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Molong is just a hop, step and a jump from Manildra where we've been staying so we popped in to have a rollup there. We were told when we were at Yeoval that Molong got destroyed in a flood . They are still recovering. They have free camping so we're camped here. The club is not open as it's being re-built. We might be able to roll up. Just after we parked the van we met Narelle. She told us Friday night they have Brag Bowls. We told her we're up for that! We peeked inside through the window to see the repairs. Outside the club are seats with memorials. In the grounds is a children's playground. They seem to be big on memorials. There's a memorial garden. For past members with individual memorials throughout. There are two nice grass greens. We played on the outside rink. We were only going to get a game if regulars didn't show up. In fact we got distracted and arrived late. They were already underway. Narelle told us a lot of the people who play aren't bowlers. They just come for the fun. They seem to have uniforms. We saw Narelle. She said she'd arranged for us to roll up with Sarah and Steve who were practising for the State Mixed Pairs qualifying rounds being held here tomorrow. We were getting flogged and finally got two. Mal snuck one in. And again. Jean raced down to photograph here three shot bowls before the boys bowled. She's glad she did because Steve stole shot! We didn't score but we're pretty sure they beat us something like 25 to 10. We think they'll qualify well tomorrow! We stayed for the sausage sizzle. It was late when we finished so we dashed off to get some takeaway Chinese for dinner. We met Sarah and Steve there. We asked if they are confident. Steve said they've won the State Mixed Pairs before. Molong - a rollup with champions.

We found out Manildra has social bowls on Wednesday. We were very happy we could make it for a game finally! Unfortunately Jean rang the club to find out what time. She was told it is ladies and they've all gone away to play in a game somewhere else - so no game today! We came for a rollup and were all alone! After a while Graham turned up - then Margaret. We got a peek inside. Jean snuck a photo of Margaret and Graham. Graham told Jean the club will be open tomorrow at 3pm so we can meet others. We'll come back for that. Actually once we do Manildra, you can see from our trip map that we've done all of western NSW ( and Western Qld [pink ones]) so only the East to do now. There's a nice shaded verandah by the green. The club has just one grass green. It was named for Reg Hughes in 2002. Mal took his turn. " It's pretty quick. " He said. Jean had two shots then Mal stole it! Jean concentrated on her shot. It was pretty fast. It took Jean a while to get the weight. Then she did! Then she put in a miraculous bowl! She said " I think now quick greens suit me! " We finally did a good head. We both had shot a couple of times. She thinks Mal already had it but Jean took the kitty to Mal's bowl. Jean thinks she won! We came back Thursday arvo to meet some bowlers for a drink. Greg came out to say gidday. He's the Greenkeeper's brother. Sam, Wilbur and Ian had a rollup. We saw some very good bowls put down. We went back to the caravan to prepare for our rollup tomorrow at Molong. Manildra - just a little win for Jean!

We're headed east from Hillston for Jean's Uncle Donny's 90th birthday party in Windsor Sydney. We've stopped in Yeoval for a rollup as they don't have social bowls today. We're staying at the Royal Hotel in Yeoval. Out the back. We met bowls life member Tommy at the pub. At the pub there's an impressive array of paintings of the regulars. Tommy is up there. Top, fifth from the left. Then Yeoval Bowls Club President Barry turned up at the pub. He recognised our bowls shirts and introduced himself. Jean's been in touch with a member on Messenger to say we'd be here today. They told us there was a wake on at the club. It was in full swing when we arrived in the afternoon. It was packed. A lady at the bar introduced us to Golly the Greenkeeper who was at the funeral. He opened the mat/jack box for us. There are two good-looking grass greens. They are a bit long (the grass) so it will be slow. We liked the Frank O'Halloran Green. Jean went out in front of the mourners. It was hard to tell which direction bowls would land. It took all our muscles. It was close. Mal was a little frustrated. He got some in there. Mal had shot. Jean put her bowl down. It went left, then right, then left again. It took the kitty back for three. Mal hadn't done a good shot for a while. He said " I can't bowl on this! " Jean sent his bowl back eight times. Then he came to the party! Golly asked what we thought about the green. Jean told him about her wandering bowl that took the kitty. He said : " You worked it out then! " We came back to the pub for a meal. (Forgot to buy steak and no supermarket here!) We had a nice chat with the publican and good food. Yeoval - we can bowl on any surface!

We've left the West and are on our way East for Jean's Uncle Donny's 90th. We stopped in to Condobolin Sports Club for a rollup. It's a nice clubhouse. We're told it's been refurbished over the last ten years. Next, and last, is the bar. Paula came out and explained there's no power as their board is being updated. We met Viv (Richards), Paula and Kristin. The guys at Hillston told us to be careful. " You don't say 'Condobolin' you say 'Condo'! " There were sports cartoons on the window. We liked the bowling kangaroo! There was an old bowling club. The Sports Club was opened in 2010. Mal met bowler Max. They chatted for ages about bowlers they both know and Max's mates at Ettalong. There are two pristine-looking grass greens. The front one is named after a bar manager who was a full-on St George fan. We played on the other unnamed green. Jean had a go. She was upset and swearing because she couldn't put a good bowl down. Mal was doing fine which annoyed her even more. Mal claimed three. Jean was sure it was only two. " Mine weren't that far off! " She cried. At last Jean managed a couple. Not too close! The closer Mal got the crankier Jean got! She tried unsuccessfully to take him out! Mal suggested " Make this the last end? " Jean replied " Not until I do a good bowl! " She doesn't usually do as she's told! We came in for a drink in the air-conditioning. Condo - the people you meet!

We left Hillston early this morning so we could arrive at Lake Cargelligo Bowling Club by 11am for the Chicken Run bowls. The first person we met was Steve who is the Greenkeeper. Barkeep Renee put our names down. She introduced us to gun bowler Denise. It's a nice little clubhouse. Kasey looked after the draw. Peter, one of the past Presidents,  came and sat with us for chat. There is a Foundation Stone from 1983. The clubhouse was opened a year later. There are two greens - one up top which looks to be out of action. It's being re-dressed. And one down below. The Ron 'Spike' Delahunty Green. He's one of the former Presidents. Tennis balls mark Jack in the ditch. Golf balls mark rink boundaries. There were two games of three-bowl triples. There was lots of noise. Everyone was having a whale of a time! Otto, Ted and Jean Played Peter, Mal and Bev. Mal and Jean were opposite Seconds. Jean had second shot just behind Mal but he took her out with his third bowl. She got him back but it got knocked out! Ted said " We've gotta get a couple to avoid the nudie run! " Jean did it. Mal had two on the kitty until Otto put the kitty and Mal's toucher in the ditch. Despite winning only four ends, Ted's (Jean's) team won 10 to 9. We had to come in before 1pm for the raffles! Bev found Jean an old Lake Cargelligo WBC badge for her hat. They brought us out some nibblies. We won the raffle but had to give most of it away as we've no room in the caravan. Lake Cargelligo - a relaxed but noisy game!

Hillston is our last club in Western NSW. Jean's Dad's Aunty Doey used to own a pub here, where she stayed as a kid, so we're very pleased to come to Hillston Exies for a bowl. There are two bars: The Workers' Bar and the Sports Bar where the bowlers go. There's a proud Honour Board. Their Fives and Sixes won Pennants in 2005 and 1011. We met Rip the greenkeeper who said the back green just got refurbished. He does all the gardens and the beer taps. We sat for a chat with the boys: Greg, Mick, Roger, Noel, Ade, Mal and Darryl. There's a relaxing outdoor area. Right next door is the tennis courts. And the footy oval is behind. There are two grass greens. The back green is still out of action. We bowled on the side green. Normally they go out and just bowl but there are enough for two games of pairs today. Bowls was supposed to start at 1pm. They started to wander out at 1:30. Ade and Jean Played Mal and Darryl. Jean struggled. Her bowls went everywhere! Mal sorted it ot quickly. They have a rule: After four ends they come in for a beer, get another one to take out, then do the last four ends. Jean said " That doesn't work for me. I only come good after six ends! " Greg said " We're very social here! " After the game we went to The Clubhouse Hotel to ask about Jean's Aunty. He said she likely owned the other pub - Tattersals. Hillston - a little game and lots of beers!

We're stopping a couple of days in Griffith. Initially we stayed at Lake Wyangan but then we came into town to the caravan park so we could play bowls at Griffith Exies Sports today - Thursday. It's a decent sized clubhouse - though the parent club - the Griffith Exies is huge! The ladies from the bar unlocked the gate on Wednesday so we could check out the green. We met Rod the greenkeeper and LT. There are two synthetic greens. It's a plastic synthetic. The Les Foote Green. The sign changes to say which direction to play in. The first people we met were Laurie and his wife Debbie. Rob looked after the money. They put out nice food for after the game. With mini sausage rolls. We played three-bowl triples but after each seven ends we swapped positions. It was Rob, Jean and Ollie. Against Tony Macaroni. Angelo and Kevin. They were Italian so Jean practised her lingo with them. " Io parlo Italiano un po! " They said she was good though broken! Bruna, Mal and Ros Played John, Ben and Robert. Jean was right over on the other green so had to run to get a shot of Mal's good bowl. Jean waited a few ends to do a good bowl. Jean had a Resting Toucher but it got touched out (really truly!) Lots of running for Jean to get Mal's bowls. Jean's game was close. Mal won his game. We didn't win the money or the raffle but we had a great time! Mal wanted a photo with John because he's the Vice-president. Griffith - we loved the format.

We've parked the caravan at Whitton Bowls Club . It's only 20 minutes from Leeton so we drove back to check out the two Leeton clubs. LEETON SERVICES We dropped in at the Leeton bowls club but they close on Monday so our first stop in Leeton was the Services Club for a little rollup. Lyn signed us in and showed us where to get mat and jacks. Summer served us at the bar. We decided to have a drink before our rollup. There are two impressive grass greens. We rolled up on the front green. The Les Bonham Green. Jean had her go. She was happy with her weight. Mal stepped out. He scored two. Mal's weight improved. Last end Jean called to Mal he had to improve on his photo-worthy bowls. He did but Jean knocked him out! LEETON BOWLS CLUB We came back after 12 on Tuesday as the sign said that's when the club opens. We came in and asked Bartender David if we could have a rollup. Bowler Pat showed Jean where the mats are. The clubhouse was rebuilt in 1973. There are nice permanent shades next to both the greens. The club has two greens. Peter Eurell up top. We rolled up on the bottom green. The Neville Bush Green. Jean was first as usual. It was perfect weather. 23° and no wind. The green was lovely. Nevertheless it took Jean quite a few ends. Mal had no problems. Jean tried to take Mal out but took her own bowl instead. It was fast! We had a few in the ditch. Jean was happy she pipped Mal. Jean said to Mal " I don't have a photo of a really good bowl from you yet. " He heard her! We came in, sat and had a drink and chat with Tadpole, Middo, David, Pat and Andy (who used to live in Canberra). Two nice rollups over two days in Leeton.

Jean's been in touch with Kayla at Whitton Bowling Club for months. Kayla said we could park our caravan at the club if we are self-contained. Jean messaged to say we'd arrive today. She said we'd only stay one night because we need power for Tuesday cooking. Kayla sorted that out so we'll stay for two nights. We arrived midday then Kayla (who lives next door) and Jason turned up. Jason opened the clubhouse then the shed so we could get power. He directed us to water. We peaked inside. It's a quaint little clubhouse. They're proud of the 1989 Fours Pennant win! Kayla had told Jean to contact her or Suzie if we need anything. Suzie came in the arvo. We're told Suzie does everything here. She tends bar, cooks the food She organises entertainment and sometimes she IS the entertainment! Jean loved the roses! By the clubhouse is a great slab wooden table Out the front is an old wooden seat. There's one grass green. It hasn't been mown because they lost power for the mower. Jason promised us it would be done for our Tuesday rollup! The Viv Aylett Green. Kayla said the club isn't open Monday but Suzie opened up (maybe because we're here!). Word got around and the regulars came out of the woodwork! We drank and played pool! One of them was John who keeps the green. He told us the mower power still isn't fixed so tomorrow we have to roll up on the strip. Mal stayed with the boys 'till after dark. We're not usually at Bowling clubs at night so we don't get to see things like pretty lights. Tuesday morning Jean braved the strip while Mal took a shower. It was very patchy. Jean was nervous. The bowls bumped around all over the place. They'd come in then go out again! She was shocked she actually got one near the kitty! After showering Mal came out for his turn. " You sure you want to roll on this? " He asked. " It's fun! " Jean replied. Mal wasn't so sure. A few swearwords! In the end Mal said " This is doing my head in! " Last bowl Jean nearly got him. " You need to practise all surfaces! " She said. Our second night we came in again and had drinks and chatted with the locals. What fun we had! Lots of fun at Whitton - we'll remember it always.

We don't usually write a blog post about a club more than once but Mal playing comp at home with Tuggeranong Vikings is special. We've made an exception! When we arrived back last Friday one of the guys asked Mal if he wanted to play in the next comp. He leapt at the chance! We got there early Saturday. All the boys, Mal's mates, were there to play in the Open Singles. Mal didn't know his opponent Steve. He asked around about him and found out he came from Canberra or North Canberra. They're not mates but Mal said " We will be! " Darrin was their Marker. Alan, Michael and Umpire Scotty sat and watched the game. Starting off well Mal won the first three ends. He was five-zip up then Steve got a full count. The game was on! It was great to watch. Mal would get shot then Steve would get closer. Then Mal would take him out. It went on like that. Mal was doing fine then Steve got the jump on him - 8 to 14. He fought back with a three! He caught up! Then Steve got ahead of him. He came up and won. Even so, Mal still wants to be mates! Mal's happy to see his boys again!

We're free-camping at the fantastic Marrar Royal Hotel ten minutes away from Coolamon Bowls Club. We only know there's bowls on Sunday - not the time - so had to turn up early. It's a sports club and when we arrived at 9 there were golfers everywhere for an Ambrose comp. We asked about bowls. One of the golfing ladies rang a bowler to find out what time they play. She said 1pm but today they are all at Cootamundra. We decided to come back later. If noone turns up we'll roll up. Outside we saw a beautiful memorial for Lorraine Chant. There's just one synthetic green. GANMAIN In the meantime we drove out to Ganmain to check out the club and green. There was nobody around yet so we didn't think we should roll up. Jean took a photo of the dark clubhouse through the glass. The green is quite new - 2023. It's a plastic synthetic. It seems to have two names. It has groovy permanent shades. BACK TO COOLAMON Since we'd already driven through it twice today we decided to just stop in again in the morning and roll up at Coolamon. John came out to open up the green for us. He said " I'm not a golfer or a bowler - just a volunteer. " We were grateful for his help. Jean took her turn. It was really fast. She found it hard to get the weight. Plus her feet were hot. Mal took to the mat. Jean struggled. Mal got it. The golfers tee'd off next door. Hmm. Too small for a jack! Mal bowled consistently. Jean hadn't put a good bowl down. Her last bowl of the rollup was short. She said " I'm having that back! " Good job she did! Jean thinks Mal won the rollup but was ecstatic about her final bowl! Bowling Ganmain and Coolamon - a little fun in tiny towns!

We free-camped at Adelong showground last night . We dropped in to the parent RSL Club last night to ask about Friday night bowls. Kathy at RSL told us Friday night hadn't started yet but the there's bowls Saturday 1pm. Kathy texted President David to tell him we'll be there. It's a nice old clubhouse. There's a great bowls painting on the wall. President David was expecting us. We were impressed with the wind vane. One of the members Graham painted it. There's just one grass green. It looks OK, if a bit rough around the edges. It's the Ross Whiting Green. There's an old sign that says it used to be called The Wal Hasset Green. There were seven of us so we played three-bowl Fours with swinging lead David. It was Peter, Midge, Jean and David. Against David, Andrew, Mal and Peter. They call the bowls gatherer 'Rover The Sheepdog'! " That's a good muster! "" It took Jean quite a few ends but she finally got a couple. Jean really enjoyed the boys' conversation about bowls, farms, rock-n-roll and bee stings. They tried to claim she didn't have shot but she did! The Magpies came to clean up the scarabs. On end 17, after much egging on from Jean, Mal finally did a photo-worthy bowl. Second-last end he did a beauty. Anne, who we met before the game left us a great afternoon tea. Jean won and Mal lost. She was very happy about that! Adelong - worth the wait.