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We don't usually write a blog post about a club more than once but Mal playing comp at home with Tuggeranong Vikings is special. We've made an exception! When we arrived back last Friday one of the guys asked Mal if he wanted to play in the next comp. He leapt at the chance! We got there early Saturday. All the boys, Mal's mates, were there to play in the Open Singles. Mal didn't know his opponent Steve. He asked around about him and found out he came from Canberra or North Canberra. They're not mates but Mal said " We will be! " Darrin was their Marker. Alan, Michael and Umpire Scotty sat and watched the game. Starting off well Mal won the first three ends. He was five-zip up then Steve got a full count. The game was on! It was great to watch. Mal would get shot then Steve would get closer. Then Mal would take him out. It went on like that. Mal was doing fine then Steve got the jump on him - 8 to 14. He fought back with a three! He caught up! Then Steve got ahead of him. He came up and won. Even so, Mal still wants to be mates! Mal's happy to see his boys again!

We're free-camping at the fantastic Marrar Royal Hotel ten minutes away from Coolamon Bowls Club. We only know there's bowls on Sunday - not the time - so had to turn up early. It's a sports club and when we arrived at 9 there were golfers everywhere for an Ambrose comp. We asked about bowls. One of the golfing ladies rang a bowler to find out what time they play. She said 1pm but today they are all at Cootamundra. We decided to come back later. If noone turns up we'll roll up. Outside we saw a beautiful memorial for Lorraine Chant. There's just one synthetic green. GANMAIN In the meantime we drove out to Ganmain to check out the club and green. There was nobody around yet so we didn't think we should roll up. Jean took a photo of the dark clubhouse through the glass. The green is quite new - 2023. It's a plastic synthetic. It seems to have two names. It has groovy permanent shades. BACK TO COOLAMON Since we'd already driven through it twice today we decided to just stop in again in the morning and roll up at Coolamon. John came out to open up the green for us. He said " I'm not a golfer or a bowler - just a volunteer. " We were grateful for his help. Jean took her turn. It was really fast. She found it hard to get the weight. Plus her feet were hot. Mal took to the mat. Jean struggled. Mal got it. The golfers tee'd off next door. Hmm. Too small for a jack! Mal bowled consistently. Jean hadn't put a good bowl down. Her last bowl of the rollup was short. She said " I'm having that back! " Good job she did! Jean thinks Mal won the rollup but was ecstatic about her final bowl! Bowling Ganmain and Coolamon - a little fun in tiny towns!

We free-camped at Adelong showground last night . We dropped in to the parent RSL Club last night to ask about Friday night bowls. Kathy at RSL told us Friday night hadn't started yet but the there's bowls Saturday 1pm. Kathy texted President David to tell him we'll be there. It's a nice old clubhouse. There's a great bowls painting on the wall. President David was expecting us. We were impressed with the wind vane. One of the members Graham painted it. There's just one grass green. It looks OK, if a bit rough around the edges. It's the Ross Whiting Green. There's an old sign that says it used to be called The Wal Hasset Green. There were seven of us so we played three-bowl Fours with swinging lead David. It was Peter, Midge, Jean and David. Against David, Andrew, Mal and Peter. They call the bowls gatherer 'Rover The Sheepdog'! " That's a good muster! "" It took Jean quite a few ends but she finally got a couple. Jean really enjoyed the boys' conversation about bowls, farms, rock-n-roll and bee stings. They tried to claim she didn't have shot but she did! The Magpies came to clean up the scarabs. On end 17, after much egging on from Jean, Mal finally did a photo-worthy bowl. Second-last end he did a beauty. Anne, who we met before the game left us a great afternoon tea. Jean won and Mal lost. She was very happy about that! Adelong - worth the wait.

BATLOW We started at Batlow where our caravan is (great caravan park). We stayed there to support the town due to the trouble the town had in the fires. It's a nice old-fashioned clubhouse. With a nice verandah overlooking the green. There's a very nice memorial. We met John who told us all about the troubles they've had with controlling officers. John looks after the bar and Sunday bowls. John told us a couple of the guys volunteered to trim the shrub but they drank too much and gave up. They put in eyes and a mouth and they call it Bart Simpson. There are two grass greens. We rolled up on the front green. It's the Ben Atkinson Green. Jean stepped out in her socks. She did better going back to the clubhouse. Mal had a turn. It was touch and go but he just pipped Jean. TUMBARUMBA We drove half an hour straight from Batlow to Tumbarumba. We'd heard good things about the people there from both Tumut and John at Batlow. It's a nice clubhouse. It was very busy with a wake when we arrived. Jill from the bar, who told us she was born in Batlow, found mat and jacks for us. There are two grass greens. Jill told usthe back green is only maintained when they hold their tournaments. Front Green is named after Halwyn Weston and unveiled by the RBNSW President in 1985. Jean had first go as usual. The green suited her. Mal was anxious to get on the mat. He struggled for a while then the green changed so he had to take more grass. He was much happier with his results. Batlow and Tumbarumba - bowling fun in country NSW!

Yesterday we left our home in Canberra to get back on the road after a month away. Today we drove to Tumut for a Wednesday afternoon game. We had waited in Canberra for the birth of our second grandson Zacharia. He finally arrived eleven days late. We were sad to leave them but we needed to get back on the road for our bowls trip. We arrived early at Club Tumut. Jim from North Albury showed us where to put our names down. It's a nice sized club. We're told the parent club got into some trouble and closed down. The bowling club runs it now. The bar is the Sir Francis Drake Bar. It's a bit of a theme with the famous story. There are lots of trophies on display. It has a great old wooden seat outside. With a nice outdoor area by the green. The bowlers all sat around before the game. Graeme sorted the money. The club has a pretty garden in full bloom. There are two greens. The grass has seen better days. It looks out. The other is a synthetic that's been down for quite a while by the looks. There were enough players for one game of triples and one of pairs. Matt, Jean and Ron Played Graeme Gus and Peter. Mal skipped for Ken Against Jim and Larry. Jean said to Mal "Get your camera so you can get photos of your good bowls!" He replied "I haven't done any yet!" End four he scored. Jean followed him. After 11 ends Mal's score was one up. Then he scored a beauty. Jean's team was two down when Second Jean stole shot. We both lost though but enjoyed the company immensely. We sat around afterwards and told bowls stories. Tumut - a loss but great company!

OCTOBER 2022 Jean played on Tuesday at Milton Ulladulla Bowling Club with the women. There were 19 players so we had two games of triples and a game of fours with a swinging lead. Jean played third in the fours game with Nerida (swinging lead), Helena and Kath (skip) against Nerida, Sue, Eve and Bev. Jean described them as quiet and sociable - focused more on playing bowls that chatter. "That's good," said Jean "they all played well - especially our skips!" Jean's team won 19 to 5 and Jean was ecstatic to win the rink prize - $10. Friday 13th September 2024 We're headed back home for a month. We've stopped in at Ulladulla to have a new bracket put on the caravan. We came to the Bowls club for lunch and decided to have a rollup. While we ate lunch we met Cal and Kay who have been bowling for just one month. They said they were going out for a rollup so we joined them. Jean's blog posts have changed a lot since she wrote this post two years ago so she decided to take more photos of the club. There are two nice, quick grass greens. We rolled up on the front green. It's the Fred S Croker Green. Mal took his turn. He worked it out quickly. He could've played less well to make the new bowlers feel better but that's just not in his nature! He was all over it. Jean's been playing well lately but she was a bit nervous about the fast green. She managed two shots on our last end. The caravan place rang to say the van was ready so we said goodbye to Cal and kay. Nice to be back at Ulladulla!

We're staying at Jean's parent's place in Shellharbour and decided to drive down to Berry for a Wednesday afternoon game. It's a pretty little clubhouse, inside And out. The club is owned by Bomaderry Bowling Club. The badge board is impressive. There's a nice outdoor area which appears to be run by the Fishing club. The plaque celebrates 100 years in 2012. Keith looked after the money. He told Jean Kangaroo Valley club closed a few years ago and many of their members play here now. There's a lovely little creek out the back behind the fishing club area. Keith told us it flooded a few months ago. The flood came up half a metre over the wall by the green and knocked it over. A cute little lizard (Jean named Lizzie) sat by the creek. We met and sat with the Kangaroo Valley boys for some laughs before the game. There are two nice-looking grass greens. The Bill Oke Green has just been cored - it's flood repair. We played on the far green which was being rolled as we arrived. Today it was Jean and fifteen blokes. 26 ends of three-bowl pairs. Jean and Mark Played President Tige and Derek. Mal and Daryl (Provan) Were against Rob and Bob. First end Jean did surprisingly well. Mall called out " Hey Jean, get a shot of that! ". Jean was really happy with how she bowled. There was no wind. That made it easier to grab shots. Provan said about Mal " I think we'll keep him! " 21st end of 26 Jean had perfect weight for 3. Despite playing so well, Jean and Mark lost. The barman managed to find a very old badge for Jean's hat. Mal won 33 to 17. All winners got a voucher. Good with zero wind at Berry.

Jean's at her niece's baby shower in Gerroa today so Mal drove down to Worrigee Sports for an Afternoon game. It's a nice big clubhouse. Mal rang yesterday to get his name down. They told him to ask for Bowls Coordinator Wendy. He met Wendy and Dee at the table. The club has a nice outdoor area. The bowlers all waited outside before the game. There are two grass greens. Mal played on the side green. Mal couldn't get the teams together for a photo. He got Dee and Phil from his team with Paul from the opposition. Dee got a photo with the opposing Skip Steve. Paul and Phil got ready to play. Mal didn't get any photos of his good bowls. He reckoned he didn't do many. He lost the game and his opponents won the money. Apparently the jackpot went off last week at $600. They asked Mal to spin the wheel and his team won $26. Worrigee - Mal was in charge. He did OK! n

It's our last day in Newcastle for this leg of our trip. We drove up to Teralba for an early morning game. It's a small old-fashioned clubhouse. With a long array of past Presidents. We liked the 'Beernbullshitcorner'. There's some history in this club. And some great old photos. The club is right on Cockle Creek. When we arrived we met Club Manager Rob. He gave us some hats and cloths. We met Dot who lived in Canberra in the 60's. Then we met John who wore Jean's favourite Gulgong shirt. We sat and chatted with the boys. Dennis, Barry, Mal and Frank. There are two greens. One is grass. The other is plastic synthetic. It was being rolled as we arrived. There's a sign saying "The Mullet Run". That's their emblem from the Mullet in the creek. Maurie told Jean that once an Osprey caught a Mullet out of the creek, flew over and dropped it onto the green. It was still alive so the bar girl got it and put it back in the creek! Jean was very happy to see a green named after a woman - Enid Stevens. There's a bubbler donated by the family of a young person who died. We played three-bowl triples. Mal, Jean and Maurice. We're against Graham (91), Tanya and Alan (Willo 95). Jean had one then Mal put kitty in the ditch. It was an unbeatable shot. Jean complained Willo kept bettering her photo-worthy bowls. She finally got one. A bit later Jean got a Resting Toucher then Maurie consolidated. Graham was very entertaining telling Jean lots of great stories. She kept forgetting to bowl. Still she caught Mal's good bowl. We won 24 to 11 after Maurie's 12 Touchers. We came second. Winners got 28 to 12. They asked Jean to spin The wheel We won second prize. Teralba - bowls with the granddads!

We got up early this morning to drive to Toronto to play with the ladies. The main clubhouse wasn't open. We came into the bowler's lounge. The club is being refurbished. It's a plastic synthetic green. They used to have another but the club built units on it. Lyn told us the Workers Club is selling the tennis courts and the bowling green in 2026. The bowlers are looking for a new home. They are down to 16 ladies. All the other ladies were off playing Pennants. There were five of us. We played Scroungers. Lyn, Jean, Mal, Julie and Denise. Jean had shot but of course Mal stole it! Jean finally got shot with four ends to go. Peter came and joined us. Jean had shot then Peter just pipped her. Because he came late Jean got the points. Mal did a beauty but he just pushed the kitty back to Jean. Going into the last end Jean was ahead 17 to Mal 16. Mal put one right on it then Lyn took him off saying " Gotta stick up for the women! " Mal was completely out of the count when on the last bowl of the game Peter drove kitty to Mal's bowl for a three pointer and the win. After the game we checked out the main clubhouse. It has some great old photos. Toronto - Mal's a thief - AGAIN!

We were supposed to play at Booleroo today but they played away. We'd been told a few days ago to go to Warner's Bay. We rang up to put our names down but weren't sure we could play. When we walked in Sid the Vice President knew who we were and welcomed us. He introduced us to President Dave. You can see from the shirts that they are the Hawks. (Dave, Mal and Sid) It's a small but busy clubhouse. Bloody Bob came up for a chat. There are two grass greens. We played on the unnamed left green. We played together. Three-bowl pairs. Sid organised for us to play President Dave and his wife Lynda. Jean Put one in early. Then Mal gave us a full count. Jean was really happy with how she bowled. If she did an errant bowl, she would put the next one on the jack! We were two down then Mal drove the kitty into the ditch! We won 21 to 11. On our way back from putting our bowls in the car we met Ian from Water Board. Dave went to find something to give us. He came back with a bucket hat and stubby holder. Warner's Bay - the McGunners and the Hawks!

We had a fantastic time at Edgeworth Bowling Club but we're headed home. Today we've stopped off at Club Catalina in Rathmines. They told us this used to be RAAF base during the war for the Catalina flying boats. The bowling clubhouse used to be the officers' mess. There are paintings of the old officers. It's a modern clubhouse. The planes above are those that landed here. We met Max and Alec at the table. We ran into John who skipped Jean at East Cessnock. All the bowlers sat together before the game. In the Ron Tomlinson-Smith Bowler's Lounge. John called the cards. There are two plastic synthetic greens. The newer one is next to the clubhouse. It's the Reg Stephenson Green. Surrounded by Lake Macquarie. The seats have memorials. Jean, Mal and Brian Played Mal, Bo and Mark. First end we were five down - Mal took shot. The wind was outrageous. Jean started to work it out. After that Mal put in two beauties and we took four shots! Next end though he drove three - and missed - so we went down seven! We were two down and Jean took out both their shots for two. Jean found going away from the club easier. Mal then put two in and we got a four. We lost by one 17-18. When we came in we saw the old bowls bell. Max and John called the winners. They did a second losers draw. We won. $10. We also won a raffle prize. Club Catalina - we lost and won!