Friends

Bob Benbow

Betty, Alan, Bill, Bob, and Sally

Crystal, Audrie, Jo, Julian, Dot, and Betty

Nice court!

Attentive audience

Bill's right on the pig!

Alan and Bill

Talking rules with Betty

Bob and Reba

We got an e-mail from Philippe at Petanque America a week or so ago suggesting that we make acquaintance with someone in Greensboro to whom Philippe had recently shipped some boules.  I sent Bob Benbow an e-mail introducing myself and hinting that Shirley and I would like to come over and play with him and his group sometime.

That same day, Shirley received a call back from Bob and the two of them talked for what must have been close to an hour.  Can you imagine Shirley talking on the phone for JUST an hour!?

Anyway, Bob was gracious enough to extend an invitation for us to come over soon, and yesterday was the day we went.  Bob and his wife, Reba, are residents of a retirement complex on New Garden road that was established by the Friends (Quakers).  It's a lovely complex with lots of open spaces and beautiful landscaping.  The common areas are immaculate and well-maintained.  It seemed to be just teeming with happy, smiling people.

We met several of them on the booce court (henceforth to be the bocce/petanque court!), and proceeded to go through a short spiel about the general rules and customs of petanque for those who had no previous exposure to our game.  Bob let us sort of run the show, even though he's a long-time player and would have been perfectly capable of doing so himself. 

We had a great time and enjoyed instructing and assisting as Bill, Alan, and Sally took on Dot, Crystal, and Audrie.  Some of them had never played before, but Bob is hoping to make petanque a regular event along with bocce. 

Thanks, Bob, for a wonderful day.  (Thanks for a great lunch, too!)  We look forward to coming back again soon.