It all began in 1978 in Toulouse, when I was 12 and a rather “well-behaved” boy, curious about new sensations... Near our home there was a long avenue of plane trees, where many games of petanque took place, as well as some fine competitions...
Regularly watching all these Enthusiasts of the “petite boule”, I soon felt the urge to explore this very distinctive pastime, where humour and melodrama take turns. Through the finest competitions held in the region, such as La Toulousaine, formerly Les 3 jours de St Pierre, the National Paul Ricard, the National de Montauban, the various Federation Championships, and the famous Coupe de Noël at the Parc des Expositions...
And all of it while simply savouring the magic of the moment, with all of us aware that we too were part of the picture!
Watching all these Champions, their every move, their faces tanned by the sun, with that great determination that showed in their bearing, each wanting in turn to dominate proceedings at all costs, with that fierce desire to win the major titles, where every stratagem was used: either an “inappropriate” position on the terrain meant to unsettle the opponent, or their way of communicating, with little remarks made at certain tricky phases of play, which could even raise the pressure on the opposing team, or else “lull them to sleep”… Our current Legends, for example, though without naming any names…
Thanks, Marco, for the “banter”! That’s also what beautiful Petanque is about, while staying within the bounds of respectability!! or else in the way they moved with fluidity, elegance and steadiness, or, for others, cultivating a touch of eccentricity, a hint of arrogance and nonchalance, liable to unsettle more than one...
Yet with all those smiles exchanged between players, and with a great many spectators, showing all that collective appreciation and the real pleasure of being together again among enthusiasts. That great fellowship could be felt all around us!
