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Berrigan is a small town of around 1,200 We came to the Golf and Bowling Club on Monday for a rollup. It's a golf club so the clubhouse is nice. MONDAY: When we got there we met Graeme one of the greenkeepers. He was quick to suggest that if we come tomorrow we might get a Pennants game as a substitute. We said we'd come and watch anyway. Jean chatted for a while with the ladies who were setting up for a wake. (Katie, Glenys, Elaine, Val, Karen and Sandy.) She was happy to find, if not a green, The Clare Steel Garden named after a lady bowler who had passed and a memorial for Lesley Forrest. The club has one big grass green with a divider up the middle. It's a nice-looking green. About 16 seconds. . It's the M Bush - N Burke Green. We wondered what it would be like under the lights. We rolled a few ends. Mal was (as usual) doing really well until Jean got a three Then another three. As we were leaving Graeme told Mal about their tournament on Thursday (when we're in Cobram). He rang up and got him a game. TUESDAY: We came to watch the Pennants. We saw on the shirts. They are the Berrigan Curlews. Val told Jean about the former mascot 'Curl' The Curlew. Val said Curl used to hang around the club and wait at the front door for the cleaner then come in and sit by the heater. She was killed by neighbour's dogs. Berrigan played Pennants against Numurkah where we'll be next week. It's Ladies' but some men play. THURSDAY: Mal played lead in two-bowl triples for skip Graeme and Laurie. Games are eight ends - four games in all. (Laurie, Mal and Graeme) It was a sight to see. Jean wandered around and chatted with blokes from lots of different clubs. Mal's first game was against Ken, Peter and Soups from Barooga. Mal struggled with weight initially - too heavy. He worked it out on end four. After that he bowled well but they lost 11 to 4. Second game was against Roy, Peaky and Bruce from Picola. They lost again. Third game was against Garry, Peter and Paul. Mal and Laurie both bowled well. They were level going in to the last end and got shot for a win! The last game was against Peter, Wayne and Gordon from Barooga. Mal got shot first bowl. That was about it. They lost nine shots in three ends. They came inside for a lovely lunch prepared by the ladies. Rolls with beef, gravy and coleslaw. Graeme introduced Jean to the sponsor Mick from Willow Cobram Resort. Berrigan - we met lots of new friends.

So our first club back in Victoria is Cobram. We're staying here for six days to do all the Vic and NSW clubs around. We came in on Tuesday while they were playing Pennants to find out about social bowls and try to get our names down. We met Porky who used to bowl at Tomakin with Mal's good mate Smiley. He told us to turn up Wednesday at 10 for a game. We did that but there was nobody there. We met Greg the greenkeeper who laughed and said "Did Porky tell you that?" He told us to come back for 1pm and showed us where to put our names down. There are three lovely grass greens. Jean was over the moon to see a green named after a woman - the Ena Gray Green. Greg told us she was a life member who passed away on the front green. We bowled on the far green. It's the Alan Rowley Green. There were only six names down. Mum and daughter Diane and Melody are new bowlers so Mal and Jean skipped triples. It was Melody, Jean and Carol Against Tracey, Mal and Diane. There were bowls everywhere . Jean didn't have to do too well to get two shots. To Jean's dismay the new girls are still learning weight so kept rolling long ends. She was up to the challenge though - Jean's team were up eight zip on end four. Mal was having a bad day. He had shot but Jean took it off him. On the second last end Mal finally bowled a beauty for shot on a long end and the second end win in ten. He won the last end. It was Jean 15 to 3. Cobram - nice to play with new bowlers.

So we were supposed to stay a week in Tocumwal but decided to stay in Cobram Vic instead. We came to Club Tocumwal to find out about social bowls. The receptionist was keen to get us to pay $20 for Monday night Barefoot Bowls. We weren't keen so she put us on the phone to Bob who was nice but couldn't help us. They only have Wednesday morning and we're already committed. The club isn't really a bowling club, it's a synthetic green in the middle of the golf course. Few facilities evident for bowlers. We didn't like it so just rolled up. There are two synthetic greens the plastic kind. We rolled on number two The Don Baguley Green. The greenkeepers were watering so it was a little slow. The nail in the coffin for us was the sign out the front to ban caravanners. Tocumwal Golf Club - we won't be back!

We were supposed to be in Tocumwal today but decided to stay a couple of nights at The Finley Showground to do Berrigan and Finley. The sign out the front is great. Jean contacted the club on Facebook. They don't have social bowls because the club's future is in doubt. That said, there are two grass greens And they are spectacular! The best we've seen for ages. We played on the O.G. Scouller Green. We enjoyed rolling on it. Clearly we worked out the grass! We only rolled a few ends but really liked it though it was quick and narrow. Mal bowled closer to the kitty but kept knocking it to Jean. Finley - the greens are too good to give up!

Hay is the furthest west we get on this leg of our trip as we head for Shepparton. A bloke told us next stop west is South Australia. We stopped in Friday to put our names down. The clubhouse is nice. We saw the club manager marking the green. And the donated seats. There's a nice dedication. We came on Friday night to get dinner and met Peter who was organising Barefoot Bowls. (Leanne, Mal, Jimmy, Sue and Pete) They were two short so we got roped in. Dinner had to wait! Mal, Judy and Jean Played Praveen, Sue and Jimmy who is the Bowls Committee President,. Jimmy told us all about his printing business. He came back next day and presented Mal with an Eels disc. The green is nice. It's the Gary Pocock Family Green. We came for dinner so didn't bring our bowls. Jean played with a black Almark Edge Plus so she felt right at home. She and Judy got two but we had a -6 handicap so we were pushing it uphill. and Mal shared opposing skip Sue's orange bowls. Without her bowls bag, Jean had to bowl in socks. Praveen had never played bowls before but bowled really well. At one point Judy had shot. Jimmy asked if he could take it out. Jean coached him on how to do a drive and he nailed it. He put the kitty in the ditch. Jean had shot then Judy knocked her other one up. After minus six start we lost by three. We finally got our dinner at 9:00. Mal bought the club shirt. We came back for our proper game on Saturday and met Pete again. They thought there'd be fewer players as they farewelled an old bowler this morning (Mal, Pete, Nathan, Les and Bev) The other green was closed so we played on the Don Harrison Green. There were only two games of triples. Leroy, Nathan and Jean Against Pud, Peter and Peter. Greg, Les and Mal Played Bev, Pete and Geoff. We were over the other side so we saw the lovely outdoor area. It was tough but Jean was very happy to play with her own bowls again. Mal's teammates were happy with him. He laughed so much with his team and opposition. Mal then did well with a toucher in the ditch for three. The weight was tough. Nathan's team was down a bit then Jean finally scored two. Then Nathan's team got a six to make it 10-11. It gave Jean and Leroy some confidence. Last end Jean and Leroy did really well for a win 26 to 13. They won the first four, Nathan's team won the last six. Mal unfortunately had a tougher game and lost 14 - 19. They have a club competition 'Roll the Cake'. They pay $1 each week. They draw someone who gets to roll inside. If they get it they win the jackpot $1,370. Pete missed. Nathan's team won the money. Hay - thanks for the laughs!

So we arrived this morning at the Ariah Park Camp ground and dropped into the bowling club on our way to the shops to check in. The club is small but nice. Ariah Park is pronounced "Area Park". We saw a sign in the hardware store to say they will hold a Pink Breakfast soon. There's a cute outdoor area, 'The Phantom's Den'. A nice front garden. And verandah overlooking the bowling green. We found the jacks in the box but no mats. Gary Fisk from Mal's club in Tuggeranong said (in response to Jean's post about Ardlethan) "Ardlethan is a great little club. Don Lauchland, Vince Collins and myself have bowled there the last three years in the Triples Tournament. Cobber Seears joined with us last year for the tournament. If you call at Ariah Park Bowls Club, everyone will know Vince." We saw a sign inside that said the club opens at 5pm so will check that out. When we came back we met Brian the Greenkeeper who was fertilising. He was expecting rain. He said he knows Vince Collins from Mal's club. He told us where to find the mats in the BBQ area. We rolled up on the white-dotted freshly fertilised green. First end was really short.but it was so slow it took all our muscles to get there. Mal bowled well. Six ends he got six. Jean finished up with two to level the score. We came back at 5 to meet some people. We met Michael, Frenchie (Club President), Brian and Terry. Michael told us there was a bloke named Malcolm McGregor ('Mackie) who played with Michael's grandfather who was a founding member. He played pairs with 5 generations of Michael's family. Jean went back to the van to cook dinner, thinking about Portland when he got the plastic stuck to the pizza tray. He behaved himself though. He was back in an hour. Ariah Park - a family affair

We're in Darlington Point because we were going to Griffith to play today. We discovered there is a bowling club here and popped in yesterday to check it out. It's a nice modern clubhouse. Mal loved the drink holders on the seats. While we were there we met Kevin, Frank and Tommy. Frank is the bowler. Frank was to work but we convinced hime to come back and play with us today. The club has one nice green. It's the Ted Carter Green. There's a well-used outdoor area And a nice pink picnic table in the garden. When we turned up at 10 for a game Ron the greenkeeper decided to mow so we went to Coleambally. Frank came with us. (Ron, Mal and Frank) We played one game of triples for a rollup. Frank, Jean and Peter Against Shane, Mal and Ray. Mal worked it out quickly. It was really slow and Ray kept rolling long ends. Jean didn't have the muscles but she finally got one - then Shane took it off her. Another really long end Jean got shot and then Mal drove the kitty into the ditch and took Jean's bowl with it. Frank and Pete consolidated for four. Mal did two beauties. They won by about ten. They have a tradition that after 21 ends you bowl your opponent's bowls back. Mal bowled Frank's. We came inside for drinks with Frank and Ray. Darlington Point - thanks boys!

We just recently discovered Darlington Point. When we stopped in on Wednesday the boys told us about Coleambally. We came back to Darlington Point on Thursday for a game but Ron the greenkeeper was mowing so Frank suggestedwe go to Colly for a roll. Frank came with us. With his dog Fred. There's one grass green. When we got there Les and Russell were scraping the green with shovels. They got a good deal on this moisture-retaining fertiliser. They got way more than they needed so went a bit overboard. With all the rain it ended up a big gluggy mess on the green. Les told us the club raises money through recycling cans. He showed us photos of the latest 22,470 cans which raised over $2,000. We left but promised Les and Russell we'd come back for a Sunday game. Coleambally - don't worry- we'll be back!

We drove through Barellan on our way to Darlington Point for our Griffith game. Jean said "I think there's a bowling club here." Mal said "Do you want to take a look? It's raining so I don't think we'll get a rollup". We didn't have Barellan on our map but we stopped and checked it out and added it to our map. It's a tiny town with a population of 450. The bowling club is tiny as well. It has one grass green. Mal said "No way we can roll up on that!" It was unmown and full of weeds. The guys at Ariah Park said they play there so we're certain it's not always like this. On the website it looks nice: The shades look old and worn. The drink holders look like they are 100 years old. As we left on our way to Darlington Point we spied the Evonne Gooloogong racket. That's pretty impressive. Barellan - more for tennis than bowls!

Today we're in Ardlethan. Its a tiny town of 400 people with the bowling club as the hub. Ardlethan is 'The Kelpie Town'. We saw it. We stayed at the RV Stopover.. It's in a nice park next door to the bowling club so we don't have to unhook. It has power ($2 for 12 hours) and BYO water. Jean walked over to the club and met Allan the greenkeeper. Mal sat and chatted with him for a while. He discovered Allan knows Vince Collins from his club. Allan was watering. Jean rang yesterday and spoke with John (Secretary) who's not a bowler but is passionate about the club. He told her the sometimes play social on a Sunday and that the club has 15 bowling members. Jean met him and Tracey today at the club John told Jean the place burnt down about six years ago. Because it's such a hub, the community got together and rebuilt the clubhouse and buildings. The railway is about 30 steps from the green. Nothing in Ardlethan is far from anything. John, President Dennis and Gail do everything. John introduced Jean to Gail who was in the kitchen. The club is usually open Friday to Sunday.. Today is the Labour Day public holiday in NSW so, even though the club is usually closed they are having high tea. What a lovely idea. The ladies were busy in the kitchen. The club was decked out beautifully With a selection of teapots and teas. Even though Monday is Jean's fasting day, she had to participate. $10 - what a bargain! After the big water Allen told Mal to wait until later to roll up. We came at 3:30. Mal bowled first. Then Jean. Jean didn't bother keeping score because Mal always wins. A nice rollup and lovely hospitality at Ardlethan.

When we were at West Wyalong Sports yesterday We told them we'd come to Ungarie today for a rollup They laughed and said "Have a good breakfast!" We nearly didn't come because Waze said it would take 52 minutes but Google said it was only 32. We used that and made it to see the 'Big Football'. We were disappointed to find two greens that looked like nobody's rolled on them for years. They were full of weeds. The main green was a little better but no way could we roll up on it! It's the Bing Walder Green. The sign looked newish. The scoreboards were a little worse for wear. Despite the poor condition of the greens it seems they had the hoses on the ready! Jean peeked through the glass. It's pretty basic but the locals probably love it. There's a makeshift outdoor area. Mal said "Well that's a bit of a disappointment!"  He was happy though because he wanted to get back and watch the NRL final. He reckons halfway through the year he predicted a grand final between Pemrith and Brisbane.  GO THE BRONCOS! Ungarie - no bowls but we have The Broncos

We last came to West Wyalong in December last year. It seems we didn't know about the other club there - the West Wyalong Services and Sports Club at the golf course. We came for a game today. Jean got on Messenger to find out about the game and heard from Jodie. Jodie replied: "Hi Jean. Are you the couple travelling around the bowling clubs? I saw your post on FB about your visit to Forbes. If you get to the club about 1.30 you can put your names in. Bowls starts at 2pm." The club is ok inside. It's more about golf than bowls. The club has two greens. One is grass that looks like it's out. Alan told us it's been out three years. The seats around the green are nice. With a high colorbond fence behind. The main green is synthetic. It's the same plastic type as at Caragabal. We came in and met Ron who organised things. Then we met President Allan who's recovering from surgery. We wish him well. They are doing lots of work. There will be concrete, more black seats and fake grass here. Jean played 2-4-2 with Bill Against Robert and Graham. Graham didn't want his photo taken. Mal skipped triples with Tony and Barry. (Tony, Mal and Barry) Against Alan, Deb and Fossil. There were only 14 players. Jean and Bill were way behind. They finally got two The whole game Jean missed every shot by a cigarette paper. Last end Jean and Bill caught up and were 12 all. Graham and Robert had shot. With her last bowl she said "I won't miss this time!" She narrowed it up and gave it a little weight. It zipped through a 20cm gap and took.out their shot to give Bill one and a win 13 to 12. Jean was over the moon! Jean took a photo of what she thought was Mal's good bowl but was told it was Alan's bowl who had the same blue XGs. After the game Alan said "You should've videoed Mal's last bowl . We were four up and Mal came in and took kitty for two" Mal won 16 to 10 and won the money. West Wyalong Sports - a little bit of fun!