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Fairy Meadow usually has social bowls on Saturday but there's Pennants on today so we've come for a rollup. It's a smallish, old-fashioned clubhouse. Trent the barman gave Mal a Fairy Meadow hat after Mal told him our story. He told us the club has just merged with the huge Fraternity Club here in Fairy Meadow. H There's a long under cover verandah by the main green. It was pouring rain when we arrived so we left our bowls in the car. We passed the time chatting with Guy and Stephen who used to play here but now play at St John's Park. There used to be three grass greens. The front one looks like it's been re-dressed. One seems to be gone now. The open green looks nice. Jean was so happy to see it named after a woman - Heather Evers - with the escarpment behind it. The rain stopped. We knew it would be super slow but decided to roll up anyway. Seems it's just been cut. Grass all over. Mal went out. He was confident. Jean started out nervously. Jean thought she had two but of course, Mal came and pilfered it! He kept doing it. Jean was getting cross! It started to rain again. Jean said " We're not finishing until I get photos of my good bowls! " Finally she got a four. Her next shot wasn't great but she said " I'm taking a photo in case I don't do any more! " Fairy Meadow - watch this space!

It's our second day back in Wollongong. We haven't done many north-side clubs so Mal's coming to Woonona for a triples game. It's roomy in the clubhouse. All decked out ready for Christmas. There's a pleasant outdoor area under cover. FIRST FRIDAY In the office we met Bowls Coordinator John. The club's been around for 130 years. Mal chatted with a few guys. He met Wayne who he'll play with today. There's a great commemorative garden Donated by the Women's Bowling Club. Apparently for the Triples they spin a chocolate wheel. Each player gets a number. There are three greens. Two in front. The back green is out. It's being rejuvenated as in a couple of weeks they will host the South Pacific championship finals. The main green is by the clubhouse. It was closed when we arrived (with the jacks out). John said one more downpour and the Greenkeeper will cancel today's game. A lot of clubs will let Jean play with the men. Not so at Woonoona. She'll have to find ways to amuse herself. Skip Mal, John and Wayne Played three-bowl triples against Dennis, Jon and Skip Leno. Jean had a good feeling so took a video of Mal's first bowl second end. He followed it up with a second . They managed to get six ends in before the rain came down. Mal lost by five. We came in for a drink. They said they'd hand out vouchers for next week. Yes we don't visit a club more than once but Jean's done the diary and we have no game next Friday so Mal will be back! SECOND FRIDAY We came back a week later to finish Mal's Friday triples game that was washed out. Jean spied a great old photo of the winning Pennants team from 1959. John found Jean a lovely Woonona pin to put on her hat. Mal played with Wayne again and Andrew who saw us yesterday at Dapto Citizens. Against Peter, Peter and Brian. (Skip Peter ran up the other end!) They were pretty level on end five then Mal took the kitty again artfully. Lots of guys came up to ask Jean about where we've been, how we travel, our shirts, where we're staying and when we bowl. Mal did ok! They had three with just a few ends to go until the 4pm finish. Mal's team won 20 to 12. They came in for drinks. Jean finally got a shot with opposing Skipper Peter in it! Woonona - lots of interest in us!

We've driven north for a Monday morning game at Bellambi. It's a mid-sized clubhouse. John, Keith and Wendy looked after the draw. There are kind of three greens. One of the bowlers told Jean the top green is "a cow paddock". Apparently the kids play on it. The big green is out for six weeks. We played on the little four-rink green. John called the cards. We filled the little green with a three-bowl triples game. Mal, Jean and Troy Played Les, Vernon, Paul (Ducky) It took five ends for us to work the green out. Mal finally did a photo-worthy bowl! But we lost it. Was looking like a nudie run! Then Jean did it. Les stole it, then Mal took it back. Every time lead Jean got shot Vernon did one better. Mal or Troy would get it back then Duckie would just draw shot! Jean did a beautiful toucher then Mal consolidated. It was a great head! Jean went inside to fill up the water jug. We were two shots down. When she got back Troy said " You should go away more often. You should see what your husband just did! " We met Greenkeepers Jayden and Nathan. After being down 1 to 8 we caught up. Last end we needed three to win. We got one. We came in for well-deserved drinks and very interesting stories. Our opponents won the day. They played very well. Bellambi - too good for us!

We weren't able to get to Dapto Citizens on a day there was a game (we thought) so came for a Thursday rollup. It's a nice spacious clubhouse. When we arrived, unexpectedly the ladies were playing a social game. Jean said "If I'd known that......!" They were all very friendly and interested in us. Jean asked if she could take a photo and they all wanted to get into it. Jean's phone was nearly flat and did weird things so she may not remember all the names. They were: Gail, Bee, Ri ...and Sally. Bee is the Lady President and Mal likes to have his photo taken "With people in high places!" Jean sat and chatted with Marg for a few minutes. Then we met Chris the Greenkeeper who was busy mowing. Chris has produced three nice-looking grass greens. The club has a donated memorial to those who fought in wars. We rolled up on rink six of the first green where the ladies played. Jean got the line and weight pretty quickly. Mal did a few short ones then worked it out. After a couple of long ones, Jean put in a beauty. Jean had two then took the kitty over for one. Jean kept getting shot and said to Mal " This is the last end. I need another good shot of your bowl!" He didn't disappoint! Dapto Citos - such nice ladies!

After our great game yesterday at Bellambi, we've come today to nearby Towradgi for a Tuesday morning game. It's a decent-sized clubhouse. Mark looked after the draw. There were enough players to fill two greens with pairs. Mal found lots of guys to have a chat with. Mal and David And John and China. There are three beautiful grass greens. The game was on the front two greens. We played on The Bill Webber Green. With a view of the ocean from the car park. They called out names. Everyone purchases a ticket at the bar then as their name is called they pick up a bag and put their ticket in. It has the rink number on it. 'A' means you pick up the mats and Jack. Then they put the bags in a dish on the bar. We played pairs together Against Graham (Doggie) and Sooty. First end we had four Then Mal put the kitty in the ditch for five. Jean had shot so with her next bowl she touched kitty over for two. Mal had the last say. We met Peter and Jai the Greenkeepers. We won 20 to 11 and came inside for drinks and raffles. Bill joined us. Lots of bowlers at Towradgi.

It's our last day in Nowra region before we head back to Wollongong tonight. We've come for Wednesday afternoon Bowls. We came in on Saturday and put our names down. It's a nice-looking clubhouse. We drive to Wollongong after the game tonight to look after Jean's Mum and her sisters' dogs while they go to Tasmania. It seems there are some champions here! Jamie looked after the draw. Today there were four games of three-bowl triples. Steve, Jean and Mal Were against Derek, Ken and Allan. There are two nice grass greens. We played on the front green. It's the John Herbert Green. There's a nice memorial in the garden. It took nearly ten ends for either of us to do a photo-worthy bowl. Suddenly each of our team members had a shot. Mal had two. We ended up with one. They all kept barking orders at Jean. " Put the mat down!" "Leads don't stand on the green!" "Shhhhhh! He's on the mat !" Then some bloke on the sideline had a go at her for missing "the bowl of the day" being on her phone. Men think that's OK behaviour. Jean finally got one after she got cranky at Skip Mal for calling her on the other hand. Mal started to get the fast green. Steve convinced Jean to roll a short end. She was dubious but it worked out very well! Mal put the kitty in the ditch! We won 20 to 16. It was a tough game. Mal reckons they were top bowlers. We had to race off because there was a sports game on at the oval and our caravan was about to be parked in. Who knows if we won the day? Husky Sports - we just escaped!

We've driven out south-east from Nowra to Currarong for a game with the boys. Mal said " It's like a Tardis - huge on the inside! " There's a nice entertaining area by the green. Jean met Todd the greenkeeper. Mal met Ray who organises Tuesday bowls. Ian looked after the money and draw. It was only $5 each to play. The boys all sat around before the game. They were very friendly and welcoming. There's a good sign. With two grass greens. We played on the lower green. The Bert Worboys Memorial Green. We played three-bowl triples. There were 17 players so three games with one swinger. Peter, Jean and Mal. Against Bert, Mal and Neil. It wasn't the usual six ends. Jean scored second end. Jean got three. Then Mal took her second shot out with his first bowl and stole it with his last. Jean's (Peter's) team was ahead all game. After the six Peter's team got Mal's team caught up. They needed three to win on the last end. They had four then Jean's team scored a one after Mal moved the kitty. Winners got their green fees back. They served us up little boys after the game. Currarong - bowls, frankfurts and a win for Jean.

Today at Saint Georges Basin Country Club it's Sunday Chook Run day. We arrived early. Out the front we met Heather and Graham. It's a surprisingly big clubhouse. The plaque says they've been bowling for over 60 years. Jean messaged the club yesterday to get our names down for a 9:30 start. Committee member Greg rang Mal last night to confirm. Brian looked after the money. We sat and chatted with the guys before the game started. There are three nice-looking grass greens. The green was being rolled. As usual it's named for a man. There were three games of three-bowl triples. It was Graham, Jean and Charlie Against Ray, Jean and George. Paul, Mal and Heather Played Pam, Geoff and Keith. The green was super fast. It took a while then Jean scored a three. They said to Mal " You can stay as Skip! " Jean felt she bowled really well. Mal had shot then the opposition skip pushed his bowl and the kitty up for two. We came inside to celebrate. We both had convincing wins. Jean's team won by 14, Mal won by 24 shots. He won the Meat Voucher. One of the guys gave Mal a Club cloth. A meat voucher for Mal at St George's Basin Country Club!

We came to Greenwell Point after we visited Culburra Beach Bowlo. We'd seen online they had Saturday afternoon bowls on. Mal rang but they said there's a tournament on. We dropped in for a visit. The sign says it's been open since 1974. It's a pleasant little clubhouse. There didn't seem to be any bowlers around. We were a little bit surprised about that. With a little outdoor area out front. It seems you can drive your boat here! There are two grass greens. It looks good. We didn't get to try it. It's the WL Sneddon Memorial Green. Jean asked Mal if he wanted to roll up. He said " It's way too windy! " It comes off the ocean! (Jean thinks he was just tired. He'd had a big day!) Perhaps we'll come back to Greenwell Point!

We're in Nowra for a few days on our way to Wollongong to look after Mum. We've come south-east to visit Culburra Beach Bowlo. It's a nice, bright, buzzing clubhouse. There seem to be 2 1/2 greens. The middle green looks to be recuperating. Secretary Ken gave us a cloth as a momento. He told us their two Greenkeepers gave them the best greens in the Illawarra. Ian recognised us from our blog. He was playing in the final of the Club Fours. It was a good, close game to watch. A number of the spectators chatted with us about our trip. Mal told them about Leif Selby and the beer fridges at East Cessnock. There's a sign that says visitor rollups are $10. That goes against our policy so there's no rollup for us here today. We would have stayed to watch the final but Mal was stressed as he's misplaced his licence. Culburra Beach - no rollup but friendly people.

We're on our way to Wollongong to look after Jean's Mum and her sisters' dogs while they go to Tasmania for a holiday. We've stopped in at Nowra for a few days. Today is Club Nowra. Mark the Bowls Organiser let us in the side gate. He asked if we were the ones who put our names down for today. It's a mid-sized clubhouse. There's an upstairs outdoor area. It's the Lyrebird Larrikins Nest! One of the bowlers - Monkey (Chris) - designed the logo. Dennis organised today's game. He's been following our blog. Jervis came and chatted with us. There are two grass greens. One downstairs with Barefoot bowlers on it. We were on the hidden top green upstairs. It's four-bowl pairs today. We played together against Lex (Lexford) and Tom. Tom is ex-Navy. Many of the Nowra players are ex-Navy. There were six games of pairs. Jean and twenty-three blokes. We started well with a two. Then Mal drove the kitty into the ditch and followed it. Jean consolidated. We got a three Then a four! Jean said " I'm doing really good bowls today but more than half were flukes! " We finished up after 18 ends. We won 25 to 12. We came in for drinks with the boys. Jean's old friend Lana dropped in for a catch up with her. We stayed and had dinner. Club Nowra - a win, old friends and new.

We're headed to Nowra for a few days. We came from Sydney so decided to come via Canberra to spend time with our grandsons, daughter and son-in-law. Braidwood is on the way to Nowra so we've come to Braidwood Services for a rollup. At home we saw our new Grandson Zac again. It's just five weeks since he was born but he's changed so much! Mum (Laura), Dad (Dwi) and big brother Zeke were close by! Braidwood Services is a free camp so we parked the van there. First person we met at Braidwood was volunteer Lee who had just mowed the green. Lee introduced us to Dylan the greenkeeper. He's played at Mal's club Tuggeranong and knows some bowlers we know. It's an RSL club. It has a golf course. The Manager told me 52 women are playing Golf today. It's a medium sized clubhouse. It has a nice indoor-outdoor area. Pixie served our drinks. There are two nice grass greens. One looks to be out at the moment. The main green is up top. It's named for a greenkeeper who gave 42 years of service to the club - Ray Neilsen. We wanted to roll up. Dylan had trouble finding the mat box key. He sorted us out eventually. Jean took a swing. The weather was beautiful - a little warm and not much wind. We were pretty happy with our heads. Line and weight Ok. Mal was determined! Jean played weight twice to take ot Mal's great shot bowl. He persisted! Jean said " My weight's pretty average but my line is ok! " Mal had the last laugh. Good grass! Lovely afternoon at Braidwood Services!