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This morning we did Yarragon and Trafalgar . We had to rush back for an appointment. After Jean's hand therapy session we drove up to Thorpdale to check the club out. It's a cute little clubhouse in a town of 500. They have photos of work on the green. And some old Pennant photos. There's a long verandah out front. When we arrived there was a bunch of Primary school kids on the green. We thought we wouldn't get a rollup but they finished up. They got funding for solar panels. We liked the curved shades. Secretary Darron was coaching the kids. Darron's wife Marj introduced herself. There's one grass green. Chicken put chemicals down. Mal put one down. The green was slow. Smartarse got himself a Resting Toucher Jean was nervous. At hand therapy Jean got a splint for her hand so had trouble releasing the bowls. Second end she did ok. Chicken had to finish his work so we only did two ends. Thorpdale - at last a little rollup!

We arrived in Traralgon on Tuesday and drove straight to Traralgon RSL Bowls Club to watch the end of Pennants. TUESDAY It's a nice clubhouse. Quite big. It's an RSL so memorabilia everywhere. The bowls club has lots of sponsors. Mid week Pennants was just finishing as we arrived. We were just going to have a rollup but President Russ invited us to the fifth Wednesday Triples game tomorrow. Russ introduced us to the Pennants players. The club has two grass greens. This is the best green. The Norm Howlett Green WEDNESDAY Ross and Titch looked after the money. The players sat in the downstairs bowls bar. Jean sat and chatted with Garry Dick and Bill. Today it's Triples. It was Brian, Jean and Mal First game was against club Secretary Lorraine, Margaret and Vealer. First end Jean was happy. Mal did his favourite and took out shot bowl. It was quite slow. It suited Jean and her stick. Then Jean stole shot. We were one down then Mal blew out their shot bowl for three. We won the first 13 to 8. Then played Ross and Gordon. One of the ladies came and gave Jean two badges for our hats. We got a killing on the fast green. Jean said "I only did one good bowl the whole game!" A Resting Toucher. We came inside to commiserate and see the presentations. Of course we didn't win! Traralgon RSL - no win for us!

We had a bit of a mix-up with bowls days so came to Traralgon to try for a rollup. It's a big, modern clubhouse. With a few outdoor areas. There are pennant photos proudly displayed. With a little bowls shop. We met Brenton the Bowls Manager. Graham Cross (Crossy) the Chair came over to check us out. He gave us the full tour. He told us they will host the Jackaroos on 17th March. Graham introduced us to Club Manager Mark. There are four greens all up. Two grass and one Tiger Turf outside and one synthetic under cover. We met some of the guys at Newborough on Sunday. They are the Angry Lyrebirds. Brenton told us the green got covered in 2018. There's a great indoor balcony that overlooks the indoor green. The Lyrebird is on the wall. Visitors usually pay green fees but Graham kindly offered us a rollup as his guests. Jean had a go. She was pretty happy with her weight. Mal put his bowl down. He did a little better. Jean had a Resting Toucher but Mal pushed her out! She tried to take him out but missed by a nanoskerrick and went into the ditch. She got one back. Because they were so accommodating we made sure to spend some money here. We sat for drinks and watched the bowls on TV. Traralgon - sorry we missed social bowls!

Mal rang Moe Bowls Club when we arrived yesterday before we went to Newborough We rang as we wanted to see if we could get a game in their Australia Day Holiday Fives tournament (Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours) but we were too late. We decided to drive over and hopefully meet people. We arrived through the memorial gates and saw one! We're free-camping so had to charge our caravan battery. Janine and Lorraine said that was fine. It's a smallish but long clubhouse. With Pennant successes proudly displayed. Now they are the Lions but perhaps once they were the Koalas! The extensions were opened in 1992. There are two carpet greens. There were dark clouds and Thunder but Green 1 was in full swing. It's the Fred Caines Green. There were players here from all around the area and further: Drouin , Morwell, Trafalgar, Traralgon, and Cranbourne - probably more we didn't see. We sat and watched a while. There were some great bowls played. Mick who we met at Sale on Thursday came over to say gidday. We met Val who we said we'd seek out when we're in Iluka later in the year. It was getting hot - expecting 40° - so we had to get back and open up the caravan so Jerome didn't get too hot. Dark clouds and good bowls at Moe!

We're staying at a wildlife park. There are three clubs nearby: Newborough, Yallourn North and Moe. Mal rang all three clubs to find out if we could get an Australia Day game. Unfortunately we were too late as they've done the draw. We'll visit them anyway. NEWBOROUGH Today it's Triples at Newborough. When we got there they were just coming in for lunch. A few sat in the beautiful outdoor area by the green. They all sat and waited patiently for lunch. There were people there from all the clubs around. We chatted for some time with the Morwell boys. We met Scotty, Allan and Allan from Newborough. Next table we had a chat with people from Boolarra and Traralgon where we'll be in a few days. Then we met the boys from Boolara and Yinnar which we'll visit when we're at Traralgon. There are three really nice grass greens. They told us they are the best in the district. This is the green outside the clubhouse. Ready for round four. We didn't win the raffles! YALLOURN NORTH On our way back to the wildlife park we stopped in at Yallourn North. We knew there'd be nobody there because they are all at Newborough. Unfortunately it was all locked up so we couldn't get many good photos. We got a photo for our map . It has a nice outdoor area facing the green. We'd met Craig at Newborough. He said " We're a little club. We hope you like it. " The green looks nice. With good, solid shades around the edge. We couldn't see much so left it alone. Newborough and Yallourn North - hooray for the triples!

When we were in Childers Queensland last year we met Jenny and Peter from Maffra who gave us their number and asked us to call when we came to Maffra on our trip. We called and Jenny told us about a Saturday game so we asked her to put our names down. When we arrived we saw the painting on the wall of bowls past and present. We're told they got a grant to paint it. It's a pleasant little clubhouse. With proud photos of past Pennants success. They have a special tournament. Last year they won Division Three. We liked the cartoons. Typical bowlers! They had their century in 2021. There are a few commemorations. The verandah is wide and shady. Brian and Kenny looked after green fees. Geoff and Linda chatted with Jean before we played our game. There are two synthetic greens. They are that flat carpet. In a couple of months they'll get two new Tiger Turf greens. We played the near green. The Dave Coleman Green. We drew cards for rinks, teams and positions. First game Mal and Jean were opposing Seconds. There were twelve of us so we played two rinks, two games of ten ends - two-bowl triples. It was Grant, Jean and Ashley Against Annette, Chris and Mal. First end Grant's team got three then second end Jean took shot for four. Mal did his best. There was zero wind. Perfect for bowls. The boys told Jean it's usually very windy here. It was hot. Then the cool mist came down. Grant won the first game by seven. Ashley took a rest. His wife Shirley joined the team. Jean got new badge for her hat. 2nd game Jean played against Kenny, Craig and Robert. Mal played John, Vicky and John. Jean was having a good game - unlike her previous outings! Mal put in some good bowls but alas - two losses! The opposition needed 11 to win. The team was four down then Jean drew a gentle shot. Jenny was sore from a chiropractor visit so she came after the game to say hello.. We sat down for drinks. Grant (Jean's team) won by one shot! We were having such a lovely time we stay and chatted for an hour! Maffra - nice to see old friends!

We drove half an hour from Sale to Heyfield. We'd met Barry in Sale yesterday and he invited us to Friday Happy Hour. The clubhouse used to be a tennis club. They moved it complete and made it their own. Mal sat and chatted with Snowy and Hayden. Hayden's one of the two young players they have in the club. Barry arranged a quick game for us. It was Bill and Jean Against Barry and Mal. We met a celebrity - Rohan Kelly who was Australian Singles Champion in 2003. There are two greens. A synthetic out front. We played on the grass green out the back. It's the Neil Leemon Green. A little history of Neil Leemon. He was another on of their champions. There are strings above the green to keep the corellas off it. There are good, sturdy permanent shades. Jean loved the green. She got three! Mal was on it! Went to synthetic. Mal enjoyed it. Jean was reminded of her rubbish performance on synthetic at Sale yesterday. She managed one photo-worthy bowl! We came inside for happy hour. The boys were happy to see us (as were the ladies but they were much quieter!) President Maude stood and welcomed us. She asked us to tell our story. Maud presented us with two club shirts which we loved. One guy told Jean they'll host the Vic open later this year. They are very proud of their grass green. Managed by volunteers it's one of the best in the region. We wish them well. Heyfield - what a welcome!

We were going to come to Lakeside for a game on Wednesday but we popped in when we arrived in Sale on Tuesday and changed our plans. TUESDAY We met some of the members playing Tuesday Pennants. They told us the best day to come is Thursday. We were going to play at West Sale on Thursday but they were playing Pennants here. Kerry from West Sale told us they don't have bowls this week so gave us her number to arrange a Wednesday rollup there. Lakeside is a nice, modern mid-sized clubhouse. With a great outdoor area. Outdoors is Scotty's Bar and the Bruce Warr Pavillion. Watching the Pennants on Tuesday Mal met Jim who told us he's been bowling here for 40 years. We put our names down and left our number. On Tuesday night Mick rang Mal to give us the juice on the game. He suggested President Neville phone us which he did and welcomed us to Sale. Neville told us in 2017 the club nearly went under. Then they got a new chair and committee which paid down their debt brought them back from the brink with a community focus and new bowlhads formats. They are very proud of their club now. THURSDAY There are three greens. The top one is grass. The middle one is an old carpet. It's destined for a new family-focused area. The bottom one is a new carpet. It's the Reid Green. In between all the greens are nice solid shades. When we arrived on Thursday we gave our money to Mick who had rung Mal on Tuesday. Then we met President Neville who'd rung us as well. Everyone there was so friendly. We felt very welcome there. Shirley came and chatted with us. Leno and Joey who we played with yesterday at West Sale promised they'd come. They did. We played together - two games of 2-4-2 Pairs. First game was against Father and son Shane and Mitch. We had some trouble. Mal finally got shot. Jean had two but Mal had to do better! Jean wanted to get a photo of her toucher before all the bowls came down. 2nd game we played Stuart and Peter. First end on the fast green we were six down. Jean came in and took second shot. It was a bit of a bowl-repelling-jack. We got shot. After the games they called the winners. They gave us some gifts. A whisky glass for Jean, coffee (beer) mug for Mal and two cloths. They'd been reading our blog. Neville said it the gifts were a bribe to make sure we gave them " a good review "! They didn't need it but it was appreciated. Barry is a member at Heyfield. We told him we'll be there on Saturday. He said he'd organise some people to roll up with. Lakeside Sale - we had a whale of a time!

We went to Lakeside when we arrived in Sale on Tuesday. West Sale was playing Pennant against Lakeside so we met some people from there. West Sale club Secretary Kerry gave us her number so we could call her on Wednesday to arrange a rollup. It's a small clubhouse but feels welcoming. They are the 'Mighty Toads'. They are proud of their Pennant successes. There's a nice outdoor area with a barbecue. Seats are donated - this one by Kerry and husband Leno. Kerry gave us a 'Mighty Toads' stubby holder as a memento. Kerry arranged some people to come to the club and play with us. We decided on ten ends of three-bowl triples. It was Jean, Joey and Julie against Kerry, Mal and Leno. There's just one carpet synthetic green. Like many Victorian clubs it has great sponsorship. The shades are brand new although one got stolen recently. The thieves left the pliers! It was really hard to get grass and weight. Mal just snuck in. Jean said " I'm having the worst game I've had for weeks!" Still she managed an ordinary shot before she lost it. Jean was pretty desperate to get a photo of her good bowl. She settled for when the opposition knocked the kitty into the ditch and she was closest! Mal had second shot. Mal just pipped Julie. We did our ten ends. It was getting hot so we came in for beers. Leno told us they have a great tournament coming up. It's invitation only and many players from Jean's club Weston Creek come along and play. They mentioned Wybee and Spider to name a couple. Such gracious people at West Sale - and a stubby holder to boot!

We're just in Orbost for one night. We dropped in to the Bowls club on our way to the caravan park for a look. It's a nice little clubhouse. With a little verandah. Outside is a little barbecue. Initially we thought there were two greens - one grass and one synthetic - but the grass green is acutally used by the Croquet club. The surrounds are pretty. Orbost is on the Snowy River. The one out front is an old plastic synthetic. The Wal West Green in memorium. It was installed in 2010 - 15 years ago. We didn't roll up because the place was deserted. Mal thought it was too hot. Orbost - pretty little place on the Snowy.

We found out on Messenger that Thursday night at Bruthen is Barefoot Bowls and dinner. We can't stay for that but came along at 4:30 so we could meet some members. It's a little clubhouse on the hill. Over the years they've had lots of success with Pennant teams. There's one nice grass green. With sturdy permanent shades. Treasurer Greg was rolling up. Greg introduced us to Secretary Don. We rolled up. The green really suited Jean. Mal did his best. He had trouble with grass - bowls going narrow every end. He managed two good shots after a few goes. He got the hang of it. If nothing else he bowled consistently. Jean thought Mal had shot. She was pleasantly surprised! We met Les and Sandy the Cooks. Tonight they've done Chow Mein and curry sausages. Jean met Ali who she's chatted with on Messenger. Sandy introduced us to Len (Knuckle) who is the club President. There were helpers in the kitchen preparing the dinner. We got some drinks and sat and chatted with the very friendly locals. Bruthen - such a friendly club!

We met Darren the Paynesville greenkeeper at our caravan park on Sunday. He told us there's a special day on Thursday but we can come for bowls Wednesday morning. Here's Darren from Sunday. Everyone at Paynesville was very friendly and they all know Jo the Manager of the caravan park. It's a small, light and airy clubhouse. With a pleasant outdoor area under cover. They were Division Three winners last year. They turned 50 in 2016. Someone's done a great job of the succulent garden surrounds . Darryl, Liz and Sandy were on the office. There are two greens out the front And one at the back. A wise policy we think to stop people walking the green with beer. They read out the game rules. Today it's Scroungers. Two games of eight ends. We started with a game of Spider. Jean got closest And won $5! Rink 19 was Sandy, Bill, Jean and Jenny. On 17 was Colin, Joe, Mal and Glenys. Jean got a four-pointer. Then Mal did. We both scored 23 in the first game. Second game Lyn and Judy joined Jean and Bill. Lyn is the older sister of Jo from the caravan park. Carol and Jo joined Mal and Glenys. Jean almost touched for four. Mal scored well. 2nd both games . We both did ok. We came inside for drinks. Jean got $15 for third runner up. Mal got his $20 green fees back from Jean. Lyn told Jean Bairnsdale Golf is on our way home so we decided to stop off and check out the bowls. There are two grass greens. This is the top green . The A.S. Archibald. We were keen to get back so didn't have a rollup. Great company at Paynesville.