We felt welcome at St Leonards Victoria

We read online that we had to have our names down at St Leonards Bowling Club at 11. We rang and rang and rang but nobody answered so we drove out with our fingers crossed.

We met Tony who wrote our names down and told us "the phone is never manned".

Annemarie, her twin sister Margaret, Lyn, Little Lynnie, Anton and Tony were sitting outside watching the Singles championship. Jean stood and chatted with them. They were very friendly and talkative.

The clubhouse is quite roomy.

With a great painting in the entrance.

And a nice picture of the pier which is on their club shirts.

There's a nice verandah.

They have two carpet greens.

We played on the front green.

The Eddie Lynch Green.

It's three-bowl pairs. Three games of eight ends. Jean played with Bob.

First game was against Mick and John.

Mal played with Dave

Against Ian and Don.

Jean played her first game ever with the bowling arm. Bob was an arm bowler so he understood. John told Jean the first bowling arm was invented by a farmer who played at St Leonards. His name was Trevor Harker. The prototype was wood. Then he improved it.

There were six pairs in all.

First end Jean's bowls went everywhere - even in the ditch but she got one close-ish.

Jean's 2nd game was against Ron and Peter. Mal played Jean's first opponents Mick and John.

(Ron, Peter and Bob)

Jean finally got the grass right. A bit heavy but she knocked out shot bowl.

Jean was so busy learning the arm she forgot to watch Mal's bowls. She said "Do a photo-worthy bowl!" He did.

Bob introduced Jean to the Secretary. Peter said "And Bob does everything else!"

Peter gave us some badges.

Last game Jean played Mal's first opponents Ian and Don. Mal played Ron and Peter. Jean did a little better this game but not good enough.

Mal kept bowling brilliantly.

We came inside for drinks. Neither of us won a game but Dave and Chris said to Mal "No, you're the guest we'll buy the beers!"

The girls told Jean about their Chairperson Ros McIntyre. Jean said "That's my sister's name." Jean introduced herself to Ros.

John told Jean the club has a working bee on Fridays. He said there's a lady Mary who looks after the gardens. They are beautiful. Jean forgot to take a photo but wanted to mention her work.

St Leonards - no wins for us but great company.