BAR TABAC PETANQUE TOURNAMENT BASTILLE DAY 2009 BROOKLYN

The most expensive Boule Set on Ebay

The most expensive Boule Set on Ebay.com. Welcome to the world of high priced boule. This fantastically crap set is going for: $230,000, putting Louis Vuitton in his place. I know it's a typo but I do love it.....
LINK!




Even with the free shipping....it'd have to be some kind of James Bond Doo Da to win all games no matter what. Yet the case is a bloody give away...

What Time Is It.......????

SPRING TIME....

As hard as it is to believe Spring is here in Brooklyn. The sun is shining and the Oaks are budding. Having been incarcerated by the rain for the past few months it is finally time for the 2009 Pétanque season in New York. Yesterday we stopped by the Pistes in McCarren Park to see how the surface was and much to our pleasant surprise two new trees have been planted next to the the old Oaks. The whole park has been dotted by newly planted trees. Fortunately for us, one tree is in a perfect spot to ward off soccer players from the North out field. As we shared a game, under the setting sun, another couple turned out with a shinny new set of Boule, and played tandem on the other piste. More and more players are popping up in North Brooklyn and finding solace beneath the Oaks.

So come, join the fun.
Wednesday Nights will be commencing, if the weather allows.
Sundays will be a flexible free for all, turn up and watch out for incoming projectiles!!!

Perma Froid....

COLD COLD COLD.....!!!

Another Ebay Gem...

As the cold wind blows through Brooklyn, I pass the time by scouring Ebay, both foreign and domestic, for all Pétanque goodies. This beauty was on Ebay.fr, rather pricey but I imagine it's quite rare. A fine item for any lover of both Pastis and Pétanque.


I will continue to post more Objets Trouvé on the blog than last year, but others and see a greater selection and post their own finds on the Brooklyn Boule Message Board.

Iphone goes french, for those that can't....

I saw this image on www.apple.com and had to do a follow up to see what it was about....

So here it is, via www.Appshopper.com:

Lonely Planet French Phrasebook

Lonely Planet Mobile Phrasebooks – go native

Want to never be at a loss for words, no matter where you are in the world? With your iPhone, and a little help from Lonely Planet, you’ll have the local lingo licked.

Lonely Planet, the world’s leading travel company, now offers its most popular phrasebooks in downloadable audio format, specially tailored to make the most of your iPhone. Don’t just skim the surface on your next trip: with over 600 spoken (and phonetically written) phrases in each guide, you can shop, socialise and shout like a native.

Sort of amazing really, the only French image Lonely Planet could conjure up was a game of Pétanque. Not the Eiffel Tour, the Fleur de Lis or even a bereted man on a bicycle with onions around his neck, but Pétanque, how lovely.

New Year New York Update.....

Well, well, well....things are afoot in New York. I was going to write a bit about the goings on that are occurring in the New York Pétanque scene, but now I realize that it has been well documented and even adultered in tabloid slander. Who knew that that there was so much drama?..... But rest assured, Brooklyn Boule has no comment as to the internal goings on of a fine and successful club such as is the LBNY. So I shall keep to the point and try to provide useful information and not idol chitchat... For change is good and changes there are...

Pétanque America's blog has posted a very informative article on the new Brooklyn club 'NYPC' (New York Pétanque Club). So you can read all the information and hoohar there. PA-BLOG. (Thanks Philippe). The more Pétanque playing in Brooklyn the better, (if only we could get some up north, but that's another story.)

Washington Square. If you have seen or been a member of LBNY you know that the have been two fine Pistes in Washington Square for over 40 years I believe. These were the original proving grounds for pétanque in New York. So the park is in the middle of a make over, post Giuliani's "Pot Vending" clean up. The new park will hold one large organic shaped piste that will supposedly support three or four games at a time. Although at the weekends this will be a 'LBNY members only' piste, it will be available throughout the week to non-members. Since it takes time to do anything in New York the there will be no pétanque in Washington Square until sometime after June 2009. More reason to come to Brooklyn. You can see the plans here: Washington Square Plans

Bryant Park, lovely Bryant Park. Last year I spent many an hour there, playing and coaching. Meeting all the regulars and making new friends. This is the place to play Pétanque in the city, a sublime oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle. After joining LBNY last year to participate in the club, I found solice in the fact that there were so many people playing pétanque in Manhattan, and with such diversity. I hope to be teaching there this summer as apart of the parks department pétanque development program and LBNY. So if your in Manhattan stop by for a cold Latte and a game. Bryant Park site.
(I don't think I posted this but it was an article that the New York Times put out last year, that I was interviewed for, to give you and idea, if you haven't been there already. NYTIMES)

Bastille Day. Many of you have asked about the Bastille day tournament on Smith Street in Brooklyn. From the little information I have gleaned from hear-say, it seems that it's in question whether or not it will actually take place this year. I don't want to speculate as I don't know the complexities of it, so I'll leave it to unravel and will update as soon as I know exactly what's going on. I do know that the sheer genius and madness that is the Smith Street Tournament, will be missed by many, if indeed it does not take place in Brooklyn. There are possibilities that Manhattan may host one, as in past years, and there are always the LBNY 'Open' tournaments that are held every year. If you do want to play in the Bastille Day events, where ever they maybe, please join La Boule New Yorkaise as this is the only sure way to secure a slot, not to mention all the other benefits of belonging to the finest pétanque club in America.

And Brooklyn Boule's still here, after the parting of my fellow compadre, Mark, things seemed bleak in North Brooklyn. But 'this' year, as with the birth of a new Brooklyn section of LBNY, and the shrinking space of places to play in Manhattan, maybe this will draw more players to McCarren Park, so they can see for them selves that it's not too far from Manhattan and it is rather pleasant under the oaks in the summer time, day or night. The turkey's nest but a few paces away, the French bistro FADA a few blocks away, the park is surrounded by places to eat and drink. The variety of creative craziness that happens in that not-so-little park in North Brooklyn is a sight to be seen in it's self. Pétanque is there, modest and true....

Happy New Year all....

A little late but......

I had to post this, it was sent to me from Valerie Feschet and as I hadn't posted in a while this small film makes up for that I think..... A belated Happy Holidays and New Year to you all......

Happy Thanks Giving to you all....................

We all have a lot to be thankful for and Pétanque is one of them, (and some even this Blog?). To celebrate this favorite of American Holidays, what's better than our own Balloon in the Macy's parade in New York City. Soaring high above the awe struck, freezing crowd. Reminding those, that play here and around the chillier parts of the Northern hemisphere, how it's far to cold to play and that spring is a long way off. Yet inspiring us to embrace the game and not let our Boules rust over the frigid months ahead. And as Black Friday approaches it's that time of year to write out your Holiday gift wishes , with of course Pétanque Boules being to of the list...... Do make sure that you stop by "Pétanque America" and order you New Boules for the upcoming season. Until then Brooklyn Boule bid you a fond Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year.......


SEND YOU HOLIDAY WISH LIST TO:

Obama's got his eye on the Boule.....

Congratulations to Barack Obama's FANNY over McCain, good luck picking up the acorns on Americas piste..... Boule on!!!

Wednesday Nights Whilst they last...

-8:00 Till 11:00-

Although the Brooklyn Boule schedule has been a bit off and random this Summer due to our European Tour. Wednesday Nights are in full swing and as yet not at all chilly. So if you've been thinking of coming out, now is a good time to adorn your Wednesday Pétanque Panties.




Extra Boule sets are always brought, so anyone can join in. There is enough room for all and everyone is welcome. With or without panties..... :)

EUROPEAN TOUR 2008

WHITSTABLE, BRIGHTON, LONDON, MASSERET, CONQUES">


Brooklyn Boule lands on foreign soil and goes in search of places to play pétanque. Although not really a pilgrimage nor a extensive cataloging of the best of the best, these are some of the places we visited and enjoyed a game or two.


ENGLAND

WHITSTABLE.

Whitstble, Kent, is a lovely little sea side fishing town filled with small boutiques and seafood eateries. Famous for it's Oysters and cult celebrities such as Peter Cushing and The Cray Twins, there's a Pub for every ilk. One such Public House is the East Kent, on Oxford Street. A typical English Pub, yet with the French twist of having two Pétanque pistes in the garden. With pints of ale and Extra Boules to play, this was a great spot for an early afternoon game to start off the European adventure.









BRIGHTON

Brighton, East Sussex, many of you may know as the Coney Island of England and home to the Brighton & Hove Pétanque Club. Although bad planning on my behalf lead me not to meet up with the club, I did see their pistes and threw a few boule abound. An absolutely fantastic site for Pétanque, right on the beach. They have three exclusive areas where they play and the two I saw were pristine and well looked after. I couldn't help but drool over these large areas enclosed by small walls and overlooking the sea and the elegant Brighton piers. Some day I'll have to go back and get in a few games.

LONDON

London town, Cleaver Square, Kennington. The south London Mecca for pétanque players. Having heard for this spot for years I was looking forward to meeting up with some old friends and Hot club Pétanque's J-C Nowers, who organizes the games there. Cleaver Square is not your typical London square, being a central garden park. Surrounded by Georgian terraces, it's open, tree-lined and graveled. The Prince of Wales pub in one corner allows for outside drinking and the use of it's facilities. A fine time was had until the sun set and we all headed of in search of latenight food. Many thanks to all those that showed up at such little notice and to Ed for being such a gentleman.







FRANCE

MASSERET

So to France and our first stop was the small village of Masseret. Located just south of Limoges atop a high peek with a 360º view of the area around it. Beneath the Rapunzel-like tower built over the sight of an ancient chateau, is Masseret's "Boulodrome". 15 out door pistes and 2 huge indoor areas inside the Boulodrome itself. Although we missed the monthly tournament I did manage to get inside and gasp in awe at the size and location of this fantastic establishment. Of all the places we went in Europe, this was the finest. We played in the early morning before setting off again, enthralled that such a tiny picturesque place could have a perfect, year round space to play Pétanque.










CONQUES

And finally to Conques, the village I grew up in and our family home away from home for over 30 years. This is where I watched and learned how to play pétanque, from the old and young of the village. To play pétanque here as an adult, having honed my playing skill in New York, is an amazing grounding in my past and connection to the locals and the rich culture of the Central Massif. Unfortunately the piste that I once new has long since gone and a school was built on the site, now the local club has a spot and the end of of the tourist car park. But they have a club hut/bar and throughout the summer every Tuesday night they have a doubles tournament. Playing three games and prizes awarded by wins, not points. One win = Pâté, two wins = Pâté and wine. One for each player. And we didn't come off too bad, two bottles of wine and lots of pâté for the two competitions we played in...... On Sundays they have their practice games, where you play for free and engage in a little healthy tourist-free competition. ( Merci beaucoup à William de prendre les photos et tout le monde dans Conques )










An amazing trip, and well worth hauling our boules across the Atlantic, being ready and willing for any playable surface we could find. Being back in Brooklyn we a glad that we have somewhere local to play and realize that a Pétanque continues to catch on in the US, such things as Boulodromes and prizes = Pâté, could be just around the corner.