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We found out on Messenger that Thursday night at Bruthen is Barefoot Bowls and dinner. We can't stay for that but came along at 4:30 so we could meet some members. It's a little clubhouse on the hill. Over the years they've had lots of success with Pennant teams. There's one nice grass green. With sturdy permanent shades. Treasurer Greg was rolling up. Greg introduced us to Secretary Don. We rolled up. The green really suited Jean. Mal did his best. He had trouble with grass - bowls going narrow every end. He managed two good shots after a few goes. He got the hang of it. If nothing else he bowled consistently. Jean thought Mal had shot. She was pleasantly surprised! We met Les and Sandy the Cooks. Tonight they've done Chow Mein and curry sausages. Jean met Ali who she's chatted with on Messenger. Sandy introduced us to Len (Knuckle) who is the club President. There were helpers in the kitchen preparing the dinner. We got some drinks and sat and chatted with the very friendly locals. Bruthen - such a friendly club!

We met Darren the Paynesville greenkeeper at our caravan park on Sunday. He told us there's a special day on Thursday but we can come for bowls Wednesday morning. Here's Darren from Sunday. Everyone at Paynesville was very friendly and they all know Jo the Manager of the caravan park. It's a small, light and airy clubhouse. With a pleasant outdoor area under cover. They were Division Three winners last year. They turned 50 in 2016. Someone's done a great job of the succulent garden surrounds . Darryl, Liz and Sandy were on the office. There are two greens out the front And one at the back. A wise policy we think to stop people walking the green with beer. They read out the game rules. Today it's Scroungers. Two games of eight ends. We started with a game of Spider. Jean got closest And won $5! Rink 19 was Sandy, Bill, Jean and Jenny. On 17 was Colin, Joe, Mal and Glenys. Jean got a four-pointer. Then Mal did. We both scored 23 in the first game. Second game Lyn and Judy joined Jean and Bill. Lyn is the older sister of Jo from the caravan park. Carol and Jo joined Mal and Glenys. Jean almost touched for four. Mal scored well. 2nd both games . We both did ok. We came inside for drinks. Jean got $15 for third runner up. Mal got his $20 green fees back from Jean. Lyn told Jean Bairnsdale Golf is on our way home so we decided to stop off and check out the bowls. There are two grass greens. This is the top green . The A.S. Archibald. We were keen to get back so didn't have a rollup. Great company at Paynesville.

We're staying at the caravan park across the road from Lakes Entrance Bowls Club. We found out that the Manager Jo is a keen bowler here and just came back from Regionals in Ballarat. We walked over when we arrived on Sunday to check the club out. We asked the boys and they sent us to Geoff who explained what to do to play tomorrow. There's a nice, big outdoor area by the greens. There are two Pennants flags from Divs 1 and 2 last year. They can only keep the flag for a year and have to give it back. Back on Monday it was Dennis and Mike in the office. There are two carpet synthetic greens. The front green looks nice. The Antoon Van Der Bruggen Green. They got some help with the surrounds. It's sixteen ends of three-bowl triples. The teams were on the board. There were enough players for two greens. Jean played lead with Jeanette and Peter Against Geoff, Joe and Angel. Mal played Second with Rod and Bill Against Graeme, Greg and Heather. Jean was happy to get up the other end and find her two shots still there. Mal's phone wasn't working so Jean had to run over to the other green to get a picture of Mal's shot bowl. Jean wasn't having a great day so was shocked to find she had three shots. Jean asked Mal " Do you have any photos of your good shots? " He replied " I'm the Second. It's my job to take them out! " Last end his skip said " Knew you could do it! " We came in for the raffle and presentation. We didn't win anything but had some great conversations with our teams and opponents. Lakes Entrance - another good Triples game.

Jean's been in touch with Cheryl at Bright Bowls Club via Messenger to find out about social bowls. They have Saturday bowls on outside Pennants season. She gave us a number and Mal phoned our names in. It's a little clubhouse with wood panelling. There's been lots of official visits. The club's very old. They had some upgrades in 1998. It's $2 for a rollup. We think that's OK. We met Cheryl who stood with Mal under the 125 years sign. We ran into Terry who we met at Myrtleford the other day. There are two grass greens. The front one is closed at the moment. It's all volunteers here. They were preparing the green when we arrived. It's named after them. There are nine of us so three pairs and one triple. Two games of ten ends. Jean was with Cheryl Against Peter and Jock. Mal was in the triple with Bill and Otto They played Terry and Bill. Jean started to work it out. As did Mal. Second game we swapped opponents. Jean got a Resting Toucher. Jean missed Mal's great two shots, that Bill said were the bowls of the day, because she had to bowl her bowl. She had one photo with Mal's bowl in it. That will have to do. We had some wins and losses. We came in for drinks and a chat. Nice game and nice company at Bright.

We were curious about Beechworth as we hadn't heard anything about it from other clubs. We drove over to take a look. The cute little clubhouse was open when we got there.. We called out and found committee member Keith He told us he's been bowling since 1972 and spent over 80 years in Beechworth. He said Beechworth has over 50 bowling members and good social membership. He was sweeping ready for a wake tomorrow. There are a couple of proud Pennants in the clubhouse. With recognition of women's bowls and a bell for 90 years. There are two greens. One is grass out the front. The back green is a nice synthetic. It's named for the club's centenary 22 years ago. Jean went first. Results were ordinary. Keith asked if he could join us. We were delighted to include him. Mal had three shots. Keith decided to do something about that! Mal was doing Ok. Jean put a couple in. We had a nice little rollup at Beechworth!

We're staying in Myrtleford so we dropped in to the Myrtleford Bowling Club when we arrived on Sunday for a look. SUNDAY It's a nice little clubhouse. The boys were sitting watching the cricket. There's an impressive array of photos of the past Myrtleford Presidents. It has a nice little outdoor area. They were playing 2nd round of the B Grade Singles championship. We met Jon who showed us around. He said social bowls is back Wednesday. We're hanging out so raced to put our names down. There are two nice grass. WEDNESDAY Cheryl told us today it's two-bowl triples today. Three games of eight ends. We sat and chatted with Terry for a while. We met Lyndsay who rolled the green today. The green was all set up. It's the Eddie Dean Green. Jessie, Jean and Col Were against Barry, Les and Dawn. Mal, Annette and Graham. Played Bev, Peter and Geoff. There were five games in all. It was tough on the quick green. 2nd end Jean worked it out. Mal struggled but managed two shots. 2nd game we played each other. First end Jean's team had three but Mal cut one out. Mal finally got a toucher. Third game Jean played Dennis, Gwilma and Greg(from Bright). First end Jean touched. Mal was against Janine, Lindsay and Annie. He did a beautiful toucher third end. Mal had three wins, Jean lost. We came inside for drinks. They called the results. Mal came second. Nobody won the jackpot. Finally a post-Christmas game at Myrtelford.

On our way to Yackandandah, we passed by the road to Dederang. We'd seen on Google that the club was closed permanently but Tom told us they are still there and doing well in Pennant. We decided to drop in on our way back. Rosie was there when we arrived. We asked her what is her role at the club. She said: " I'm the caterer and general dogs body! " Rosie gave us a great account of the history of the club. She told us when they first started it was just a tent. Visitors would say " At Dederang you walk in with the flies and they're stuck in there! " There were a lot of flies! They've now got a shed they've fixed up. The club sign is made from old bowls. Rosie told us her Husband's brother-in-law Frank and his friend Ian started the club. Frank got on his tractor and ploughed the ground for the green. Lot's of locals helped out. Rosie said they are proud of their success. They went through all the old documents, made an honour board and put all the names on it. They've had some important visitors. They've had some other help along the way. They are putting together a grant to extend the clubhouse. What they desperately need is a toilet block. They have to walk over to the community centre. It would be good if there was a club out there somewhere that could help them out. Some talented club members built the shades. There's only one lovely grass green. It's all volunteers there - including the greenkeeper. The local Publican sponsors the club and will come to mow it tomorrow. There were so many flies we had to get the Bushman out. We weren't going to roll up but it looked so inviting. Jean went first. She did ok though her grass was a little wayward. She kept getting shot. When Mal had his turn He said he still had the muscle memory from Yackandandah . The green was very slow and he struggled with his weight. Jean did the same and sent his bowls back. He scored. Then he did it again. We're hoping a large bowls club with spare money reads this blog and decides to help Dederang out with their goal to get a a toilet block. If you want to help out Here's a link to Ovens and Murray regional contacts including Dederang. Dederang - let's get them some toilets!

We drove over to Yackandandah to see if there was anyone around to roll up with. When we arrived we met Tom who was practicing for the final of the club singles. We asked if he was the man in charge. He said " Right at this moment I am! " Tom introduced us to club Secretary Anne. He told her our story and said " But this is their first time in Yackandandah! " There's one nice-looking grass green. We liked the purple and gold seats. Tom told us those are the club colours. Jean had a go. She did ok. So did Mal. Mal tentatively put his bowl down. On a slow green Mal played tactics. He made it long and Jean lost the weight. He got a full count. It was close but Jean just pipped Mal. Jean didn't get enough photos of Mal's good bowls so she sent his bowls back. He came to the party. Yackandandah - a pleasant afternoon with nice company.

Our caravan is parked in Wahgunyah in Victoria but it's literally 500 metres from Corowa in NSW! COROWA CIVIC We drove over to Corowa CIVIC Bowls Club to check it out. The club is closed on Friday but the sign says it's open Saturday so we'll come back again then. We came back on Saturday and the club was still shut however the greens are amazing! There are five in all! There's a really big green that looks to be out. The others look in great nick. We found the mat/jack box but it was too hot to roll up! CLUB COROWA (RSL) We thought we might as well kill two birds so found our way to Corowa RSL - Club Corowa. It's a very big clubhouse. The lady at reception didn't know anything about bowls and said there's no bowls information here. We met Barrender Jordan who plays for the RSL Pennants team. He said he's in the top side and they're currently on top of the ladder. Jordan showed us how to go through the 'Toilets' door by the pokies to see the greens. We found the bowls information in the nice outdoor area. There are two good grass greens. The Wal Nixon Green up top And the Leo Farrell Green down below. It seems the ladies club started in 1991. It was way too hot for a rollup plus the mat and Jack boxes were locked so we went back to Victoria to our caravan. Hop, step and jump from Victoria to Corowa.

We're back near the NSW border and stopped in Rutherglen - the wine region to see the bowling club and have a rollup. Inside there are still Christmas decorations. There's a little barbecue area out the side. One green was closed. We liked the bowling ball access poles. Jean had a go. She did ok with three shots. Mal was determined to better her. Mal was all over the shop and getting cranky. He put some weight into it and took the kitty to him for two. Jean wasn't phased! After his first weighted shot he had to try again. It worked. Rutherglen - no wine for us but a nice rollup.

We drove to the little town of Moyhu to check out the bowls club. It's still Christmas holidays at bowling clubs so we didn't think we'd see anyone. There was nobody around - still Christmas holidays - so we got a photo of the tiny clubhouse through the door. A small mind suggested the other day we were trespassing if it's closed but we've always been welcomed after the fact wherever we go. There's a small outdoor area at the side with a barbecue at the back. There's just one synthetic green. There was not even a whisper of wind. Perfect for bowls! It's that black and green carpet kind. The sign says it's been down nearly 15 years. It has nice permanent shades. And a donated seat in memorium from 1986. We've rolled on this surface in Victoria before. This had black fluff on it but we decided to roll anyway. It was fine though grass was tough. Jean took her turn . On the club side her grass was fine. Mal put one down. He did well. Jean cried " How did all my bowls get over there? There's no wind! " Jean struggled a little bit but took shot. We were a bit all over the place when Mal grabbed it. That was enough. It was still quite hot. Moyhu - we enjoyed our rollup.

So we're back in Victoria again. We're staying at Tallangatta Showground so went for a quick drive to check out the bowling club. It's a tiny little clubhouse. Outside there's an under cover verandah overlooking the green. We got a photo outside the club. Out front bowls adorn the fence. And the planter boxes. There are cute little shades. The green is plastic synthetic which we've seen a lot in Victoria. It's the Geoff Barber Green. Mal said " It's 30 degrees. I'm hot and I've driven for hours. I'd rather not roll up. " Tallangatta - soooo good to be back in Victoria!