What a difference in the weather from yesterday!    An absolutely brilliantly sunny day in contrast and ideal for our game.   So warm, in fact, that I was perspiring at one point and removed my jacket.

We started with 4 players, two of each gender, so obviously ladies v laddies and off we began with gents winning the first end.    In to the second and joined by another couple, which was good, and played on.

No high scoring and by the close of the seventh end  the score was 3 to 4 in the laddies favour.    The laddies then made a break with a magnificent 3 but the ladies were not despondent and responded with a clever 2 points and by the end of the 12th game we were at a tense 9 all.    Over the next two ends the ladies shot forward with 3 more points which concentrated the laddies who girded up their loins (not a pretty sight) and scored a further 2 points and then repeated it thus becoming the overall winners.   

Another happy morning and an agreement to meet again on the 5th November, weather permitting.   Let the fireworks begin!      Ken. 

 Good News: It’s a beautiful sunny day and ideal for playing

Bad News: Christine tested COVID positive at 9.30 this morning.   

I went to the pitch to tell everyone that in the circumstances I wouldn’t be joining in - as a precaution - to find that only Pat had turned up and so she returned home.    I waited another 15 minutes just in case there were other appearances but zilch.    I didn’t waste my time there and did some weeding but not enough to appreciate any difference.    It definitely needs a strong dose of killer.

Anyway, we’ll still go ahead next Monday at 10.15 am on the pitch behind the library as usual and hope that there will be enough reasonably fit members to play.    Two or more is sufficient.

Hope to see you there,   Ken.

 I have been disappointed to learn that only one person turned up for a game on Monday last.    I hope no newbies turned up wondering what had happened.

However, weather permitting, we’ll add an extra game next Monday (17th) at 10.15am on the pitch behind the library.

The next scheduled game will be on the following Monday as already arranged.    See you at one or the other or, hopefully, both.    The end of the playing season is nigh so let’s make the most of the time available.    Ken.

 The next game is called for this coming Monday at 10.15am on the pitch behind the library.     Several of us will be absent as we’ll be in Liverpool on the U3A short break.

Hope as many of you as are able will make it.    It could be an opportunity for any newbies to give it a try as I’m sure any regulars there will be pleased to guide you.     Extra boules can usually be found between the players if needed.   

I suspect that we’ll only call another 2 or 3 games this year before the weather becomes too wet, windy or cold.     Enjoy your games whilst you can.    Ken.

ps.  Someone will need to bring a score pad and maybe a ring.

 With the weather reminding me of the story of “Winnie-the-Pooh and the Blustery Day” six of us met this morning in the shelter of the hedge that separates the pitch from the car park.   Luckily the sun continued to shine for most of the game. Teams A and B soon had play underway and A won the first end by one point which was then equalised by B.

Over the following 5 ends B gained a further 9 points, before A rallied over the subsequent 3 ends gaining 5 more points.    There were, certainly, several close calls and the advantages were swinging backward and forward quite quickly keeping tensions high.

Three more ends and the scores reached 7 to 12 in B’s favour with B team wresting that final point to become the winner and we finished with cheery goodbyes.

As usual, the next game will be in a fortnight on Monday 10th October at 10.15am. 

Ken.

 Bright sunshine greeted us for today’s game as we gathered on the pitch this am.   Quickly dividing in to two teams of five we were ready to start.

Team B kicked off and powered their way to winning the first end by 3 points.    Team A retaliated with 2 points on the next end which was equalled by Team B on the third set. 
Not despondent, Team A gave it their best boules and by the 9th end Team B was leading 11 - 9.

The next two ends brought the scores to a nail-biting 11 all and the game culminated on the following end by Team A grabbing those vital 2 points giving them the game.   

Modestly accepting congratulations we broke up having enjoyed a pleasant hour in great company. 

Why not join us next time we play on the 26th inst.   Anyone can play whether able-bodied or needing some mobility support.   All welcome.    Ken

 On this sad and sombre day I have been giving some thought to our scheduled game on Monday.   I feel that some of us may be looking for a little light relief and so decided to go ahead and I’ll be down on the pitch behind the library at 10.15 as usual and anyone wishing to do so, please join me.       Ken

 Wondering who would turn up on a Tuesday I was pleased to see 6 other keen players raring to go.   After greetings all round we divided into the usual two teams of ladies and laddies with two of the ladies playing an extra boule each to compensate for being a team member less until a fourth lady joined us and made up the number.

The laddies galloped through the first end taking 3 points but the ladies then rallied by winning 2 on the next end.    Points bounced back and forth with each end played  until the laddies scored a magnificent 5 points and remained in the lead until the end of the game which was won by 16 points to 3.

There was time to start a second game but the scoring was quite low and slow until time restraints kicked in and it was decided to stop.   Never mind, we had fun and that’s the object of the exercise.

We shall next play on the pitch behind the library at 10.15am on 12th September.    Come and join in.  Ken

Following my recent suggestion for next week’s game we will play on the pitch behind the library at 10.15am next TUESDAY.     I look forward to seeing many of you there though we do have a visitor currently staying who leaves us on that day and needs to be taken to Central Station at some time (not sure when) so we could be absent.     Ken. 

The next scheduled game of boules is due on Monday at 10.15am on the pitch behind the library.    The forecast shows that it could be cooler by then which should be helpful.    Chris and I cannot be there as we are away for the week and also expecting to be off-line during that time.     Do hope that some of you are able to play or fix an alternative date between yourselves.     

The following meeting falls on Bank Holiday Monday and so I’m proposing that we switch to the Tuesday and hope that suits most players.

GOOD NEWS!   Today 4 of us were involved in purchasing a further 12 bags of small stones and raking them over the pitch.    They didn’t seem to go far but should make a small difference.    Do we need another small collection to add some more?   We can discuss that at a later date.

Enjoy the sunshine if you can because we’ll be moaning about the cold and wet weather later in the year when we’re trying to keep warm.

Ken. 

 Having missed last week’s postponed game due to the soaring temperatures we slotted it in this morning. 

Battling to be heard above the roar of the council workers cutting the other side of the hedge from where we play we decided to give it a go.   10 of us divided into two teams (one of all ladies and the other of mixed gender).

Ladies (team A) pitched first but team B took the end by 2 points.    The hedge cutters must have taken pity on us and ceased their work in that area temporarily which was a great relief.  Team B continued to win every end, scoring a further 3, 6 and 2, thus winning outright within 20 minutes.   

This gave us time to have a further game and the ladies team rallied strongly and at one time we were standing at 9 points each and that was only due to the mixed team (B) gathering  6 points at one end.   Another 2 ends confirmed Team B as the winners again and we finished before the rain started.

Our next playing time will be next Monday at 10.15 am on the pitch behind the library.   Its an hour or so of fun.   Just turn up and join in.   All welcome and you could be the one with the hidden talent for the game.   This is your reminder as I won’t be around next week.

Enjoy your game, Ken. 

 We are due for another game of boules on Monday (18th) at 10.15 on the pitch behind the library.

If the forecast proves correct it may be too hot to be comfortable.    However, I’ve been on a little scout around this morning and found one or two small shady areas where we could play on grass.     That’s the beauty of boules, you can play on most surfaces.

I will be there on Monday and wait a short time (max. 10 mins) to see if anyone joins me.  It’s your choice entirely.     Should you arrive later and can see no one about check the area behind the Cenotaph war memorial as we may have moved there.   If you do wish to play I suggest long sleeves, a hat and maybe a parasol.   Plus some water.

If we don’t go ahead we could try an alternative day.

Several players have now called off playing on Monday due to the forecasted hot weather and the government and NHS advice not to venture out unnecessarily during the height of the sunshine.    I think it would be wise NOT to play in these extraordinary circumstances and cancel Monday’s game.   I hope you are all happy to agree.    Ken.     

I’m hoping the weather may be cooler next week and so I’m suggesting that yesterday’s postponed game be rescheduled for this coming Monday (25th) at 10.15am on the pitch behind the library.   Hope to see you there.   We will then get back on track and make the following game 7 days later (1st Aug) and fortnightly thereafter, ie the 15th, and then decide whether or not we play on the Bank Holiday Monday or perhaps the Tuesday (30th).

 Our next scheduled meeting is due on 4th July at 10.15am on the pitch behind the library.  Hope as many of you as can will be there.   I know that at least 4 of us will be missing (including  ourselves). 

We shall  be travelling home from holiday on that day hence this early notification and as we will be moving around whilst away I may not always have a connection.

Ken and Chris

Next petanque game is set for this Monday, 20th, at 10.15 am on the pitch behind the library.   As usual, all are welcome to join in so see you there.   Ken. 

Just for a change Chris and I arrived early to give the pitch a rake over and pull a few weeds before members started to arrive.   

It was an absolutely glorious sunny morning and we gathered a total of eleven members on the pitch so we split into the usual two teams, one of ladies and the other of mixed gender.   The ladies began by winning the first and second ends by one and two points respectively before the other team clawed back a point followed by a further four!

We attracted several interested bystanders including one lady who came across to enquire of what we were doing.   She was talked into throwing a boule before moving off.  Another member wandered by and we managed to cajole her to play on the mixed side to even up the teams. 

Play continued with some VERY close calls.   At one stage we had boules of opposing sides actually touching the Jack together.    We certainly had a lot of measuring to do on several ends to determine which boule was in the holding position.    Several gasps on occasions as we couldn’t believe how close we were getting with our aiming. 

Moving on three or four more ends the score was 10 - 5 against the ladies and then it was almost single point scoring until the eventual winning team was declared - the mixed group.    Well done.

More fun and giggles in store when we play again on 4th July.    Join us then.    K&C. 

 Hi there, Petanquers

Just a reminder that we’re due to play again on the pitch behind the library at 10.15 am next Monday (6th) so get your bowling arms ready.     Newbies welcome, as always.

Remember we play fortnightly on alternate Mondays so mark up your diaries NOW!

Hope to see you there.   Ken. 

A baker’s dozen of us collected together this morning for our bi-weekly game of boules.   Quickly breaking down into two teams - with the ladies being given the advantage of the extra player - we were off.     4 points to the men after the first end followed by a 2 and then three ones putting them 9 points in the lead.   Far from feeling despondent the ladies rallied and with many “oohs” and “aahs” over very close calls scored 8 points over the next four ends.   The men then countered with a further 3 bringing their score to 12.   So close to winning!   

 The next end was going so well for the men when Sandra threw a magnificent googly which scattered the boules in every direction but meant that it gave the ladies a vital one more point.     It was all down to the last game, which following one or two close calls, the men proved to be the overall winning team.

So many laughs had been enjoyed in an hour and a half’s play that it really didn’t matter who had won.   

Join us again in a fortnight (20th) at 10.15 am on the pitch behind the library.   See you there,  Ken

A dozen of us (plus a dog) gathered on the boules pitch this morning ready for another hour’s fun. A quick division into 2 teams, A and B, and we were off with team A scoring the first point. Elation was very soon deflation when the Bs came back with 3 points on the next end and maintained the lead to the bitter end. Mind you, there were many tense moments due to some very close calls and quite a lot of time was spent with various measuring implements to determine just whose boule was the closest to the cochon (the Jack to you). Anyway the final score was 13 - 5 to B team so it was congratulations all round to them and with cheery goodbyes as we departed. Join us again in 2 weeks at 10.15 on Monday 23rd of this month. Ken.

We’re playing petanque again next Monday (9th) at 10.15am on the pitch behind the library. Come and join us. The more the merrier. Guarantee at least one laugh and a smile even if its only over something stupid I’ve done. Ken.

The sun shone and there was little wind as 5 members came together this morning for another game on the petanque pitch. We summarily divided into obvious teams of 3 ladies and 2 men and the latter kicked off and won the first end which the ladies equalled on the second. However, playing with an extra team member showed and the ladies then moved forward and were soon 4 points ahead. Another member came by and she was soon persuaded to join the men which certainly helped them narrow the points gap. A second member arrived later and she gave the ladies that extra advantage again. As usual, we had several interruptions from passing public who were interested to know what we were doing including four Ukrainian refugees who had recently arrived here and were being introduced to the delights of Totton by their host. We encouraged them to have a go, which they were pleased to do, before moving on. Then it was back to the game and and at one time it was difficult to determine who was closer to the “jack” as five boules landed almost nudging it. By the penultimate end the ladies led by a single point. Of course, this concentrated our minds on the game and by some miracle the men managed to gain 5 points putting them over the magic figure of 13 to win. Final score was 11 - 15 to the men. Well done everyone. It was all very light-hearted and enjoyed by each one of us. Ken

A short reminder that we’ll be on the pitch behind the library (weather permitting) at 10.15am on Monday for more fun and laughter. Let’s see you there with your boules in your hand and ready to go. Newbies always welcome. Hope you all had a brilliant Easter. We did. Ken.

I arrived at the pitch a few minutes late this morning, due to our washing machine disgorging its load 5 minutes later than expected and wanting to get the laundry out into the sunshine, to be greeted by a sea of expectant faces all ready for playoff.   

Getting down to business team B finished the first end two points up.    Second end they were just as good and scored the same.    Just to make sure that team B did not become bored,  team A managed to gain one point on the next end and another later in the game.   However, team B surged ahead and finished the last end with a magnificent SEVEN points!   Final score was Team A with two points and Team B on fourteen.

I was in team A and John Benfield was part of team B and so I now wish B team many hearty congratulations (because John told me to do so in my report).    I’m not the jealous type.     I’ll now crawl back into my little hole until the next game on the 25th of this month.

Good news, so far as I am concerned, is that the washing was dry when we arrived home. 

See you all again soon,  Ken

Just a reminder that we return to the pitch behind the library at10.15am on Monday next.  Come one, come all and show us your boules.     Ken

I was incapacitated this morning and unable to attend so this report is secondhand.   Any inaccuracies, don’t blame me - blame the messenger.

Only seven members gathered this morning who soon divided into two teams named -   unsurprisingly - A and B.   
The games commenced with Team A winning the first four before Team B won five points over the following two and gained the lead.   

At some stage a young lady with toddler stopped to watch a while and in conversation she said she played the game at home in Turkey.    She took up an invitation to join in and turned out to be a bit of a killer and contributed to Team A finishing the overall winner by 14  points to 9.   

As usual there was the chaos of deciding whose boule was whose but also a lot of laughter and camaraderie.

Do join us on the next occasion we play which should be on 11th April.  I’ll send out a reminder nearer the time.    There are always spare boules if you wish to give it a try.   If you can toss a ball you’re 3/4 of the way there.    Just a little fine tuning after that.

Ken

Wow! I was amazed that 12 of us gathered together this morning to kick off our 2022 petanque season.  A quick divide into Ladies and Laddies and we were off with the Ladies scoring the first point.    The Laddies clawed back the equaliser before surging forward by winning the next 2 ends with 3 points in each.

Play continued with the Ladies showing their mettle with a win of one end with a monster 4 points.    With rain threatening we pushed on ‘til the final boule with overall scores of 8 to the Ladies and 15 for the Laddies.    A few laughs and a bit of chatter and we were all feeling the benefit of our get-together.    It was good to see you all.   We meet again in 14 days on the 28th March at 10.15 on the pitch behind the library.   I do think that if the number of potential players increases we will need to divide and some of us play on the adjacent grass.    It’s all good. 

In the meantime Brian and Ingrid will, hopefully, put some more weed killer down and then, if necessary, we’ll call a small working party to clear the more persistent of the weeds.

Ken. 

I was out in The  Forest yesterday enjoying the sunshine despite a still bitterly cold wind and decided we should be playing again soon.     Therefore, I propose that we resurrect it for the 2022 season and meet again next Monday (14th) at 10.15 am on the pitch behind the library.    It’s a fairly sheltered corner.   There’s a fair amount of weed showing through so I’ll attempt to clear some of it during this week though I don’t have a lot of spare time. 

Be that as it may and weather hopefully getting better, I look forward to seeing some of you there then and fortnightly after that so go and get your boules polished.     Newcomers welcome, of course. 

Spring is ‘round the corner!      Ken.