As promised, here's a photo of a man just after throwing the boule. It looks like some strange dance, doesn't it?
In the photo below, you see players discussing which boule is nearest to the small boule - look closely and you'll see a tiny orange ball, which, by the way, is called the 'pig.' The idea of the game is to get as close to the pig as possible. It sounds simple but there's great skill to it and a lot of money can be made in top level competition.
Many thanks to Fabrizio from Torino DP who kindly wrote this explanation as to the difference between pétanque and boules, in yesterday's comments:
"It was only in 1907 that pétanque as we know it was born. Its name comes from the provençal "pèd tanco", which means "feet together'. It is played on a shorter terrain and players throw their boule from a rough circle scratched in the dirt, taking no run-up at all." Fabrizio gave the following link too - click HERE. I had also found a good website on the subject, so anyone wanting even more information, try this link - HERE.
Do come back tomorrow and you'll see a photograph of a father teaching his son how to throw.
it must be quite an animated game.
ReplyDeleteeveryone's doing funny actions!
Great action shots - such fabulous characters.
ReplyDeleteI just adored watching this game when we were in France!!! Looking forward to tomorrow's post too.
It does look interesting and the pose the man has is like those Chinese exercise program positions people get into.
ReplyDeleteThe game reminds me of an air bowling game where a similar goal is the objective but played on a smooth table using what looks like a small version of a hocket chip.
In engineering, ages ago, we played a similar game on a conference table using poker chips. Sliding the chip down the table trying to get close to a particular chip.
Abraham Lincoln
Brookville Daily Photo
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ReplyDeleteJilly please go see this post at this person's blog. I was blown away.
ReplyDeleteChica
Abraham Lincoln
@Keropok, at opposite ! Do you know curling? Well "boule" (in french) "boccie" (in italian) and "petanque" are quite the same just played on ground.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jilly about the mention :-)
Today's picture looks like he's doing the "I'm a little teapot, short and stout, here's my handle, here's my spout" rhyme. Love this theme - we have just had a "terrain de boules" installed in our garden. We've already had several long afternoons practicing (and imbibing the necessary rosé in the process). Thanks for the links to the explanations for the different types of games.
ReplyDeleteDianne in Grasse
It looks like he's doing the Chicken Dance.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, exactly, you captured in that first photo exactly my memory.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, today's photo is absolutely amazing - so funny, yet so beautiful!! If you hadn'explained the posture, I would have thought he was doing tai-chi or a chicken dance. :-)
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!!
Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteI thought he was practicing his surfing stance ... We rarely ever see boules played in the US. However, I do have one photo showing a US attempt at the game. I'll add a link my post to your boule photos. There is a link there already for boule photos from Montchavet and Sainte Maxime France.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to spend a warm afternoon. it looks like an interesting game.
ReplyDeletePriceless set!!!
ReplyDeleteHaHa looks like a Chuck Berry impersonator!
ReplyDeleteVery nice collection.
What fun! I must learn to play this one day. I mean can it be much different than say throwing horseshoes? I'm certain someone will beg to differ. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat form! What grace! A true Provencal character ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe game is really not that complicated and a lot of fun!
lol Diane! I thought the same thing :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shot Jilly. I've never seen boules or petanque being played. It does sound like an interesting game though.
Hi everyone !
ReplyDeleteJust to say that the small 'boule' is called 'le cochonnet', that means the pig's son... Also called 'le bouchon' (the cork) - referring to an old game - or 'le petit' (the small one).
The link below translates 'cochonnet' as 'jack'
http://dictionnaire.mediadico.com/traduction/dictionnaire.asp/francais-anglais/cochonnet/2007
Nice very beautiful game.
ReplyDelete