I went to Tenerife over Xmas and I passed by some locals, playing what can only be described as bowls on a gravel surface.
There were up to 8 people all playing at once, each having 2 metal bowls. I know they were metal 'cos a few of them had magnets on the end of a piece of string, so they could pick their bowls up without having to bend down - the lazy blighters hehe.
Anyway, basically a small jack is thrown down the playing surface, which was approx 5 feet wide by 20-25 feet long, then the people toss/roll their 2 balls down to see who can get nearest to the jack.
Piccie here if it helps:
http://img259.imagesh...img259/2974/bowls.jpg
TIA :)