

Our German friends. That's Mirko in the center and Ingo on the right. We've yet to met the lovely lady on the left. Maybe in November at Amelia Island?

Terry & Sue Have a New Court!

Terry & Sue are in the process of putting the finishing touches on a beautiful new petanque terrain in Lexington, NC. It is 4m x 15m with a fine top coating of crushed oyster shell over gravel screenings. Just great! I hope to have many more pictures to share with you in the near future.

The second picture, above, shows our Texas friend, Sandy Boone, enjoying some southern hospitality at the new facility.

From Germany

Bob Moyer sent iPhone snaps from Germany. Check out the palace walkways where they play and the cool "piggies" that Mirko and Ingo made for us! Thanks, guys!!!

Yesterday's play

We finally got Faye Rierson to join in the play yeterday. She has been an enthusiastic spectator for quite a while but has not actually played with our group. She had played previously in France, but was content to let Ronnie carry the family banner in CarolinaPetanque group play. Shirley and I were practicing while awaiting other players when Ronnie and Faye arrived. Faye was a good sport to join our play until someone else showed up. I suggested that she and I challenge Ronnie and Shirley to a game. We actually beat them! Way to go, Faye.

Amine and Aziz in Lexington, NC

We were very happy to have our longtime Texas friend, Amine Najah, pay us a visit last evening. He was in Charlotte, NC, on business and made the drive over after having put in a long, extended workday to join us for late evening play. Furthermore, Amine's cousin, Aziz, drove two hours from Wake Forest, NC, for a reunion with Amine, who he had not seen in nine years!

The evening finale, best-two-of-three games, was won by Danny, Aziz, and myself over Amine, Shirley, and Sue. Please pay no particular attention to the last two photographs in the series above which depict the results of game two, and remember instead that we won games one and three despite the unfortunate showing in game two!