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We put our names down to play at Wiseman Park on Wednesday but Jean had to take her Mum to the doctor so we went back on Friday. Wiseman Park is known locally as 'Wisos'. It's a lovely clubhouse. It seems they are the Wiseman Park Lions. Craig arranged the draw. One of the guys Colin said " I expect a better write-up for here than you gave for Thirroul yesterday! " They have a great indigenous shirt 👕 from a memorial day they hold for a passed member Decky. Sven modelled it. We're told Decky was very popular. His favourite thing to say was " What a great bowler! " The boys sat around for a chat before the game started. There are three nice-looking grass greens. The one on the right liiked to be out when we first visited to put our names down. It was just opened when we came back. We played four games of Pairs on it. The Ced Pepper Green. General Manager Mark introduced himself. He brought cloths, pens and badges for us. We played Pairs together. Against Billy and Jock. As it's nearly Christmas there were Barefoot bowlers all over the greens. Jean got in early. She kept getting touchers. American Pie, Mal's favourite song was playing so he had to out-do her. Mal was doing well. Jean kept saving the day when we were a few down! But after being ahead the whole game we both went off the boil with six ends to go. Jean was distracted by the raucous sounds of Barefoot bowlers. They were everywhere in the under cover areas. They came up and beat us by six. The boys inside said that's not surprising " They're gun bowlers! " Wiseman Park- beaten by guns!

We came almost as far north as we can go in Wollongong to Scarborough Wombarra Bowlo. We thought it was just men but they offered Jean a game. It's a little old-fashioned clubhouse. There's a big outdoor area with a marquee. It has beautiful ocean views but the photo doesn't do it justice! We found Mick's name online and Mal rang him to get his name down. We met him with Peter at the table. We sat and chatted with Peter, Barry and the other Peter. Peter found Jean a Scarborough Wombarra Life Member's badge for her hat. There were two games of pairs and one triples. We played together Against Donna and Kevin. Mal took shot first end. We lost it! We lost the first two ends then on end three we scored a seven. Next we got three. Jean put in a beauty for two. They caught up a bit with a four. We won though - 25 to 15. We came in for drinks. It's a real local so the club was buzzing. They asked Jean to get up and tell her story. Kevin gave us some nice spinach. Scarborough Wombarra Bowlo - a good win against nice people.

Jean rang Club Thirroul yesterday to find out about bowls. They told her Thursday at Thirroul is only men again so she put Mal's name down for an afternoon game. It's our last drive up north in Wollongong. It's a nice, spacious, light clubhouse. With a great outdoor area where people can watch the bowls action. When we arrived the ladies were playing the Final of the President's Pairs. Mal sat with Russell to watch for a while. Jean came inside for some shade. She met some of the ladies - Joan, Jenny and Anne - and told them our story. Henry looked after the draw. He said because we're visitors Jean could've played but the draw's done now. Good to know! The club has two good grass greens. Green 2 was set up for social bowls. It's named for two men - Hughie Scott and Harry Cook. There's a pretty memorial rose garden. Mal said " I want to live THERE! " With the gorgeous escarpment behind. Just like at Wombarra. The rest were Pairs but Mal was drawn to play Second in Triples with Peter and Skip Kevin. They were supposed to play against Steven, Neil and Wayne. It ended up two guys didn't turn up so Mal played Skip in Pairs with Neil against Steven and Wayne. End one Mal put his first three in the ditch. With his last bowl he took out the opposition's shot and stayed on the kitty. Jean went to get drinks and Ladies Vice President Anne came up to introduce herself. Then she introduced Jean to President Lee who won the Pairs this morning. ( Anne, Jean and Lee ) Mal and Neil were a few behind but Mal kept putting in good shots. Mal had two then Neil pushed him up so it looked even better to make it 11 to 12. Two ends to go Mal was up 15-14. The opposition had two shots. Mal drew in for second to make it 15 all going into the last end. He did it again last end to lose by one. All the bowlers came in for drinks. We had a great chat with some of the guys. Great chats at Thirroul!

Berkeley is Jean's old stomping ground from when she lived in Warrawong. We've come today for a Monday morning game of Pairs. It's a Sports Club so it's pretty big. Down the bottom there's a bar where all the bowlers hang out. It has a great outdoor area by the greens. Nev looked after the draw. He's the President Bowls Coordinator and Selector Mal stood and chatted for a while with Maureen, Bob from Windang and John. They all sat around for chats before the game. There are two nice grass greens. One is closed. We played on the first green. We played together Against Ross and Lindsay. There were six games of pairs. First end, after three errant bowls Jean scored shot and Mal consolidated. Next end it was the opposite. Mal did it. Then Jean knocked up Mal's bowl for shot. Jean was happy with two shots. It was a really close game. At one point they got two fours - we were eight behind. The lead kept changing! Jean usually only takes four photos but she couldn't resist this one. We were one down going into the last end. We needed two. Jean had one then Mal put in a pearler and took it to four. We won! We came in for some drinks. Second place is fine for us! We got runners-up at Berkeley!

We couldn't make it on a social bowls day at Albion Park so decided to come for a Sunday rollup. We stopped in to check out the green at Kembla Heights. KEMBLA HEIGHTS We drove up the beautiful mountain road to Kembla Heights. We wanted to see what was at the club. We'd heard different stories. People at Bellambi told us the green was out of action and there was no club. Then at Fairy Meadow we met a lady who said she bowls there. We had to see for ourselves. The clubhouse was all locked up and there seemed no way to get to the green. Jean walked around the back and found a locked gate. She managed to get a photo of it. With the lovely mountain behind. It was beautiful but nothing more to see. We drove off to Albion Park. ALBION PARK Albion Park Bowling Club looks like it has a big clubhouse. When we arrived they were just finishing Sunday Pennants. The Brett Duprez bar Is nice. One of the Kiama boys wanted to get into the photo. It was opened in 1967. The home game was Albion Park Eagles Vs Kiama Kookaburras. We asked the Kiama guys how they went: " We got flogged! They are on top of the ladder. " It's Grade Four. There are two good grass greens. They played Pennants out front. It's Green 1. The Roy O'Gorman Green. The other green is out - being refurbished. There's a cow! Milly the Women's Secretary sorted us out with mat and jacks for our rollup. Jean rolled it down. Mal followed. Jean just pipped it. Next end we struggled. Jean would have had second shot if only it wasn't out! Wazza called out " Is this 'This is my story'? " He's been reading our blog. He played away in the Ones today and they got done. Another Wazza came to chat and told us all about Iluka Bowls Club. Mal bragged about his three shots. Jean won the caterpillar. We finished our rollup and came and chatted with the boys. Albion Park - They wished us Merry Christmas!

Fairy Meadow usually has social bowls on Saturday but there's Pennants on today so we've come for a rollup. It's a smallish, old-fashioned clubhouse. Trent the barman gave Mal a Fairy Meadow hat after Mal told him our story. He told us the club has just merged with the huge Fraternity Club here in Fairy Meadow. H There's a long under cover verandah by the main green. It was pouring rain when we arrived so we left our bowls in the car. We passed the time chatting with Guy and Stephen who used to play here but now play at St John's Park. There used to be three grass greens. The front one looks like it's been re-dressed. One seems to be gone now. The open green looks nice. Jean was so happy to see it named after a woman - Heather Evers - with the escarpment behind it. The rain stopped. We knew it would be super slow but decided to roll up anyway. Seems it's just been cut. Grass all over. Mal went out. He was confident. Jean started out nervously. Jean thought she had two but of course, Mal came and pilfered it! He kept doing it. Jean was getting cross! It started to rain again. Jean said " We're not finishing until I get photos of my good bowls! " Finally she got a four. Her next shot wasn't great but she said " I'm taking a photo in case I don't do any more! " Fairy Meadow - watch this space!

It's our second day back in Wollongong. We haven't done many north-side clubs so Mal's coming to Woonona for a triples game. It's roomy in the clubhouse. All decked out ready for Christmas. There's a pleasant outdoor area under cover. FIRST FRIDAY In the office we met Bowls Coordinator John. The club's been around for 130 years. Mal chatted with a few guys. He met Wayne who he'll play with today. There's a great commemorative garden Donated by the Women's Bowling Club. Apparently for the Triples they spin a chocolate wheel. Each player gets a number. There are three greens. Two in front. The back green is out. It's being rejuvenated as in a couple of weeks they will host the South Pacific championship finals. The main green is by the clubhouse. It was closed when we arrived (with the jacks out). John said one more downpour and the Greenkeeper will cancel today's game. A lot of clubs will let Jean play with the men. Not so at Woonoona. She'll have to find ways to amuse herself. Skip Mal, John and Wayne Played three-bowl triples against Dennis, Jon and Skip Leno. Jean had a good feeling so took a video of Mal's first bowl second end. He followed it up with a second . They managed to get six ends in before the rain came down. Mal lost by five. We came in for a drink. They said they'd hand out vouchers for next week. Yes we don't visit a club more than once but Jean's done the diary and we have no game next Friday so Mal will be back! SECOND FRIDAY We came back a week later to finish Mal's Friday triples game that was washed out. Jean spied a great old photo of the winning Pennants team from 1959. John found Jean a lovely Woonona pin to put on her hat. Mal played with Wayne again and Andrew who saw us yesterday at Dapto Citizens. Against Peter, Peter and Brian. (Skip Peter ran up the other end!) They were pretty level on end five then Mal took the kitty again artfully. Lots of guys came up to ask Jean about where we've been, how we travel, our shirts, where we're staying and when we bowl. Mal did ok! They had three with just a few ends to go until the 4pm finish. Mal's team won 20 to 12. They came in for drinks. Jean finally got a shot with opposing Skipper Peter in it! Woonona - lots of interest in us!

We've driven north for a Monday morning game at Bellambi. It's a mid-sized clubhouse. John, Keith and Wendy looked after the draw. There are kind of three greens. One of the bowlers told Jean the top green is "a cow paddock". Apparently the kids play on it. The big green is out for six weeks. We played on the little four-rink green. John called the cards. We filled the little green with a three-bowl triples game. Mal, Jean and Troy Played Les, Vernon, Paul (Ducky) It took five ends for us to work the green out. Mal finally did a photo-worthy bowl! But we lost it. Was looking like a nudie run! Then Jean did it. Les stole it, then Mal took it back. Every time lead Jean got shot Vernon did one better. Mal or Troy would get it back then Duckie would just draw shot! Jean did a beautiful toucher then Mal consolidated. It was a great head! Jean went inside to fill up the water jug. We were two shots down. When she got back Troy said " You should go away more often. You should see what your husband just did! " We met Greenkeepers Jayden and Nathan. After being down 1 to 8 we caught up. Last end we needed three to win. We got one. We came in for well-deserved drinks and very interesting stories. Our opponents won the day. They played very well. Bellambi - too good for us!

We weren't able to get to Dapto Citizens on a day there was a game (we thought) so came for a Thursday rollup. It's a nice spacious clubhouse. When we arrived, unexpectedly the ladies were playing a social game. Jean said "If I'd known that......!" They were all very friendly and interested in us. Jean asked if she could take a photo and they all wanted to get into it. Jean's phone was nearly flat and did weird things so she may not remember all the names. They were: Gail, Bee, Ri ...and Sally. Bee is the Lady President and Mal likes to have his photo taken "With people in high places!" Jean sat and chatted with Marg for a few minutes. Then we met Chris the Greenkeeper who was busy mowing. Chris has produced three nice-looking grass greens. The club has a donated memorial to those who fought in wars. We rolled up on rink six of the first green where the ladies played. Jean got the line and weight pretty quickly. Mal did a few short ones then worked it out. After a couple of long ones, Jean put in a beauty. Jean had two then took the kitty over for one. Jean kept getting shot and said to Mal " This is the last end. I need another good shot of your bowl!" He didn't disappoint! Dapto Citos - such nice ladies!

After our great game yesterday at Bellambi, we've come today to nearby Towradgi for a Tuesday morning game. It's a decent-sized clubhouse. Mark looked after the draw. There were enough players to fill two greens with pairs. Mal found lots of guys to have a chat with. Mal and David And John and China. There are three beautiful grass greens. The game was on the front two greens. We played on The Bill Webber Green. With a view of the ocean from the car park. They called out names. Everyone purchases a ticket at the bar then as their name is called they pick up a bag and put their ticket in. It has the rink number on it. 'A' means you pick up the mats and Jack. Then they put the bags in a dish on the bar. We played pairs together Against Graham (Doggie) and Sooty. First end we had four Then Mal put the kitty in the ditch for five. Jean had shot so with her next bowl she touched kitty over for two. Mal had the last say. We met Peter and Jai the Greenkeepers. We won 20 to 11 and came inside for drinks and raffles. Bill joined us. Lots of bowlers at Towradgi.

It's our last day in Nowra region before we head back to Wollongong tonight. We've come for Wednesday afternoon Bowls. We came in on Saturday and put our names down. It's a nice-looking clubhouse. We drive to Wollongong after the game tonight to look after Jean's Mum and her sisters' dogs while they go to Tasmania. It seems there are some champions here! Jamie looked after the draw. Today there were four games of three-bowl triples. Steve, Jean and Mal Were against Derek, Ken and Allan. There are two nice grass greens. We played on the front green. It's the John Herbert Green. There's a nice memorial in the garden. It took nearly ten ends for either of us to do a photo-worthy bowl. Suddenly each of our team members had a shot. Mal had two. We ended up with one. They all kept barking orders at Jean. " Put the mat down!" "Leads don't stand on the green!" "Shhhhhh! He's on the mat !" Then some bloke on the sideline had a go at her for missing "the bowl of the day" being on her phone. Men think that's OK behaviour. Jean finally got one after she got cranky at Skip Mal for calling her on the other hand. Mal started to get the fast green. Steve convinced Jean to roll a short end. She was dubious but it worked out very well! Mal put the kitty in the ditch! We won 20 to 16. It was a tough game. Mal reckons they were top bowlers. We had to race off because there was a sports game on at the oval and our caravan was about to be parked in. Who knows if we won the day? Husky Sports - we just escaped!

We've driven out south-east from Nowra to Currarong for a game with the boys. Mal said " It's like a Tardis - huge on the inside! " There's a nice entertaining area by the green. Jean met Todd the greenkeeper. Mal met Ray who organises Tuesday bowls. Ian looked after the money and draw. It was only $5 each to play. The boys all sat around before the game. They were very friendly and welcoming. There's a good sign. With two grass greens. We played on the lower green. The Bert Worboys Memorial Green. We played three-bowl triples. There were 17 players so three games with one swinger. Peter, Jean and Mal. Against Bert, Mal and Neil. It wasn't the usual six ends. Jean scored second end. Jean got three. Then Mal took her second shot out with his first bowl and stole it with his last. Jean's (Peter's) team was ahead all game. After the six Peter's team got Mal's team caught up. They needed three to win on the last end. They had four then Jean's team scored a one after Mal moved the kitty. Winners got their green fees back. They served us up little boys after the game. Currarong - bowls, frankfurts and a win for Jean.