So two days after Jean's Dad's funeral we took off to Crookwell. We skipped lots of places we'd planned to visit because we'd spent so much time at Shellharbour.
When we got there we met the lovely Cheryl, who was looking after twilights for her hubby. We sat and chatted with her and Janet, who explained to Jean the job of a rouseabout.
(Cheryl)
The bowling club was next door to the Services Club which bought it out. So there is still the old bowling club building at the back of the green. Apparently they have a grant to refurbish it.
(Bowlers in front of the old bowling club)
We read on the website they had twilight bowls. We found out from the bar staff it was a prearranged triples competition. They staff told us if we turned up at 5:30 and a player didn't turn up we might get a game. Mal clearly smiled sweetly at the right lady and he got a game. Jean watched and chatted with other players.
There were 5 games. Crookwell has one green out so they play half on Thursday and the other on Friday. Cheryl told us Twilight used to be only men. Tonight there were 9 women (30%) so that's progress.
(Mal, Marion, Rooster and Buckets)
It was Marion, Mal and Sam (skip - Marion's son) against Buckets (Darren), Rooster (Chris) and Ellis (skip).
Buckets kept talking about what a bad bowler he is then kept on putting down pearlers.
Apparently they don't put up the score for twilights so it was a bit hard to follow. Sam's team (Marion) rolled the jack lots. Jean figured they were winning until Ellis' team scored a four. Jean asked how many ends they play. Marion said "Until 7:30 when they ring the bell". That's fun!
(Rooster, Mal, Ellis and Buckets. Marion and Sam left early)
Ellis told Jean he's been bowling a while but he's still learning. Sam was giving him lots of tips on how to bowl which was really nice to see. Sam's team wasn't so impressed when he put down a good bowl though.
It was a low-scoring game. 8 all on what they thought was the last end. Mal did a super-narrow bowl that went out, then put down a beauty that took shot.
He sent his third to the back but it didn't matter. Second shot was the one that won the game. 9-8.
Cheryl rang the bell at 7:30 and they all finished the end they were on. Mal said to Sam "I should have told you I'm an aggressive player". Sam replied "So am I, if I lose I hit people!".
Cheryl told Jean that one girl who is a bowler has a serious cancer-related illness. The whole community got behind her and raised money to send her on the trip of a lifetime that lifted her spirits. That's very sad but is the beautiful side of country towns that we love.
Crookwell - you can feel the community spirit.
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