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Wallan is the next bowling club on our trip back home via Gippsland. There's no social bowls on a Sunday so we'll stop for a rollup. We were told by a bloke we met at Digger's Rest It's pronounced 'Wollen'. We came and met President Peter. Who said we could park our van here overnight . We also met Carol who Jean's been corresponding with Jean via Messenger. They were playing a mixed three-bowl pairs championship when we arrived. The clubhouse is nice with a high ceiling. The smoking area doubles as an outdoor area. There's a lovely old wishing well. There are two greens. One is a lovely grass green. There's a plaque about the green. The other is a carpet synthetic. We rolled up on that. It's the R Stockdale Green. Jean had a go. She managed one with Mal in the ditch. As usual when Mal bowled He was on it. Jean said "We bowl everyday but I'm sick of my bowls not being near the kitty!" She drove at Mal's shot bowl but missed by a whisker. Peter won the match. We sat down for a drink and a chat afterwards. A quiet rollup and a nice chat at Wallan.

We came to Diggers Rest on our way to Qld via Canberra. It's saturday Pennants day so we hoped we could get a rollup before the matches. We came about 10am and it was all locked up. We went and set up the van and came back after 12 for Pennants. We met club President David. The club is comparatively new having been first founded in 1987. It's a nice little clubhouse. There are some great trophies, including one for Pennant eight counts! We saw they had a lovely spread set up for Pennants. Addam told us he's been following our adventures on Facebook. He gave us a Diggers Rest shirt to remember them by. The weather they put on was absolutely beautiful! It was 12:30 and Pennants was to start at one. We needed to get out quickly. There's just one carpet green. It's the Ernie Nolan Green. It's an unusual surface we haven't seen much. We started our rollup. Jean did ok. Mal had a go. He really liked this carpet. Jean worked it out towards the end. They started the matches. Digger's Rest played Woodend and Lancefield, both of which we've visited. We met Derek who recalled when we played Pennants for Woodend at Gisborne. There was a fellow from Lancefield who also remembered us. Jean mentioned the blokes we'd met from Lancefield. He said "Gordon's over there!" Jean went over to say gidday. Good memories of Woodend, Lancefield and now Digger's Rest!

We're on our way back to Queensland via Canberra . We stopped in at Hoppers Bowls Club for a Friday morning rollup. We stopped for a quick chat about social bowls with the first person we met, Howard. We met Eddie Alphabet (very long name!) who runs all the social bowls and does maintenance for the club. Eddie's just finished painting. He's done the Hoppers Hawks sign. There are two greens. One is grass. We were keen to roll on it (been so long) but it was being rested. We rolled on the other green. It's an old flat carpet. Jean started out. She got kind of close but still wasn't happy. Mal was winning as usual! Mark the Coach and Bowls Coordinator came over to introduce himself. He's seen our posts on Facebook. He works for Bowls Australia. He tells us he's a Bowls tragic. He named his daughter Kelsey after Kelsey Cotteril. Mal was all over it. Jean was just happy she got her grass right! After about eight ends Mal asked "Is that it?" Jean said "No! I haven't done any good bowls yet!" We went up and back and Jean finally nailed it. Eddie had shown Mal the design for their new shirts. Jean told him how Mal always has to buy shirts in Parramatta colours. He and Mark had a confab and said they'd give us each one of their old shirts. We were very happy. Hoppers Crossing - we definitely didn't lose our shirts!

Birregurra is a little town just east of Simpson where we were staying on our way to Geelong. We missed it about three times when we were in the region so kept it in our plans for our way back to Canberra from Lorne. When we arrived we met Chris, Brian and Gary who confirmed for us there's training this arvo. They said we could park our van there so it suits us perfectly. It's a nice little clubhouse. There's just one plastic synthetic green. It's about 18 months old. Chris told us they sold the block of land next door, the old parking area, to cover the cost. And a little verandah area under cover where you can view the action. There was a game of 100-Up going on when we arrived. We loved the little cow plant stand! The boys told us the club's been here since 1958. We're not sure what was erected but it's a nice memorial. Mal stood and chatted with Graham (who won the match) for about half an hour about all things bowls and caravanning. We went into the van for a little rest. Later in the arvo some more people turned up for another 100-Up. Pahulu and Fran rolled up with us. Mal put the kitty in the ditch right on the boundary and Jean drew to it. Mal tried to claim her bowl was out but she checked. It was in! It took us a while to get the line and weight. Jean had a go. She managed a shot. Mal bowled next. Of course he had to out-do Jean! Graham came up and told us his wife Janet is Editor of The Birregurra Mail and would like to do a story about us. She took a nice photo of us and Jean sent her background information about our trip, and the blog. Fran finished and Gary came and joined our rollup. We played a game of 2-4-2 up to ten. Lots of people turned up for practice. They opened the bar and Marshall served our drinks. We only had one good shot in the whole game! Pahulu and Gary were practising for their last two Pennants games so we were happy for them to take us 12 zip. We sat down for a few drinks and watched the practice. Marshall wanted a photo with our cat Jerome. Birregurra - we're so glad we left it to last!

On our long drive back up to Canberra from Victoria, we're stopping for a day in Lorne on the Great Southern Ocean. We decided not to stop in Apollo Bay. Had a rollup and came straight here. When we arrived we met Marilyn who found us a mat. Marilyn was here to set up for a big corporate bowls event. She'd seen Jean's hat so went inside and found her a Lorne badge. Jean was busting for the loo so we just did a couple of ends. We got the grass fine but had trouble with the weight. Mal was impatient and bowled Jean's bowl and took shot. Jean claimed it! Jean tried one of Mal's bowls and got close. Then he bowled hers. She ended up with two. One each! Lorne - I'll race you to the loo!

So we're starting our month-long journey back to Canberra before we head to Queensland. Our first stop is Apollo Bay - on the coast, East of Warrnambool. We are only here for a day but Bernie gave us his number so he could get someone to play with us. Bernie's apparently not involved any more but told us there's a number on the door we can ring when we get there. We parked our van out the front and decided on a quick rollup then off to Lorne so we didn't bother calling. We couldn't get a good shot of the clubhouse from the window. We saw the sign out the front to say "Bowlers wanted". We wondered how they'd go with $10 for a rollup. On an old carpet. There's a nice outdoor area though. And good permanent shades. There's just one old synthetic green. It's the 'Albert W. King Green '. Mal went first. We thought it was quick. It wasn't! Jean went next. We only did a couple of ends. Mal had a go with Jean's stick and nearly took shot! Jean managed a couple of shots in the end. Apollo Bay - we liked the little bit we did!

It's our last day in the Warrnambool region in southern Victoria. We wanted to play a game at Port Fairy. We were told that social day is Tuesday but of course it's the last week of Mid-week Pennants so we think we'll just get a rollup (and perhaps watch a bit of the comp). We met Alan. It turns out all their matches for the last game of the season were away today. Alan was setting up for a Pennants end-of-season party. The clubhouse is like a nice big barn. There are some lovely old photos from the men's club. One of the photos is of their last winning Pennant team. That was 1988. It's a very new building. Very nice with a great outdoor area. The two synthetic greens have only been in since December. They cost half a million dollars. The permanent shades are new as well. While we waited for the bowlers to turn up we rolled up on Green A. It's the Stuart Brown Green. First end we were pretty much on it. The green was slowish. Neil, Ian and Jenny arrived and told Jean nobody had a win today. Jean found it hard to get the line. Last end she finally worked it out. Alas too late. We came in to say gidday to the members. Many had perplexed looks on their faces about who were these strangers at their party. Bob served us at the bar. They offered us some of their food but we didn't want to intrude. It was great to see all the Pennant players come together. Port Fairy - commiserations and congratulations on a finished season.

When we were at Dennington on Wednesday they told us about Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Bowls Club. We didn't have it on our map. Jean added it. We dropped in on Thursday to check it out. THURSDAY We met Monty and Karen at the bar. They told us their social days are Monday and Thursday. We were happy about being able to play on Monday SATURDAY Since it's next door to our caravan park, we dropped in on Saturday to watch them play Pennants against Dennington and Koroit. Some great bowls were put down. The green is new - one year. The club is owned by the Lawn Tennis Club. The bowler's have a separate little clubhouse out the front. There's a good barbecue area that seems well-used. And an outdoor seating area that looks inviting. We met Ian who we saw at Dennington on Wednesday. Ian wanted to see Jean's Bowls Eye. He was intrigued when he saw Jean use it at Dennington. Lots of Lawn Tennis bowlers came over to say gidday. They were happy they would see us again on Monday. MONDAY We came back on Monday as planned for social bowls. Robert and Janette looked after the money. They put the names on a board. There were three games with Fours and Triples. It was Gary, Jean, Cathy and Monty. Against Peter, Janette, Leo, and Graham (from Hervey Bay). Mal played against Graeme, Gerard and Neville. We didn't manage any photos of our good bowls. We didn't do many. Mal's team lost and Jean's won. Second game Jean's team played Don (Flo), Mal and Brian. Jean finally did a photo-worthy bowl (though she had some help). Mal got a good shot until Cathy pushed him out and took it. Garry (Jean)'s team won the game again. We came in after game two for a cuppa. 3rd game Jean played Mick, Shirley, Peter and Sean. Mal played Bob, Peter, Betty and Fini. Jean finally did two good bowls but then Peter stole shot! Mal lost again. As the only one with three wins, Gary's team won the money. Warrnambool Lawn Tennis - a Green day for all!

We came to City Memorial Bowling Club (the big one) on Thursday to find out about Saturday social bowls, we met a bloke who told us it's not on because of Pennants. He told us to turn up for a rollup on Monday Morning . Ewan (board member) Mal and Brian had a chat. They were full of information about the club. We saw that non-members are supposed to pay $10 for a rollup. Given at most clubs one pays $5-$10 for a full game we thought that was outrageous. We wouldn't have minded paying a couple of bucks to help pay for the covers. Unusually the club has four synthetic greens. One oldish looking one out the side. Three others including two under cover. We're told the covers cost $3 million. We bowled on the front green. It's the carpet Jean likes. The seats are nice and donated by members. First bowl down Mal was on it. Next end Jean got two. Jean met Pam and Sandra who are new bowlers and loving it. Sandra asked Jean why she didn't have purple bowls to match her stick and outfit. The head looked tight until we got up there. We only did a few ends. Mal won but Jean had the last laugh. As we were leaving we met Keri, Paul and Jan.. Paul and Jan moved to Warrnambool recently from Melbourne and took up bowls. Warrnambool - nice but not worth $10!

Jean found out on Messenger that Warrnambool Bowling Club has bowls on Friday which suits us well. We dropped in on our way home from Koroit and put our names down. We met Bill and Digger in the office. The club is big. Many bars. There were lots of players. It was pairs. Two games of ten ends. There are two newish synthetic greens. Both greens are in use today - eleven matches. We played on the 'W.E Burns' Green. There's a beautiful shade down the middle. The club flags were out. We played together Against Ian and Cybil who are staying near us in the caravan park. Jean started well. We won the first end. Mal kept rolling heavy but got it from time to time. Jean capped it off for a win 12 to four. Next game we played winners Jeff and Phil. First end we both started well for two. Phil's bowling arm broke so he tried Jean's. It didn't work for him so he went back to natural with a (almost) good result. We were down when Mal came in and gave us two. Second last end we were eight up then they got a one. Last end they got a six. We won 13 to 12. Money is won on the 2nd game margin so we definitely were out of the money! Warrnambool - a broken arm and a win.

When we were at Dennington yesterday, we had it confirmed that they play bowls at Koroit on Thursday. Jean's been in touch via Messenger so we knew it was a 12:30 start, names down 12:15.. We took the 20 minute drive from our caravan park to arrive at 12pm. When we arrived there was not a soul around. We were worried. Around 12:05 Bob turned up. He's been bowling about four years. Then Laurie (Tom) and Maureen arrived to managethings.. They are first cousins. The clubhouse is nice. The club was founded in 1913. We're told Koroit has a big Irish population. There are leprechauns on the tables. We saw their new shirts. All the sports clubs here are St Kilda colours. They are looking for a sponsor. The club sponsor is currently Daly's IGA. There's a great verandah out the front. There are good permanent shades and some temporary ones. They have lovely wooden seats that Kevin said came from the church. There are two synthetic greens. The back one is small. Four rinks. They don't play on it much so it looks newer. It was constructed in 2011. The front green is normal size. Jean asked what the format was . They said "Depends on who turns up. It might be pairs, triples or fours. Either two games of ten ends or one of fifteen or so." They decided on triples/pairs. Two games of ten ends with two bowls. They put us with Bob. (Mal, Jean and Bob) We played the first game against Murray, Kevin and Bernard. There were just enough players for two games. We were doing ok. Mal was on the money. Jean came in on the wide side. She bowled a rink and a half wide on the backhand and came in and took shot. Mal was on fire. We won 8 to 6. Second game we played against winners Ruth and Laurie. The raging wind played havoc with all our bowls. Jean wasn't getting any bowls near the kitty until Bob knocked her in. We were one down going into the last end. They got one. Eight to ten. There was no bar. We all came in for a cuppa. Ruth and Laurie won the day. Koroit - we didn't have the luck of the Irish!

We drove this morning from Hamilton to Warrnambool. Jean checked the information about social bowls on her map and Dennington seems to be the best option for us today. Mal rang Mark who was busy and gave us Phil' (Secretary's) number. Mal got our names down. Clive took.our money. The clubhouse is small and nice. There's a picture of the members in 2016. Kevin, Mal and John chatted for a while. A few years ago they pulled down the old clubhouse and built a new one. One of the bowlers, Pat a former builder, managed the project. He told Jean the club has more members in their eighties than any other club. We're told volunteers put their blood, sweat and tears into the building project. They named the shades after the workers. It was pairs. 2-4-2, ten ends and two games. We played together First game was against Jason and Sue who play together in Division Three. There were four games of pairs all up. There are two synthetic greens. An old one out the back. We played on the newer one. It's been down since 2005. Jean had shot then Mal came in for two. We were both bowling well but Sue always pipped us. Going into the last end it was eight all. Mal got two for a win. Our second game we played against Ian (Symo) and Lorraine. Ian told Jean the club is on the site of the Nestlé factory. The green is where the pig farm was until the Manager, a bowler, built the factory a green. They got a five first end which freaked us out. Pan gave Jean shot before Lorraine took it away. We got a four though. Going into the last end we were square. Jean scored one for the game. We came inside for drinks. Kevin the Treasurer did presentations. Phil turned up and Mal wanted to thank him for putting our names down. We only got three points so we weren't hopeful. We got runners up. Our money back. As we were leaving everyone shook our hand said how much they enjoyed our company and wished us well on our trip. We felt very welcome at Dennington.