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We're staying at Parilla which is 16 minutes from Pinnaroo. Pinnaroo is right on the Victorian Border. Pinnaroo Friday night is practice night (drinks night). We came for a roll-up. It's a little baby clubhouse. This is the original clubhouse. The walls are covered with successes. It was established in 1955. Life members and Pennants winners are proudly displayed. There's a little under cover area by the green. A memorial plaque which dedicates the seats. There's a nice big outdoor area the bar opens out to. Bill. Milko and Spider staffed the bar. Mal told them he's playing Pennants tomorrow at Parilla. They said " They're our nemesis! " They told us we should get a photo of " The greybeards. ". That's Milko and Spike. There's a nice grass green out the front. Next door is a little green that looks unused. With another full green out the back. The boys rolled up with us. It was a well-attended practice. Jean took to the mat. She got shot in a really tight head. Then...Mal decided to fix it. He took the kitty and went into the ditch. Jean got a beautiful resting Toucher. We had to get going because it looked like a thunderstorm. Before we left Bill gave us some Parilla potatoes which are sold in every supermarket. We'll think about Pinnaroo as we consume our potatoes!

We left Victoria this morning and arrived in Parilla S.A. just across the border. Our quarantine crossing was very easy this time because we ate most of the naughty things on Wednesday. Thursday is Parilla's pennant practice night. We came for a rollup and a feed. Sheralyn served us at the bar. The club's been here since 1960. They've had lots of success. Jean's been chatting on Messenger with Vice-president John. He showed us their new Roosters shirts. There's a well-used outdoor area. The town only has 160 people so it's fantastic to see the bowling club so well patronised. Jean had a good discussion with Gordon (Taff) and Barry. Taff told us all about the underground irrigation the town is famous for. A local farmer grows 70% of Australia's potatoes. It's a nice grass green. Surrounded by farmland. Steve the Greenkeeper looks after it well. Mal had to get his photo with Fred the President. He's 26 and has been bowling since he was 13. A little bit of gardening happens. The red fabric shades are nice. We rolled up for Thursday practice night. Andy and Hoseclamp joined us. They are Dutch and club members can't pronounce his name. He's stuck with Hoseclamp. We were so excited to walk here from our free-camp we forgot our bowls so used club bowls. Mal went first. Jean usually bowls with Threes. She tried blue Zeros. She forgot her stick. Jean gave up. Mal kept rolling up with the boys. There were lots of people here. Everyone was having a great time. John told us they have a tournament ' Hentley Farm Rump & Red '. It's always sold out. It costs $25 to enter. The winery (Hentley Farm) provides loads of wine and everyone gets a rump steak lunch and as much wine as they can drink. We stayed for Thursday night dinner. We got our $10 tickets - used cheque stubs! John and Scarley put the barby on. We played ' Closest to The Ditch' for a bottle of wine. We didn't win. :-( Then it was dinner time. We're going to Geranium on Saturday. Christina and Magpie are from there. They are playing Pennant at Parilla on Saturday. Parilla likes to show the Geranium people their trophy that Parilla has won the most. Fred presented us with newly minted badges. We had such a good time we didn't want to leave. We had to go to get back to the caravan before dark. As we left Jean gave Fred Mal's number in case they needed players for Pennant on Saturday. Just as we arrived back Tom (Hoseclamp) rang to say someone had pulled out and to ask if one of us could play. We told them Mal would sub for them. Let's play Pennant for Parilla!

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.