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Dora Creek Workers is the closest bowling club to where we are staying with Jean's friend Jayne in Morisset. Jean wants Jayne to learn bowls so has invited her to come and watch today. It's a small but spacious clubhouse. It overlooks the footy oval. Fiona and Lyn looked after the money. There's a good barbecue area out the back. There are lots of memorials. A stone seat A wooden seat And for a former lady President on the fence. There's a plaque for the construction of the clubhouse. And for the 50th Anniversary. There's just one plastic synthetic green. The Jim Ward Green. Margaret is a former coach who introduces people. Jean will get Jayne to meet her after the game. We played pairs together Against Lawrence and Angelo. Jean struggled initially but then put a good one in. We were about 12 down after five ends and Mal saved the day. Jean decided to change sides. She did better. She got pushed out but Mal got it back. We were creeping up. We got a shellacking! Jean was just happy she worked out her grass! We came inside for drinks. They presented Jean with a badge for her hat. Mal won a lucky number draw. Dora Creek - a shellacking is an understatement.

So yesterday we got up too late. All the Monday bowls was on at 9:30 so we missed it. Mal got on the phone to Belmont and put Jean's name down to play with the ladies today. No mixed or Men's today. It was a 40 minute drive from Morisset where we're staying. We came in and met Jill, Cheryl and Robyn at the table. It's a nice-looking club. The ladies were sitting in the bowls area waiting for the game. They all welcomed Jean and were interested in our trip. There are two carpet synthetic greens under cover. They look nice. We played on the far green. It's a Golf and Bowls Club. There are nets around the greens to stop golf balls though one of the ladies told Jean two people have been hit on the bowling green with golf balls. It was two-bowl triples with Deb, Jean and Chris. Against Lorraine, Kerry and Helen. First end Jean didn't have to worry about bad bowls! Jean was the only person playing with a bowling arm. She did OK. As we played seven golf balls dropped very loudly onto the roof. Mal sat, watched and chatted with Billy. Then he rolled up with Mick and Dennis. There was great 70's music playing from the speakers around the green. Jean's team was a couple up overall then got three shots in - one each! Chris' team won 27 to 15. They come inside and spin the wheel. The winner with the highest number and the loser with the lowest number win for the day. We sat together for drinks. Bowls and thunderous golf balls at Belmont NSW.

So yesterday it poured down with rain so we couldn't go and roll up at Halekulani. We weren't going to miss out today so drove over to Gwandalan for a rollup . It's a decent sized club. There's an impressive trophy case. And nice photos of Pennants-winning teams. Everyone was really friendly from the moment we arrived. Hammo came up to Jean and said "So you know our Eileen." He was talking about Eileen from Bateau Bay They were playing the final of the Mixed Pairs. We had to wait until the game finished to roll up. Actually the greens were closed due over 100ml of rain yesterday but the Assistant Greenkeeper gave us special dispensation to roll up. He wouldn't let Jean take his photo. Everyone was here to watch the final. The club has two nice grass greens. We rolled up on the back green. We are staying in Morisset with Jean's dear old friend Jayne. Jayne came with us to try out bowls. Christine and Fred won. Christine is a good friend of Eileen from Bateau Bay and she loaned us her bowls so Jayne could roll up. Fred showed us his shirt. The Gwandalan Crabs. Country singer Shania kept us beautifully entertained. Mal stepped out. He has his grass right. The green was very true. Easy to work line out. Jayne tried it and put down a few good bowls. It was Jean's turn. She tried her best but Mal always pipped her. Cookie is the bowls coordinator who welcomed us and said he's been following us on Facebook. Everyone came up and chatted with us. So many Jean couldn't decide who to photograph. Gwandalan - such a friendly club!

We've been waiting to come to Bateau Bay since we met Eileen and Les at Weston Creek a month or so ago. We turned up for Wednesday afternoon Bowls. It's a very big club. When we arrived we met Dennis and Bob. Dennis is the Head Coach. Bob told us Dennis is the club welcomer. He told us to check out the book 'Perfect Bowls' by Peter Bellis. There's a sign on the office window "Beware of Bob." Dennis told us some stuff about the club. There are over 400 members. The dome is 2 years old. It is owned by the Wyong Leagues Group which has four bowling clubs. They are really supportive. In days gone by they had 1,000 members. Eileen and Les turned up and we had a lovely reunion. (Jean, Eileen, Les and Mal) The club has three greens. One is synthetic under cover. We played on that. We'd never noticed these lights before though we've probably seen them elsewhere. They shine upward so there's no shadow on the green. It's three-bowl triples. We played together. Mal, Jean and Bob Played against Alan, Barry and David. Barry is an ex-copper. 40 years on the job. He served at the same time as Jean's Dad but didn't think he knew Roy. First end Jean was over the moon. Not too close but shot (until Skip Alan bowled). Jean told Dennis about the troubles she's been having so he stuck around to watch her. She bowled brilliantly. He said his Dad was a mechanic and countless times people would bring their cars in with a noise that would be silent to the mechanic. He said "It's my coaching that's done it!" Dennis introduced us to President Kevin. He used to be an NRL Referee. Dennis regaled us with stories of Kevin's on-field exploits. Mal also had a good game. He was on the kitty most ends. We were both having a great game. Jean would get one or two then Mal would consolidate. Bob also played a ripper - even though he's been bowling less than a year. We had a good win. When we came inside, one of the players presented us with some Bateau Bay cloths. We sat and chatted with the guys then with Les and Eileen for a while. Jean was waiting to meet her old uni friend Carole at 5:30 so we sat and had lots of chats with many members. Such a nice afternoon. We felt we'd made many new friends. Old and new friends at Bateau Bay.

We've got three more days in Long Jetty. We have Bateau Bay tomorrow and Canton on Thursday. All that's left is Mingara. We decided to roll up there today. We actually met Michael Bryan who's a member there when we were at Gulgong. He's away on holidays though at present. It's a huge club! We arrived at the greens. Jean chatted with Neil. Neil introduced us to Dennis who is clubman of the year. The club has two plastic synthetic greens. Jean was very happy to see a dedication to a lady. We rolled on the first green. It's Tuesday so Jean asked about Pennants. Dennis told us the midweek Pennants finished while back. Neil was in the Twos. They won the Pennant and will go to Cabramatta for a state play-off. Mal watched him roll up and said "Every one of his bowls was within a mat length!" Mal started our rollup. He was a little disappointed with his bowls. We've been used to slow grass. This was about 15 seconds. Jean was very happy. After her recent poor performance she was on the kitty every end. She said "Shame I stopped keeping score!" Even though Mal wasn't happy we got our grass ok! Jean was remembering how badly she played at Wyong and Avoca Beach. She was very happy to score herself a toucher! Dejected Mal decided to go up and back. Jean said "That's two chances to get photo-worthy bowls!" He didn't disappoint. Mingara - Jean likes it!

It's our first full day in Long Jetty. Wyong told Jean on Messenger that they play Monday afternoon so Mal rang to get our names down. It's a smallish clubhouse. It's right on the Wyong river. We arrived & met Ric and Graham at the desk. Today it's the Bay bowlers @ Wyong. A few were from Wyong but they all wore the same shirts. It was three-bowl triples. Mechell, Jean and Margaret. Played Trish, Mal and Jill. It's Jill's birthday. We sang happy birthday. There are three grass greens. We played on the right-hand green. It's named after the Greenkeeper. Jean was having trouble again with her stick. She bowled badly but managed to get two in the head. Mechell had shot but Mal took her out then put one in. Jean decided to watch her stick instead of her destination. It worked better Jean tried to curse Mal's bowls. It worked for two ends but he was having a blinder. Mal couldn't put a bowl wrong! We came inside. Jean said "I bowled s*%t but the company was great!" Bay Bowlers at Wyong - great company!

So we arrived in Long Jetty from Umina on Sunday morning. We only have a few days here so wanted to make sure we got all the clubs done. Jean suggested we go to Diggers @ The Entrance for a rollup. We were glad we didn't waste too much time on it. It's an RSL club so it's a pretty good size. We looked out the window at the green. Mal said "It doesn't look like anyone's played on that for a while." Jean had been in touch via Messenger and was told the bowlers are there on Wednesday and Saturday. We didn't believe that. The green was terrible with patches and dirt. We asked the guy at reception if the green was open. He said it was but that nobody plays on it. We asked if we could have a rollup. He didn't know what that was. Initially he rang the Manager who said no - then we explained we just want a practice. He rang again and was told 'Yes'. There was a Bowls Office out there. We searched everywhere but found no mats and jacks. Luckily we have our own. There are a couple of little memorials in the garden. Not sure if they are bowlers or Diggers. Mal half-heartedly stepped up. Our first head was pretty average. Weight wasn't bad but we couldn't get grass. When Jean got to the other end she said "Two ends will do me I think!" Mal agreed. Second end wasn't much better but Jean got a bit closer. Diggers @ The Entrance - that's enough for us! THE GREENS The Greens The Entrance is close by Diggers so we thought we'd take a look. Jean's been in touch with them and they told her their greens are out - they play at Mingara. We wanted to see. The guy at our caravan park told us that their clubhouse burnt down a while ago. It looks like they are putting in Synthetic under cover. There's a second green that's out as well. Building of the new clubhouse seems well underway. The Greens - we'll definitely be back when it's all done.

It's Saturday - Pennant day. There's no social bowls on today so we decide to drive up to Gosford in the morning to get a rollup and maybe watch some Pennants. Bob showed us where to roll up. He told us though the club signed a five-year lease, the council thinks the club is under-utilised and wants to put units or a carpark here. Very sad for the only club in Gosford. Mal chatted with Terry. Terry told us the club has gone downhill from its glory days. The glory days were impressive. Rooster told us they won more Pennants than any other club in NSW. It's a fine display. Even more imposing close up. The trophies are also notable. Mal checked out the trophy case. There's a lovely grandfather clock. Gary (Jaffa) told us the Mariners soccer stadium next door helps to keep them afloat. There are two grass greens. We bowled on the front green. There's an odd-shaped synthetic under the stadium. Bob told us it is rubbish and will come out but is likely not to be replaced. Mal kicked off. He did ok. Jean was up and down. She got closish. It got hot so we gave up. Jean had the last laugh. The Gosford players got ready to play Pennants. They called the cards. It was the Fives and Sixes today. Gosford against Umina Beach and Munmorah. We wish them the best of luck and prosperity. Gosford - oh let's get back to the days of old!

Our last club around where we're staying in Umina is Avoca Beach. Jean spoke to someone on Messenger to find out they have Mixed on Friday arvo so we put our names down. We drove up. It's another big club. When we arrived our card was waiting. Butch asked Jean about her Magellan shirt. He was a member there for a long time. John and Peter looked after the money. There was a group of travelling bowlers from Mt Lewis in Western Sydney. They were Neville, Margaret, Warren, Shirley and Jack. Jack gave us his details for when we get there. There are three greens. Two are grass And there's one four-rink plastic synthetic . We played on the middle green. We played Pairs together Against Mark and Alice. We both found it tough going.Mal started out very well but went downhill. Jean struggled initially but put in a couple of good ones. Mal did another good bowl . The photos look better than our results. Jean said "I've had no grass, no weight at all today!" Mal wasn't much better. Dejectedly we came inside. What goes around comes around. They draw the winning margin. We got it! Rink 17. We share $400 with Mark and Alice. Then they drew the lucky bowler $10 each. We didn't win but were still happy. Jean had to put $2 in 'The Box of Shame' for wrong biases. Avoca Beach - sad bowls but happy winnings.

Ettalong is apparently the largest bowls club on 'The Peninsula'. We tried to play there on Tuesday night but a downpour flooded it . Unfortunately Thursday arvo is men only. Jean rang to put Mal's name down and said if they were short she would play. She was told in no uncertain terms "It's men only!" It's a really big clubhouse. It has everything! There's a great picture of the founding committee from 1964. We met Mick out the front and he showed us where to go for the bowls. Clarkey and JR the boss were in the office. Clarkey said the guy in the middle is a blow-in. Mal sat and chatted with Dave, Rusty, Frank and Woody. It's the only club around with four greens. They are all grass. They are The Ettalong Eagles! There's an impressive sign down by Green 1. It was triples today but Mal was in a game of Fours. It was John, Geoff, Alf and Mal. His opposition was John, (the other) Woody, Lynchie and Dave. Dave is an ex-member. He's now at Club Tweed. He gave us his details for when we get up there. There were nine rinks playing in all, on two greens. Mal played on Green 4. It seems to have two names. Mal played Lead. Jean had to get photos of his bowls before other players bowled. Good Lead bowls rarely stay put in Fours! Mal's bowl was put out by the opposing Second. Later Mal got a toucher but was beaten, again by the oppositionSecond, for shot. A bloke named Mick came up to Jean. He and Mal had been chatting. He said "I believe I knew your father." Mick and Royston were coppers together in Sydney in the 60's. The boys seemed to get on very well. They laughed and ribbed each other all game. Mal had lots of fun with them. Last end the opposition Third took the kitty back to Mal. Jean wasn't going to take a photo but Mal said "Well I put the bowl there!" Mal's team got flogged! They came inside for drinks and more ribbing. Ettalong - they nearly busted Mal's ribs from laughing!

We're staying at the NRMA caravan park in Umina. It's outrageously expensive but it's ten minutes walk from Club Umina. We went over on Sunday when we arrived and put our names down for Wednesday. In the carpark we met Gavin who showed us where to go. It's a pretty big club. So on Wednesday the Woy Woy bowlers get together in the morning for a game. Woy Woy closed down. Brian explained it all to us. He also told us he and his wife started and ran 'The Rocks Ghost Tours' in Sydney. There are two greens. There were three but the club built a gym on the third. We bowled on the right-hand green. There were seven of us. Jean heard from Brian at Everglades that they do Bowling Arm coaching here. Jean asked about it They decided six of us would play and Old Brian would coach Jean from the side. Big Brian told Jean that Old Brian is an ex-minister. "That's obvious!" She remarked. A very nice man. We just had one game of triples. It was Bruce, Mal and Big Brian. Against Gavin, Jean and Col. Brian told Jean she was bending her arm as she delivered. He corrected that and she did well first end with three shots. Mal of course had to do better! Apparently the Woy Woy story is a sad one about a developer who got on the committee and managed to score the land cheap. Many of the players went to Ettalong but a few came to Umina. Jean was over the moon about the positive impact of Brian's coaching. Mal started with a toucher then Jean took two. Mal was doing well but Jean pipped him with two then Gavin consolidated. Gavin showed Jean a book his uncle sent him from Northern in Scotland. We'd written our names down on the wrong sheet so we had our names down for the afternoon session as well. Mal wanted to play, Jean didn't. She wanted to do shopping, hang the washing out and let Jerome out. She went in and told Don and Steve to take her name off. After being behind 10 shots all game, Mal's team came up and won. Jean had stuff to do but stayed to take photos of Mal's team and opponents. It was Mark, Mal and Barbara Against Peter, Gary and John. Jean came back at 3:30. Mal was skipping and was up 27 to 6. Mark said "He's been bowling really well!" They won. He was close! They went inside for drinks and funny talk. Mark had a shirt from Lion Island Bowling Club. It's fictitious and uninhabited. Lion Island sits off Umina Beach. Mal said "I've had a great time today!" Two wins helped ! We loved Umina Beach club.

We're in Umina for a week. We don't have enough days to do all the clubs We're off to Ettalong tonight so will stop off at Everglades Country Club for a rollup. Like the other clubs we visited yesterday, it's a big club. We came in and met Brian the Treasurer. There was a triples social game we didn't know about happening. Brian told us there used to be three greens but when Covid hit they had to close one. Now it's an entertaining area. Now there are two grass greens. It was nice to see a dedication to a woman for the lighting. We rolled up on green two. Don told us it's pretty rough - and very slow. He was right! We had a lot of trouble. Brian said it's Tifdwarf which doesn't grow well on the Central Coast. They are pulling it up so haven't paid much attention to it lately. There are patches of couch and weeds in it. Mal had a go. We both got our weight right - despite it being very slow but had trouble with the grass. Especially Jean! Jean was having trouble with her bowling arm. Bowls were going out wide. Mal thought he'd take a video. She seems to be twisting it on her backswing. Mal was doing a little better. Mal didn't put sunscreen on so, even though it was overcast, he didn't want to stay out too long. Everglades - maybe we'll come back and try out the new grass!