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Jean's been in touch with President Scotty from Morgan Bowls Club. Scotty said we could park our caravan at the club overnight so we're very pleased to come. We always love stepping out of the caravan onto a bowling green! It's 'The Historic Port of Morgan' on The Murray. We took off to check out Cadell Bowling Club. When we got back another Scotty was there. He showed us his beautiful Studebaker - the only one in Australia. Mal went for a run in it to get him a club shirt. When he got back he was wide eyed! Scotty opened up the clubhouse so we could take a peek. The old photos, trophies and miles of Pennants plaques were great. We parked as close as we could get to the green. We met Lenny who was stocking the bar. It's a nice grass green. We haven't seen many. It's the Whitford Green with a rose garden. It's off season so the green hadn't been mowed. Mal wouldn't bowl on it. Jean wanted a roll-up. Her first end, even full pelt, she could only manage 2/3 of the green. She made the second end her last because it was too tiring. She was much happier that she got within a metre. CADELL BOWLING CLUB We drove 11 km to Cadell. It was quite unexpected! We had to cross The Mighty Murray by ferry. What an experience that was! A lovely sculpture met us at the gate. We saw the clubhouse through the window. It's another nice grass green. It was raining so we couldn't roll up. Morgan and Cadell - fun on the ferry!

Tonight we're staying in Peterborough but we've already done Peterborough Bowling Club so we decided to check out Orrooroo and briefly Willmington on our way there. It's been raining so we mightn't get a roll-up. From outside it looks nice inside. All the Pennant win photos sit above the bar. Outside is a nice shaded area by the green. We see there's an open day on 14th September if anyone is interested. Seats are donated in memorium. There's one plastic synthetic green. Silos overlook the green. Mal had a go on the green. His first bowls went well. Jean was a bit long. Jean went out tentatively. The wind blew our bowls into a left-hand caterpillar. Jean got two. It was close but Jean just pipped Mal. He stood there for five minutes measuring with his fingers then gave up. Last photo was supposed to get a photo of Mal's shot bowl. It didn't work out that way. WILLMINGTON Before Ororoo we stopped in at Willmington. It was raining so we just got a couple of photos. It's a nice little clubhouse with a plastic synthetic green. No rollup for us though. Ororoo and Willmington - at least we managed one rollup.

So we left Wudinna this morning after a nice chat with Fish . We're staying at Iron Knob but Fish told us there's no bowling club there now. We decided instead to check out the club at Kimba. It made Jean happy because it reminded her of her favourite little puppy dog 'Kimba' who passed away nearly 20 years ago. We peeked in through a window in the door. Outside is a nice shaded area. We were met at the gate by a bowler! There's just one plastic synthetic green. Next door is a gravel car park. It looks like long ago it might have been a bowling green. There were mats and jacks hanging under the newspaper article about pennant success. We decided to have a long-awaited rollup. There were strict instructions on which way. We had to get the compass out! There are really good permanent shades down the end. Mal had a go. He did ok. It took a few ends to get used to it. It was windy. Then it was Jean's turn. We weren't sure who got shot. Jean claimed it. The head was pretty good once we got used to it. Mal finished with three. IRON KNOB Then we drove on another hour to the town of Iron Knob. The birthplace of Australia's steel industry. We could see the mine from the RV stop. In the camp kitchen there was a sign that said the bowling club was open Tuesday and Thursday 4:30. That gave us hope. Jean walked 14 minutes to the bowling club to check it out. Alas, there were trees on the green! She talked with the postmaster on her way back. He said the club has been gone for over ten years. They've had chats about bringing back the green - to share with caravaners but it's just too hard. We came down later for a drink with the locals. They still have the Honour Board. Kimba with Iron Knob - not sure about trees on the green!

After our mammoth trip from Port Augusta up the Center to Darwin, over West to Perth via Broome them across The Nullarbor, we're happy to be back in South Aussie for a little bit on our way home to Canberra. We've dropped in to Wudinna for a roll-up. It's pronounced 'Woodna' Jean has been in touch with the club via Messenger. They told us there's no social bowls in the off-season but we were welcome to roll up. It was all locked up and the blinds were down so the picture we got of the clubhouse doesn't show much. Outside is a little verandah to watch the bowls. There's one plastic synthetic green. The old grass green has been pegged out for something. Mal thought they were going to make it into a garden. It was sprinkling with rain. Mal said " I don't want to roll up in that! " So it was a very quick visit. Next day Fish, who Jean's been talking to dropped in at the Caravan for a chat. He's the general dog's-body at the club - does everything. He told us the old Green's not a garden, it's been pegged out for Putt Putt. A little bit of rain at Wudinna.

It's been Fourteen and a half hours and 1,400km since we last saw a bowling green. We crossed the border yesterday, left The Nullarbor and arrived safe and sound in Ceduna on a Sunday afternoon. Esperance and Ravensthorpe in WA were our last stops . It's a cute little clubhouse. With all the Pennant wins proudly displayed over the bar. Outside is a nice shaded area. When we arrived President Bernie came up to say gidday. We arrived 1:20. Just after social bowls started so we missed out. They had two games of Triples on. We had a roll-up instead. Out front is a nice plastic synthetic green they can play on all year round. Out the back is the old grass green. Jean put down the first bowl. She managed a two. Mal went next. Jean had three but Mal took shot. He did ok in the blustery wind. We had to get to the caravan park so just did a few ends, though we enjoyed them after such a long break. Ken asked us about our uniforms. Bernie had his little dog Lucy. She was very content. They saw Jean's hat. They said " We don't have badges but you can have a whiskey glass. ". Mal said " Mine, mine, mine! " Ceduna - dogs, games and rollups.

Again, we're in Ravensthorpe for one night on our way home to Canberra. We stopped over at the 48 hour RV site and decided to walk the 14 minutes Google told us it was to the Entertainment Centre where we understood the bowling club is. The club was all locked up but we got to see it through the windows. There was scribble on the board to say social bowls is on Saturday. We got our obligatory photo in front of the sign. There's a nice long under cover outdoor area. There's just one plastic synthetic green. We just stayed long enough to get a few photos and then took the long walk back o the caravan. Ravensthorpe - we didn't stay long.

We're in Albany for just one day so no time to do the three clubs here. Jean's been in touch with Emu Point on Messenger and they said we could roll up any time so we chose it. The club wasn't open so we got a shot through the window of the clubhouse. Former President Richard turned up for a roll-up. We chatted with him. We couldn't see any mats and jacks so decided not to roll up ourselves. Outside is some construction work. Richard told us it's a new kitchen and they'll put in a new deck. Perhaps we'll come and check it out when we come back to Albany. We were fascinated that we'd passed the 35th parallel. Out the back is a great photo for the bay and the town. With emus on the tank. The synthetic greens were opened fairly recently. There are two plastic greens. Mal said " That's a big green! ". Richard said it's 40 metres like Tuggeranong . The old fallow grass green is out the back. There's a great photo array of the work to put in the new greens. The club is pretty healthy financially. They've put in great permanent shades. All the seats are donated - some in memorium. Just before we left President Gary turned up on his bicycle. Emu Point - we'd love to come back and see the renovations!

Jean's been in touch with Secretary Barb from Katanning who said we could camp at the club and come for Saturday Bowls. We camped on Friday. We were worried we wouldn't get a photo for our map so we took one of the wheel. We came up and saw the outdoor area used by golfers. It's a pleasant little clubhouse for four sports. First person we met was President Mike. He told us they have 34 members. There's one big plastic synthetic green. It has 12 rinks. Mike told us the bowling club used to be in town on Shire land but the Shire wanted it for housing so gave the club a few options. The Country Club had tennis, golf and squash so bowls seemed like a good fit. They put the bowling green in the middle of a fairway. It's fenced all around with nice permanent shades. Barb asked us to draw numbers for a Triples game. Alex, Jean and DP Played Marge, Marg and Mal. There were eighteen players so three games. Jean had shot before Mal stole it. It was a lovely day. Sunny, 18° and no wind. Perfect for bowls. Down by a lot after Mal's team got an eight, Jean finally scored a two. Then she did it again to catch up a bit. Mal said he'd tried to take them out. Mal did it again. Jean had shot (it was a measure) then he took her out for four. After being down 13 shots on end three and was behind the whole game. Jean's team came back from end 13 and won by 22 to 17. What a comeback! We came in for drinks. Jean's team was runner up. They gifted us some stubby holders Katanning - lovely weather, great people and fun bowls!

We're on our way home after our six state trip. We're headed for the Nullabor then a few bowling clubs before back to Canberra and the grandkids. We stopped in on our way south to the little town of Narrogin. We had to get our car checked which went very well. The club was closed when we arrived. We got to see the clubhouse through the window. The welcome sign is great. There are adjacent murals as well. We had the engine light come on in our car. We're soon to cross the Nullabor so we needed to make sure there was no problem. We went to Edwards Isuzu here in Narrogin and they gave us the once over and helped us out with some useful tips. There are three greens in all at Narrogin. The front is synthetic and the other two grass. The back grass green is missing a border in parts. It would have been nice to roll up but we don't like to do that if there's nobody around. 'B' Green is dedicated to Peter and Carol. We think that's the synthetic. The permanent shades are nice. Next door are two Croquet courts. The garden is pretty. Narrogin fixed our car!

We thought we'd arrive from Wannamul too late to play bowls at Hilton Park but Jean's friend Marion got there before us and told them all about us and our trip. They waited for us. It's a nice old-fashioned clubhouse with old bowls trophies over the bar. Ring the bell to shout the bar! There's a well-used outdoor area. Jean's been friends with Marion for 43 years but she lives in Fremantle and Jean in Canberra so Jean was so happy to come to Perth to see her. The club is The Hilton Hawks. There are three greens. Two are grass. The old grass green used to be the best one but now it's fallow with a soccer court. It's the first Dog policy we've seen in 700 clubs. Even though there were dogs at Maldon, there wasn't a policy per se. Harry was the ultimate. He didn't go on the green once. Someone is a great gardener. A memorial. We played on the other plastic synthetic - the Bobby Miller Green. The permanent shades are sturdy. Scoreboards are donated. As is the drink fountain. Out the back is an interesting mural. There were two games. One Triples and one Fours. There was great Aussie rock music playing in the background. They were all so friendly and welcoming. We felt like locals. Andrea, Val, Jean and Andy Played Mal, Bobi, Nat and Deb. Jean bowled ok but every time she had shot someone drew inside her. After much egging on from Jean Mal finally did a photo-worthy bowl. Jean got a Toucher. After winning the first half Jean's team dropped the ball and lost by five. We came in for drinks together. Hilton Park - we feel like locals - just like Marion!

We stopped in at Kalbarri Golf and Bowling Club to check it out and get a photo before getting to our caravan park but when we arrived they were setting up for a game. We got ourselves in. It's a golf and bowls club so not the usual bowls paraphernalia about. John organised the game. Everyone sat outside. It's Scroungers today (which Jean hates). Gail, Phil, Keith and Jean played on Rink 2. Nick, Gareth and Mal played next door. It's a plastic synthetic green. With the old, fallow grass green downstairs The permanent shades are nice. We didn't get photos of our bowls because a) our bowls were crap and b) they kept kicking the bowls before we could get one. Mal was not close. Jean did manage one top point but it got kicked away. Mal said " I started off like a house on fire then the wheels fell off! " No wheels at Kalbarri!

We left Carnarvon at 8 am this morning because we knew there was a 1 pm game at Shark Bay - 3.25 hours away. We finally arrived at 12:15. Near here is Steep Point which is the western-most point of mainland Australia. It was so beautiful driving in. Seascapes everywhere. It's a nice, fresh little clubhouse. Rob and John arranged things. There were lots of people here from down south - escaping the cold. Us Canberrans laughed at that. Our caravan Park is a sponsor. Everyone was outside. All the seats are donated. Jean was pleased to see support from Labor. It's three-bowl triples - three games of eight ends. Each game we drew sticks. Everyone had a number for tabulation. Shauna, Jean and Elaine Played Mal, Joe and Eric. It took Jean a while to get used to the slow green. She worked out eventually. 2nd game Bill, M2nd game Bill, Max and Les. Played Greg, Jean and Lexie. Bill told Jean this is the western-most club in Australia. Mal was Skip in the first game so his good bowls weren't photo-worthy. First end, second game he put in a beauty. Next end he did it again. There were only eighteen players so last game we played mostly the same players so we didn't do any photos. Jean beat Mal first game. Jean won two and Mal won one. Rob called the winners. We didn't win but we're grateful for a game. Shark Bay - beautiful scenery, lovely bowls!