A lovely sunny morning saw a group of members on the petanque pitch and raring to go.

So, we divided into two teams of four, ie A & B, with Team A pitching first but lost 2 points on the first end.    Revenge was sweet as the two points were clawed back in end two plus a further one point on the next.

A short lived success as Team B gathered a further 3, 2 and 1 over the next three ends but A only managing 3 more points over the following three.   Then it was two 2s to B, then one to A with B scoring the final nail in the coffin bringing their winning total to 13 earning them a 6 point lead over their rivals.   Well done.

We’ll do it all again in a fortnight’s time being the 10th July at 10.30am on the pitch behind the library.   Do come and join us in another fun morning.            Ken. 

 I felt like Billy No-mates as I waited at the pitch at 10.30 yesterday morning.    Was the sun too hot for others to join me?  But no, they started arriving after about 10 minutes due to the chaotic traffic snarl up which had almost brought Totton to a standstill.

Anyway, with four of us there we called ourselves Teams A and B and at the end of the is first game Team B scored the first point.  Others began to arrive and were allocated to a team alternately during play.  On the second end Team A showed their mettle by scoring 5 -yes, 5- in retaliation.  Then with others arriving Team A increased the lead with a further 3 points giving them a commanding lead before the Bs snatched back another point.

Over the following 6 ends scores increased by ones and twos to gain 4 points each until the final one where Team A grabbed another magnificent 3 thus winning the whole match 15 to 5.   

A funny old morning with teams increasing in number alternately throughout but that’s the way we play.  Rules are manipulated to suit ourselves and so long as we agree and have fun nobody cares.

Join us next on the 26th June at 10.30 am on the pitch behind the library.  Hope to see you then.

Ken.

PS.  Two reminders - firstly anyone intending to join the Bus Pass group on Thursday, visiting Salisbury Cathedral for their new Art  and Liberty exhibition  ‘To Be Free’ would you please try and confirm by tomorrow(Wednesday) at 8 pm by contacting Christine on 023 8086 2882 or email cefarleigh@gmail.com.  If we prebook the cost is £9 against £11 on the door.  Make for the X7 bus to Salisbury at 9.30 am from the Salisbury road shops (near the vet and gymnasium) or join along its route.    We will probably board it at Testwood Lane stop.

The exhibition explores human rights and freedoms featuring a 13 metre embroidery of a contemporary Magna Carta sewn by civil rights campaigners, MPs, lawyers, barons, artists and prison inmates - a perfect complement to the Cathedral’s rare 1215 Magna Carta.

2nd reminder is for the longer walk on Friday commencing at 10am from Millyford Bridge car park (just before the Portuguese Fire Place, if you approach from Lyndhurst).    With the promise of a stop for tea/coffee and cake at Annie’s Tea Rooms I’m drooling already.

Remember, too, that it’s cash only.  Life is for living!