New Message Board and Forum...

A new wonderful Brooklyn Boule Message Board and Forum is being created, please be patient whist we work out the kinks to get this thing up and running........ T

Fathersday Festivities.....

So.... last weekend was as lovely as last year, Dominican cigars, tummies full of brunch and Bloody Marys and Boule up the wazoo. Nothing quite drowns out the sound of children playing than the Clack Clack of Boules playing.... God bless 'em.

Wenesday Night Presidential Showdown..

Coming back from my trip with a costly cancellation and layover in Chicago, I was eager to get out and play some Pétanque with familiar faces. To my wonderment and joy, Christophe (ex-president LBNY) called, whilst I was purchasing pétanque refreshments, and said he was in town and that there would be a full house in Brooklyn that evening.(About bloody time...) So at 8.00, new rake in had, (it's huge!) I headed off to McCarren Park to find Mark, Bruce (LBNY not Brooklyn) and Ernesto (President LBNY) warming up on the spot lit piste. After a while and some catch up gossip, Christophe and Hugh turned up to even out the numbers for a game of triples. Although most of us were a little rusty and beer soaked, some wonderful plays were made and it's always nice to see twelve balls in play in the park. So a fond welcome back Christophe and I hope to see you all back in the park next Wednesday night, as now the evenings are the only bearable time to be out side anyway.

Back from Minneaplois.......

We will never travel American Airlines again!!!!! #@%+&*#@^!!!!!...but I shan't go into that.

On a brighter note we had a fine time in Minneapolis, and the highlight of that was visiting the Minneapolis Petanque Club. We were welcomed with open arms, as Don and Don introduced us to their piste. A lovely spot on the edge of Beltrami Park home to half a dozen unused Bocce courts; Which was a surprisingly pleasant surface to play on, although with the resent rain and the underlying clay, made it easy to pock mark. A few more Minnesotan club members turned up and laura stepped out to be replaced by her bother Matt (future Bruce in the making). So we had enough time for one game of triples, then Matt and I took on the Don's for two games of doubles. And fun was had by all on that humid day between threats of tornadoes and intence thunder storms.Don Holzschuh was kind enough to give us all Club caps and as Brooklyn Boule has yet to produce theirs, A bottle of RICARD was offered in return. So many thanks to you Don and fellow Mid-West Boulistes, for showing us a good time and warm welcom. We shall be back..........

Off to Minneapolis......

Time has come for Brooklyn Boule to venture to the Mid-west and see what the rest of American Petanque players are up too. Maybe inspiration, urban camaraderie or a little competition; either way, it's nice to know, that where ever one travels in the world, there is always a little Petanque to be had. We'll be stopping by and hopefully joining in on a few games at:

Petanque this Sunday at 1pm

Beltrami Park,Minneapolis

Don Holzschuh

Chairman

Minneapolis Petanque Club

"Boules d'Acier"

www.geocities.com/mplspetanque

Please join us if your in the area. Although two of us are off roaming the lake filled land of the Mid-West doesn't mean that Brooklyn Boule is on hiatus, I'm sure there will be games and practices going on under the oaks; as training for the Henry Open (LBNY) will be under way.

Holy Crap......

Of all the French Ebay Petanque goodies I've found over the years this one goes straight to number one. Need I say more the image speaks for it's self, I'm bidding so hands off, this one goes on the Brooklyn Boule Wall of Fame.......






URL LINK


Can it get any better... I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Founding Fathers Day.....

Brooklyn Boule, having been created by Fathers and the "first" Petanque club in Brooklyn, I might add; give an early Salute to all the other Petanque playing Fathers out there. And hope, that you will get one of these fine coat racks to hang your berets on after a fine Fathers Day of Boule playing.....I pulled this image off of French ebay, cleaver those French...... more to come, sorry I've been busy (and sulking a little). The sun is shining, we're still out there, Wednesday and Sunday, and there is a Brooklyn Boule Petanque Picnic on he horizon; if anyone is interested in coming, please let me know. All the best and enjoy the good weather (finally) .... All hail the Fathers of Petanque and the Best of Brooklyn Boule...... T

Sunnyish Mothering Sunday......

The weather.......Oh my.

Mothering Sunday was the day for the Shelia's to shine, and they did, a lot more than the sun did. A fine day for all. Kids and craziness abound. Fruity drinks, fabulous Fannys and icecream made in a ball. All hail the Brooklyn Boule babes ..... until next time.

Support from PetanqueAmerica.com......

Hi T,

I read your frustration on being all alone on a splendid Wed night.
Indeed, what a shame. Shouldn't be: not in May, and not when I know we ship
boules to Brooklyn on a regular basis, and there's nowhere else to play in NY at night!

I'll make another post on our blog. But I'd recommend that, right on the top of your blog you clearly mention in BIG letters the play times on Wed & Sun. Right now, they sort of slid down on the right. Better yet, have a small permanent post, say dated Dec 31, that always stays on top. Like I've done for our Carolina Open. And then I'll email all the people in Brooklyn we shipped boules to over the last 18 months, with a link to your blog.

Don't give up!!

Philippe
--

Starlight Mint.........

Again I apologise for my previous post but I don't believe that "Jeppy" is the only one who reads the Brooklyn Boule Blog.......

On another note;
As we all know, it is inexcusable to forget to bring a Cochonnet with you when you set out for a nice game of Petanque. Unfortunately though it does happen, and more times than I'd like. Standing on the Piste with Boules in hand, it is hard to turn around and hike back home in search of your missing target. So the improvisation kicks in and alternatives are reached for. In the past we have successfully used a discarded Coke bottle cap, being red and roughly the right size, not to mention that our park is well used and a little unkempt, they're not too hard to find. But last Sunday, we we're in that unforgiving circumstance. Yet there was not a Coke cap to be found, remarkably. So we scoured the grounds in search of "something" that we could use. Then at last I found, on the grass, a wrapped Starlight Mint, neglected or lost, all on it's lonesome. So, in a very humorous and some times frustrating way, we used the little stripy candy as a Cochonnet. So from that I was wondering what other, if any, substitutions have been made by players in the same situation. Please feel free to send me or leave a comment on the object that became Cochonnets, because all you wanted to do is play Petanque, and walking or driving home, was not an option.

Wednesday Night Washout....

If I may, I have a gripe or two.......

I'm not to sure whether it's the weather or the "What ever!" but Wednesday's turn out was terrible. Sometimes I wonder why I bother.. A beautiful Wednesday night and no one was around???? I don't get it, there is room for so much more. two playable Pistes in the newly enhanced stadium lights. Yet no players ventured into Brooklyn. It's the first stop on the (L) train into Brooklyn and it's the least like Brooklyn, part of Brooklyn. It's like going to the west Village for "Boule's" sake!!! Why Why Why... You Petanque Players, Why aren't you taking advantage of what we have nurtured? Washington Square is in the middle of being remodeled and manicured, Bryant Park is like playing in a parking lot, something happens, amongst the horse manure, in Central Park and yet nobody bothers to come to Brooklyn. I'm happy to be playing with any Bruce that walks along and joins in, but there are " supposedly" hundreds of Petanque players in the New York area, where are they? Not to mention that it is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Brooklyn Boule's number one Bruce (Mark) is moving to Pittsburgh in July. Does this mark the end of Brooklyn Boule? Well hopefully not but with the recent turn-out being the way it is, who knows. How the "Boule" can I form a club when everyone keeps flip flapping over where they want to play? I'm Sorry to complain and whine but I just want to bring this to the table........break bread and share the "wine"!!!

And so...... I shall be saluting my dear friend Bruce (Mark), as he ventures off to other climes, and with his strength and support continue with Brooklyn Boule as best I can. A great petanque player, vigilant student and a very best friend. You will be missed by many, yet stay warm in out hearts forever.....Boule on Brother.

Bourgeois 50's Boule..........

I found this fantastic vintage photograph online and just had to share. (Although I had to doctor it in photoshop as it was in two halves, having come from a magazine spread.)

What a place, cavernous and rustic yet filled with frolicking fifties folk, playing petanque in suits. If only there was a place like this in Brooklyn....