Charlotte, NC

Walkway down to the terrain

A petanque oasis in the woods

Filtered sunlight

Michael points the way

Maxime plays as Anne looks on

Sighting the target

Picnic time

Our gracious hosts

Time to say goodbye

We recently received an invitation from Dr. Ed Shoaf and his wife, Anne, to join them for Saturday play on a new terrain at their home in Charlotte, NC.  The terrain is less than a month old and absolutely beautifully done.

First, there's the location.  Ed and Anne live in the lovely, long-established South Park area of Charlotte.  They have a corner lot with towering old oak and hickory trees.  They have created a terrain that plays almost entirely in the shade and should be pleasant even on the long, hot days of a Carolina summer.

Then, there's the terrain itself.  It's very professionally constructed of six-by-six timbers surrounding a surface of crush-and-run gravel topped by fine gravel screenings.  It's about 4 meters by 13 meters and plays perfectly level.  I wouldn't change a thing.

Joining us were Michael Wall and Nora from Monroe, Charles Cassar from Charlotte by way of Nimes, France, and Charles's friend, Maxime, visiting from France.  We played the morning away until such time as Anne announced that a picnic lunch was ready for the group.  Then, back to the terrain for afternoon play.

Great food, wonderful hosts, and pleasant companions-- add in petanque and what could be better?