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We've stopped at Underbool for three days to do a couple of clubs around here. We came in for afternoon drinks with the locals.. It's a little baby clubhouse. Ray opens up the club every afternoon at 4pm. He's 98 years old and has been bowling for 62 years. He still plays Pennants as Second in the Threes. He won a Singles game yesterday. He told us he was Secretary for 35 years - RW Gloster. Ray told us the clubhouse was built a few years ago. There's an under cover area. We assume they put chairs out when they have an event. There's one old plastic synthetic green. There are nice permanent shades with artificial grass which looks good. We're parked at the Rec Reserve. You can just see our caravan over the way, past the netball courts. Underbool is a teeny weeny town. The pub and general store are all boarded up. The bowls club is the only watering hole. Ray said they don't expect many locals here tonight because it's harvest. The guys told us to check out the Men's toilet. The idea came from an X-rated newspaper called 'The Kings Cross Whisper . We stayed three days. We came back on Wednesday for our roll-up. Jean took her turn. Jean did best going back toward the clubhouse - against the wind. Mal was determined. He scored a two. Again at the clubhouse end - Jean did ok. Mal did a beauty. Jean said " But I got second and third!" Mal replied " Yes but they don't count!" We came back in the afternoon for our third day of drinks with the locals. We said our goodbyes and prepared to go to South Australia. Lovely locals at Underbool.

We're staying at Underbool so thought we'd take a 40 minute drive to another tiny town - Murrayville. It's just under 30km from the border with South Australia. It's a Tuesday so there's nobody about. We peeked through the window. The club was opened in 1962. The clubhouse 1972. There's one grass green. We didn't roll up because Mal thought it needed a mow. There are nice fabric shades. The owl and the pussycat protect the green. We had to drive back to Underbool so didn't stay long. Nice little club for the little town of Murrayville.

We're on our way to north-west Victoria and south-east South Australia. Tonight we'll camp at the Underbool Rec Reserve near the bowling club but we stopped off on the way to check out Ouyen. We're glad we did - we met some nice people. It's a nice little clubhouse. With a shady place under solar panels. We liked the Bert Latta Memorial Path. There are two greens. One is grass and the other is plastic synthetic. There were players on Green A. It's the DJ Doug Anderson Green. Today is Monday Pennants day. Division One Ouyen was playing Red Cliffs where we've visited. Some of the Ouyen players said they'd seen our blog. Lots of them had a chat with us while they played - very relaxed and friendly. We showed our Red Cliffs blog to Red Cliffs players. They explained the town is pronounced 'O-yen'. We met Geoff who helped us fill our van with water and gave us lots of useful information about Underbool and other clubs around here. The players suggested we have a roll-up. We weren't sure because they were playing Pennant but they were cool about it. Mal went first. First end he did ok. It was Jean's turn. She didn't think she'd get a photo until nearly the end. She scored two. Then Mal cried out " Yay! Full count to me! " We said goodbye and toddled off to Underbool. Ouyen - very glad we stopped!

When we were in this region in March 2023 we did all the clubs around Swan Hill. We met people from Tooleybuc and Manangatang at a tournement at Racecourse club . We didn't get this far north on that trip so came back to check them out. MANANGATANG We drove first out over the border from Tooleybuc to Manangatang - a cute little Victorian club. What a sweet little clubhouse! Outside is a nice shaded area. There's one really nice grass green managed by two volunteer greenkeepers. There are good permanent shades on two sides. They were playing Pennants against Swan Hill Racecourse where we've been. They were all very friendly. Secretary Sue introduced herself and said she's been following the blog. We loved their ear of wheat shirts. So much so we each bought one. Sue looked after us! Sue pointed out President Lindsay. Of course Mal had to get a photo. Hank told Jean he managed the Tooleybuc Sporting Club a few years ago and was responsible for battling with Council to get caravan parking there. Thanks Hank! We'll proudly wear our Manangatang shirts! TOOLEYBUC We've parked our caravan back across the border at Hank's Tooleybuc Sporting Club but there was nothing going on when we arrived. They have caravan parking. It's free to camp with no power and $20 for power. We paid. For a small town, it's a decent-sized clubhouse. It's mostly about golf. Out the back by the green is a nice outdoor area. Inside the front door is 'Old Man Emu', There are two nice grass greens. This is the top green. There are big and small permanent shades. We're staying two days. We wanted to wait and see if there's any social bowls on Sunday. There wasn't? Crossing the border for Tooleybuc and Manangatang!

Last time we were in this region in March 2023 we had a roll-up at Kerang . For some reason we didn't come to Kerang Golf while we were here. When we were at Gunbower last weekend we met some folks from Kerang Golf who invited us to the Terry White Chemist Triples tournament on Thursday. It's not really a clubhouse - more like a shed. This is the main golf clubhouse. There's a good under cover area. Jim looked after the money. Everyone stood around for a chat. We popped back in to Cohuna on Wednesday while they played post Melbourne Cup Pennants and we met Marlene from Golf who will be our partner in the tournament. It's Triples today. Three games of three bowls - eight ends. Robbo, Mark and Gary were our first game opponents. There are two nice-looking grass greens. We played on 'A' green. It's the Ian Westland Green. Jean got shot early on. We were down then Mal took the kitty for one and consolidated. Jean got three, Marlene had two then afterwards Mal came in for six. We won out first game 11-5. The six really helped! Our second game was against Fonzie, Noel and Mick. Mick moved the kitty. Skip Mal called Jean to draw on the backhand. She succeeded with a Toucher! We won again by ten and came up against Sonia, Jim and Bryce - the McLeish family. They'd had two wins as well. Mal was happy with Jean's two Touchers and a back bowl. They needed four to win. They had four and Mal came in and took second shot. Jim drove and took Mal out. They got six. We came in to the main clubhouse for sandwiches. Oh so close at Kerang Golf!

We've been all around Barham the last few days. When we were at Gunbower the other day they told us Barham has a good Melbourne Cup bowls day so we rang up and got our names down. It's a pretty big club. It's an RSL which amalgamated with the Barham Bowls Club. The bowlers have their own area out the back. Outside is a nice entertaining area with comfy chairs. Garry looked after the money. Mark and Sue managed the Cup sweeps. John Hamilton is from Wakool. He knows Jean's cousin Sherryn and they discussed how they may be related as Jean's Grandma was a Hamilton. It's a great uniform with the bridge on The Murray. There are two Tiger Turf greens under cover. The only synthetics in the region. We played on Green A. Today it's Triples. Three games of eight. Jean played with President Steve. A pair against a triple. First game was against David. Graeme and Linnie. Mal was with Phil and Denise. Against Spike, Jenny and Glenda. They started with a competition. With one foot in the ditch bowl closest to the opposite ditch. Jean and Steve started with a four. Mal complained about his bowls but scored shot. Second game Steve and Jean played Jenny, Ken and Ray. Jean continued to bowl well. Mal was against Dale, Lyn and John. Mal reckoned he didn't get close to the kitty all game. Jean snapped one. Jean won two. Mal had a win and a loss. Last game we played each other. Mal got his shot with the President. It started to bucket down with rain. We were safe under cover. Mal creamed Jean. We came in for lunch. Burgers, sausages with salad. They gave us some lovely Barham glasses and bowls cloths. Jean spent $15 on bets and got $14 back! Mal was ready to leave so forgot to pick up our $5 sweep winnings. We're happy to donate it back to the club! Melbourne Cup fun at Club Barham!

Pyramid Hill is another tiny Victorian town in the Loddon Shire. It has about 500 people and a beautiful bowling club. We've come today for a rollup. The clubhouse was opened in 1968. It's a little tiny room. Jean first spoke with the very helpful Jan who gave us contacts for Boort Bowling Club. Jan put Jean on to President Marie. Marie was very proud of the PHBC sculpture she arranged. Nearby the old roller sits proudly. We were fascinated by the mural with realistic figures. Marie painted that and other decorations around the club. There are two really nice-looking grass greens. We rolled up on the front green. It's the Alf Pickles Memorial Green. Marie told Jean the club only has about 25 members who work hard to keep the surrounds in top shape. The rose garden is particularly nice. The forecast was for 35 degrees today so Jean thought we'd better get started. Mal said " You scored one but I knocked you up! " " Yeah, right. " Jean replied. Mal was determined to better that. He said " No that's how Number Ones should bowl! " We were a bit all over the place but Jean was happy with her weight - mostly. Mal did his best to get himself a Resting Toucher. He almost made it! At least it touched. It was already 32 degrees at 1pm so we thought we'd better go back to our nice cool caravan. Hot stuff at Pyramid Hill!

We were told by our new mates at Cohuna that the folks at Gunbower are great fun. We came to watch Saturday Pennants and maybe roll up. It's a little tiny clubhouse. With a fine array of achievements. The passed members' badges are a nice touch. The club has a small under cover area out front. One of the guys told us about a video of the club that Bowls Vic did: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AEUzf36ct/ There are two nice-looking grass greens. We rolled up on the first green where they played Pennants. We wondered who Chicken was. The permanent shades are quaint. President Kel and long-time Secretary Marg were in the kitchen making sandwiches for Pennants. Of course Mal had to get a photo with the President! Marg's son Bill is the Greenkeeper and skips in Division One. Jean's been talking with Pete on Messenger. He told us we could park our caravan at the club. We wanted to get out for our roll-up before the Pennant players arrived. Mal stepped out. Jean thought she had shot but alas Mal had stolen it. Jean found the quick green tough. She had to wait until the last end to get a photo of her shot. She got a full count! We finished our roll-up around 1pm just as the Pennant players turned up. They played Division One today against Kerang Golf where we haven't been yet. We met Marlene from Kerang who gave us all the juice about their club. We'll be there in eleven days for social! They were quite the spectacle in all their blues. We enjoyed watching the Gunbower Pennants. Great bowls played! LEITCHVILLE We just love little old Victorian country towns. Leitchville is no exception. We stopped in to check out the bowling club. We saw they are 111 years old! There was nobody around so through the window we got a shot of the clubhouse. There's a wide under cover area outside. There are two grass greens. We're told by Gunbower people one of the greens is a bit difficult. The one outside the clubhouse needs some repair. The permanent shades are nice. A nice time at Leitchville and Gunbower in the Victorian countryside.

We're very happy to be on our way to north-west Victoria. We've stopped in Cohuna for a roll-up and a home-cooked meal. It's a tiny little country clubhouse. The honour boards are impressive. There are impressive permanent shades. Jean's been talking with Barbara via Messenger. She told Jean there's practice on Friday night and the ladies cook a $10 meal. Jean said " We'll be in that! ". When we arrived Jean called in to see her. Trevor and Ursula served us at the bar. The seats are donated in memorium. The garden is lovely. There are three grass greens. The middle green is nice. The bird protects. We walked over from the free-camp. Everyone was so friendly. Tania called us over to roll with her. We were against Ian and June. Mal started well. Jean raced down because she was certain she had shot. Alas Ian pipped her. Jean felt better when she scored two. Mal did a beauty. Jean nearly got him. We came inside. Everyone was ready for dinner. We sat with Ian and friends. They told us Johnny Farnham got his first gig here in Cohuna. It's being remembered tomorrow night at a concert for the town's centenary. Dinner was Chicken and salad. We met Stephen the President. He gave us a shirt. Jean went to say goodbye to Barbara. The ladies snuck her a piece of passion fruit sponge. Cohuna - we felt so welcome!

We're staying in Mulwala on the Murray for a couple of days. Yarrawonga is a stones throw away across the river. We've come for an evening tournament. It's a tiny little clubhouse with friendly natives. When we were at Yarrawonga-Mulwala Golf on Tuesday, one of the Pennant players told us they have a Wednesday evening tournament. We came to Yarrawonga and met Evelyn who said they are a team short. She found us a third and put our names down. The guys were relaxing after a hard Pennant game. There are two synthetic greens. This one is flat carpet. They've just spent $25,000 on new lights so they're having the tournament to test them out. The other looks like Tiger Turf. Evelyn found us Eugene who reckons he's a gun bowler! WEDNESDAY We got a sad call at lunchtime on Wednesday to say a team had pulled out and they had to cancel our entry. We were a little sad. Missed out at Yarrawonga.

Mulwala is on the NSW side of The Murray and Yarrawonga is in Victoria. They are very close to each other. We came to tick off some we haven't done yet. CLUB MULWALA Out the front is a great old RAAF plane. We were hoping to get a game but forgot about Tuesday Pennants. There are two grass greens. They played Pennants on the bottom green. This is the top. The TW Mullarvey green. They were at home against Corowa And Howlong. YARRAWONGA-MULWALA GOLF The Golf club is just a block away from Club Mulwala in NSW. Golf bags everywhere. A Lyre Bird sauntered around. It's a big club. It even has a cinema! There are two grass greens. They are proud to be the Border club. They'd played today at home against Yarrawonga. One of the guys told us two of the ladies are Australian champions. Third left and fourth right. The Yarrawonga guys told us there's a Tournament there tomorrow night. We'll check that out! Nice to visit the border at Mulwala and Yarrawonga Golf!

We're in Albury for a couple of days on our way to the NSW Central Coast for a party. We stopped in at North Albury Bowling club on Saturday and found out they have social bowls on Sunday morning. We put our names down. We liked the 'Life Members Bar' in the clubhouse. Former committees adorn the wall. There's a little outdoor area off to the side. Hard to catch the Hoppers flag! Frank's Retreat has lots of good plaques. There are two nice grass greens. This is the top green. It's the Alexander Collins Green. North Albury is the home of 'The Hoppers'. There's a cute little wind sock. Des asked why we were taking photos. We explained about our trip and the blog. Jim came up to say hello. He rememered us from when we met him at Tumut. SUNDAY Titch and David looked after the draw. We played together. Against Butch and Des. It was Jean and 11 blokes. A lot were away. Too tired after Pennants yesterday! Mal was bowling well but kept knocking up their bowls for shot. We were down eight-zip. Jean finally got a couple in. We managed a three. Mal got shot. We dropped a five then a seven. No coming back from that! Jean snuck one in. We came inside for drinks and interesting conversation. Bowl with the Grasshoppers at North Albury.