Hello from the bowling capital of the world!
I did try and send this earlier but the attachments are far too big. I will not send the video but will send it separately to those who I’ve been communicating via iMessage. It’s worth watching.
I’m renaming Surfers Paradise as Bowls Paradise! Since arriving two weeks ago, I’ve been on the go nonstop visiting and happily playing/practicing everyday at nine different clubs. Most of the greens were running beautifully between 14 – 16 seconds. Winter here is not winter! It’s sunny and pleasantly warm all day (in the mid 20’s) except for evenings (around 10 deg.) when a light jacket is more than adequate.
It’s great to be back and seeing all my mates at different clubs. Social membership is cheap here ($5 or $10), but there is a fee for playing in the draws ($10 – $15) where one can win money! So far, I’ve won $95 plus winnings from slot machines. 😋 There are definitely some really good bowlers in the draws. A friend told me that he got Canada’s Ryan Bester as his Skip in his club’s draw! Needless to say, he was nervous. Go figure! Perhaps some of our better players will come to bowl in some of our daily draws. Like today at Burleigh Heads Bowls Club, some of the Australian Squad bowlers were playing with its members. All three greens were used!
Our own Canadian Senior Squad member, Kelly McKerihen (she now lives in Melbourne), was having a clinic at Burleigh Heads this morning to prepare bowlers for the Australian Open. It was a great session. Learned heck of a lot!
The most satisfying rollup was at Helensvale’s new under the dome artificial green that was completed recently. What an amazing true green. It cost $12 million+ to build! I can’t help but feel very envious of the facility! Everyone remembered me (including Nathan Rice, one of the top Australian Squad bowlers). It was a dream come through playing there with the competitive and infamous Robbie Allan who is the director of everything for the Gold Coast-Tweed Bowls organization and the technical man behind the live-streaming of bowling tournaments in Queensland. I gave him a good run for his money! He won’t forgive me for taking three shots from him and in another end, four shots!
Helensvale Bowls Club is in the process of building another similar green adjacent to this one and should be completed by September. Apparently, the slot machines and barefoot bowling bring in tons of money for the club! Well too bad that I didn’t contribute to their coffers last week. 😜
It’s also great to be back at the same apartment building. Apparently, I’m their favourite guest. This time I was given a unit on the 40th floor overlooking the Ocean! There was a festival of fireworks last Saturday night and it was wonderful to watch it from the comfort of my balcony. It’s called SeaFire, Gold Coast’s very own international fireworks competition held on the shores of Surfers Paradise Beach. Italy and the U.K., two of the world’s best pyrotechnic teams, competed in the event, with Australia’s leading pyrotechnic team closing the night with a sensational finale. I had a little party here with some friends and we’re still talking about that memorable night. There’s something magical about fireworks! 🎇🎆 We couldn’t find anywhere who won the competition, but we thought U.K.’s show was dazzling. I’ll attach a photo of the crowd on the beach, and a photo of the fireworks as the video is apparently too big to send.
Most of the big clubs’ greens will be closed from this Friday in readiness for the Australian Open, starting on Saturday. I think I’m bowled out and it will be a good break … perhaps go shopping and watch some games of Singles. My mates will be arriving next week from North Queensland and we play the Fours on June 14, and Pairs on the 18th. Both venues are conveniently located. 👏👏
I showcased our new club shirt wherever possible, and I have had good comments! 👍
Until the next tale about the Open, I wish you all better and warmer weather!
Cheers, Mary ❣️
Note about balcony photo:
Surfers Paradise Beach was full of people. It was damp and cold on the beach. A friend texted a friend watching from the beach and bragged about how cosy we were watching from the balcony.
