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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!

We came to Caragabal Country Club from Grenfell on our way to play a game in West Wyalong. We were told in Forbes and Grenfell it's pronounced 'Cragabble'. It's a tiny little club a couple of Ks out of town. We missed it and had to find a spot to turn the van around. We liked the verandah. Jean took a photo through the glass of the inside of the clubhouse. Looks cute. The club has one synthetic green Surrounded by a nice fence. It's that plastic type. There's a sign which commemorates it's opening. There are old tennis courts adjacent. The seats are donated like at other clubs we've seen. We couldn't find mats and jacks so we had to use Jean's Jack and a Bourke Bowling Club cloth for our mat. We just rolled two ends because we had to get to West Wyalong for a game. Mal bowled first Then Jean. Mal was all over it on the surprisingly slow green. Jean was pretty close too. Caragabal - wish we were here with the bowlers.

We're just in Grenfell for a day. We're free-camping at the historic railway station. It's men today so Mal's here for a game. First people we met were Pete and Dave. Dave took Mal's money. Dave told Jean they'd been talking about our arrival for a few days after we met the guys at Parkes Railway. He wanted her to play today but management put the kibosh on it. Nevertheless he introduced us and our trip to everyone. It's a nice clubhouse with a friendly feel. Withe the Jack and Kitty's Coffee Bar. There's a nice outdoor area. There are great photos of the original clubhouse And others about the official opening. The club has two nice-looking grass greens. We're told the left-hand green just came back in. It's three-bowl triples. Mal skipped for John and Phil (Ron, Mal and John) Against skip Mark, Garry and Rod. They are the Grenfell Goldminers. There were just three games - 17 blokes. Interestingly Dave had to be a swinging lead. It didn't take Mal long to work the green out. On end two with his last bowl he took kitty for two. Jean asked about club badges. Dave went inside and found her one. Dave introduced us to President Ross. Ross told the story of he and Phil trying to kill a Brown Snake yesterday with a shovel and a shotgun. End four they were two down. Mal did it again. Took the jack back for two. It was 5 - 6. Jean went for a walk up town. While she was gone Mal dropped a six. When she got back it was 5-16. They came in for a break at half-time. Jean said to Mal "If you do another good bowl I'll take a photo then go back to the caravan." The boys all called out "How much time do you have to wait for that!" He did for two but Mark came in and stole shot. Mal did his best but it wasn't good enough. He said "If we hadn't dropped that six it would be such a close game!" In the end, they lost by four. Grenfell - close if not for a six!

We came to Forbes a day early because we didn't go to Gooloogong. We popped in on Wednesday to put our names down for Thursday afternoon. They were finishing up Wednesday morning social bowls. Sue from Forbes came over to say she saw us in Parkes the other day when she went to watch her husband play. Jean then chatted for a while with Ralph who used to play here but now lives in Hay. The club has three greens. One is not in use. The green looks nice. It's the Don Brabsch Green Inside the club there's great pictures. Of history... The 50th anniversary in 1964... And the 1974 flood. There's a great trophy case. We came back on Thursday and met Bill at the table. We sat and chatted for a while with Al. Al told us in the recent floods a foot of water came into the clubhouse. The river is next door. It's pairs. Jean led for Lyle Against Joyce and Denny. Mal played with Bob Against Wayne and Glenn Jean did well early. So did skip Mal. Most of the time Jean was at the other end so didn't get photos of his bowls. Jean did it again for two. Jean's game was really tough. End 14 it was 15 all then 16 all, 17 all and 18 all on the second last end. Jean put three on it but Denny took it. Final score was 19 all. We came in and they announced Resting Toucher and 'Raspberries' (that's a wrong bias). Mal was the only one he had to drink straight Raspberry cordial. Jean shared first prize $10. Mal got second prize $10. Mal won as well. Jean asked Bill about club badges. They found some really old ones we have to sew on. Forbes - tough games but lots of fun!

So we were to stay tonight at Gooloogong Country Club and play bowls but decided to go to Forbes instead. We couldn't really find power and water and the green was terrible. Looks like nobody's bowled on it for months. When Jean contacted Gooloogong on Messenger they said there's no social bowls. Now we know why! It's weedy and long. We didn't roll up. Gooloogong Country Club - Forbes here we come!

We came to Canowindra for just a day because we can't get a game. We had another rollup. It's Monday and there's not a soul around. Jean took a photo of the clubhouse through the glass. There are two grass greens. One out the front And one out the back we rolled up on. It's the Ron Worboys Memorial Green. Yet another bloke. it Was dedicated in 1996. We're pretty bored with just rolling up together. Mal always wins. Jean did manage a shot but wasn't very interested. The green was super slow. Canowindra - nothing to see here! POST SCRIPT: We received this from the club via messenger: Hi Jean, thanks for the message. The club is open at 3pm on a Monday. Opening hours are on the Facebook page. I will suggest to the new supervisor to add opening hours (which change seasonally) to the front doors. It's a small and quiet town early in the week and more so in the school holidays. Enjoy your trip around Australia!