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We arrived from Kyneton this morning to Rockbank. The closest club is Mt Cottrell. We drove out for a rollup. There's two clubhouses. The old one sits by the green. The new one is by the carpark. The serviette holders are windmills. They seem to be a kind of honour board. It has a nice outdoor area called The Fish Deck. There's a nice memorial garden With individual plaques. When we arrived a couple of blokes came out for a sticky-beak. We met Brett (Av-a-chat), Pat, Ian and Mick. (Brett, Pat, Mal, Ian and Mick) There are 22 members of the club. Ian is the President. Then Des arrived. Brett's dog Ebony joined us. Brett is the greenkeeper. There's a cat in the garden. The club has one synthetic green. The George Vearing Green. It's Tiger Turf. Six of us rolled up. There were a lot of bowls! Jean started well. Later everyone went in the ditch and Jean drew shot. Mal had had enough of the heat. Jean said to Mal "We can't stop until you do a good bowl I can take a photo of." The boys told Jean they were too lazy to walk back up so she rolled all their bowls. She told Mal he had to roll his own. He finally did it Then Jean put the Kitty in the ditch with one of the boys' bowls. Mal got it back. Mt Cottrell - the boys treated us well!

We were shopping around Melton and dropped in to the Melton Bowling Club on Saturday Pennants day to try and get a rollup. We got much more than that! It's a nice clubhouse attached to the Country Club. They are the Melton Mustangs. The club has two synthetic greens. They look nice. We were shocked and pleasantly surprised to find our mate Chucky (Gary Charker) from Canberra. He told us he's doing FIFO from Canberra each weekend to play Pennants for Melton. Jean wanted to buy a shirt so Chucky introduced us to President Anthony who sorted her out. Next minute Mal's asking Jean to get him a shirt as well. Jean was shocked because they aren't Parramatta colours. Turns out 22 players pulled out of Pennants so they asked if we'd play for them. We weren't going to get any games while we are here so we eagerly agreed. They decked us out. We met Louise. We're playing 2nd and 3rd in her team. She drove us to Flemington and Kensington Club in Melbourne. Rod sorted us out with cards and stickers. The club is amalgamated - Flemington Kensington. Of course, being at Flemington it's a racehorse logo. The green is synthetic. It's a double size. The Ross Durham Green. It's division six, section two. Louise was our skip and Gary our Lead. Jean played second and Mal Third. (Louise, Jean, Mal and Gary) We played against Flemington Kensington (Flem Ken). It was skip Mal, Chip, Joe and Alicia. (Joe, Malcolm, Chip and Alicia) We started off a bit all over the place. It was 3 to 7 then Mal drew beautifully. Then Jean just snuck in before they took it off her. We got done like a dinner. The big board looked ok for a while, we were two behind but they scampered ahead. We came inside for make your own sandwiches And a drink with team members. Melton - we lost at Pennants...again!

We took the 16 minute drive from Rockbank to Bacchus Marsh . We knew there were no games so decided to roll up at both clubs. AVENUE The first club we visited was Avenue Bowling Club. It's named aveter 'The Avenue ' it sits on. Jean peeked through the glass to see the clubhouse. It looks nice. Unusually it has permanent shades. And a bowler shows wind direction. There was a Baker's Delight clock we thought Mal's brother Michael would like. We met Yvonne and Lyle who are members at Bacchus Marsh who are rolling up at Avenue. They told us Bacchus Marsh members play here. Yvonne told us this and Bacchus Marsh used to be one club decades ago but they split. She said they are about to re-amalgamate in a state-of-the-art facility. We might come back for that. The club has two synthetic greens. We rolled up on the front green. It's The Lionel Simpson Green. We were one all then Jean got a four. Last end Mal caught up a bit but not enough. 5-3 Jean's way. We tried then to go for a rollup at Bacchus Marsh. BACCHUS MARSH It's just a few blocks away from Avenue to Bacchus Marsh Bowling Club. We wanted to roll up but alas it was all locked up. We managed to look through the fence to check out the two greens. Yvonne said the front one is better. We saw on the door that they are the Bushrangers. Bacchus Marsh - we're a little bit welcome!

We're stopping overnight at Trentham on our way to Clunes. Trentham was playing Pennants against Woodend where we had a great rollup. We stopped in at the club with our caravan. Mal thought we'd get bogged on the grass at the club so we decided to stay at the sports ground. Jean took a long walk to check out camping options while Mal sat and watched the game. We met Glenys who suggested we camp at the train station but Jean asked there and we can't. The teams were well into it when we got there. Mal said it was a good game. It's a tiny little clubhouse With a good outdoor area. It's a lovely grass green. We couldn't wait to roll up. We said gidday to Rob the Woodend Secretary who we met when we visited. He said he might need us to play Pennants for them on Saturday. He later called us to confirm. Rodney the Trentham President came over to introduce himself. Woodend won. We started our rollup. Mal, as usual, was bowling well. Jean had her turn. She had a sore bowling arm so tried to roll up with her left hand. Bowls were everywhere but she finally got one closish. The whole rollup Jean got one left-handed shot. She's uncertain what to do for Pennants Saturday. Trentham - nice to watch all the Pennants.

We're in Clunes for two days. We can't make it to their training day on Thursday as we're at Waubra but Jean told them via Messenger that we'll come this arvo for a rollup. Clunes Bowling Club was established in 1878. Inside the club is nice. We liked Byrnsie's Bar. When we drove past on our way to the caravan park we saw there are two nice grass greens. The most used one seems to be the one out the back. The club has nice permanent shades. We saw a seat donated by a widow - Mrs Wilson. There are what seem like wind barriers around the fence with club branding. We're not sure what picture is in the logo. Some kind of tower. When we arrived David was there. He remembered us because he was a member of Jean's club Weston Creek David told us the greens had been watered this morning and were very slow. Peter arrived. He's a club selector. They're having a meeting this arvo. Howard joined Peter soon after. Peter told us Clunes was the first gold mining town in Victoria. He said Mad Max was filmed here and they have a Mad Max day every year. In the park next door is a memorial which mentions the bowling club. Jean started. She liked the slow green. First end she scored shot. 2nd end Jean had shot but Mal put her in the ditch for two. He kept going and got ten. Clunes - of course Mal wins again.

It's our last day in Clunes before we head back to Ballarat. We drove 20 minutes to the tiny town of Waubra for a rollup at Waubra Bowling Club. Jean had been in touch with Pete via Messenger about training this arvo. Pete put out a Facebook post about our visit so we hoped there'd be people to roll up with. We met Bob and Bill. They were expecting us. According to Wikipedia Waubra and surrounds has a population of 305 people. It's pronounced "Warbra". The club has 40 members which is impressive for a tiny town. According to the signs on all the seats, they like people to sit and watch. The club is in a sports complex with Footy next door. And Netball. Pete said a lot of the younger members don't live in Waubra but they bowl there because of family connections. It's a cute little clubhouse. Pete said it's the next thing they have to fix up. It's been there since the 50's. They have one big eight-rink synthetic. The plastic kind. They had quite a few turn up to practise which impressed us. There were quite a few young people. Bob and Pete rolled up with us. Jean had two but, as usual, Mal took one out. Jean kept nagging Mal to put down a photo-worthy bowl. He finally did it on our last end but Pete did one better. When we finished Horry came over. He'd read about us on Facebook. He said "It's all about the social here at Waubra." That was clear. They were all friendly and welcoming. (Horry, Bob, Pete and Mal) Waubra - we enjoyed the company!

So today we stopped at Learmonth on our way to Ballarat. We thought we'd have a rollup . The town has just under 400 people. We were supposed to stay in Ballarat in the dodgy caravan park we were in last year. We weren't able to get in until 2pm so decided to have a proper singles game - first to twenty five. The first thing we noticed was the lake behind the club. Lake Learmonth. Very nice! Then we saw the pretty little gardens everywhere. The sign says the club has been around since 1873. That's 150 years! Like we've seen in many other clubs, the seats are donated. They have two greens. One is grass and one synthetic. The grass green is called the Edwards Green. It tells the story of the Edwards family and their success in and commitment to the club. Very impressive. The grass was closed so we rolled on the synthetic. It's the same plastic kind as Waubra and just as slow. There was a sign that said non-members pay $5 for a rollup. Jean put the money in but didn't want to put her hand in too far because of the spider webs. Jean put her first bowl down. It was OK but her bowling arm is still really sore so she decide to try bowling left-handed again. First end Mal got a four. She thought it was going to be a fast game. Then Jean started to work the grass out and got a couple of left-hand bowls in the head. Graham came with his wife to set up for a wake later today. He walked over to say gidday. Graham's son Craig is the club President. Graham told us the green is pretty new. It's the second synthetic they've had. He also said the club is the third oldest in Ballarat region and one of the oldest in Victoria. Graham said not to worry about green fees. After that we saw a guy open the shed who looked like he was the greenkeeper. Jean introduced herself and told him about our trip. His name is Mick and he's been greenkeeper for about fifteen years. Mick was a font of information. He told us the caravan park we're booked into is the worst in Ballarat. He said he helps his partner manage the Lake Learmonth Caravan Park. He convinced us to stay there instead. What a good decision! We decided we didn't need to go to twenty-five any more. We stopped when it was twenty to zip. Jean's left-handed bowling didn't give her a score but she got better and better. Learmonth - beautiful setting and a great rollup!

Mal rang Creswick Bowling Club earlier in the week to find out about social bowls. He was told by President Bernie that it's just dirt. We came to take some photos. As we drove up Mal distinctly remembered it. He said we came earlier in the year when we were In Ballarat. Jean had no recollection but Mal remembered everything. It was definitely dirt! Jean got a photo of the clubhouse through the glass. It's light and airy. Bernie told Mal they haven't been able to bowl since the flood last year. They're awaiting a new synthetic. Everything was locked up so we took photos over the fence. Creswick - we'd like to come back when they're back up and running.

Talbot Bowling Club is about half an hour from Learmonth where we're staying. We decided to go and see if they have Pennants on and perhaps get a rollup. As we got out of the car Michael came and introducedhimself and his dog Demi. Today Talbot played against Dunolly Gold Miners. Dunolly is North of here. Jean chatted with the ladies. Afterwards she talked with Jan who told her of her 18 years on the road. It's an old clubhouse. They are the Talbot Yabbies. Addy designed their shirts. There's an old, small, fallow green next to the clubhouse. They told us it cost too much in water to keep it and it didn't get a lot of use. The main green is grass. It's the McLeod Green. All the people we met were friendly and welcoming. That includes Peter Peter introduced us to President Jacko. He told us all about the club and its history. He said they own land around which they think they'll sell to put in a synthetic. Talbot was ahead by one or two all game but lost by three in the end. Then we rolled up. Jean worked it out quickly. She was having a great time. Her arm wasn't hurting much. Mal did his best but couldn't get the grass. One of the Talbot women remarked about Jean's good bowls: "You can play for me next time!" Last end we both did great weight. Mal tried to score one with a drive but missed. Jean got him 10 -zip. Talbot - the nicest people.

We were bemused by the fact we'd missed Bungaree last time we were in Ballarat as itsso close. We must've run out of time. We came for Thursday training. Jean's been chatting on Messenger about training day and promised we'd come today. The clubhouse is more like a changeroom. First person we met was John. We found out he's learnt to bowl with his left hand due to recent surgery. He and Jean talked about their experiences with that. Next we met John and Ivan. We rolled up with Lorraine and Frank. Lorraine is a new bowler who promised her husband she'd play, before he passed last year. Lorraine introduced us to her son-in-law Jason who is a founding member and ex-President. It's one of the youngest clubs. It was founded in 2013. The club has one synthetic green. There were about 30 people practising. Jean was keen to get started with our rollup. She nailed grass and weight early on. Mal was really struggling with grass. But then he suddenly worked it out. He had three before Lorraine scored a beauty. Lorraine had to leave so Ash joined us. Jean got her groove back for three! So did Mal. After our rollup Mal reviewed the green's idiosyncrasies with Graeme. He explained about the forehand grass then Graeme put two pearlers down. We had to leave before Ivan's 6:00 barbecue to get back and feed Jerome our pussy-cat. We were sad about that. Bungaree - fun on training day with nice people.

We're on our way to Werribee on the outskirts of Melbourne for just one night. We stopped on our way at Ballan for an early rollup. We liked their permanent shades. There's just one synthetic green. It's the plastic kind. Jean started off as usual (Mal is such a gentleman!). She scored early. The green suited her. Then Mal started. Jean had shot but then he took her out for one. Jean got her own back. We only did four ends but Jean won. Ballan - Jean wins a little bit!

We're in Werribee for just one night. We're not really sure how Jean got it into her trip plan this year, nevertheless We're here. It's raining so no rollup this evening. Apparently they are the WerriBEE Bees. Hence 'The Hive'. There's a nice outdoor area. The Rob Casey Pavilion. And a beautiful native animal mural. We walked in and met Tania and Lesley - Head Coach. Lesley told us a bit about the club - especially that they just celebrated 100 years. The clubhouse is nice. A big bar. Outside we met Director Chuck who was rolling up in the rain. Then we met Graham who is also a coach. There are three greens. One is being re-planted with Tiffdwarf. The others are a grass and a Synthetic greens. The synthetic is the carpet Jean likes. The Jack Hosking's Green. They've won a lot of Pennants. Mal was very disappointed we didn't get a rollup. Werribee - the rain the rain!