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We saw Somerville play in the Mid-week Pennant Finals in Karingal last week. A couple of the guys told Jean about Thursday social bowls so we decided to check it out. SUNDAY We dropped in on Sunday to see what's what. There was a championship game on so we took a little peek. There are lots of Pennants successes on the wall for all to see. Flags under the bar. In the Ladies is a painting of the original clubhouse and green. We'd met Rob and Brian at the Pennant Finals when we were at Karingal . TUESDAY We came back on Tuesday to camp. We found a great spot next to the bowling club and near the water source. Mal worried about backing under a branch. Jean measured its height and said it was fine. It wasn't. We lost our aerial and got stuck on the vent. President Ron was at the club and heard Jean shriek. He came out with Brian to help They brought us a ladder and a 15 amp lead for us. The championship was a Fours game. After our caravan trauma it was nice to relax with some entertainment! Jean told them " Mal's going to want to buy your shirt because it's Parramatta colours! " Brian said " No. I've got two shirts for you! " The bowls were very good to watch. We got beer and wine and just relaxed! THURSDAY There are two Tiger Turf greens. With good colorbond shades in between. The front green is nice. Good speed. It's the Fay McIntosh Green. Fay was an original member. She's still a non-bowling member and is now around a hundred years. Chris and Trevor looked after the draw. We were running a bit late so they were all waiting for us. They were all very friendly and welcoming to us. Chris called the cards. It's two games of Three-bowl Triples twelve and ten ends with lunch provided. It was Gordon, Jean and Skip Mal. Against Brian, Chris and Rowdy. It was super fast. Jean was overjoyed she managed to get two shots. We were down and Mal snuck one in. We got smashed! Our second game we played against Mick and Trevor. First end we were down three and Mal came in for two. Jean saved us from three down. We got killed again! We came inside for a drink before taking off to Berwick. Somerville - so glad the company was great!

We're camped at Somerville Bowls Club so today we drove 20 minutes to Mt Eliza to get a game of Triples. Mt Eliza had two Mid-week Pennants wins at Mornington Civic Tuesday. It's a light airy clubhouse. They seem to be the Pelicans. The trophies are interesting. Duncan and Fred looked after the draw. David, Gordon, Dennis and Norm were interested in Jean's Hughenden shirt. We're told Tuesday night they have a community challenge with a Pelican trophy. There are two synthetic greens. They are flat carpet greens. Green One is named for the Foundation President whose name was Harry Lynch. The permanent shades are beautiful. They used to have old wooden ones. While they were being repaired five years ago there was an earthquake. One fell over on Ray who ended up in hospital with a collapsed lung. After a big battle insurance paid for new ones. The Pelican shows wind direction. Scoreboards are sponsored and donated. It's two games of three-bowl triples. 12 ends then ten. We played each other first game - opposing Seconds. Ross, Jean and Zelda Played Brian, Eric and Mal. Mal was right onto it first end. Jean tried her best. She managed third. We won't mention second. As usual by end six Jean worked it out. Mal said " How come you play like a champion when you're against me? " Julie came up and said " I don't think you qualify but are you around Tuesday to play in our 'Over 75's Tournament? " We said we're ten years short. She took our photo for Facebook. Jean won by four. Second game we changed teams. Jean was with Ross and Gordon. Against Gerry, Bernie and Dennis. Mal skipped for John and Duncan. His opponents were Ron, Paul and Peter. Mal did it again first end. Jean came down to inspect. She claimed it but it was disputed. Jean lost by one and Mal won by the same. Mt Eliza was very friendly.

Village Baxter is a retirement Village with a bowling green. We rang and asked if we could play Tuesday and were welcomed enthusiastically. The clubhouse is called 'The Green Room'. With a few Pennants wins & past Presidents. Len did the draw. Ron, Jan, Elaine, Mark and Helen were very interested in our trip. There's one plastic synthetic green. It looks like it's been down a while. There's a nice big sign in the corner. With hand-made duck frighteners. It's one twelve end game - Three-bowl triples. There were twelve players. We played with Clayton. Against Jan, Ron and Helen. It took two ends but Jean worked it out. Clayton knocked Jean up for shot then Mal came in with a Resting Toucher. He got a Mars bar for that. Jean tried to score a Mars Bar bit just missed. We were down then Mal upset their apple cart. By twelve ends it was getting early Autumn hot. We came in for drinks and awards. They gave us some shirts as a keepsake. We met the President Ron. We made new friends at Village Baxter.

We're staying at Yamala so drove over to Mornington to check out the green and hopefully get a rollup. It seems it's usually locked but there was a game on so we were lucky! We got a look inside. It's nice. The bar says " Only volunteers work here "! There's lots of nice memorabilia. Like a photo of the 1st President. Gail was in the office when we arrived. She helped us out with useful information. Mal chatted for ages with Barry. There are three greens. Two are grass. One is plastic synthetic. The 2017 Centenary Green. The seats have plaques for the centenary. A nice way to store the rakes! There was a Mixed Pairs championship game on between Neil, Heather, Merilyn and Peter. Neil and Heather told us they won the game! Brin rolled up next to us. It was such a lovely afternoon. Sunny and little wind. Jean strolled out. Followed by Mal. It was really fast. Jean was all over the shop which gave Mal a full count. Next end Jean did better. He only got three. Jean finally got two. Brian's bowl photobombed! The head wasn't great but Jean managed another. Mal wanted to practise his drives so he set up Jean's bowls. Jean waited to get a photo but Mal decided to chat to Warren and Rob. He finally got around to it and took the kitty and Jean's two bowls clean out. Mal does it again at Mornington!

We met Frankston Pat at Karingal when we went to watch the Mid-week Pennant Finals. She told us Frankston has four divisions at home for the Saturday Finals this weekend so we've come to cheer them on. The clubhouse has high ceilings. There's interesting old memorabilia plus some Pennants successes. And a nice high verandah. It's the Dolphin Deck. They are the Dolphins. We only saw four Frankston people. Outside is a sculpture donated after the club hosted the World Bowls Championship in 1982. The club is 100 years old. We arrived at twelve. We didn't see any Frankston teams. There were three morning games on: Mornington vs Village Glen, Rosebud Country Club vs Karingal and Sorrento vs Main Ridge. We met the folks we played with at Rosebud Country Club. We'd met Pat on Tuesday at Mornington Civic. The sign says the trees were planted in 1980. There are four grass greens with VFL Kinetic Stadium in the background. The sign welcomed players. The afternoon games were Division Two Karingal vs Rosebud Country Club. Division Three Mornington Civic vs West Rosebud. Division Five Sorrento vs Main Ridge And Division Nine Mornington vs Village Glen. Divisions 9 and 2 played on Green A with the Frankston Hospital behind. It's the 'Show Green'. We decided to watch our mates from Rosebud Country Club in Division Two. There were spectators everywhere! They did well. Some came inside for a break at end 11. Rosebud CC was up just 36 to 29. It was exciting and anybody's game. We had to go so said goodbye and wished them all luck. Ripping final at Frankston! POST SCRIPT: We couldn't stay to the end but we looked up the results on Sunday. Our mates won 54 to 51. Would have been good to see. Congratulations Rosebud Country Club! https://results.bowlslink.com.au/competition/9c5c2975-e33e-42a2-b9d8-cb8a533c9651#finals-series/1/3

Jean had been in touch with Brian from Rosebud Rosellas for some weeks. He gave her times and dates of all upcoming bowls. We chose Thursday Triples. It's such a pretty little clubhouse inside & out. With Pennant memorabilia over the bar. The Bowlers Tavern. The lovely bowler shows wind direction. Today there's zero wind. When we arrived we met Vice President Maz. We stood and had a great chat with some of the members Bob, Bill, Treasurer Arthur, John Robyn, Marg, Marilyn and Tina. There are three grass greens We played out front on the West Green. It has nice little shades. We loved the scarecrow Martha! And the memorial bubbler. Jean played with Marilyn and Bob. Against Mal who was with Maz and Wayne There were three rinks. Two games of triples and one Pairs. Two games of twelve ends. Second end Jean worked it out and Marilyn consolidated. It didn't take Mal much longer. He got two. Jean had two. Mal tried to steal. He got second shot. We came in for lunch. Second game Mal played Eddy, Tina and Frank. And Jean was against John (Macca), Marg and Bob First end Jean did a beauty. She said " Maybe it will be the only one! " She was right! Mal's opponents had shot. Mal came in with weight and hit it smack in the middle. He took shot! Second game we both lost big. " We all got tired " Jean said! President Tony came later. Mal took a selfie with him. And his dog Freckles! We came in and all sat together for drinks. Leo served us at the bar. They told us he's just been added to the Adelaide Crows Hall of Fame. He used to play AFL for North Melbourne. Rosebud - the Rosellas had us beat!

We'd been told we must come to Mount Martha as the greens are great. We heard they have Wednesday social bowls so Mal rang to get our names down. Mal had spoken to Lesley who didn't have the list with her. We were on our way when Geoff rang to say it was cancelled as there were only two names down due to expected heat so we said we'd come for a rollup. Geoff took us on a little tour. Inside they were having a meeting about the greens. He showed us the lovely decks. There are two Tiger Turf synthetic greens. They recently merged with the Petanque club so the third green is now Petanque. There was a Mixed Pairs championship on the East Green so we rolled up on the old green. The Central Green. We liked their shirts with beach sheds. Jean stepped into the unknown. A little bit dodgy with Mal in the ditch but she managed one on the first end. Mal was determined. We both did better. He got one back. Grass was OK. Weight not so much. Mal snuck two in. Jean finished well. After our rollup Keith the social bowls coordinator came to apologise for no social game. We were ok. On the way out Jean met with Rob and Brian the current Men's Pairs Champions. Mount Martha - we did like the green!

After our visit to watch the lower divisions play the finals at Karingal We decided to see if we could catch the end at Mornington Civic. It's a nice little clubhouse. The bar was open. We saw lovely trophies and Pennant flags. The verandah housed many spectators. There are four greens. One grass out the side. And three others including one plastic synthetic green - Green D. There were ten teams here today. Flinders vs Village Glen Retirement, Blue Hills vs Main Ridge, Karingal vs Rosebud Country Club, Karingal vs Mt Eliza And lastly Rye vs Mt Eliza. Jean laughed because it's always Mal who gets a photo with the President but she got one with President Glenda! The winners were Rosebud Country Club Division Two; Blue Hills Division Four; Village Glen Division Seven; Mt Eliza Division Six and Division One was won by Mt Eliza. They were all smiles. Even the runners-up. Mornington Civic - great bowls seen!

When we were at Dromana on Monday they told us their Division Five plays in the Pennant Final at Karingal on Tuesday. Jean wants to buy the Karingal shirt so we're going. It's a decent-sized clubhouse. With lots of Pennant memorabilia. We'd seen Karingal play in the Preliminary Final last week at Hastings. That's where Jean saw the shirt. On the Outdoor green were Sorrento vs West Rosebud and Dromana vs Frankston. Under the dome was Somerville Vs Blue Hills. We sat with the Dromana spectators. Dromana was ahead by 15. Both greens are Tiger Turf sy nthetic. With one under cover. All the Karingal people were away at the Finals in Mornington. Bowls Coordinator Nathan was by himself managing everything. They were out of shirts so he'll contact us and send them when they're in. Karingal hosts the Finals.

Balnarring is the third club we've visited on the Mornington Peninsula. We rang on Tuesday to find out there's a game on Wednesday afternoon. We rang to leave a message. John rang back on Wednesday to give us the juice. We arrived early and met him in the club. The Ibis greeted us out front. It's a tiny Clubhouse. The bar is named for Harry Dutton. With a nice verandah out front. And the 'Barefoot Bar'! Bryan and Moira had a sandwich before the game started. There are two greens. One flat carpet synthetic up top, The Jim Rentoul Green, And a grass green down below where, John tells us, the Peninsula Division One final will be played. There's one nice little shelter. All the seats have memorials. They have sticks we draw for the game. Jean got rinks 3 red Lead and Mal got rink 4 black third. It was Fours. Steve, Jean, Norm and Bob Played Bryan, Bernie, Robbie and Hans. Mal, Moira, Jenny and Ron. We're against ninety-nine year old Milton, John and Garry. Many of the players were in their 80s.  We love a game where less mobile people can play. Jean asked Mal to call out when he does a good bowl. He forgot. Lucky Jean spied it! Jean said " I should've taken photos of my good bowls in our rollup! " She got a few shots but each time her teammates Bob and Steve would do one better. She didn't mind at all. Jean's team won, Mal lost - despite his good bowls. 2nd game we swapped opponents. Mal did two top shots. Skip said Jean had shot so she raced down to get a photo. Alas, when they measured it was second shot. Mal won and Jean lost her second game. We came inside for drinks and raffles. Mal and Jean didn't have a coin to pay for Jean's wrong bias. Garry donated. Mal came second and got $5. Loved the oldies at Balnarring.

We arrived Sunday morning in Rosebud and set up our caravan. Jean did the washing then we set off to Dromana to find out about social bowls on Monday. SUNDAY Jean had been in touch with someone from Rosebud Country Club who told her there's triples with people from many clubs at Dromana on Monday. We came to get our names down. We couldn't get a shot inside the clubhouse because it's a construction site. They have dry rot in the floor. It'll be done by April. Out front is a temporary clubhouse. The first people we spoke to were David and Joe. They were here to watch a triples game and showed us where to put our names down. Jean met Carmel on her way to the shed. She told Jean her husband Terry runs Mondays. Mal met Bob and Terry. The Triples game was close. There are two Tiger Turf greens. The front one is very new. May 2024. It's the Gwen & Doug Hildebrand Green. The little shelters are nice. MONDAY We wanted to get a photo for our map. A worker to let us inside the construction fence. President Peter introduced himself. Treasurer George and David looked after the draw and got our money. We chatted for a while with Colin and Peter. It's three-bowl triples. Two games of eleven ends. We played with Steve. Game one was against George, Colin and Ken. The flag was full North. The wind headed all the bowls north. Jean managed two shots. It wasn't a great head. Mal took shot and Jean got second and Third. Mal did another and we got Four. Another lousy head when Mal came in for two. Jean got a toucher then drew shot. We lost by five. George did half-time announcements and welcomed us. He called the Raffle. Jean scolded Mal because he didn't buy Raffle tickets. He said " I didn't see them selling! " We didn't need to. George called Jean's name. She won $10! Our second game we were against Nino, Len and Peter. We're told they're gun bowlers! The Pennants stickers say they're ' The Friendly Club '. We'd agree with that! We were several down and Mal took the kitty splendidly. Another wayward head - Jean got one. After that we went down four with a ditched kitty. The guns got us well and good. Jean was too scared to ask the score. We came up for beers on the deck. Shellacked at Dromana

We've come down to the bottom of the Mornington Peninsula to see the bowling clubs. We visited two clubs today Sorrento and Rye. SORRENTO It's a pretty clubhouse that's nice inside. There are lots of trophies and Pennant flags. Mal met Alan who showed us where mats and jacks were. Jean chatted with Jill. There are three greens all up. Two are synthetic - one is a small four rinker. Out the back is a nice grass green. We rolled up on the little green. It was a bit slow. Mal was eager to get out. It took us a while to work out the weight. Mal got a couple. Jean put her bowl down. By end three we started to get our weight right. Jean scored a full count. Then Mal got his own back. At least we got the grass right. Jean got one. The shades are nice. RYE Rye's not far from Sorrento so off we went. It seems from outside like a nice clubhouse. There are two greens. One is synthetic. The Con Glew Green. There's another little grass green. Sorrento and Rye - nice on the Peninsula.