The Village Fête - the Boules Competition 2
Yesterday - three boules. Today, two - note the precise way the hand is balancing the ball - not holding it tight. You can sense the reverence here.
In the smaller photograph, a lady (more men play than women but yes, women certainly play too) holds her boule in a cloth, which she'll use to ensure the boule is free from dust and grit.
Boules are heavy, by the way - solid metal and weighing around 800 grams (or just under) - that's about 1.76 lbs.
You can read more on the game of pétanque by clicking on the link.
In the smaller photograph, a lady (more men play than women but yes, women certainly play too) holds her boule in a cloth, which she'll use to ensure the boule is free from dust and grit.
Boules are heavy, by the way - solid metal and weighing around 800 grams (or just under) - that's about 1.76 lbs.
You can read more on the game of pétanque by clicking on the link.
Now this one especially, but yesterday's too, planted the thought of modern interpretive dance. Or perhaps rhythmic gymnastics without the leotard. Lovely hands all round.
ReplyDeleteA nice look at the game balls.
ReplyDeleteNow I am confused. I weasled my way into my favorite French restaurant before they officially opened yesterday. They have a boules area set up out back. The balls were larger and appeared to be made of a fired clay of some type. Same game??? I will email you a photo.
ReplyDeleteV
Tks, Jilly. I needed these insights. I've got a set of those "silly little French ones " stacked on the shelf and never really knew how to manipulate them corectly. As you know, English balls are much much bigger.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though (am I ever?), Boules/Petanque is a really good game, and of course can be played anywhere, but English Bowls needs a properly maintained Green.
je crois que je la tire !!!
ReplyDeleteI love this boules series Jilly. Very nicely captured. I love the look of the men's hands as they hold the balls. Poised and ready for action.
ReplyDeleteVirginia, I'm no expert but here boules is played on compacted earth, slightly gritty. I see them spraying it to keep the dust down. In your pics, the surface looks like tiny pebbles set in concrete (hard to tell for sure tho). I've not heard of fired boules - wouldn't they break when thrown? Essentially tho, it's the same game - just how it has evolved around the world and of course boules and petanque are different to the afficionado, that is.
ReplyDeleteBonjour Jilly!
ReplyDeleteD’abord merci pour les commentaires sur mon post du 08.08.08 à 08h08 à Blogtrotter, maintenant à l’île de Kos en Grèce! Deuxièmement, je m’excuse pour le délai en venant ici, mais cet août a été affreux. Il semble que tout le monde est parti en vacances et il n’y en restait qu’un pauvre pour toutes les affaires… ;))
En tout cas, j’ai finalement trouvé quelques minutes pour me délecter avec ton blog! J'attends toujours les vacances et peut-être un jeu de pétanque pour passer le temps... ;) Belles photos!
Je te souhaite un bon weekend!
I remember our set as being made of brass, filled with sand I think. These look like something else.
ReplyDeleteWonderful portraits Jilly - hands are so expressive aren't they??
ReplyDeleteI love playing this game - quite a few people I know in Oz play this at home for fun.
The hand positions seem to be part of the art of the game.
ReplyDeleteI love this close-up shot. You're right -- there is a sense of reverence in the stance and holding of the ball. An intensity.
ReplyDelete