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It's Jean's turn now. We've had to stay in Canberra a few more weeks while we wait for our new caravan fridge to arrive. We decided to catch a bus over to Jean's club at Weston Creek for a Tuesday morning game. We had to bus it as our car was in for repairs. Tuesday is ladies' day but all days at Weston Creek have always been mixed. We waited for ages to get in (someone told us to be here at 9. We arrived at 8:47.) The club opened at ten. We were the only people here! After we'd been standing around for a couple of hours Jean shrieked " I forgot my bowling arm! " Three guys turned up so Jean suggested Mal roll up with them. It was Mal, Des, Phillip and Bruno for three-bowl pairs. Weston Creek has three greens. Two grass and one old synthetic. They rolled on Green 1 adjacent to the club. The W.N. "Sam" Hall Green. Mal skipped for Lead Phillip. Mal took shot his first bowl down. Mal was on fire! He did it again second end. Mal and Phillip were up 5-1 after four ends. With nothing better to do Jean decided to video Mal. He blitzed it! Mal does a schmick bowl! They were a full half ahead. Mal finished well. Mal and Phillip won convincingly. They came inside. Jean bought a round. Weston Creek - Jean's home and Mal wins.

We're at home for a while - enjoying our grandkids - which is why we haven't posted much. Today we came to Mal's club - Tuggeranong Vikings for a game of Wednesday Pairs. All Mal's mates were sitting for a chat. It's a nice little clubhouse below Vikings Club. Club champions are displayed proudly. We've said before that Tuggeranong has three greens. Two grass (for the moment) and one plastic synthetic. We played on the synthetic green. The Eddie Weatherall Green Wednesday used to be strictly Men. After amalgamation they introduced women however Jean was the only girl today. We played together Against Noel and Kevin. We lost the first end by five. Next end we had one when Jean knocked Mal up for two. We had two then Jean took kitty for three. We were two down and Jean put in a beauty for one shot. We lost it then Mal put kitty in the ditch for two. We were four down when Lead Jean drove one took shot. We won 27 to 14. We only played 18 ends. It being election time, our local member David Smith - Member for Bean - turned up for a rollup. Jean knows him from the Labor Party and they had a nice chat. He gave a nice speech about his involvement with the club. They drew the winners. We didn't win but our opponents got runners up. Tuggeranong Vikings - nice to be home!

Today is our last day in Victoria. We've stopped in at Mansfield for an early game before we head home up the Hume Highway. It's another lovely little country clubhouse. With a beautiful memorial for past members. And a gorgeous tapestry of lady members back to 1957. Champions and Presidents are displayed on the wall. Outside is a nice verandah which overlooks the grass green. We dropped in when we arrived in Mansfield on Monday. We met Daniel who's a signwrighter. He updated the honour boards. Just after 8 Tuesday morning we saw Alan and Denis look after the draw on the TV. Shane came to chat with us about travel to the Cape. He was here to clean the barby. Then we met Larry and Judy who are visiting from Mullumbimby. We'll call them when we visit there. The boys sat and chatted outside while they waited for the game to start. There are two greens. The back one is a plastic synthetic. The front green is grass. We played on that. It will be replaced soon with a nine-rink Tiger Turf and the old synthetic will be pulled up. It's the JA Lakin Green. Alan rolled it before the game. It's Fours today. Two games of ten ends. Mal skipped Jean, Christina and Denis. Against Harry, Mark and Brendan. They are the Mansfield Eagles. We had three rinks. As usual Mal was a great Skip. We were three down and he got us on the board. The green was slow. It took a bit of getting used to. Jean had two then Christina gave us two more. It was 9-all going in to the last end. They got 5. Our second game we played Phil, Pete, Anne and Larry. Again Christina consolidated Jean's two shots. Jean told Mal he had to do a photo-worthy bowl. He did a beauty but Jean was so excited she forgot to take a photo! We hardly won any ends that game so got flogged. We came in for a drink before we drove to Wagga Wagga. They all said we should vote Mansfield as the best club. It's close but still pipped by Alexandra. Mansfield - see you in November Victoria!

We came to Alexandra Bowls Club on spec, before heading to our accommodation, to see if they had Thursday social bowls on today. They don't but what they have is even better! We pulled up and met Bob the Bar Manager who arrived at the same time. He told us there's a tournament on the weekend and they are a couple of players short. We agreed to play within seconds of him asking! He took our names then said we can camp on the old green. It was a bit hard for Mal to get our big caravan on there so instead we parked in front of the shed. Bob guided Mal through the narrow gate then hooked us up to power and water. Instead of staying at the Alexandra Showground for one night - we'll stay for four nights here! It's another little country Clubhouse. With winners displayed proudly. There's a comfy looking outdoor area. Dave (Homer) the Greenkeeper came to introduce himself. Dave looks after the plastic synthetic green. The Lewis Green. Thanks to Victorian Gov't. They have Government help with the water. We assume it's an in joke on the wind sign. George Argent - Hooley Dooley! We had a ball hanging out with the locals on Friday night to prepare for Saturday. Jean said " I feel that Alexandra might surpass Skipton as our favourite Victorian club! " We met President Gilly. THE TOURNAMENT - SATURDAY We got up bright and early on Saturday for a 9am start. It's $70 per player. With 7 games of bowls four meals and snacks we think that's good value. Prize money is from the Calcutta. Terry sat at the door to collect Calcutta fees. We started with a Calcutta. Jean didn't know what that was so she just went with the flow. It was the best-organised Tournament we've ever seen. Every team got a bag. Each bag had everything we need. Stubby holders, bracelets, bowls stickers, pens, cloths, programme and Calcutta book. All the teams sat down to sort themselves out. There were teams here from Yea , Shepparton Golf , Yarra Glen and Whittlesea where we've been and Moonee Valley, Elwood Elsternwick we'll do in Melbourne in 2028. We went out to play. Today It's two-bowl triples. Four games of fourteen ends and three tomorrow. Mal was Homer's Second with Steve. They played first game against Bubbles, Ken and GI Jane. Gilly skipped. Jean played Second with Lead Mick who came from Yea. They were against Riley, Nathan and Brayden - young guns from Moonee Valley in Melbourne. Gilly says Nathan will be Victoria's next Skipper. The Tournament is called Murrindindi 2000 for the Murrindindi Shire. The first one was in 1997. They thought is would last three years. 28 years later they've kept the name. Jean had no chance against the guns. The score was 2 to 25! All she could manage was a couple of catchers! Mal had a much closer game. At least he scored a shot in his Alexandra shirt! His second game he was against Angus, Paul and Braiden from Elwood Elsternwick. Second game Jean played Andy, Doug and Roachy. Gilly's team was so excited to get more shots in one end than the whole first game score. Jean was over the moon with her two shots! Jean's rink had the best head of the day. Jean won but Mal lost. We came in for a lovely country lunch of Corned beef, ham salad and potato bake. Dessert was Apple Crumble and ice-cream. It got hotter after the lunch. We were expecting 34°. It was 32°. Jean played against Warnie, Curly and Athlete. Mal against Trevor, Pip, and Tim. There was Aussie rock music playing in the background. Everyone was singing along and having a ball. 2nd end Jean nailed it! Mick consolidated. The Zooper Doopers came out just in time!. Last game of the day Gilly played Graham, Brett and Ben. Mal and Jean both won two and lost two. Mal lost by much less than Jean's 20 to 30. We were so tired and sore after 56 ends of bowls we had no energy to take a photo of our barbecue dinner. All we got was a quick picture of the corner to corner shootout. SUNDAY Sunday started with breakfast at 8:30. We got ready for another 42 ends of bowls. Breakfast was tea with bacon, eggs, hash browns and Collingwood vs Port Adelaide on the television. Steve went home so Mal played today with Homer and Mal. Their first opponents were Mark, Beau and Liam from Yarra Glen. Jean was against Josh, Matt and Blake who are from Moonee Valley. It was raining. So welcome after yesterday! First bowl down for Jean was a wrong bias. She made up for it though. Likewise Mal up the other end of the green. Neither of us won our first game. Next game we played each other - opposing Seconds. First end Jean had two and Gilly consolidated. After a full count, Jean was up ten-zip. Jean had a lovely shot but Mal took the kitty back for three. Gilly got one back then. 11-zip. Mal's side had three next end. Gilly drove and split the jack! Dead end! They finally scored with three in the re-play. Mal had two shots. Jean said " Take that Mal! " Gill won 21 to 5! Mal won't live that down! We came in for lunch. This time roast lamb & pork. Dessert was Sticky Date Pudding. Chris, Levi, Marie and Rose fed us beautifully. Over lunch it pelted down! The boys decided to play on it. They to call it. They tallied the results. Mal's (Homer's) team got best Saturday team. At the end of the day we think Alexandra has not only eclipsed Skipton as Victoria's best club, it's now Australia's best bowling club! We came in for a well-deserved drink. We believe this was the best tournament we've ever been in. They're never sure when it will be run. If bowlers want to play in it they can contact President Gilly (Greg Gilmore) on 0411 605 732 or gillygilmore60@hotmail.com . Alexandra - we think we're honorary members now!

When we were at Berwick on Saturday Marshy rang Foxy from Narre Warren to get our names down for Wednesday bowls. It's a proud club. Pennant wins are displayed likewise. The clubhouse was opened in 1987. It's a small clubhouse. Mates were all sat around for friendly chat. We met Arthur and Kerry at the table. Foxy was the person Marshy rang for us. The barbecue area welcomes us to 'The Pantherdome'. The two carpet greens are under a big dome. It was two-bowl triples. Five rinks in all. Mal, Jean and Joe Played Ula, Ray and Stan. Today's winners are ends won so we only ever need one shot. Jean took kitty and did it. Stan told us all the Panthers lost yesterday in the finals. We saw them at Cranbourne. We noticed some of the seats are donated in memorium. Jean snuck in two. We lost by eight. Second game Jeantold Mal it was his game to win. We played Hans, Ernesto Len/Leo. Len and Leo bowled alternate ends. We lost by an embarrassing score. It was because Mal didn't get near the kitty all day - but for his final two bowls of the day! We came in to commiserate. Despite his poor performance Mal said " I enjoyed that! " Over the bar it says " Group Therapy "! After our dismal performance Jean was asked to draw Winning Lead. She drew herself! We left with our tails between our legs but with smiles on our faces. Narre Warren - well some people had a win. Not us!

We dropped in to Cranbourne on Sunday. There was nobody around. Jean found a number for Secretary Karen who told us there's no social bowls during Pennant. She told us the Sandbelt Pennant Finals are here Tuesday. We came for a sticky beak. It's quite like all the other small clubhouses we've seen only loads of awards on the walls. All the Pennant players were on a break when we arrived. An impressive sight. There have been lots of Pennant successes over the years. There's a painting of club stalwart Robbie. We met him when we were here on Sunday. There are two nice outdoor areas which overlook the greens. The barbecue area is dedicated to Ray. The Indigenous Plant Garden is pretty. Brendan is a selector at Edithvale. He's doing the scoreboard for the Fives. There are three greens. A plastic synthetic and a grass out front. The Pennant players were playing on the front grass green. The Hans Worsteling Green. There's another grass green out the back. We liked the little bowls sculpture. There weren't many Cranbourne people around. They were at Burden Park watching players. We spied Treasurer David. Mal stood and chatted with him about all things bowls and commented on the good shots played. Jean met Karen who Mal had called Sunday. Karen told Jean that Sandbelt Region only plays Pennant Finals on grass greens. Then she stood and chatted with Michael, Peter and Bruce from Cranbourne RSL. Pennants played were Division 5 Cranbourne RSL vs Edithvale And Div Four was Edithvale vs Narre Warren. We decided to have a quick rollup on the grass green out the back. Mal was keen. The green was a little slow. It suited him. Jean went out nervously. It was touch and go but she got it. Two again for Mal. Jean said " One's enough! " It was a bit hot so we finished and took off. Cranbourne - good bowls, nice people

Jean has been in touch with Belvedere via Messenger. We couldn't make it on their social bowls day so turned up on spec on a Monday to a nice surprise. They were all there for Mixed Pairs. It's a small clubhouse but nice. There's an impressive trophy case. First person we met was Kevin. Lil introduced Jean to Mal who seemed to be in charge of everything. Lindsay asked what we thought of the green. We found out Mal is the President. Mal had to get a photo with him. The two Mals. There are three greens. Two are grass. When we arrived they were just finishing the mixed Pairs on the synthetic. We were going to roll up on it but they put mats out for us out the back on the grass. The synthetic is the Barrie Charles Green. Jean stepped out onto the grass. The slower green really suited her. Jean had two before Mal took one out. Mal had a go. Jean had one and Mal put it in the ditch! Jean liked this green. Mal was doing fine! We came inside. David, Jim, Janice, Mick and Lil were having post championship drinks. We joined them along with Julie, Ann, Ken and Lindsay. David was proud of his Belvedere Bulls shirt. We had to drive 40 minutes back to Berwick so said our goodbyes and were wished safe travels ahead. Belvedere - a good grass rollup!

We're camping in Berwick. We saw on their website that outside Pennant season there's bowls at Berwick Bowls Club on Saturday. We turned up and found out it's Finals day today but they still have Social Fours on today. For those non-Victorians it'spronounced 'Berrick'. It's a decent-sized clubhouse. There are loads of Pennants successes on every wall. Outside is a nice outdoor area under sails. We arrived at 11 because we didn't know what time it started. We figured we'd either get to play second game or have a long wait. We met Reg, Marshy and Bruce at the table. Out front is a pretty fountain. There are three greens. Two are grass. The other is a Tiger Turf under a dome. The R&L Cotter Green. Malcolm and Charlie were rolling up. David (The Rat) and Mal then rolled up. David turned on the big scoreboard for us. The shelters are donated in memorium. There's just one rink/game with Bruce, Trevor, Marshy and Mal Against Reg, Jean, Don and Bob. They have a picture of the clubhouse on the back of their shirts. Mal had shot until Jean took the kitty. Then she knocked out the shot bowl for one. She said " I've done my bit now! " Mal said " Finally! I did it! " He said " I got excited becauseI did it again! " He stole shot from Jean. Mal won 8 to 4. Nice guys at Berwick!

We left Somerville yesterday and arrived in Berwick. Today we've driven 40 minutes to Chelsea on the coast for a game of Triples. It's a cute little clubhouse. Members erected the clubhouse in 1962. Mal had rung Secretary Jim to get our names down. He told us to look out for Alan. We met Alan and Maureen at the table. There's one plastic synthetic green. The Kevin Savage Green. It was Alan, Jean and skip Mal Against Donna, Maureen and Lisa. We had four rinks. Three of Three-bowl Triples and a championship Singles game. They were all very happy; congratulated bowls on other rinks and helped new bowlers. First end we did ok. A nice tight head. Mal took the shot. Second end Jean got one. Alan consolidated. We won convincingly. Our second game was against Kathy, Steve and Kay. Sam and Ian were exhausted from their Handicap Singles game which Sam won. Second end again Jean scored well. Jean said to Kay " You really like my bowls don't you! " Her black bowls knocked Jean up three times! Mal did loads of great skip shots but the good results didn't include his bowls. We won again though our opponents put In some ripper shots to be 6 to 10. Chelsea - a very happy club!

We saw Somerville play in the Mid-week Pennant Finals in Karingal last week. A couple of the guys told Jean about Thursday social bowls so we decided to check it out. SUNDAY We dropped in on Sunday to see what's what. There was a championship game on so we took a little peek. There are lots of Pennants successes on the wall for all to see. Flags under the bar. In the Ladies is a painting of the original clubhouse and green. We'd met Rob and Brian at the Pennant Finals when we were at Karingal . TUESDAY We came back on Tuesday to camp. We found a great spot next to the bowling club and near the water source. Mal worried about backing under a branch. Jean measured its height and said it was fine. It wasn't. We lost our aerial and got stuck on the vent. President Ron was at the club and heard Jean shriek. He came out with Brian to help They brought us a ladder and a 15 amp lead for us. The championship was a Fours game. After our caravan trauma it was nice to relax with some entertainment! Jean told them " Mal's going to want to buy your shirt because it's Parramatta colours! " Brian said " No. I've got two shirts for you! " The bowls were very good to watch. We got beer and wine and just relaxed! THURSDAY There are two Tiger Turf greens. With good colorbond shades in between. The front green is nice. Good speed. It's the Fay McIntosh Green. Fay was an original member. She's still a non-bowling member and is now around a hundred years. Chris and Trevor looked after the draw. We were running a bit late so they were all waiting for us. They were all very friendly and welcoming to us. Chris called the cards. It's two games of Three-bowl Triples twelve and ten ends with lunch provided. It was Gordon, Jean and Skip Mal. Against Brian, Chris and Rowdy. It was super fast. Jean was overjoyed she managed to get two shots. We were down and Mal snuck one in. We got smashed! Our second game we played against Mick and Trevor. First end we were down three and Mal came in for two. Jean saved us from three down. We got killed again! We came inside for a drink before taking off to Berwick. Somerville - so glad the company was great!

We're camped at Somerville Bowls Club so today we drove 20 minutes to Mt Eliza to get a game of Triples. Mt Eliza had two Mid-week Pennants wins at Mornington Civic Tuesday. It's a light airy clubhouse. They seem to be the Pelicans. The trophies are interesting. Duncan and Fred looked after the draw. David, Gordon, Dennis and Norm were interested in Jean's Hughenden shirt. We're told Tuesday night they have a community challenge with a Pelican trophy. There are two synthetic greens. They are flat carpet greens. Green One is named for the Foundation President whose name was Harry Lynch. The permanent shades are beautiful. They used to have old wooden ones. While they were being repaired five years ago there was an earthquake. One fell over on Ray who ended up in hospital with a collapsed lung. After a big battle insurance paid for new ones. The Pelican shows wind direction. Scoreboards are sponsored and donated. It's two games of three-bowl triples. 12 ends then ten. We played each other first game - opposing Seconds. Ross, Jean and Zelda Played Brian, Eric and Mal. Mal was right onto it first end. Jean tried her best. She managed third. We won't mention second. As usual by end six Jean worked it out. Mal said " How come you play like a champion when you're against me? " Julie came up and said " I don't think you qualify but are you around Tuesday to play in our 'Over 75's Tournament? " We said we're ten years short. She took our photo for Facebook. Jean won by four. Second game we changed teams. Jean was with Ross and Gordon. Against Gerry, Bernie and Dennis. Mal skipped for John and Duncan. His opponents were Ron, Paul and Peter. Mal did it again first end. Jean came down to inspect. She claimed it but it was disputed. Jean lost by one and Mal won by the same. Mt Eliza was very friendly.

Village Baxter is a retirement Village with a bowling green. We rang and asked if we could play Tuesday and were welcomed enthusiastically. The clubhouse is called 'The Green Room'. With a few Pennants wins & past Presidents. Len did the draw. Ron, Jan, Elaine, Mark and Helen were very interested in our trip. There's one plastic synthetic green. It looks like it's been down a while. There's a nice big sign in the corner. With hand-made duck frighteners. It's one twelve end game - Three-bowl triples. There were twelve players. We played with Clayton. Against Jan, Ron and Helen. It took two ends but Jean worked it out. Clayton knocked Jean up for shot then Mal came in with a Resting Toucher. He got a Mars bar for that. Jean tried to score a Mars Bar bit just missed. We were down then Mal upset their apple cart. By twelve ends it was getting early Autumn hot. We came in for drinks and awards. They gave us some shirts as a keepsake. We met the President Ron. We made new friends at Village Baxter.