We had to drive a fair way for groceries so decided to kill two birds and do some Southwestern Melbourne bowls clubs on Pennants Saturday. LAVERTON First stop was Laverton where we were recognised. Our map photo. Everyone waited for Pennant to start. The ladies have won some things. Greenkeeper Don came running out and asked "Are you the travellers?" Jean's been chatting with him on Messenger. There are two grass greens. The back green is not used much. Buckley Park from Melbourne was rolling up. The Arthur Laidlaw Shelter is cute. ALTONA We drove East to Altona to see lots of clubs playing. We got the obligatory photo. The clubhouse is nice. Peter Mack's BBQ holds pride of place. The club has three greens. Two grass And one Tiger Turf There were lots of visiting opponents today from Yarraville, Altona Sports (our next stop) and Deer Park where we visited a few days ago. All greens were full. ALTONA SPORTS It's just a couple of kms up the road to Altona Sports. We weren't sure what to expect. We got our club sign photo. The clubhouse is big. It's decked out for Halloween which we don't recognise. There are two greens. One grass and one carpet. They were playing Grade Three from Hoppers Crossing where we visited a couple of years ago. The Hoppers have a new shirt now. ALTONA NORTH There was nothing happening at Altona North. It was all closed up so we just got our usual sign photo. We're told it will likely close NEWPORT There was Pennant on at Newport so we had more to see. It was raining so they all came in for smoko. They were against Point Cook Retirement Village. We had a chat with Mick from there. There are two grass greens. WILLIAMSTOWN Our last stop for today is Williamstown. Don at Laverton told us they may have Melbourne Cup Day bowls on so we thought we'd try to get our names down. We got our photo of the club sign. They were established in 1880. It's a tiny little clubhouse with lots of successes. There are two grass greens. There were three opponents today - Werribee (which has a new shirt Jean had to get for her late beekeeper father). Bacchus Marsh And Club Sunbury. We met Royce from Werribee who loved Jean's Boulder shirt because he grew up in Kalgoorlie Boulder. Williamstown - alas no Melbourne Cup bowls!

Mal's wanted to come to Deer Park for ages. He's met a lot of bowlers from here over the years. It's a big club with lots to see. There's a dome with a socialising spot for bowlers. A great trophy case. And even a bowls shop. With a Deer Park Dome welcome mat. Outside are two grass greens. Inside there are 1.5 carpet synthetic greens under the dome. They say "Fear The Deer"! We met Mark Casey who Mal played against years ago in the Weston Creek Summer Fours. Mal knows there are lots of great bowlers here. We forgot to photograph Mark. Jean's been thinking about new bowls for ages so Mark let us roll up with Henselite Tiger Twos which he said take grass, which is what Jean wants. Mal had a go with them. He found them heavy for size threes. Jean didn't have her bowling arm so had an analog shot. They really do take grass. Jean loved playing with them. We did four ends. By the last end we got close-ish. Mal couldn't leave without buying a Deer Park shirt and hoodie! Deer Park - the home of champions.

We're staying in the Lilydale caravan Park so went and put our names down for Monday bowls then promptly forgot. Mal came running up from the loo saying "Jean! We have to go to bowls. They just rang me!". We made it 5 minutes late. Donna welcomed us and showed us where to go. It's a nice little pokie-free clubhouse. There's a terrific outdoor are by the bottom green. There are three greens. This is the top one. It's old black and green carpet. We played our first game on the middle green which is Tiger Turf. Down the bottom is a brand new Tiger Turf - hardly used. Today it's two games of two-bowl Triples. Our team was Dwayne, Jean and Mal. Our first opponents were Joe, Shirley and Tony. They are the Lilydale Falcons. The seats are donated. It took us eight ends to work out the green. Mal made it 2 to 9. Then he put in a beauty when we were three down! The ditch markers are so cute! We caught up a bit but lost 6 to 13. We came inside for smoko. They have impressive scoreboards. Our second game was against Paul and Ada who we played at Mooroolbark the other day Jean started off much better this game. Mal consolidated. Don gave Jean a Lilydale badge for her hat. Then Mario gave her a personalised bowls cloth. Going in to the last end we were nine all. We scored two for a win. Drinks time! Mario wanted Jean to take a photo of the boys. Don, Mario and Marty. Mal won two raffles. The first was a bottle of premium wine. The second he got to pick a card. He jagged the Joker! Lilydale, thank goodness we made it!

It's Pennant Saturday so no bowls for us today. We decided to take a long drive to check out a few clubs in far Eastern Melbourne semi-rural region and hopefully see some good Pennant play. BORONIA First stop is Boronia where we got a nice welcome. We got our obligatory photo out the front. Peter came to welcome us and tell us a bit about the club. There are two grass greens. Today they have Sections 4 and 7 against Yarra Junction (where we've been) and Ferntree Gully where we're off to next. FERNTREE GULLY Pennants again at Ferntree Gully. We got there early so no play yet. Front photo again. There are two nice Tiger Turf greens. Today it's against Heathmont and Ringwood. UPWEY TACOMA Upwey Tacoma was a little bit unexpected. Seems like a nice club. Here we are again! The club was opened in 1929. The RP Southern Terrace looks relaxing. We met Rob who told us he used to live in Canberra - in the 60's. Impressive welcome mat. It's a pretty little clubhouse. All set up for Pennant smoko. There are two greens. On the top green it was Bayswater And on the other green was Donvale. Upwey Tacoma is black and gold. MONBULK We took a very pretty, winding (rainy) drive from Upwey Tacoma across to Monbulk through the Dandenongs we think. We didn't make it inside the clubhouse. But got our photo out the front. There's a great under cover area that goes all the way down! They have two Tiger Turf greens. Today they played Chirnside. It was the Ones so we saw some great shots played. EASTWOOD GOLF BOWLS Our last stop for today is Eastwood Golf Bowls Club. It was another nice drive with some mountains. Mount Dandenong It's a golf club. This is the main clubhouse. The bowlers have their own little clubhouse. Here's us there! Jean met and chatted with Graham, John and Arthur about our trip. There are two grass greens. Ringwood was the opposition. Mal had had enough of driving and hung out for a beer. Rural East of Melbourne - tired now- time to go home!

We've done all of regional Victoria so now we're starting in Melbourne. First cab off the rank is Mooroolbark in the East. First person we met was Geoff at the table. He'd put us all in to teams. It's a comfy little clubhouse. With a success board. And a sponsor donation. There's a great outdoor area with a lovely mural. And acknowledgement of sponsors. And a committed former member. There are three greens. Two grass And one is plastic synthetic. We played on the first green. The Jim Earney Green. It's two games of Triples - eleven ends. It was Dave, Jean and Alan Against Mal, Leo and Dennis. We were opposing Leads. That was fun! Jean started early with a toucher. Three ends to go Mal got shot. Jean claimed she nearly had him. It was 9 all going into the last end. Jean's team got a two for a win. We came inside for smoko. Jean had a raffle win. Second game Jean played against a team of four. It was Beverley, Bruce, Marg and Joe. Mal played John, Peter and Ray. Jean got in early again on the second end. Mal and Jean were on opposite sides of the green He refused to take photos of his bowls. Jean managed to run over and get a photo after the leads bowled. Mal drew, Jean's team won again on the last end with one shot. We came inside for drinks. They went searching for some things to remember them by. Everyone is so friendly. They reckon it's the friendly club. We were worried the city clubs wouldn't be as friendly as the country. Not so! Jean told the boys how hardly any clubs in Australia have greens named after women. Dave said "We do! Margaret was a fantastic club member." That made Jean very happy. Mooroolbark - definitely friendly!

We love being back in Victoria, even if it's just a day trip from Albury. Last time we were here we missed Wodonga so came today for a game with the ladies. It's a nice little clubhouse. With a great painting of the Foundation President. Sooo many Pennant shields! There are three nice grass greens. There are two out the back. We played on the front green. It's the Jack Dunstan Green. There's a little story about him. It's ladies' bowls day Thursday but men can play. We played together. It's 2-4-2 pairs today. We're against Mark and Alice who we played against at Avoca Beach. We won that day so it's a grudge match. Mal was having trouble with weight so wasn't near the kitty. Jean snuck one in. It's a measure but we got three. We got thrashed. That's what we call a great grudge match! It all finished at 12pm after only twelve ends. Wodonga - a good beating!

So we're back on the road after a family hiatus. Our first stop is Albury. We've been here before - last year. We visited Commercial Club but didn't get a game. We've come back for that. There are two nice carpet synthetic greens. Robin looked after the money. They put the teams on the board Pat, Jean and Vice President Kaye Played against Ron, Colin and Mal. Jean took first blood. Mal was bowling well, though 2 to 11 behind. Mal had two then Jean stole it. Bowls everywhere but Mal had it. It was so much fun. We chatted and chatted. Lots of people came over to meet us. Last end it was 16 all. Mal's team grabbed a shot for a win. We came inside for drinks. Commercial Albury - lovely people, great game!

Bungendore is 45 minutes from our home in Canberra. We've come today for Sunday afternoon social bowls. After this we'll have finally finished all the bowling clubs in Canberra. It's a little clubhouse. One can access the bar from outside. They've won a few Pennants The boys sit outside. Stu looked after social bowls. They weren't sure how many would turn up because the footy is on. They advertise Sunday Social on the website https://share.google/a8UCY6wHINkusVv9Ka and at the club. There's one plastic synthetic green. Last time we were here it was grass. The guys were playing round one of the club Triples. The green was opened in 1990. We left it way too long between visits! Today it's Triples. Mal, Colin and Jean Played Liam, Danielle and Mick. Jean was having so much fun she forgot to take photos of our bowls. She came in to give us four. The ladies came out to play Triples. Everyone was really chatty and friendly. It was warm with a slight wind and Aussie rock playing in the background. It was very pleasant. We ended up with seven then Dan put in the bowl of the day to take shot. Mal topped it for one. We got a six which put us ahead. We ended up winning 16 to 14. A close game with friendly people. Bungendore - what a pleasant day!

We've been off bowls for a while. Jean's Mum passed away in early August so we had to race down south to Nowra from Qld. We were there for a month then we came home to Canberra. Our first game back is at Queanbeyan. It's located at the council greens on the main drag. The clubhouse is tiny. There are a couple of nice trophies. Chris staffed the desk. The Collet family is recognised. Pat from Queanbeyan RSL chatted with Jean for a while about the state of ACT clubs. There are two plastic synthetic greens. This is the front green. We were overjoyed to see a rare green named for a woman. The Bonnie Spendelove Green. We played pairs together Against Leslie and Jeanette. On the green we met Elaine who was with Jean at Weston Creek. She's a member here now. Jean started really well first end. Mal held his own. Jean was happy with how she bowled. Mal just edged them out. It was a very close game with great company.. We eventually won 20 to 17. We went across the street to the old bowling club site - Campbell and George for post-game drinks with the ladies. We talked caravanning adventures around Australia. Queanbeayan - nice to be home again for a while.

We tried to come to Elliot Heads on Tuesday but we had a long drive from Woodgate and would get there too late. So they put our names down for Thursday afternoon. It's a nice country clubhouse that was taken over by Waves club in Bundaberg. It was opened in 1977. Steve, Lynda and Cherryl were in the office. Brian looked after the raffle. All the ladies sat around to wait for the game. Some of them were organising afternoon tea. Lorraine told Jean Elliott Heads has the best afternoon tea around. There are two nice grass greens. We played on the far green. The Foundation Green 1977. Inside there's a photo that shows three greens. The third one lies fallow. Steve called the cards. It's Triples. Deb, Jean and Gary We're against Scotty, Christoff and Helen. Sandra, Malcolm and Liz Played Lionel, Graham and Jenny There was a big head wind. Nearly everyone but Jean was short. After ten ends we came in for afternoon tea. Great spread! Mal won a raffle prize. We went back out for the last ten. Jean scored one. Jean lost and Mal won. Jean kept looking over for Mal's photoworthy shots but didn't find any. Last end he tried his best. Elliot Heads - alas, Jean lost again!

We came to North Mackay on Thursday to put our names down. We found out they have an 8:30 game on Monday so we did that. We put the alarm on to get up early. It's a nice, big clubhouse. We chatted with Jim and Alan. MONDAY Sandra the Ladies' Ambassador made us feel welcome and explained everything. Wayne and Shane were in the office. The club is called Goosies. It's next to the Goose pond. There are two under-cover Tiger Turf greens. We played on the outside green. Today it's 2-4-2 Pairs. We played together. Against new bowlers Barry and Peter. Mal started well. Jean gave us three. Then another. Mal was playing very well. Another four. We won 29 to 7. It was a bit unfair because Peter and Barry are both new bowlers. They bowled very well but had some bad luck! Jean's been after a purple club shirt. She doesn't like the Melbourne Storm shirt she has. One of the ladies was wearing a purple shirt. It's not a club shirt but it's nice. She gave it to Jean. Goosies North Mackay - fun for us.

Our mate Keiran invited us to come to Mackay RSL Memorial Bowling Club for Saturday bowls. It's a cute little clubhouse. The past Men's and Ladies' Presidents are proudly displayed. The club is decked out for Blue's 80th. He's a veteran and former President. We'd met Keiran when we were in Daly Waters. He gave us his number for when we came to Mackay. Keiran introduced us to President Steve who presented Mal with a shirt 👕. Jean asked Steve if the had a badge for her hat. He said no but found her a pen. Everyone sat outside to wait for the game. There's a memorial garden. There's one grass green. It's an RSL so the green is a WW2 memorial. There's an old green that's now used for Croquet. Today it's two games of three-bowl Pairs. Ten ends. Mal played with Jim Against Steve and Stacey. Jean and Otto Played Mark and Sandy. Jean was doing ok. Mal put in some good bowls. We had a short break after the first game and came in for great company and chats about local crocodiles and all the dangerous animals in Northern Qld. Second game Jean played Mal's first opponents - Steve and Stacey. Mal played against Tim and Keiran. Mal scored when others were a bit short. Mal won the first and dropped the second game. Jean and Otto won two and scored the prize. Slade Point RSL Memorial - we loved the people!