Ipswich - Bowls and a feed for $10

When we arrived in Ipswich yesterday we drove around the four clubs to put our names down. There were a couple of workers in high vis in the Ipswich club. They told us it's closed but let us in to write our names down. Ipswich didn't have a list for Wednesday.

We found out that Swifts club building was condemned so the greens are now fallow.

Ipswich had another list up so we wrote a message. We got a call at 7am to get our names down and find out they have morning tea 8:30 and bowl at 9. We arrived 8:30 and met Chris, Sue, Lee and Julie in the office. They told us it's three-bowl triples.

After paying $15 on The Sunshine Coast we were ecstatic to pay just $10 and discovered we get lunch as well. Pauline at the bar let Mal get some money out.

We went upstairs before the game for morning tea. Mal struck up a conversation with Charlie whose name is actually Des.

Jean joined them then Sylvia and Kay saw us sitting alone and came to Join us. Sylvia is an office holder and Kay is the coach. Sylvia told us the Club 113 years old. The club has an impressive array of past Presidents.

They are all volunteers except the greenkeeper. It has some aged features.

And, what Mal called, 'all-weather steps'.

The President welcomed us and wished us safe travels.

Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. They kept coming up to say hi. There are two nice grass greens.

We played on the lower green.

It's the BWE Duce Green. He's a past President.

There were enough players to fill two greens which was nice for a change.

Jean played lead for Michael and skip Rhonda.

(Michael, Rhonda and Jean)

Against Pauline, Robyn and Ray

(Robyn, Pauline and Ray)

Mal played second for skip Anita with Ann.

(Ann, Anita and Mal)

Against Al, Fred and Val

There was no wind, so the line was pretty true. Jean liked the grass and bowled ok. Luckily Michael bowled better.

Robyn, Jean's opposing lead, has only been bowling since February. She put down some great bowls. Jean usually pipped her but she did really well.

Ray told Jean he's going to play at Chinchilla. Jean told him about the Cactoblasters.

Mal seemed to be having fun with his lot - joking around. It was 11 all on end 12 and Mal got shot. He kept it.

It was 15 to 12 Mal's way. His skip Anita took the kitty back for 5.

We played 18 ends. Both our teams won. Jean's by ten, Mal's by 6. Then we came upstairs for lunch.

It was a nice ham and salad roll with a teacake

They have a lovely draw - 5c a ticket. Jean won two things.

As we were leaving Al said to Mal "You will win more than you lose. You are a great bowler!"

Ipswich - nice people, nice food nice bowls!