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On our way down to Welshpool from Boolara today we visited all four bowling clubs on the way. We wanted to find out about their social bowls and take a peek at mid-week Pennants. After we settled in at the caravan park we took a little drive to Fish Creek. It's funny. As you drive through the town to the bowling club all the shop names have something to do with fish. Despite all the cars in the carpark the clubhouse was shut and nobody was around. We saw a piece of paper on the window that said Pennants was at Lang Lang today. That's 90 minutes away. We thought if we had a rollup someone might turn up. It's a nice little clubhouse upstairs. The Memorial Wall was impressive. There is one plastic green. With great permanent shades. A bird watches over the green. Jean had her go. She did ok. We were both happy with weight. Mal concentrated. Jean said " Good grouping! " It was surprisingly slow. Jean was happy with her bowls though. Mal's was pretty consistent as well. It was 37° so our rollup was short. As we were about to leave the first carload of Pennant players arrived back. 30 seconds beforehand though the bird fell down. Mal said " The Eagle has landed! " Above where we rolled up - we think it was keeping an eye on us. Colin, Bronwyn and Peter came inside. Colin said they started really well in Pennant but ended up losing by five shots. We said goodbye and left them to commiserate with each other. Goodbye and thanks for all the Fish!

We left Traralgon this morning and took the 25 minute drive to stay in Boolara. It's expected to be 40° today so we did two clubs in a day - Boolara and Mirboo North. BOOLARA Boolara is a little town of just under 1,000 people. We're free-camping at the pub. We dropped into the bowing club on our way. It's a small but pleasant clubhouse. With many Pennants flags on the wall. There's a lovely board in memory of members who have passed. The verandah is long, wide and shady. Mick arrived just as we did and opened up. He's the barman and reckons he's the oldest member. He said the club is in transition with mostly younger members now. Mick introduced us to fellow committee member Jack. There's just one grass green. It was being watered when we got there. There's a row of permanent shades. It has a beautiful hillside view from the green. We couldn't roll up as they had a sixteenth birthday party on this arvo. MIRBOO NORTH Because it will be hotter tomorrow we wanted a rest. We decided to kill two birds with one stone and visit Mirboo North as well. We were sad as it was all locked up with high fences so we couldn't take many photos. The sign did say " Welcome! " In the distance we saw the Gordon Wilkins Memorial Bar. The green looks synthetic - we couldn't get close enough to see but the surrounds made it seem so. Boolara and Mirboo North - to hot to do anything!

We came to Yinnar to watch them play Pennants against Drouin where we played last year. While there we met Terry and Don the guys we played when we visited Droin. It's a tiny Clubhouse. Comfy and nice. It was opened in 1985. There's a display of old wooden bowls. And a long array of Pennants successes. In the Ladies is a funny cartoon. The bar fridge was donated by Traralgon Bowling Club . The verandah is wide, long and shady. Tables are made from old bowls. Out front is a bowlers painting with a Magpie. They are the Magpies - 38 members. The whole town is Magpies. The Maggie surveys. One of the bowlers is a lead lighter and created a magpie mirror. Chris at Churchill told us yesterday that Yinnar plays at home today 10am. We arrived at 11 and the place was deserted. We took some photos and were about to get in the car when Peter turned up. " We start at 1. " He said. Then Secretary Jenny arrived. Jenny introduced us us to Board Chair (and Greenkeeper) Gavin and President Russ. Ray came and chatted with us for ages. There's one synthetic green. The Lindsay Stirling Green. When it was grass there were two but the other was too hard to maintain so got dug up. They have really good, solid permanent shades built by Gavin. Pennants started a few minutes early. It was going to be 32°. They have four teams - 16. We saw great bowls played by both teams. One of the ladies gave Jean a current badge and an old koala badge for her hat. It got to 31° so we thought it time to go. Yinnar was 8 shots up. We wished them well. Lovely people and good bowls at Yinnar!

We've done three clubs today around Traralgon. The second one we visited was the new little club at Churchill. There's not much to it but we had a little rollup. They share the clubhouse with the cricket club and others. We think it might be the youngest bowling club in Australia - just eight years old. We met Chris - husband of Secretary-Treasurer and general job's man. Chris was rolling up. He said most of the 28 members are over eighty years old so he does most things. The green is synthetic - flat carpet. Mal put one down. Jean was envious of his performance. She did her best. Our bowls went everywhere. Jean wasn't happy with her shot bowl. Still everywhere. Chris had to leave and lock up so we finished up after a few ends. Churchill - bowls everywhere!

We've done three clubs again today. We left Morwell Bowling Club to last because we really looked forward to it. We'd met President Brian Kingsley the other day at Newborough. When we got to Morwell on Friday Brian introduced us to Vice President Pauline and committee member John. Brian (and everyone at nearby clubs) told us the club burnt down last year. It's basically a construction site now. Brian said the CEO has done an amazing job getting it done in the interim. The dining and gaming rooms sit on top of the other green. We walked down the Bowlers' Entrance and met Bill who was rolling up. The club is on Green 2 now. Green 1 is great! The Bill Owen Green. This is the temporary dining and bar area built on Green two. They managed to save some memorabilia. Brian offered us a rollup. Mal was determined. A bit of a bowl-repelling-jack but he got three. Jean put hers down. First end she was happy. " I like this green! " John and Colin were rolling up next to us. They are Lead and Second at home tomorrow in Division Five. They use blocks to practise their draw bowls. Jean knocked the kitty off and said to Mal " You like it off-centre! " He does! Jean had the last word. We promised Brian we'd come here for dinner and spend some money in the club. We did that. Greek Lam Shoulder and Rump Steak. We found the staff pleasant and friendly. While we ate dinner Keith, board member, came to ask about Jean's Helensvale shirt. We chatted about the Gold Coast and the fire. A nice time at Morwell Bowling Club.

There are two clubs in Morwell. We'll visit them both today. Morwell Club Bowling Club green is across the road from the actual Morwell Clubhouse. Roger the President (and everything else) -who we met at Traralgon RSL yesterday - came over to say gidday. One of the ladies Jo pwas pruning. They have their own amenities block. Roger invited us to roll up while they marked the green. Jean had a go. She still had trouble releasing her bowls with her new hand splint . She got shot though! Mal took his turn. He's always a gentleman. Mal got a full count. We made a caterpillar. The boys had a special line marker. Mal almost rested. Jean was happy to be a little consistent. There's just one grass green. It's the Keane Barry Green. The only club life member Geoff came down - as he has done every Friday for the last 30 years - to help out. After they finished line marking Alan and Neil came to greet us. Neil told us the green is only two years old. Good lines from the Morwell boys! POST SCRIPT: Roger told us they lost club member last night - a 92 year old man. Someone went to check on him and found the house in disarray. Next minute a young man tore past. She found the man dead. Home invasion. So sad.

We came to Trafalgar on our way from Yarragon back to Traralgon . We were just going to take a few pics but met some nice people. It's a pleasant little clubhouse. With some impressive Pennant wins. It's only the second bowling club we've been to with a picture of the King. Outside is Smokey's Snack Shack. There are two synthetic greens. The green one is called The Swamp. The other one is called Blue Lagoon. When they first got it they put yellow ducks on it. It's the Bob Munro Green. The club's been around since 1915. The snakes sat on the bank ready to protect the green. Chairman Ian told us about the financial troubles they had from a corrupt Treasurer. They did fund-raising, got the money back and put in two synthetic greens. Their shirts have HMS Victory from the battle of Trafalgar. Helen and Shirley were playing the Women's Handicap Singles. Mandy was marking a game. Mal sat and chatted with Shaun and Ben for a while. Glad to see Trafalgar in the black again!

Yarragon was the first of three clubs we visited today. It was closed so we didn't stay long. It's a little clubhouse. With a nice verandah. And the Sam Mazza shed! There's one grass green. It looks a little Mossy. Wonder how it rolls. It's named for Sam King. There are good permanent shades. We loved the bowlers on the fence. We were in a hurry as Jean had to get to her hand therapy session so we didn't stop for a rollup. We wanted to stop off in Trafalgar on our way . Yarragon in a hurry

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!