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We came to Barraba from Our rollup in Manilla. We were able to park our van there. We met Joy, Blue, Beryl and Peter (not bowlers) in the carpark. They showed us where to park our caravan. It's a pleasant little clubhouse. There was a band playing. Apparently there's music every second Sunday of the month. The 'Rugged Rustlers'. They were very good! The playing was fantastic! Beautiful music. A man named Johnny Grills joined the band. He was a good singer. There was another guy supporting them. There were two grass greens. We rolled up on the front green. Jean took off. She did OK on the grass. Mal took his turn. He did a little better. We were pretty close! Mal took the kitty into the ditch for Jean. We came back inside to listen to the great music. We got our photos with the musos - Johñy and Merv. Anthony Baxter the guitarist was very accommodating. He gave Mal a signed copy of his CD. Unfortunately we were asked to move our van. The caravan park across the road has some sort of arrangement. We're going to adopt their Farewell song as our bowls trip song. (Click to listen). Barraba Bowling Club - well woth the visit second Sunday of the month!

We dropped in to Manilla on our way to Barraba for a rollup. It's a nice small clubhouse. We met Jasmine the bartender who's been here three years. There's two synthetic greens - plastic. The old-fashioned shades were cute. We rolled up on the front one. Mal went first. He put one at the back and said "It's quick! About 15 seconds. " Jean took it easy. If Jean gets shot Mal has to do better! The green suited Jean though. Jean threw four bowls back so Mal could do a photo-worthybowl. He did a good one. A Toucher but knocked the kitty over to Jean. We had to get going to Barraba so just did a few ends - but we liked it! Manilla - a little visit but a nice one.

We arrived in Tamworth at 10:30 on Sunday. We had to get the caravan set up for our seven day stay quickly so we could get to South Tamworth to see our mates from Murrurundi play in the Sectionals. SUNDAY It's a pleasant-looking clubhouse. Everything is bowls themed. Even the pokies! It's known as South Bowlo. There are two nice grass greens. And a bowls shop! Jean put our names down for Wednesday. She messaged her nephew Matthew's wife Emma. Her parents Kathy and Tony play here. We're told they are good players and nice people. Jean's related by marriage but we've never met them. We arrived to the Sectionals in full swing. Murrurundi had just caught up after being down 11-1 against Bendemeer. The Murrurundi boys wanted Jean to take a photo of them. We're looking forward to coming back Wednesday for our game and to meet Emma's Mum Kathy. (Tony is 🎣 on the coast.) We decided instead to go to North Tamworth which only has bowls on Wednesday. Instead we put our names down for Friday. Kathy doesn't play on Friday so we dropped in after our Wednesday game to meet her. FRIDAY We came back Friday for our game at South Bowlo. We met Graham at the desk. We played on the far green. It's Green 2. It's 2-4-2 Pairs. We played together Against Terry and Richard. There were three triples and two pairs games. First end Jean put one in the ditch and one on the kitty. Jean was doing ok but's Mal's Fours were struggling with the super fast green. Jean met Des with his very cool South Bowlo wheelchair. Then Mal worked it out and we started to catch up. Jean did six wrong biases with her bowling arm so got a bit down on herself. She didn't want to play any more. Even so, she wasn't doing too bad. We lost but at least we hit double digits! We came inside for drinks. One of the guys suggested we give our trip map to Bowls Organiser Neville to put on their page. South Bowlo - a sad result but a good time overall.

We drove an extra ten minutes on Saturday - Pennant day - to Valentine Bowling Club so we could meet our old friend Neville Beeton with whom we played at Tuggeranong. We met Neville on the green when we arrived. Neville is, of course, Mal's ex-Father-in-Law. He was married to his Ex's mother. It's a gorgeous locale. A Marina on one side and a boating channel on the other. Neville introduced us to Rob Gray the President. It's a nice spacious clubhouse. Mal wanted Jean to take a photo of him with the bus. We arrived too late to get a rollup - everyone was rolling up for Pennants. They called the cards (with Manly defeating Parramatta playing in the background just for Mal!). Four teams here today: Valentine vs East Maitland (The Griffins - a Griffin on the shirt), Swansea, And Soldiers Point. There are two plastic synthetic greens. We asked Rob if we could roll up on the carpark green but it was a no go. Jean was very happy to see a green dedicated to a woman, well, a couple! Neville was skipping The Fours. Mal said "Yes. At our club they used to say 'Neville Beeton can never be Beaten!'" Jean said "Has Neville done a good bowl yet?". Mal replied "No but it's early days yet!" Next end Neville's pink bowls knocked out their shot for one. We stayed a couple of hours but had to get back to feed Jerome. Valentine was up on all three games when we left. We said goodbye to Neville after he played his best bowl of the game. Great to see an old friend at Valentine.

When we met Jean's nephew Matthew's mother-in-law Kathy yesterday she suggested we take a drive over to Kootingal. She said it's a lovely little club. It's a nice little clubhouse. Mal chatted with Melissa the General Manager. She told us there's social bowls today at 1pm. We were over the moon! We saw the line of ex-Presidents on the wall. It's a long line of Pennants won. Too big for one photo. 27 in all! And a good trophy case. There's a nice outdoor area out the back. It has giant guitars in the dining area. Mal liked the sign out the front. It said the clubhouse was dedicated in 1960. There are two grass greens. The back one is closed at the moment. The green was being rolled as we arrived. It's the Norm Butler Green. We were surprised to see power boxes and taps for caravans at the side. It's for the Tamworth Country Music Festival. We had some time to fill in so drove around the town to check it out. In the carpark we met Slugger who saw us yesterday at North's. He's a member here. When we came back we sat with the boys. Melissa gave us caps and cloths. We played a game of Triples with Hayley as Swinging Lead. Clarry, Jean and Hayley Against Bill, Hayley and Mal. There were just two games. Jean and Hayley went well first end. Jean put a toucher in the ditch to protect from Mal's driving. Mal stole shot from Clarry. Then they got 5! Jean got skip's hat off after she moved the kitty then drew to it will her next bowl. Jean had two then thieving Mal came up. He won 15 to 13. We came inside for drinks and Lawrence showed us his great pictures from The Alice. Mal the thief wins again at Kootingal.

Also on Monday we came to North Tamworth to put our names down for Wednesday. We already had our names down for South Tamworth so we had to go back and change it to Friday. Wednesday is the only day for North Tamworth. It's a pleasant little clubhouse. There's a barbecue area. We're told the club is amalgamated with Sporties Club. They have the bus sitting by the barbecue. We met Graeme who is the Treasurer and Bowls Organiser. He put his club shirt on for the photo. They are the Scorpions. Graeme called Club Manager Chris out to show us the Scorpions flag. There's one green. It's plastic synthetic. There's an old green. The space will be used to extend the club. We arrived and met Al who looks after Wednesday bowls. Al gave us stubby holders and a cloth. It was 2-4-2 pairs. We played together Against Alex and Cammo (Graeme). There were five games. Jean and 19 blokes. Jean started off well. It was Canberra vs Tamworth on the Life Member scoreboard. Mal drew a beautiful toucher to take the shot off them. Then they caught up from 10-4 down to 10 even. We got them back next end! It was tough but in the end it was Canberra 15 to Tamworth 13. We came inside for drinks. We all felt it was a good game. Close. We won a meat tray in the raffle. A win and a meat tray at Tamworth North.

We drove to Tamworth City on Monday to find out about social bowls. The Greenkeeper told us they play Tuesday and Friday mornings. We'll be back Tuesday morning for a game. It's a small clubhouse. With impressive honour boards. There's a photo and commemorative clock in Honour of Nevell McDonald who was just shy of 106 when he passed. The club has a nice barbecue area. At the table we met Oli, Lyn and Cecilia The garden has some nice memorials for former members. There's a plaque for the club's memorial. It used to be Tamworth Bowling Club. It has a nice rose garden - Sandy's Rose Garden. Ryan the greenkeeper was mowing when we arrived. We went and asked him about social bowls. He and Mal had a nice chat, Phil came to introduce himself. He liked Jean's Millthorpe shirt as he's from Blayney. Sandy, Helen, Phyllis and Cherie invited Jean to sit with them. Mal sat with Rex, Dave, Jim and Jim. The club has two greens. They are both grass. This is the main green. The other one has been a bit damaged from corporate bowlers and other things. It's called the 'Life Members Green '. There's an old green that's now a carpark. Today it's fourteen ends of three-bowl triples. We played each other. Jacquie, Jean and Jim Played Mal, Lyn and Kerry. There were six rinks. Five triples and a Pairs. Jean's teammate Jacquie has a house made from Gunnedah bricks that might have been made be Jean's Great Grandfather Jock Hamilton. A lot of Tamworth houses are Gunnedah bricks. Mal's team won the first two ends then Jean worked out how to bowl and got on the board. Jean had two shots Then Mal put one behind, moved the kitty to it and followed. Next end Jean had to top that. Then Mal took out her shot. Jean said if he wasn't up the other end she would have smacked him. He did that the whole game - to everyone! Mal won of course, with all that aggressive play! They more than doubled the score! We came inside for a well-deserved drink. Jean decided (since we're together in the caravan) she'll still speak to him! Mal takes out all the shots at Tamworth City.

Ryan at Tamworth City told us that Oxley has very few bowling members now. He looks after the green and said it hadn't been mown for a while. He said it wasn't a good idea to roll up. The club at least claims friendliness - even though there's no bowling members. The club wasn't open so Jean took a photo through the glass. There's one grass green - it's pretty long. We agreed it's not worth a rollup. Jean read online they sometimes have social bowls on Saturday. We'll drop by to see if it's true! Oxley - no bowls to be had here.

After our stopover at South Tamworth this morning we drove over to West Tamworth to find out what days they play social bowls. Instead we got a game! It's a nice little clubhouse. There were lots of people there. There was country music playing live. It's a bit like Karaoke. People put their name down and sing with the band. The singing was fantastic! There's a few commemorative plaques - including the centenary. And a lovely fountain in the garden. We wrote our names down for Tuesday then Zoe ran up to us. "You're the Travelling Bowlers! We've got a game ready for you! We went outside and met Rod, Peter and marker Nathan who were playing the Minor Singles final. There are three greens. One synthetic that's been in only since September. It's the Tom Barry Green. It's actually made from Merino wool. It has an underlay. Then there's a grass green And the old 'Ladies' Green' they no longer use. There were just six of us because there'd been Sectionals this morning. We played two-bowl triples. Mick, Jean and Cheryl Played Col, Mal and Julie. First end Jean was happy. Jean got shot again but, of course Mal had to steal! Jean was happy with her consistency. Mick, Jean and Cheryl won by one shot because we had to stop when it poured down with rain. Good for Tamworth, not so good for bowls. They gave us some great gifts. Including chalk lipstick. Great country music for bowls at West Tamworth!

We had such a good time at Murrurundi we didn't want to leave but we must to get to Qld! We drove on today to Werris Creek. We passed Willow Tree and Quirindi but we'll catch them when we do Armidale. A little rollup for us today at Werris Creek. The clubhouse has a comfy friendly feel. We met James. He's the General Manager and Bowling Club President. He's been following our blog. James gave us Werris Creek cloths. He introduced us to Janelle former Lady President. There are two greens. One, synthetic, has been pulled up. It's uncertain if it will be replaced with synthetic or grass. Robert at Scone told us when clubs do the maths on replacement and maintenance there's little difference between synthetic and grass. The second green is a very old, mouldy Tiger Turf. It's wet so it's super slick. Sean came for a natter. Sean said the green was very quick because it rained and there were a few drops. We adjusted our weight. Grass - not so much! Mal adjusted well second end. We did better with grass after a while. Jean was happy she finally worked it out! Last end we did ok. Despite the old surface we found it ok - once we worked it out. We came inside for a drink before going to our accommodation. Charlie served and chatted with us at the bar. The caravan was parked out the front. Lovely people at Werris Creek!

We're on our quick trip up the New England Highway to Qld. This morning we did both the clubs in Scone. We moved on to Murrurundi where we are staying. We'll be tired by the end of the day! It's a small clubhouse. With a beautiful memorial gate. And matching stone fences. There's a lovely little memorial garden. The green looks nice. It's plastic synthetic. The Athol J. Frith Green. It has beautiful mountain views. Bruce (VP) and Gary (President) were rolling up to prepare for Pennant Sectional Finals. Bruce told us "We let bowlers camp out the back!" Jean quizzed them about that. They said we could hook up our hose and power. Gary even said he'd open up the back door to the toilet and shower for us. Jerome liked rolling on the gravel. It's lovely with a little river beside. There's a nice Chinese restaurant for our Friday dinner and they have raffles as well! We started our rollup. We didn't do too bad first end. Jean had a go. She was happy with the results. We met Bushy (club Treasurer) who told us when we get to Nimbin say "Bushy from Murrurundi can't wait to get up there!" We relaxed with the boys. Gavin joined us. He's the caretaker of the Vietnam Vets memorial. After our delicious Chinese dinner we came in for raffles. The club was full. We didn't win a meat tray but had fun. Gary introduced us to everyone. Murrurundi - thanks so much for the hospitality!

So we're on our way to Queensland. We spent too long in Canberra so are a bit delayed in getting there (supposed to be there in May)! So on our trip up The New England Highway were stopping at some towns on our way somewhere else. It's the two Scone clubs today on way to Murrurundi. SCONE RSL First stop was the single green at SCONE RSL. We went inside the Clubhouse to get to the bowling green. There's a sign with cartoon Bowlers. It's a very nice grass green. The Percy Collison Green. Well protected from wind by hedges. Greenkeeper Colin was marking out the green. Jean stepped up. She really liked it. Mal came next. He was all over it. We only did six ends as we had to move on. SCONE BOWLING CLUB We were told in Singleton there's only oneI club to visit in Scone. The Scone Bowling Club. We wanted to see if that was correct. In the clubhouse we met Alita at bar. We liked the welcome mat. Then we met Club Manager Matt at the bar. He sold us two shirts for $50. We bought three DVDs to support the Travelling Bowlers. There are two nice-looking grass greens. Jean met Greenkeeper Robert who said they'd finish rolling in about 20 minutes. We sat with a drink to wait. Robert came to let us know we were right to go. We chatted about synthetic vs grass. We couldn't wait to get on the green. First end Mal was on the money. Jean said "I'm glad we stopped scoring our rollups!" Mal wanted to bowl one of Jean's bowls. He got shot! Then Jean worked it out. We wanted to get to Murrurundi so we only did a few ends. The grass was tough. We had to aim at the kitty! Scone done - now for Murrurundi!