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We took a 40 minute drive from Jurien Bay to Badgingarra for a look. When we got there they were playing round one of the club Singles. They call it 'Badgy'. It's a community Sporting Club so the clubhouse has trophies from Golf, Tennis, Bowls and some other sports. The community quilters have a nice display. They've had a couple of wins. Few and far between but proud. Doug was inside the clubhouse. He told us about their lack of Pennant success and we showed him the Eildon song and told their similar story. He was managing the scoreboard. There's one plastic synthetic green. It's their second synthetic. It has a pull over cover. There's a nice mosaic. They came on for lunch after the first game. Doug asked Jean to give a talk to the members about our trip. They were very friendly and had lots of questions for us. Doug suggested we have a two-end roll-up with him before they came back out. Mal started. He did well going away from the clubhouse. Jean had her go. She did much better going the other way. The boys went into the ditch. Everyone watched us. We said goodbye to everyone and drove back to Jurien. Lovely people at Badgy!

We decided a while back to stay 3 nights at Jurien Bay and do all the clubs there. But when we got there we found out the caravan park is always booked out on the weekend so stayed at the sports grounds next to Jurien Bowls Club. We did some other clubs on the way there. LEEMAN We started at Leeman because Jean had a parcel to collect there We found the sign. The tank nearby is beautifully decorated. Through the window the bar looks welcoming. That's the only thing because everything was locked up. We couldn't get to the synthetic green. GREEN HEAD A similar thing at Green Head - all locked up. The sign wasn't. We got a glimpse of the bar through the window. We leaned over to photograph the green. It's for John and Jennie Read. JURIEN We felt a little unwelcome - even at the caravan park - until we got to Jurien Bowling Club. The tank outside is beautifully painted. Alfie fill-in Captain turned up while Jean was peering through the window. She asked if there's anything on at the club Friday night. He excitedly said "Yes!". There's a Scroungers game, bar open at 4:30 and burgers for dinner. Alfie let Jean in to take a photo of the clubhouse. He proudly told Jean they are currently 1st and 2nd on the ladders. They've won lots. There are two plastic synthetic greens. The front green looks inviting. The local pollies made a liar out of Jean when she said she'd only ever seen Labor politicians sponsor bowling clubs. Fair's fair! We came back in the afternoon so excited to get a game after so long. Alfie introduced us to Trevor the President. Jean's been chatting on Messenger with Carla. She said she'd look forward to meeting us tonight. We all sat around and ate our yummy $8 burgers. The darts players came tonight as well for their social night. The shirts are similar. The bowls club has a crayfish. We actually played on Green B - the Bill Sudholz Green. Ivan, Jean and Mick played on Rink 2. Wayne, Carla and Mal were on 4. Jean picked one up early. There weren't many more. She told her opponents every time she's played Scroungers around the country she's come last. Mal had to measure for second. They wanted to play Twilight so they could use the lights. They came on just on dusk. Jean came last - of course! She came inside. The darts players were in full swing. Mal came second by one shot. Wayne - the winner - told him he could play in the three-end semi-final. He played against Mick, Luis and Garry. Mick, Garry, Mal and Luis. Jean was all ready to go home but Mal won so had to play in the final against Darren. Mal put down some pearlers. Very surprisingly Mal won! He drew out the lucky loser - it was Jean. Jean wanted to give $2 to The Flying Doctors for her wrong bias. Trevor helped. It was a long day for us. Mal got a six-pack for his win. We went back to the caravan tired but happy. We did promise we'd come back Saturday to watch the Singles. Jurien - a game at last!

Headed down south now - we stopped in to three clubs on our way to the WA coast. Three Springs, Carnamah and Coorow (where we stayed overnight). THREE SPRINGS We found the sign for our map. Through the window the bar looks good in the clubhouse. It was established in 1969. There's one plastic synthetic green. And some good permanent shades. CARNAMAH Again the sign for our map. A nice long bar in the clubhouse. 1961 - a pretty good year. Again a plastic synthetic green. COOROW We pictured ourselves there. The clubhouse looks inviting. It was opened in 1983. It has a plastic synthetic green. The guarding magpie shows wind direction. It seems they are the Magpies. There are magpies all over Coorow. Three Springs, Carnamah and Coorow - nice to see little clubs doing well.

We're staying overnight in Mingenew so checked out the two clubs at Denison and Mingenew DENISON We arrived to find them playing Tuesday social. It's a nice, airy clubhouse. They have lots of great memories displayed With Life Members honoured. They've had some help from the Shire. We met Anne who's been reading our blog. There are three greens all together. They MINGENEW Mingenew is a tiny little town but it has a bowling club. We checked it out. We saw the big bar through the window. And the old sign over the bar. There's an old grass green. They seem to have a problem with black beetles. We saw the Willy John Stand. We assume this is it. The seats are donated. It's a Sports Club so golf is also important here. Denison and Mingenew - glad we dropped in.

We drove as far north as we're going this leg - to Northampton from Geraldton.. We weren't going to write a blog but we met one of the members. When we arrived there was music playing. Darryl was doing some cleaning. It's a cosy little clubhouse. With lots of memories displayed. There's one plastic synthetic green. There used to be three but the others have been let go. She shades are different. The flag was at half mast as a member had passed. We didn't stay long because we had to buy a new washing machine for the caravan. Northampton - glad we stopped.

We're staying at Drummond Cove near Geraldton so we can visit all the clubs round here. Today it's the two Geraldton clubs. Wonthella and Geraldton. WONTHELLA We arrived at Wonthella to see a game in progress. President Steve came to say hi. The clubhouse is interesting. With lots of success on display. The donations are recorded on the wall There are unusually four greens. Synthetic. The Club Singles were on. The synthetic greens are memorialized. The old fifth green now hosts soccer. The shades are nice. Green and Gold. Mal stood and chatted with Wog and Johnno. He said " Now you'll have a wog on your blog ". Wog told us to check out their sign. 'Friendliest club in the West'! GERALDTON After some long-awaited shopping we got to Geraldton Bowling Club. There's a nice, long bar in the clubhouse. Benjo and Des welcomed us. President Shane came to introduce himself. The club's been around a long time . It was hard to decide what to photograph. There are very old memories. There are three grass greens unusually. There used to be four but one's been let go. The succulent garden is nice. Shane invited us to roll up on Green C. The old permanent shades are cute. The seats have nice donations. The boys were playing Club Triples on Green A. The weather was much cooler than yesterday. Jean stepped out. Our bowls were pathetic. It's been a while since we've played on grass. Jean got an almost decent shot with her last bowl. She got better for a three. Mal tried it. He had to out-do Jean. Jean was pleased to be improving. But Mal got the last word. We sat to watch the Triples. Mal got a beer. The bartender said Shane had shouted on the proviso our write-up is good. No worries Shane! As were about to leave we met Gary who was a copper at Bega in NSW where Jean's Dad was stationed there. We'd met Geraldton member Glenn when we were in Cooktown so we phoned him and went to visit him. He have Jean an Irish Whiskey tasting. It was a pleasant day with nice people. We had a good time. What fun we had at Wonthella and Geraldton!

We're on our way to Geraldton where we left off on our Winter WA trip last year. Heading North there are four clubs on the way. We'll visit them all! LATHAM Latham was our first stop. We were lucky enough to meet a member there. We took a photo for our map. It's a Golf/Bowls. It has a nice little clubhouse with golf Pennants everywhere! Roz was the person we met. She showed us all around the place. Roz pointed out some proud photos. It's a Tiger Turf green. PERENJORI Second stop was Perenjori The obligatory map photo. We peeked through the window. It was opened in 1970. There's a nice Tiger Turf green as well. The permanent shades are really good. They had some good help. MOROWA We were told by the guys at Dalwallinu that there are finals on today at Morowa but when we arrived there was nobody around. Another map photo. Kevin the Publican drove by to check we weren't lost. We saw the clubhouse through the window. Again a Tiger Turf. MULLEWA Our last stop for the day was Mullewa. We were lucky enough to see some Pennants. We found the sign. Terry the Club Captain came to say gidday. It was Pennants against Wonthella. It was 38° - the usual heat cut-off - but they said " We're tough in WA! " They'd driven from Geraldton so didn't want to miss out on bowls. They are The Saints. Our cat Jerome was in the caravan. It was too hot to leave him there so we didn't stay long. Latham, Perenjori, Morawa and Mullewa - I nice little trip.

We were supposed to go to Mullewa but the road got closed due to flooding so we came south to Dalwallinu for a couple of days. We've visited three clubs while we've been here. It's a fairly modern clubhouse. It's actually a Sports Club. We came on Wednesday and a lady told us there's practice on Friday night. We came for that. It was opened in 1970. The Legends Wall of Fame is great. And the bell. The ladies won Pennants. There's a few trophies. The green got flooded. Charlie, Stevo, Noel, Rob and Shane came in for a drink before practice. They warned us not to stay at Mullewa. Great advice. Stevo is the President. Mal got his obligatory photo. It's a big, plastic synthetic green with ten rinks. The owls protect. The shades are nice. Unusual. The seats are donated. Mal went out. He drew first blood. Our grass was ok. Jean was a bit rusty. She managed one. Noel came to roll up with us. Jean improved a bit. Mal had the last laugh. EARLIER We drove half an hour to Kalannie on Thursday for a sticky-beak. Dalwallinu people told us it's a tiny club. Friday we drove to Ballidu and checked it out. Dalwallinu - we had a nice time!

We've been driving across The Nullarbor so we haven't seen a bowling club for days and days. Today we arrived in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and weren't disappointed. First stop was Boulder Bowling Club. It's a nice clubhouse with a long bar one would expect in a mining town. It's gold mining here. One of the members told Jean the smoke is from the once-a-day explosion they do to find more gold. When we arrived they were getting ready to play Club Fours. They were so friendly. Everyone wanted to chat with us! When we told them we were from Canberra Stuart said " I'm from Canberra! Isabella Plains!". Turns out he's the son of our great mate Dale Budnick from Mal's club Tuggeranong. It seems like a youngish club. Bruce said " I'd be the youngest President you've met! " Bruce called the cards. We checked out some of the interesting paraphernalia. They are the Meercats. We had to buy some shirts. Great honour boards. And some bowls trophies. Bartender Rana said she'd sell us some eggs. We paid $5 and she said she'd bring them to us. Jean told Rana she'd just got her RSA so that she can help out at bowls tournaments. She said " But I haven't pulled a beer for forty years. ". Rana said " We can fix that! ". Jean's ready now! There are two nice grass greens. They played on the front green. It has good permanent shades. Jean commented " We've been to 800 clubs and I've never seen one sponsored by a Liberal member. I've seen lots of Labor ones! " We sat for a while and watched some great bowls put down. KALGOORLIE We went to the Kalgoorlie club but it was all locked up with barbed wire. It didn't look inviting. We decided to come back on Sunday and found them into the Fours semi-final. COOLGARDIE Someone at Boulder told us there's a club at Coolgardie. We had it down as closed so Jean rang the RSL. They said the bar is open from 4pm and they are putting in a new four-rink green opening in May. We thought we'd check it out. We went back tired to the caravan and waited for our eggs which arrived late in the day. Boulder - our new mates!

We came to Port Germein on the coast of the Spencer Gulf hoping for some cooler weather. Not so. It's 41°! No roll-up for us! We're staying at the Port Germein Caravan Park. It's adjacent to the club. Our caravan is 70 steps from the clubhouse. It looks like a bowling club! They tell us Neville Leue is the best bowler around. His father was just as good. Akky was watering the grass when we arrived. He told us to come back at 3:30 for Friday drinks. They are very proud of their grass patch that used to be gravel. There's a nice outdoor area. Bob and chef Tony came for Friday drinks. Bob is very proud of his advertisement. Mal sat inside and chatted with John, Bob, Steve and Tony. They had some local grapes. We got some. Kevin and his daughter Faye arrived. Kevin was President for many years. Kevin is 90. He showed Jean a photo of him with his wife Maureen. There's one green. It's plastic synthetic. There are various shades with some good permanent ones. It was still 38° so we weren't going to roll up but Norma and John were out there so we had a go. They were practising for tomorrow's Pennants against Port Pirie. 6pm - the sun was still scorching. Mal went out. He did ok. Jean stepped into the heat. She raced down to take a photo before Norma took her shot. It was hot so we only did a few ends. We had a last drink the walked to the pub for a nice dinner. Another swelter in Port Germein!

We're staying a night in Murray Bridge. There are a couple of clubs within a short distance so we thought we'd visit them all. The first was Jervois. The town is pronounced "Jervoice". They were playing Thursday Ladies Pennants against nemesis Tailem Bend. We visited there earlier today. Neil and Derek looked after the Jervois bar. We had a good chat with them. It's a nice, modern clubhouse. The wheel is decorated in Jervois colours. They've had lots of Pennant successes. It's an extra-long green with nine rinks. Plastic synthetic. Spectators have good permanent shades. Outside is a great mural of a trucking company. MURRAY BRIDGE We stopped in at the two Murray Bridge clubs. First Murray Bridge BC. There's a nice bowls mural painted on a column. With three nice greens. Unusual around here. Next we came to Murray Bridge RSL Bowling Club. It has a nice memorial garden . With a lovely, big green. Four clubs was enough for us - besides, we had shopping to do! Jervois et al - four is enough!

So we're on our way back to WA! We've done regional Victoria (we'll nearly) and started our long western trek in Serviceton. Actually there was some confusion about whether Serviceton is in Vic or SA but we were proudly told by the locals it's in Victoria so its really our last in Regional Victoria!. They did say though the territory is disputed. It's a pretty little clubhouse . With lots of good memories on the wall. Members who have passed Jean's been chatting on Messenger with Jack for about two years. He told her we can park our caravan there. Jeff, President Leon and Jack were waiting for us when we arrived. The clubhouse was opened in 2004 with help from the Victorian Government, the Council and the Serviceton community. They got a Bowls Australia plaque for their 75th birthday. Jack told us they deliberately flood the green every year. The pretty garden is decorated with old bowls . There's one grass green. It looks nice. With nice fabric shades. Jack got us a mat and Jacks for a roll-up. Mal had a go. We were both a bit all over the place but he scored a resting toucher. Jean went out. Still all over the place but she got a couple. We weren't sure so Jean claimed shot! Mal scored again. It was a pretty hot day so we found some shade out the side of the clubhouse. We had no power in the van so Jean had to cook dinner on a chair under the patio. Dinner was nice - we're sure it tasted a bit rustic :-) So good to us at Serviceton!