Boules Party

It was the bank holiday weekend, and what a surprise it has been glorious weather. Topping out on Monday at 20 plus degrees in Scarborough. I took a walk by the beach on Monday afternoon and it was absolutely heaving. There were industrial quantities of sand being shifted in order to make impregnable sandcastles. People were even swimming!!!

The weather was fortunate for us because on Sunday we held our second annual boules party. Although the winner may say otherwise really this is just an excuse to socialise with our friends while there is a game of boules being played in the background. Well those of you who know your French games will realise that boules is played on a dusty gravel pitch known as a bouleodrome by sun tanned older men smoking evil smelling cigarettes and drinking bizarre smelling concoctions. Our version was somewhat different, for a start it was mixed; the fairer sex was invited and given no quarter. Indeed Eilis had the temerity to reach the final. Sacre-bleu, it was played on the back lawn to produce a sort of cross between bowls and boules. There was of course one downside to this, due to the heavy rain in mid-week the boules did tend to stop where they landed. So now we know why gravel is necessary. The change to the rules did not prevent fierce competition, although I suspect the hazards of garden steps is not present in most French venues!

As far as I know nobody crept off for a crafty smoke, however French traditions were upheld as plenty of champagne was quaffed, while Marion had prepared a superb lunch. There was much revelry and plenty of good conversation and friendship.

These are the contestants in suitably relaxed mode at the presentation to Iain (seated) of the traditional silver boules in lieu of a trophy. All in all a great day, made even better by the superb sunshine.