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We came to Aberdeen on our way to Scone. We found out this morning there's bowls at 9:30. We got up at 6am to get there from Singleton. It's a nice little clubhouse - bigger than it looks. There's a good outdoor area on the green. And a nice little barbecue area. Next door at the oval there's a mural of the Aberdeen Highland Games. Jean's Scottish blood stirred. We met John who organises Thursday bowls. John told us Cabramatta Leagues Club merged with the club (took over) last year. He said their rules are the won't open the clubhouse (for the toilets) until 10. There's just one plastic synthetic green. The OC Adnum Green. The shades are unusual. The footy oval next door had orange posts which we've never seen before. It's usually mixed today but all the ladies are at Presentation Day in Denman. Only two guys turned up so it was 2-4-2 pairs. John and Jean played Murray and Mal. We lead. We both got our grass right. Jean got shot first end. With the wet the bowls got a little grubby. We needed our Bourke Bowling Club cloths. Down two, John called Jean to play weight and take shot out. She went narrow and missed but wicked in and got shot from Mal. Mal was playing well though. He and Murray were well ahead. Butch rolled up then sat and watched the game and gave good commentary. Mal and Murray were nine up overall after they got a five! Mal and Murray won by - well alot. Jean didn't ask the score after a six on the last end. Jean was just happy with her second-last end! We drove over to the free-camping area next door to the club. Aberdeen - the Scots didn't help Jean today.

All last night, our final in Morisset it bucketed down. We hoped when we took off for Singleton we'd leave it behind. No so! DIGGERS The first club we visited was Singleton Diggers - just a stones throw from the Showground where we're staying. It's a biggish clubhouse. Mal had a nice chat with Scott the bartender. Andrew the Operations Manager tried to convince us to roll up even though it was sopping wet. There's just one green It's a 17 year old plastic synthetic. Andrew reckoned we'd be the last people to do so because it's being pulled up in two weeks and replaced. Mal said "No way I'm rolling up on that puddle!" It's the first time we've actually seen 21 metres marked on the green with a number. It looks like they had a close Pennant game on the weekend. Andrew called CEO Michael over to meet us and related our story which Mal had told everyone at the bar when he got a beer. We wanted to do both Singleton clubs in one day so we didn't stay long despite all the friendly people we met. CLUB SINGLETON Club Singleton is a short distance away. In fact only eight minutes walk from the showground. Not doing that today as it's wet. The clubhouse is a decent size. There are three grass greens. One looks fallow. The middle one is a little patchy. Hayden (not a bowler and didn't want his photo taken) told us green two has drainage issues and problems with weeds and mould. The greenkeeper is working on it. We decided if it was fine we'd have rolled up on the one with the Pennant scoreboard. No puddles but it looked pretty damp. It's the A.J (Arie) Dorsman Green. Dorsman seems to be a big name in Singleton. We think Singleton folks must be pretty tough - playing bowls up to 40°! In Victoria it's 35°. There's a plaque for works in 1974. Wet feet for bowls today in Singleton!

A couple of years ago, after she studied Sports Psychology at uni, Jean did some sessions with bowlers around the country. One of them was Jodie Turner. Jodie saw Jean was in Zone 2 and got in touch for a rollup. We're going to drive a bit further than usual to meet at Charlestown today. We arranged a rollup with Jodie at 10:30. It was raining in Morisset so we weren't hopeful but we went anyway. We met Jodie at the door and she introduced us to CEO Michael. Jean wore her Millthorpe shirt and Michael said he's from there. It's a big club. The honour board is huge. The club has a great outdoor area. by the old green. It's synthetic but they don't play on it often as it's old. Jodie explained they are the Tigers. They have these little Tiger Emblems for each grade. If they win the stay upright. There are two beautiful carpet greens under cover. They've been in since July last year. There's a nice viewing area alongside the greens. Jodie's Dad George came to roll up with us. Jodie introduced us to Denise. Jodie actually introduced us to everyone. Paula and Terrie-Ann came to say hi. Daniel the Bowls Organiser has been following our adventures online. Mal was envious and wanted a photo with him. There was a Ladies' Gala going on on the first green. We played on the other. Mal and Jean against George and Jodie. The surface is Jean's favourite Tiger Turf. Jean loved it! Mal was on the mark as well. It started out we were up six-zip then they caught up with 5. Jodie had shot then Mal drew inside her. Then we had two and Mal took out George's blue bowl for three. It ended up we won 10 to 5. Main thing is we had a lovely time. Jean was surprised she bowled so well - though it's her favourite! We only played eight ends as Jodie had to leave but we used the fancy electronic scoreboard. It automatically adds up the scores for Pennants on the big board. It was great to finally meet Jodie in Person. What a host she is! She showed us her special Charlestown drink bottle. Jodie arranged for Damian to give us Charlestown shirts. We loved them! We felt very welcome at Charlestown.

We're waiting for a parcel to arrive (Mal's replacement Parramatta Eels bowls bag) so we've stayed at Morisset a few days longer than planned. We think we can now get all the local clubs in. Today we head to Club Munmorah for their monthly Monday morning bowls. Jean contacted them on Messenger to check if bowls was on. She'd read on the website it was "Villages" on Monday. They replied and said "Yes. 10am". It's a smallish clubhouse. Jean went to the office to ask if we could get a game. She was curtly informed "We're full!" They seemed busy. We hadn't seen a later Messenger reply that told us they couldn't fit us in. We worked out that 'Villages' is a competition between local retirement villages. We'd have been interlopers if we'd got a game. She asked if we could roll up. "Only up the top. The last rink - 14" We got our bags and went up there. It's grass. The other is synthetic. It's named the Viv Buckpitt-Reynolds Green. We were a bit sad but understood. Jean started out. She told Mal she wasn't wearing sunscreen so to make it short. First bowl she was on the money. Mal took his turn. He tried his best but Jean was all over it. Jean hadn't got a photo of Mal's good bowls so she said "I want you to take my shot bowl out!" Instead he put the kitty in the ditch then consolidated for three. It was very unusual in that nobody spoke to us there - except one guy who asked Mal if we were the Travelling Bowlers. Mal tried to strike up a couple of conversations but was out of luck. We guessed they were all focused om their games. Not much chat at Club Munmorah.

After out catch up with Neville yesterday at Valentine we came to Wangi Wangi. Neville told us Sunday is a catch up game from last week's downpour. Pennants are on again today at Wangi. It's a nice little clubhouse. We stood and watched. Mal met and chatted with Dave. There are two greens. One is synthetic The other is being constructed. There were two clubs playing here today. The Wangi shirt has a great local water scene on it. Grade Four played against Beresfield. Dave was Lead there. Their shirts say 'Bero Bowlo'. Mal"s sure it'sthe Magpie 'Pew' from Footrot Flats. Grade Seven played Teralba. Budgie from Teralba modelled his shirt. We arrived when they were up to 47 ends. 70% through. Grade Four was convincingly in front. Grade Seven was three behind. We sat and watched with our drinks. They started at 10 and we arrived at 12 so we didn't have to wait too long to roll up. End 21 they were all ready to finish. Wangi won the Four's but lost the Sevens. They came inside for their well-deserved sandwiches. A Wangi tradition. So we started our long-awaited rollup. Jean first. She got cranky because she had shot then Mal took it off her! She swore at him! Mal delivered his bowls. We got our weight right. Jean wouldn't finish until she got a shot of a winning bowl of hers! After our rollup we met and chatted with Allan. Mal told him about how his Parramatta Eels bowls bag fell apart after the Raiders annihilated them. He introduced Mal to his Lead Steve. Steve has Parramatta Eels bowls! Mal was envious. Helen the bartender asked Jean about our trip. She said she'd read about us a couple of days ago on Facebook. She came and took some photos of us to give to Cliff the Bowls Organiser. Then she came out and presented us with a Wangi Wangi shirt. Just before we left Jean met Marie, Sandy. David and Ann who asked about our trip and wished us well. Always good to watch a Pennant game - this time at Wangi Wangi!

We checked out a few bowling clubs around Lake Macquarie to find out if there was an ANZAC Day game and someone at Dora Creek suggested we try Halekulani. Jean rang and got our names down to play in the morning. When Jean rang she was told they were full and we'd only get a game if someone else entered. They didn't so we had to just roll up. It's Fours though so no room to fit us in. That's lucky because when she initially contacted she was told we couldn't just turn up for a rollup and preference was given to members. We almost skipped it given that. There's a separate area for the bowlers. We met greenkeeper Hammy and his apprentice Connor. Hammy wanted to meet us because he's been reading our blog. He was apprenticed at Queanbeyan RSL. He and Mal talked about how good the greens there are. Hammy left a rink for us to roll up on. There are two grass greens. The boss told us the third green will be synthetic under cover. It's being prepared. We rolled on Green 1. It's the Gordon Forbes Green. It has nematodes Hammy told us but it was fair. Jean started out. She got her weight ok. It was Mal's turn next. Jean was short until Mal knocked her up. It wasn't much fun rolling up with a game going on next door so we only did a few ends. Hammy wanted Mal to roll up on Green One - the better green. The Don Glascock Green. It took him a few rolls but he got it in the end. Mal stood and sadly watched for a while. As we were leaving we met Kim and Colleen who said if they'd known they'd have come and played with us. Halekulani - we got second best - a rollup!

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!