Good morning from NZ [Archive] - Page 7

kiwi bowler

01-23-2011, 10:31 AM

Evening all, it's now 11.30pm Sunday night here in Auckland and I can still hear the gusts of winds outside.
Parts of Auckland and the North Island have had floods, from the heavy rain and high tides today with more expected tonght.
During the day at around high tide several roads and coastal highways around Auckland were closed for several hours and the same is expected tonight.

Surfer

01-24-2011, 02:33 PM

:cool:Hi Kiwi bowler

Your Weather doesn't sound good, is there any threat of you getting flooded its all we hear about on the news lately,
This winter we have had snow sever weather warnings I don't remember it being like this when I was growing up,
Coming to the end of our Winter Indoor Bowling wont be sad it will be great to get outdoors on to proper grass would hate to have to bowl on artificial all year round,
Lets hope your all right and that the weather improves

Surfer

kiwi bowler

01-26-2011, 01:47 AM

Hi Surfer

Not where we are living in Auckland, but maybe up north where we have our beach home.

We are going up there this Saturday for a several days, and have just heard that a Tropical Cyclone is expected to approach Cape Reinga early on Saturday?

Which will bring heavy rain and very strong winds to the Far North, so I guess we didn't time our break very well.:(

But we will just have to take things as they come and I also can't remember weather like this when I was younger.

Frankie

01-28-2011, 08:09 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,
Doesn't sound like you've had a good summer, my outdoor club opens for bowling in 11 weeks this winter has flown by, mind you the weather is still freezing!!! so has to warm up before I play outdoors!!

Indoors has gone well this year in a couple of county finals & still in the club comps, but still yearn for that fresh air!!!!:)

kiwi bowler

01-29-2011, 04:24 AM

No, I left home at 6am this morning, trying to drive up to our place in the far north, but because of all the floods we couldn't get there.
We had gone about 2/3 of the way but finaly got stuck and they said it might not be until approx 11pm or later before we go any further.
Which meant a wait of about 12 hours or more, so we just turned around and went back to Auckland, via a new detour because of more slips.

Now safe and home in Auckland, my Neighbour tell me there's lots of new floods in Auckland too!

Frankie

01-29-2011, 09:43 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Seems you have as much trouble with your summer as we do!!!

Been looking at the New Zealand tourist board an noticed you seasons:

Spring - September, October, November
Summer - December, January, February
Autumn - March, April, May
Winter - June, July, August

So officially you are in your summer months!!!!

In England these days we seem to get our best bowling months in our Spring, early April, this year our club is opening on the 9th April, & I expect we will play!!! 20 years ago we never go going until late April early May!:cool:

kiwi bowler

01-30-2011, 04:09 AM

Hi Frankie

Yes we are in our Summer and even though we have been having this unusual wet and windy weather, it's still very warm here.

My outdoor bowls clubs closing day is Saturday April 30th and our summer bowls season runs from Sept to April each year.

I hope your outdoor season goes well for you and you have great weather!:grin:

Brian

01-31-2011, 04:08 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler thats interesting on Friday 29th April my Club is off on a short
4 day bowling tour to Weston Super Mare and surrounding area. Thats in Southern England and marks our summer bowling season getting under way.

Hope we have a better summer this year, we've had quite a cold rough winter!:rolleyes:

Angel

02-02-2011, 08:53 AM

We are coming to the end of our Indoor Bowling but because of all the Snow and canceled games it is non stop fitting in all the league games etd, still have got to do the County Finals which are the beginning of March,
Be so glad when we are finished have been bowling five days a week for a while now.

Angel:roll:

Surfer

02-06-2011, 08:26 PM

Evening Kiwi

Sounds like when your Bowling season stops ours starts Our Club opens April and closes beginning of September, strange old world,
By the way I am sitting here with Harry the dog curled up over my feet we have been taking him to dog training and it has worked wonders he is like a changed dog, but I would still keep a watchful eye on him around visitors,and I don't think my glasses or any objects that he fancies would be safe from his jaws,
Good luck with any competitions that you are still in

Surfer:cool:

Surfer

02-06-2011, 08:32 PM

No, I left home at 6am this morning, trying to drive up to our place in the far north, but because of all the floods we couldn't get there.
We had gone about 2/3 of the way but finally got stuck and they said it might not be until approx 11pm or later before we go any further.
Which meant a wait of about 12 hours or more, so we just turned around and went back to Auckland, via a new detour because of more slips.

Now safe and home in Auckland, my Neighbour tell me there's lots of new floods in Auckland too!

Only noticed your post what a journey you had and then to have to turn round and come back, the weather has gone mad the news about the fires in Australia are all over the television you never know what to expect next,
Glad you made it back safe

Surfer:cool:

kiwi bowler

02-07-2011, 07:56 AM

kiwi bowler

02-07-2011, 07:58 AM

Good evening all it's been very hot and muggy here in Auckland.

Angel

02-08-2011, 06:19 PM

John

02-10-2011, 08:18 AM

Hi Angel,

My Club is still fairly lucky wit sponsorship,think that with sponsorship etc in the local community, we have sponsorship boards around the green, each sponsor pays £100 a year.

they also get mentioned in our local comp pro gramme etc, also club members are encouraged to use them with a 10% discount!!

Can't be easy these days but with the local connections it can still work.

Hope this helps.

P.S The sponsor pays £50 initially for the board to be made!!

kiwi bowler

02-10-2011, 11:52 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler

Good luck in your Champ Singles I noticed you mentioned a Sponsored event at your Club, we are finding it nearly impossible to get any sponsorship for bowls events at present,
Your Club is very lucky any tips on how they managed to get sponsorship would be very welcome.

Angel

Hi Angel

The Sponsor this Saturday is the Surgeon that operated on a male club member a few years back.

It seems the member asked him if he would sponsor a tournament at our club and he said yes. He has been sending in a cheque for $200 each year for several years now.

So you never know :grin:

John

02-12-2011, 05:14 PM

Hi Angel

The Sponsor this Saturday is the Surgeon that operated on a male club member a few years back.

It seems the member asked him if he would sponsor a tournament at our club and he said yes. He has been sending in a cheque for $200 each year for several years now.

So you never know :grin:

Great idea Kiwi Bowler!!

If our Club managed to get £200 of each surgeon that has operated on our members we would be rolling in money:):)

Brian

02-15-2011, 07:56 PM

Hi All,

A lot of Councils who own and subsidies bowling greens in the U.K. are trying to negotiate out of council funds responsibilities!!
A good example is my Club the Council have always paid for the 'Greens' specialist treatment chemicals/tyning etc and maintained the Club House.
Now the want to up our rent, Not pay for Green maintenance and stop maintaining the Clubhouse!!!!!

Any one else having problems????

Swordfish

02-16-2011, 10:22 PM

Hi Brian

My club is also council owned and is experiencing similar problems to yours. Except that they are taking it one step further and are threatening to close it!!

The club is situated in a public park and the council want to develop the area where the bowls club is and build tennis courts on it. The future of the club is a bit in doubt at the moment, so i might find myself looking for a new club in the not too distant future :(

Surfer

02-17-2011, 09:04 PM

Hi Swordfish

We have a bowling green at Newquay its called Wes End I think there is a pic of it on Members Photos and it is in a prime position in the Center of Newquay with wonderful views over the beach it has falling membership and not enough Ladies to put out league teams it is in danger of being closed, I believe it has already had an offer of relocation,
So far they are holding out but I think its only a matter of time it would be a shame to see it go and become another shopping center.

Surfer form Cornwall:rolleyes:

Swordfish

02-17-2011, 09:44 PM

Hi Surfer

Its such a shame that these bowls clubs are closing at such a rapid rate, in the last few years there have been about 4 clubs that have gone due to falling membership or council action in my area.

One club in particular was closed by the local council because they wanted to build croquet lawns on the site, three years on and they are hardly used. :mad:

The trouble is that we have another club in my town that has a lot more members and is privately owned. So the council don't really see the point in maintaining mine, that only has about 40 members, when there is much larger one up the other end of town.

Im hoping nothing comes of it but at the very least they will put our rent up, no doubt.

kiwi bowler

02-18-2011, 04:17 AM

Hi guys, weather here in Auckland is still very hot and muggy and the news says we will have another month of same.

Talked to an old mate last week, who's a Lawn Bowler at another club and he tells me his club has got approx 20 new members this year. They have been running twightlight bowls with a free barbacue and it worked to get the new members!

He said they advertised in the local paper and dropped flyers in letter boxes, it also mentioned as well as the bowls and barbacue that there's a bar with good prices and friendly members.

Devon Bowler

02-18-2011, 04:55 PM

kiwi bowler

02-18-2011, 11:15 PM

Sounds like a very good idea to me and a brilliant way to get new members our biggest problem is that when we do get some new people a lot of older Bowlers give them the cold shoulder and don't include them or encourage them to go for roll ups,
We need to move with the times got to make new members feel welcome.

My club, has a lot of drawn mixed events, so new members do get to play in lots of events and with different people. Also at rollups they are made very welcome by who ever is there, but I have to say the top bowlers never come to roll ups.
And yes in the Club Championships the sames people do play together and usually win.

keith

02-20-2011, 09:39 PM

Hi Everyone,

Interesting thread about getting new members and keeping them.

My club had an open day,combined with an advert on the local radio/flyer's around local area and bowlers asked to bring a friend|
We recruited 32 new members trouble is we were awful at looking after them, bowlers get so busy the new recruits were nearly left to fend for them selves!! We lost 15 of them mainly do to this the remaining 17 have stayed and doing well.

We now have a buddy system for any new recruit which has helped but our numbers are declining due to the age of our bowlers!!:o

kiwi bowler

02-22-2011, 06:07 AM

Another massive Earth Quake today at about 1pm in Christchurch, has left much of the city in ruins.
Lots of injuries and dead:(:(:(

Frankie

02-22-2011, 04:32 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Hope all is well with you & family, U K news headlines lead with the awful earthquake that hit New Zealand!!

Seems only a few months ago when a similar quake struck.

Take care

Surfer

02-22-2011, 06:40 PM

The Earthquake in New Zealand is making headlined News over here in England some of the pictures look frightening, you seem to be getting a lot of them lately I hope you are your family are alright,Always a big worry lets hope you don't get any where you live,

Surfer:cool:

Surfer

02-22-2011, 06:51 PM

IrishDigger

02-23-2011, 07:49 AM

Another massive Earth Quake today at about 1pm in Christchurch, has left much of the city in ruins.
Lots of injuries and dead:(:(:(

Sad news Kiwi Bowler.

Some horrific scenes being reported via the media.

My thoughts are with the New Zealand people.

Australian and other International help is on the way.

E T

02-23-2011, 09:23 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Had a good look at the Map, aways thought South Auckland was in the lower island of New Zealand, (wrong again).
The news is showing the devastation, & their ongoing rescuing.

Hope all is well with you and yours.

kiwi bowler

02-24-2011, 02:45 AM

Hi Kiwibowler
Changing the subject Harry the dog is right now crawling unto my knee and is lying on my lap making it really difficult every time I try and use the keyboard he keeps nudging my arm, its like he has had a brain transplant I don't know how to explain it he has gone to the extreme of wanting to bite me to never leaving me alone,
Glad I gave the little beggar a chance it came close to him being taken back to the dog rescue kennel,Not sure how I am going to play bowls this year got a feeling he might want to chase the bowls over the green.

Surfer:cool:

Hi Surfer, that's great news:grin:

One of the bowlers at my club brings his small dog ( a Cocker Spaniel )with him and she usually just sits there quietly under the shade. But he does chain her up. But we did have a suprise the other day at the club when a Tradesmen turned up and she started barking at him, which is very unusual.

Angel

02-24-2011, 08:58 AM

Hi Everyone

We often see dogs down the bowling Club and they are usually very well behaved they get lots of cuddles and fussing but its a funny thing dogs seem to have a built in radar for people who are a bit Nasty, and they will go into protect mode I have a friend who's dog will go mad if someone with a dark hat comes into the house she has to warn all her visitors not to wear any,
Tying the dog up to a bench leg is a good idea then there is no chance of it getting off and running around chasing Bowls.

Still getting a lot of coverage on TV of the earthquake in New Zealand
And Surfer great news about the dog sure he will love getting fussed over down your Bowling Club

Bye for now Angel:D

John

02-24-2011, 09:24 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Any more news from your part of the world, you seem to live in the safer island of New Zealand as most of the recent disasters have hit the southern island, small comfort.

Trouble in the middle east is our headlines now, know a Bowling Club that are off to Tunisa in October, 40 booked & deposits paid!!

kiwi bowler

02-24-2011, 10:30 AM

Hi John

Yes it's not good in Christchuch, now 98 comfirmed dead and still another 222 missing in buildings.
Nobody was found alive today:(, but every body's still very hopeful.....

All or most of our news is just about CH CH, but there is some about the middle east too - but here we are not really interested in it anymore, even though it's affecting oil prices.

Our thoughts are with the people of CH CH and .........

Swordfish

02-24-2011, 08:39 PM

Just seen the latest news report and the amount of damage is horrific (apparently its about 7 billions worth), not to mention all the casualties and missing people.

My thoughts are with the people of Christchurch.

Angel

02-26-2011, 08:16 AM

Its a terrible tragidy I have just finished watching the morning news and the death toll is rising, over here in the Uk we don't get any earthquakes of any magnitude my thought are with the people in Christ Church New Zealand

John

02-27-2011, 09:59 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Hope things are settling down in New Zealand or the best they can, can't be easy for the bereaved family's and those still missing!!!

News reports in the U.K. are showing substantial or complete rebuilding of Christ Church.

Frankie

03-01-2011, 09:35 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

How are things with you and New Zealand at the moment, can't be good?

We have 4 members from our Club that are going to the Rugby World Cup, they told me last night that Christchurch was planning to be the host city, expect there will be some re planning, they are all still keen, think they are looking for a great break, 3 weeks away.

Hope alls well

kiwi bowler

03-02-2011, 07:23 AM

Hi Frankie

There's been lots of discussings about Christchurch and the World Cup today.

Some including our PM John Key would still like some games in CH CH if possible and then there's the accomodation problem, as some of the major hotels have been damaged.

So I don't know, in my view the games that were going to be in CH CH should be held else where in NZ or in Australia.

kiwi bowler

03-02-2011, 07:39 AM

I recently had to pull out of my club's champ single's as my wife become very ill. :(
But she has recovered quite well now and should be going back to work tommorrow.

Frankie

03-02-2011, 08:13 AM

Thanks Kiwi Bowler,

Our news is now saying that the plans are for N Z to host all the games,
think some of the issues like my bowling friends that they have ticked etc for N Z so think pressures for all games to be in New Zealand, could be good for the re building process to have all the games there providing There are enough Hotels etc.

pops

03-11-2011, 01:48 PM

Lot of News on the Television about the Tsunami in Japan dreadful it seems to be one disaster after another,
But its good news that the threat to Zealand has been downgraded think you have had a lot of bad luck with things recently,
Fingers crosses you don't get any more natural disasters

kiwi bowler

03-12-2011, 07:09 PM

Good morning all.

Got a phone call mid week to say the Champ Singles didn't start last week due to the very heavy rain and if I want to play in it this Sat I could.
So I did and played yesterday, I'm still in it even though I lost one life (we play a 2 life system here).
We will continue it next Saturday as my bowls club doesn't play Sunday's and there's now 6 left in it - 2, 2 lifers who will be play each other first and 4, 1 lifer's.

Angel

03-17-2011, 07:37 PM

Well done Kiwi Bowler

Wishing you all the best on Saturday got to keep a cool head, I played against a girl last week from the very first she kept following her wood half way up the green and when I stood on the mat she was walking back down to wards me really put me off then she stood right on my eye line,
Made me so mad I thought right I'm going to do exactly the same i did follow my wood up the green but couldn't quite make myself stand in her eye line,
She went to pieces and I have never bowled so well,
Came home with a big smile goes to show tactics don't always work.

Happy Angel

Will you let us know how you get on in your game saturday

Bye Angel

kiwi bowler

03-18-2011, 09:16 AM

kiwi bowler

03-19-2011, 10:12 AM

Hi Angel

An updates on today men's champ singles, the weather turned out to be sunny with no rain.

I won my quarter final game to get to the simi-finals before going down 19-21 to the chap that won.

But the annoying part was I was up 19 - 12, I think I relaxed too much? But he did bowl very well in the last part of the game.

John

03-19-2011, 05:57 PM

Now what you mean Kiwi Bowler, have seen several games when a Bowler is well ahead then grabs defeat from Victory!!

Sure it's something in the brain that goes to sleep!!

Cruel old game:(

kiwi bowler

03-19-2011, 08:21 PM

By the way John, at the moment I'm bowling with some very old Henselite Masters Deluxe size 4 medium bowls. Which are very good drawing bowls, but not that good for up-shots.

John

03-21-2011, 06:18 PM

kiwi bowler

03-22-2011, 09:46 PM

Would have problems with swinging woods like those these days, so many straight woods around, so much to do with swinging woods, have just seen Drakes Pride in action, straight up the middle to the jack, not fair but that's the game these days!!:cool:

Hi John which Drakes Pride bowls was he using?

I remember the person who won gold in the men's singles at the Commonwealth Games last year was using "Drakes Pride Fineline" Bowls and I didn't think they were that straight.

John

03-24-2011, 09:25 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

They were 'Advantage' Drakes Pride, great colour multicolour, whilst not completely straight they hold an awesome line!!

Not a lot of good for skipping unless your weight is spot on..

peter

03-31-2011, 07:30 PM

An awful lot o top england bowlers are using these drakes pride advantage for indoor bowling not sure if they are suitable for outdoors,
I myself like a bowl with a wide swing.

keith

04-01-2011, 10:18 AM

Hi Peter,

Seems to be a lot of talk going on about bowls bias these days! Have read somewhere they are thinking banning Almark edge for National/County Comps?
then I see the adverts for Almark Edge Bowls.

I think its all about the position you are playing in, outdoor in the U K think you would really have problems in a back end position trying to get round short woods with a straight wood!:p
Expect you play in a back end position?

kiwi bowler

04-01-2011, 06:21 PM

Good morning guys, it's 6.20am 2nd April now and a little cold, even though it will be a nice day.

The morning are getting colder to wake up to these last couple of days.

No bowls for me for a while, not up to it health wises, got very sick at the weekend and ended up in Hospital for a few days.

At home know and on the mead, but it did throw a bit of a worry to the family.

Anyway it was a real experience in Hospital - my first time and I'm so glad our public health system is free over here.

keith

04-02-2011, 09:13 AM

ust seen this Post, hope you are better soon, long live the Free Health care system!!!

John

04-02-2011, 05:59 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Agree with John, hope not serious& you are back Bowling!!!

Outdoor season starts next week in the U K, weather great at the moment, not a good sign!!:rolleyes:

kiwi bowler

04-02-2011, 09:00 PM

I'm on the mead for what caused me to end up in hospital, but what they found while doing tests is the worry.:(

No, I'm not up to playing bowls at the moment and have missed a few club tournaments, but at least our summer season finishes shortly. So I'm not missing too much.

Wishing you good luck with your outdoor season, with not too much rain.

John

04-03-2011, 10:30 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Truly hope you fully recover soon!

Seems only a few days ago when we were finishing our outdoor season!
Indoor has completely finished now so these are the weeks for us to catch up with the hose repairs, the wife says and catch up with the family!!!!!

Had a game golf yesterday cost £40 a round compared with a bowls green fee of £1, won't be moaning again!!!!

Surfer

04-03-2011, 08:29 PM

Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well Kiwi Bowler but good to know you are back home and on the mend I hate hospitals myself I am waiting for a 24 monitor because my blood pressure was thought the roof the last time I went to the doctor its only old age he will increase the tablet strength, if you shook me I would rattle
But as you spent some time in hospital you have got to be sensible and take it as a warning and take things easy,

Look after yourself hope you feel better soon:cool:

Surfer from a Sunny Cornwall

mary

04-07-2011, 08:00 PM

Hope you are keeping well Kiwibowler, and have a good year

:D

Sam1

04-08-2011, 10:06 AM

:Good Morning Everyone

We have got our open day on Saturday and the weather forecast looks good, not the usual rain have already bought myself a new pair of bowling shoes and I cant wait to try them out
Our Club is opening a week earlier than last year I know they wont let us have more than four ends in case we damage the green and then everyone will be watched like a hawk its the same every year and marks or divots and there is a inquest I prefer not to roll up because if any damage is done someone will get the blame guilty or not.

Hey Ho Another Year of Gossip and rumors

peter

04-09-2011, 07:27 PM

We opened this afternoon as well Sam and the weather was great sunshine all day, they only allowed us to play three rounds of two wood triples

and made it four ends per game, I am still trying to get my shoulder back into its socket talk about a heavy green looking forward to my first

proper roll up next week

Angel

04-14-2011, 08:24 AM

I always find opening day is alright but like yourself we never get more than a couple of ends on the green,
We got an awful lot of Bowlers who bounce their woods and don't seem to get down low enough especial the ones that bowl indoors,
Seen some bad damage done to our green

kiwi bowler

04-22-2011, 07:46 PM

Good morning guys, it's good to hear you all had great weather for your opening days.:grin:

I'm currently away on holiday for Easter at our home in the far north of NZ (refer my photo's).

Although it's not completly a holiday - I have a lot of work to do inside and out.:(

But at least it's a lot hotter up here at Tokerau Beach, earlier in the week on Tuesday in Auckland it got so cold that we had to put the wood fire on, our first of the year.

I'm currently on my laptop looking out the Lounge window at the sea and it's dead calm. I can also see a few boats out already (it's 6.45am) trying to catch some fish for their breakfast.

John

04-23-2011, 08:16 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Sounds great, had another look at your photos, what a Country to live in.

Pleased to hear from you, wondering after your recent visit to hospital you might have been still I'll.

England bowling Greens now in full swing, getting the yearly moans over selection etc.

My club have introduced a couple of friendlies against some good sides and called them trials!!, then they pick the same sides:D

Are your greens still open this time of year??

kiwi bowler

04-23-2011, 11:19 AM

Hi John

No, I'm still not 100% and I'm taking lots of medication. On Tuesday morning my Doctor gave me some new medication and said if this didn't work I would have to go back to Hospital, but luckly it started to work by mid afternoon.:grin:
And I was good for the rest of the week, so we decided on Friday morning it was ok for me to go away.

My clubs closing day is Saturday the 30th and then the club will be open for roll ups on Saturdays over the winter and have an open tournament once a month on a Tuesday.

We have a Artificial Green, similar to the one in my photo of the Cooper Beach Bowling Club.

John

04-23-2011, 09:19 PM

Thanks for the update Kiwi Bowler & that the health sounds as if it is improving!!

We have a couple of artificial greens open in the winter, for me can't syand the cold & wind in the U.K. but have great admiration for those that do!!

Have a good rest:roll:

kiwi bowler

04-25-2011, 08:35 AM

Got a change of weather today, with heavy rain and very strong winds, but still warm here in the far north.

The weather report also says there could be floods later on tonight and tomorrow, so we have decided to stay a few days longer.

Speedy

04-25-2011, 09:37 PM

Must be the 'global' warming!!

The weather in the U K is brilliant best bowling weather at this time of the year is best I've ever known!!!

Everyone is getting good roll up practice, expect it is saving the rain for the start of the leagues and National competitions:p

keith

05-05-2011, 08:11 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Hope all is well in New Zealand, have been trying to log on for a few days but have had trouble think it's the site!!

Bowling in the UK is brilliant such unusual weather warm sunny this being so early in our season!!
Most greens are like August weight just a light draw into the head!

Out green has new contractors it's lush but still very heavy, think the chemicals certainly have worked no bare patches etc so should last the full season, just a bit heavy compared to others, can't please everyone!

Off bowling this morning to a local comp, round robin 1 hour off then 1 hour on 4 hours of bowling over 3 days, will be well rolled in!!:o

kiwi bowler

05-09-2011, 10:20 AM

Good evening all

It good to hear your outdoor season has started well, even though the greens are heavy - which is very different to bowling indoors.

Weather here has been a bit of a mixture lately, yes we are still getting some nice days, but we are also getting very wet and windy days too.

And last week on the north side of Auckland they got a Tornado!:(, which is very rare for NZ. But we got one all the same and it did a quite bit of damage, with one person being killed and several injured.

E T

05-09-2011, 03:00 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler, you certainly get the weather! always though New Zealand was the land of milk and honey!!

Outdoor season if full swing, yes greens are fairly heavy still, those who don't play indoor seem to have better start as they get the weight quicker, thats my excuse!!!!!!!

When I'm in trouble I tend to draw to the head, then pull up yard or so short!!!

Hope all is going well with you.

kiwi bowler

05-10-2011, 01:05 PM

Hi ET,

Yes the weather used to be good here, it's just seemed to have changed in the last couple of years.
Now on the news tonight because of the cost for all the damage in CH CH the Insurance company's say house insurance all around NZ (including AK) is increasing by 50%!!!:mad:

It's really amaxing when the insurance company's make such a big profit the year before.

Like one company on the news who said last year they made a profit of $138 million, but this year will have a loss because of the CH Ch earth quake.

keith

05-13-2011, 07:03 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Good to hear that you bowling again, although sounds like your Summer season has now finished!

In England this Saturday is the start of the National qualifiers starting with the 'fours' , so all to play for. Starts with the competitions within each county then the finals in August at Worthing, so early night for me as hopefully a long day tomorrow, in with a strong team this year!:D

Devon Bowler

05-15-2011, 04:16 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler

Its always the customer who pays more and company's use any excuse to put up prices I made a small claim for fire damage to a carpet took ages to sort out if I had any choice I would tell them what to do with their policies they are quick enough to take your money year after year but god help anyone who tries to makes a claim for damage.

E T

05-16-2011, 10:08 PM

Trouble is its the World we live in, friends of ours live in a flood risk area and have great trouble with the house insurance, the current Company have to offer renewal but at a price!!!

Can understand in earthquake areas being an issue but some insurance profits seem to increase!!!!

kiwi bowler

05-17-2011, 11:34 AM

Good evening Devon Bowler and E T

The thing here is because the Insurance company's are paying out lots for the Chrischurch earth quake, they want the rest of the country to pay for their losses.

Yes I understand if I was in the CH Ch area or a flood zone area having higher insurances, but not when I don't.

My neighbour tells me she's cancelled all her insurances and has decided to go with out. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but that's her decision.

Blocker

05-17-2011, 10:34 PM

My mate has this saying, 'back wood for insurance' grates a bit as he's always saying it every end, BUT sometimes the insurance policy pays off!!:o:cool:

snapper

05-18-2011, 08:19 AM

I don't think I could be that brave and cancel all my insurance policies I have thought about it but if I had a real bad house fire I don't know what I would do, A friend of mine is spending all of his savings down to a certain level so he can claim a lot of benefits like getting his council tax paid heating allowance etc etc,
Don't know if he has the right idea or not ? ? ?

Hooker

05-22-2011, 09:13 AM

Hi All,

Although very serious, a couple teens broke into a neighbouring bowling club about 3 years ago and set it on fire.

They caught the culprits the insurance paid out and the club has been completely rebuilt. The outcome is that the Club house is now the bestnin the County and the County now hold all the County trials and games there!!

One good outcome of insurance in the times that we live:confused:

kiwi bowler

05-23-2011, 09:12 AM

Evening all, played my first game of bowls for just over 2 months last week and really enjoyed myself.:grin:

keith

05-23-2011, 08:08 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Sounds like you've had a good break between the seasons, hope you are O.K. these days & fully recovered!

U.K. Bowling is in full swing with national qualifiers every weekend and league during the week so very little spare time, always seems strange so much bowling at the beginning of the season then when the weather is good in July August bowling starts to tail off.

Hope your winter is going well and the weather is alright for bowling.

kiwi bowler

05-24-2011, 02:52 AM

Hi Keith - have you qualified for the Nationals and how are your leaque games going?

Our winter is almost here in South Auckland - had our first cold morning of the year, so much so we didn't want to get out of bed this morning.

Then to top that off there was very thick fog, that it made it hard to see the cars in front of me, when I drove my wife to work this morning.

And I have been chopping up fire wood this morning, as I'm sure my wife will want a fire on tonight.

keith

05-25-2011, 04:00 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Yes busy weekend played in the fours and within the County have qualified to the quarter finals which play off early July, 2 rinks then go on to play in the National finals. Each weekend in the U.K. At the moment is taken up with the 4's/triples/pairs/singles so very busy.

We live in a rural area and with the price of heating oil we had a log burner fitted last winter, so log gathering and splitting is keeping me fit!!
Wish we had one years ago, although this one only burns wood but in the morning only a bit of dust is left, truly great and warms the whole house!!:grin:

kiwi bowler

05-26-2011, 04:59 AM

Yes I too love a wood fire. I have a friend who has a farm - which he runs cattle on it.
But also he has lots of pine tree's on it too. So my son & I collect pine cones when we visit him and we bring home some wood too.

Surfer

05-26-2011, 08:56 AM

Hi Kiwi bowler

Haven't been up long but could do with lighting the fire still a bit chilly in the morning I have a wood burner but its supposed to burn only seasoned two year wood so I try and get mine in the Summer and pile it up in the garage looking forward to June July when it gets warmer,
At present I am like a phone operator trying to arrange our fours game getting four bowlers free on the same day is a nightmare,
Over here our opponents give us three dates and times and nearly always we have previous games arranged
Would pull my hair out only I haven't got much left

Surfer from a Wet Cornwall:cool:

kiwi bowler

05-27-2011, 01:19 AM

Good Morning surfer, not too cold here today, but got rain instead.:(

Here we don't have any choice when we play Centre or Club events, which seems like a better idea than the hassle you are going through.

Surfer

05-30-2011, 03:06 PM

Rain as well here today Kiwi Bowler, played Top Team today got wet but the team won with me playing the singles.

Really pleased withnmy win as confidence was taking a dip after struggling on really heavy awkward greens!!

Forecast is set to clear up and back to sunny weather, we have had a long dry spell since March farmers, water board, hardness all moaning!!;)

Del

06-03-2011, 09:25 PM

Great sunny weather in the UK at the moment this dry spell goes on and on!

Lots of big County and club games tomorrow so will be hood weather for them!

Hope the start of the winter in New Zealand is not too bad!

snapper

06-05-2011, 05:01 PM

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I played this afternoon in the two wood Eddie Ferry and lost magnificently five fifteen I ran out of ends,

Sudden death then had the joy of marking the next game if I had stayed there all day I wouldn't have got near the jack wish I could understand

why I have such rubbish games not looking forward to the County Triples tomorrow I am playing at Stithians they have managed to make their

green from three rinks into four, Going to be an interesting day.

Snapper from a very hot Cornwall

Blocker

06-10-2011, 01:39 PM

Sounds like a foreign country to me, expect they are all dream like Cornish greens with cream teas in the village!!

Making 3 rinks into four not easy in less the green is extended??:cool:

kiwi bowler

06-12-2011, 12:16 AM

Good morning guys after a couple of weeks of bad weather we have got a nice day with some sun.:grin:

So I playing bowls Hong Kong Pairs this afternoon at Mission Bay Women's bowling Club in Auckland.

This will be my first game for 3 months and I'm really looking forward to it.

I was down to play 2 weeks ago but we had to cancell, due to my mate not being well.

Speedy

06-12-2011, 02:40 PM

Hi Kiw Bowler,

Sounds very international!

After months of dry weather it's the 2nd day for us in the County Pairs qualifiers for the National finals, most of the U.K. Is rained off.

While all the farmers and water companies want the rain, it could come at night!!:cool:

kiwi bowler

06-13-2011, 12:40 AM

Well Speedy it is our winter here in NZ and your summer:grin:.

But anyway we have got another nice day here in Auckland even though it's very cold.

Surfer

06-13-2011, 07:57 AM

Morning Kiwi Bowler

We are just starting the Summer over here and it full swing in the bowling competitions they have been giving out drought warnings but yesterday it rained non stop all day into the evening and yes we had to play last night rain and all, my shoulder is still hurting never know such heavy greens I had forgotten what it was like to play in the rain, came off the rink shell shocked,
Going to walk Harry the dog now he is doing his usual antic's of crossing his legs and running mad round the room, this dog knows how to get your attention still wont do me any harm to get a bit of exercise,

Surfer from a Very Wet Cornwall:cool:

Hooker

06-16-2011, 09:33 AM

Hi All,

Sounds like a great life! 4 bowlers (men) from my club are planning a once in a life time trip to New Zealand in September/October to watch the Rugby world cup and get a few games of bowls in.

They are planning their own itinerary as the package trips look quite expensive!!
Think the hours of planning they are putting in at the BAR looks like half the fun!!:o

If I can get some photos off them when they are back will put them on a post!

Frankie

06-19-2011, 09:19 AM

Hi Hooker,

Know a guy in my street also going to the world cup Rugby, hes going with friend they just got some tickets to 4 matches but waiting to neared the time in Sept to get cheap last minute flight deals! He rekons there will be some good flight/accommodation deals around!:eek:

kiwi bowler

06-20-2011, 05:14 AM

Hi Frankie

I hope they are right about getting some good deals for accomodation. I just read in this mornings paper some of the high prices some motels and hotels are charging for the world cup.
One Motel had increased there prices for it from $95 a night to $1500 a night.

Hooker

06-20-2011, 11:36 AM

Morning Kiwi Bowler,

For me it's quite a risk leaving such a great experience to the last minute, the are both a pair of wheeler & dealers and would ruin the holiday if they find someone how has paid less when they are there!!

They are going to leave it to the very last minute to finalise things, I think their view that because of the world economy there will be spare capacity!, I think they are wrong, people always find the money for these sort of things!

Del

06-20-2011, 09:40 PM

Can't think of a better experience Rugby World Cup and a few game of bowls at the start of their bowling season, don't think work would like it!!:D

kiwi bowler

06-22-2011, 01:21 AM

I hear some of the Aussie's were going to just fly over and back in the same day for each game they wanted to watch.
So you guessed it, now the airlines are putting up the airfares for the cup?

snapper

06-26-2011, 09:00 AM

Works the same way over here Kiwi when its time for the Lemington games that the Ladies finals trying to book accommodation is very difficult a lot of our girls use a camping site because the Hotels are very expensive and full, you have got to quick off the mark but a week or two earlier you can get some very good deals.

Its a case of demand

Sam1

07-05-2011, 09:18 AM

A really good friend of mine has gone through and is playing at Leminton she has just bought a camper van and is going to camp up when there,

I am not so sure about joining her as she is saying she is going to take her dog I love dogs but I don't fancy sleeping with one in a cramped camper

van, and I would be responsible for it when she is playing its going to be difficult to get out of this one.

kiwi bowler

07-05-2011, 11:41 PM

Good morning all, weather's been very cold here lately, especially when it's windy.

I didn't mind the cold when I was younger, but lately I seem to feel it more, maybe because I'm getting older?

anyway.......

I have played in a few competitions this winter as Skip, playing with some old club Henselite Masters deluxe size 4 medium weight bowls.

And my team and I have been doing very well with one first place and a couple of second places and a third place.:grin:

So I'm thinking of sticking to these old bowls, which are very good on heavy greens.

Frankie

07-06-2011, 05:26 PM

kiwi bowler

07-08-2011, 04:05 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Assume that it's out door artificial for you ay the moment??

Hasn't been so bad for the weather in the U.K. This summer although we are going through a wet and windy spell at the moment!!

Hopefully settle down by the weekend:eek:

Yes Artificial greens and they are not running that fast.

Weathers been very bad this week as well as being wet, we have and are having gale force winds.

Bowls was cancelled last weekend and it looks like the same might happen this weekend too.:(

Frankie

07-10-2011, 08:20 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

We play a couple teams in our league & they have artificial, 1 of them has just had a new carpet and underlay, played on it in the rain last week it was like lightning.

There seems to be a trend that these artificial carpets are a bit slower than in the past trying to be a bit more like a fast grass green!!

Playing indoors in the winter I don't mind artificial providing it's not a windy day than all sorts happen:cool:

kiwi bowler

07-11-2011, 08:09 AM

Hi Frankie

I have been playing at two different clubs this winter both with Artificial greens that both play different.

The one at my home club is very fast when wet, but gets slower when it dries up.

The other is slower when wet?

I'm told it's because even though they are both Greenweave Carpets, they have different foundations?

At another club that also has the Greenwaeave carpet down for alot longer then my club, I was told it was slow to start with when dry like ours - but has got a lot faster now with a lot of use?

kiwi bowler

07-11-2011, 08:15 AM

Hi all,

it's Monday evening here and bowls was again cancelled today due to the weather and it hasn't improved tonight.

It's very wet at the moment with Thunder and Lightning and we are getting very strong winds as well. :(

Skippy

07-11-2011, 05:43 PM

Hope it don't come our way, temps been running around 14 during the day with occasional showers!

For the first time really enjoying the winter on the artificial, think the summer was disrupted with work making up for lost time:o

Hope it clears through soon!!

Frankie

07-16-2011, 06:30 PM

County qualifying finals going this week, as you would expect weather not so good, heavy rain storms most days although most games going the way you would expect!

Most leagues games come to an end this month which is typical the best weather to come and bowling eases off.

I entervlots of comps through August so keep busy:cool:

Hooker

07-23-2011, 09:47 AM

Hi All Bowlers,

You wouldn't think my club is a bowling club at the moment, all the talk is about The Rugby World cup in New Zealand, as said before we have 4 bowlers travelling out there, there rally looking forward to it and they have a bit of Bowling lined up as well, expect the occasional drink will also be planned in!!:

kiwi bowler

07-27-2011, 12:18 AM

Good morning all

It's another very cold morning here in Auckland, with another bad frost.

For the last few weeks I have been helping my brother's sort out my Mother's home and gardens mostly at weekends - so no bowls.

We finally have had to have her put in a rest home, :(. - she's got Alzheimers

We started outside first removing the shade house and green house, then getting rid of the timber and glass.

Before moving to inside the house, to sort her belongings and furniture etc, then the garage which was still completly full with dad's stuff. My dad when he was alive was one of those people who didn't throw anything away that he might be able to use.

The home is an old villa built around 1922 with 3 bedrooms and 2 lounges both with fireplaces and a modernised kitchen etc.

It's mostly finished know just some wall paper touching up and a little painting and cleaning etc.

But that will all be done with out my help as I now have the flu:(

My brother with the Power of Attorney wants to rent the house out for as long as possible because the market's not right for selling yet?

The rest home's costing us around $1050 a week, here if you have money you pay and if you have no money the Govt pays.

Currently my mother has the money to pay but it depends on how long she lives when we will have to sell the house too.

Frankie

07-27-2011, 07:54 AM

Good to hear from you Kiwi Bowler, sorry to hear about your Mum's health, and sounds like you have been very busy!!

U.K. has similar methods around funding for care homes, puts folks off saving and looking after their homes, those who have had a life on the state get everything paid as they have nothing to give, not an easy one.
Scotland who are part self governing pay most of the care home fees not sure how it works!!

Hope things settle down, bowling in the U.K. Is easing off a bit as most of the leagues have finished, also the best bowling weather is covering the U.K. Warm dry and sunny!!:eek:

snapper

07-31-2011, 09:50 AM

Sorry to hear about your mum Kiwi bowler its very upsetting when you have to finally make the decision to place her in a home, a very close friend

of mine is trying to look after her mother in law who has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's she has someone in three times a day and this has

helped but she has now started to wander around at night and is in danger of hurting herself, they have been looking at suitable homes and are not

finding it easy,

Over here they charge around £700 plus a week for someone in care and her savings are not going to last long then they will have to sell her

flat,Its bad enough when someone is unwell but sorting everything out and trying to pay for care is stressful I can see my Friend making herself ill

trying to cope.

keith

08-03-2011, 08:58 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Hope all is settling down, and the house is rented out O.K.

In the U.K. Big shortage of rented homes as the uncertainty of house prices, trouble is getting the right tenants lots of bad stories ot tenants not paging the rent and the time it takes to evict etc.

Then for every bad story expect there are 100s of good ones, U.K. Property market very difficult to sell in lots of areas!!

kiwi bowler

08-09-2011, 09:07 AM

Hi Keith

My brother is now getting quotes for both to rent or sell our mothers home.

Because we are now thinking it might be just as good to sell her home, and the interest on what we will get (if we can sell it), should cover the rest home payments. Where rents will only cover about half of the weekly amount needed.

My mothers home is in a very good area with some very good schools, which should make it easier to sell.

keith

08-11-2011, 12:39 PM

Hi Kiwi bowler,

We have the same big issues in the U.K. when sadly our older relatives go into care and have a property.

Makes you wonder if it's worth the mortgage etc when it just goes in care fees
and those who have done nothing are looked after in there old age on the state!!

Interest rates are so low, need a fair lump sum to get a good return!!

E T

08-12-2011, 08:12 AM

My mate at the Bowling club has a mother who lives in Scotland, she has just gone into care and Scotland has a policy of giving this care for free.

Seems so strange part of the same Country tax wise and different rules etc!!

Lots of talk in England about limiting liability to £35k but with ageing populations it's going to get difficult persuading people to save for old age without the state taking everything!

kiwi bowler

08-13-2011, 11:59 AM

keith

08-13-2011, 06:17 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

5% we can only dream of!!

Bank of England rate is half %, with a struggle to get 3% less tax, so makes
getting income from capital very difficult.

Also means many of our bowlers with savings don't get a lot of income from the old nest egg!

Hope all goes well.

kiwi bowler

08-14-2011, 08:19 AM

Good evening all, we had another very cold and very windy day here in south Auckland and the same is expected for a few more days to come.:(

So much so that the bowls tournament that I was in tomorrow (Monday) has been cancelled. We played last Monday when the weather was the same and it was probally the worst conditions with-out rain that I have ever played in.

kiwi bowler

08-14-2011, 11:39 PM

Good morning Guys, it's freezing here, so much so that I'm not wearing shorts (my first time for ages).
Last night we had a real storm with very strong winds, rain and large hail stones and it was freezing!
Still got the same this morning, so I'm very glad bowls was cancelled!

kiwi bowler

08-15-2011, 02:46 AM

Just heard on the news parts of Auckland - have got light snow and one of those areas is Clevedon - where I was meant to be bowling today.

Note it would be approx 50 years I think since we had snow in Auckland.

Today is the shortest day of the year and the coldest, but the weather forecast is for an even colder day tommorow.:(

While in other parts of Auckland gale force winds have brought downs tree's.:(

John

08-15-2011, 09:25 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Hard to picture snow in your part of the world, lots in the press at the moment with the Rugby World Cup starting next month.

England's warm up has faltered a bit with a losing game against Wales this weekend.

Height of the Summer in the U.K. With the Men's national finals at Worthing and lots of local area competitions!!

Don't get too cold!!

kiwi bowler

08-16-2011, 04:39 AM

Yes John, I still can't believe Downtown Auckland had snow (the first time in 72 yrs) - and it also created Auckland city's coldest day on record.

Even our capital Wellington had snow and is still getting snow, their first time in 50 years!

And even Dargaville in the winterless far north had snow, so I don't know what's going on.......

Christchurch in the South Island I can understand getting snow as they get it every year, but I feel very sorry for the people living in damaged houses. Also lot's ended up with-out power again yesterday, with heavy snow bring down power lines.

Anyway hopefully the weather will come right for the Rugby World Cup:grin:

kiwi bowler

08-16-2011, 10:54 PM

Good morning from a very cold kiwi - I'm wearing a woolen hat and fingerless goves indoors!

My lawn was completly white this morning as was the car, we had a very heavy frost.
Got the heaters on full, but I am a bit worried about my power bill for this month.:(

John

08-17-2011, 07:58 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Your weather has made the U.K. News with worst snow & cold for decades!

Not good bowling weather for out door artificial still get it over before the Rugby world Cup.

Hope your heating bills are not as bad as the UK these days our power companies were privatised a few years ago now bills go up substantially ever year, with excuses of higher energy cost infra structure etc!!

Were had a log burner fitted last year a great boom, good to run with little ash.

kiwi bowler

08-19-2011, 06:09 AM

Hi John, yes it seems to be over, I'm back to wearing shorts again. So all should be ok for the world cup.

But yes we have the same problem here with power company's and I have just got our power account and it's the highest we have ever had.:(

But we did use the heaters in the mornings and evenings, as well as the wood fire - we were just not used to such cold conditions.

John

08-21-2011, 09:12 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Pleased to hear it's warming up, so many Brits planning to spend some time in N. Z. And some that I know are planning to have a game of bowls!!

As for the Rugby, looks like the Kiwis will be big favourites England struggling in the warm up games with Wales beginning to find some good form.
Think England depend on 1 or 2 key players injuries to any one of them then they have no chance.

Hope it stays warm.:D

Scrum

08-24-2011, 11:26 AM

Hi All,

Englands first game on 10th September, coincides around the start on N.Z. Out door bowling season, what a brilliant time to be in New Zealand!!!

Several friends were going but a bit of job uncertainty has caused second thoughts, although do know many who are going for three weeks on the official tour, lucky things.

Can't imagine a better holiday bit of Rugby they chill out with a game of bowls!!:p

kiwi bowler

08-25-2011, 11:28 PM

For some reason my club has changed our opening day by 1 week to Saturday 17th September?

Scrum

08-26-2011, 01:59 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Can't believe Clubs would delay the opening day because of the Rugby, they could be worried about getting good attendance at the clubs opening day.

Understand the firm that has organized the Rugby tour has made contact with a couple clubs to arrange a few roll ups on New Zealand greens!!:cool:

Season drawing to an end in the U.K. we most clubs closing around the 24th September.
Lots of rain around now after a decent August!

kiwi bowler

08-27-2011, 10:15 PM

I don't know if the All Blacks are still the favourites, after losing their last 2 games?
Or maybe that's just what they needed, especially loosing to the Aussie's!

John

08-28-2011, 08:48 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Well England just beat Ireland in their last warm up game, just watched the brutal game of The Kiwies and Aussies, my money has to be on one of those 2 teams winning as long as they sustain too many injuries!!:mad:

Back to bowling just the club closing finals few friendlies with most clubs closing towards the end of September.

Having a couple weeks on a canal boat, around Coventry 6 going so the locks won't be so hard work!!:D

peter

09-02-2011, 08:24 AM

Hi John

Canal boat holidays are good it all depends who you go with I went on one a few years back with a group of friends and it turned out to be the holiday from hell people who you think are great can become really annoying and boring when you are cramped together in a boat I would have paid to go home early if it had have been possible
Sorry don't want to put the dampers on yours be interested to know how you get on.

snapper

09-04-2011, 06:41 PM

kiwi bowler

09-04-2011, 09:37 PM

kiwi bowler

09-04-2011, 09:59 PM

Good morning all, it's a cold Spring morning here in Auckland.

Lot's of Rugby news on the TV as the Rugby teams from the different countries arrive and lots of guessing going on as to who's going to win each game.

foxyone2

09-05-2011, 08:44 AM

I played in the Divisional two wood finals this morning on an artificial green and came home with a big smile
Yes I managed to win and we only played fifteen ends because my opposition could not catch up,
It was really difficult getting the weight so different from grass,
I think if my Club changed to these artificial carpet I would leave and change Clubs,

Snapper from a Sunny Cornwall:D

I am interested to know why you didn't like the artificial surface?. If they are anything like ours they would be very true and faster than the average U.K. green. The carpet type is considerably better than the sand based version, it's also much kinder on the bowls and feet!.

Del

09-05-2011, 09:28 AM

Hi foxyone2,

I will also be interested into what snapper has to say!!

In my area it is all grass but one and it's a right nightmare quite high up and
the wind always has a part to play? Its not so bad for us indoor bowlers but playing on grass all year then key games on the artificial is not ideal but the same for all!!

The good thing is that the bowlers who bowl at the club are reasonable but not a high standard, would be more unfair if any of our county bowlers bowled there and had a home draw!!:D

kiwi bowler

09-12-2011, 11:11 PM

Good morning from a very windy, wet and cold Auckland.

We have got our opening day this Saturday, but not sure if I will be up to it as I have got the Flu again.:(

John

09-13-2011, 12:12 PM

Sorry to hear about the flu, weather is the same as U.K. Lots of wind and rain!!

In three club finals this week have to be played as club sits Saturday then the holiday season for bowlers!!

Sounds like good weather over there for the Rugby, might favour the England team, although they don't look the same class as the New Zealand team but you never know:p

kiwi bowler

09-13-2011, 01:22 PM

Hi John, yes there's been a few games that could have gone either way. But it's early days yet.
I would like for NZ to win, but I think they need to improve on how they played in the second half against Tonga.

Anyway the weather is supposed to be sunny here in Auckland by Friday - Saturday, which will be great for our opening day. I just hope the wind goes too.

Wishing you all the best for your finals and heres hoping you win them all!:grin:

John

09-15-2011, 09:13 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Wouldn't worry to much the Kiwis look awesome!!

Hope you have a good opening day, our club finals age going well, won the club singles for the first time, trouble is have seemed to have peaked 2 months too late, would have prefered this form during the National qualifiers!!:D

Have a good season, looking forward to a rest for a few weeks before the indoor season starts!

Scrum

09-18-2011, 03:38 PM

Del

09-22-2011, 07:05 PM

Hi All,

Our closing day yesterday, wet & windy but three club finals played!!

Four of our members who were in the finals are watching the Rugby in New Zealand!! They played their finals last week so no problems.

They made a SKYPE call yesterday to a member who had planned this he brought his laptop in fitted with a 'dongle' all beyond me, but what brilliance to see them live all that way, great occasion for them and the club, lots of high spirits!!

Don't think any of them were in the bar with England's Rugby team doing any cavorting!!!!:mad:

Hi Scrum,

How long are they in New Zealand for, sounds as if England get through they will miss the final rounds???
Anyway must be a great experience.

Seems strange that we are packing our gear away and out there they are just starting the new season, not a lot happening enjoying the rest, we have a few on the P B A circuit but Utes too much 2 soon they were indoor practicing in August for the 9th September 1st round, none got through, I need a break these days!!!!!!:confused:

Scrum

09-23-2011, 06:54 PM

Hi Del,

They fly back on the 30th September, funds and wives come into play!!
Also start of the indoor season for us about 7th October, club already open for those who need to practice!!! Then that weekend starts the proper games which they are all involved!!

They are having a great time!!! they say looking forward to coming home!!:D

kiwi bowler

10-01-2011, 08:47 PM

Good morning all, it's an ok day here in Auckland, no rain but still very windy.
I played in a domestic tournament at my club yesderday, but because of the very strong winds a lot of the bowling seemed to be luck.

The Rugby seems to be the talk at the club and I'm teasing my fellow bowlers that Ireland is going to beat the All Blacks in the final:grin: I would love for the All Blacks and Ireland to be in the final, my mother was from Ireland and my father from England.

Scrum

10-02-2011, 08:18 AM

Good morning all, it's an ok day here in Auckland, no rain but still very windy.
I played in a domestic tournament at my club yesterday, but because of the very strong winds a lot of the bowling seemed to be luck.

The Rugby seems to be the talk at the club and I'm teasing my fellow bowlers that Ireland is going to beat the All Blacks in the final:grin: I would love for the All Blacks and Ireland to be in the final, my mother was from Ireland and my father from England.

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Good to hear that your out door season is in full swing!!

The U.K.weather this last week has been brilliant it should be wet & cold but its like mid summer, poor old grass doesn't know what to do:(

We closed 2 weeks ago, you would think we should still be bowling!!!

The Rugby is looking good, next week end will sort it out, talk in the U.K. is still that the Kiwis are favorites, but its know each game has to be won, and Yes Ireland to win is not out of the question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:cool:

kiwi bowler

10-03-2011, 03:44 AM

Hi Scrum, yes maybe your season over there should finish later, like I think ours should start a few weeks later.

Got horrible wet windy weather here today :(.

I'm looking forward to the knock out stages of the rugby and I'm hoping the kiwi's do ok this time, but we will just have to wait and see.

John

10-05-2011, 09:15 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Pleased to hear that your season is underway, although expect the Rugby is a bit of a distraction at the moment!!

Out Indian summer has well and truly finished today rain and wind with a forecast of cold weather at the weekend!
Although our club closed a couple weeks ago it was looking it's best last weekend:eek:

Have a good season

foxyone2

10-06-2011, 02:38 AM

The attached photo is one I scanned from a New Zealand coaching manual circa 1901. It is provided for your interest/education/amusement.
Enjoy!:)

Blondie

10-06-2011, 06:30 PM

Where did you find this photo haven't stopped laughing :p:This chap looks very much like the coach I had when I first started to bowl its the look on his face
Can still see the horror when I started to launch my bowls up the green for the first time he kept saying never mind you will get the hang of it soon,
Not sure I ever will.

Scrum

10-08-2011, 08:06 AM

The attached photo is one I scanned from a New Zealand coaching manual circa 1901. It is provided for your interest/education/amusement.
Enjoy!:)

Great great picture, any more????

It's Saturday morning in the U.K. And England are about to play France in the Rugby.

Now the sad bit, 2 weeks ago ticked my name to play in a County game, this morning!!!!!

Just about to leave home and miss the kick off!:(:(

foxyone2

10-09-2011, 11:24 PM

Great great picture, any more????

It's Saturday morning in the U.K. And England are about to play France in the Rugby.

Now the sad bit, 2 weeks ago ticked my name to play in a County game, this morning!!!!!

Just about to leave home and miss the kick off!:(:(
Yes there are several more pics. in the book. The problem is I've mislaid the book, it's somewhere in my study hidden among a massive collection stored in bookshelves, cartons etc., 'she who must be obeyed' reckons that compared to me, Steptoe and Son are minimalists.
I'll keep looking!.:roll:

kiwi bowler

10-10-2011, 11:03 AM

Hi foxyone2

I like the picture and they did dress well, but I'm so glad we no longer have to wear all that get up.

kiwi bowler

10-10-2011, 11:06 AM

Well the Rugby's now down to the semi's and we have our hardest game I think and that's playing against the Aussie's.

This game I think could go either way..........

John

10-11-2011, 09:10 AM

kiwi bowler

10-12-2011, 03:08 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Sad old England on their way home!!

kiwis must still be favourites but as you say hard game to come, thought South Africa were unlucky to lose against Australia.

Bowls came to the rescue last Saturday morning as I missed the game, they are played in U.K. Time kick off 8.30 am so was on my way listening tonthe first half on the radio:cool:

Hope the Rugby is not distracting the outdoor bowling!!:o

Hi John

I think the Rugby is affecting the bowling, we were supposed to have a club competition on last weekend, but the match committee put it off for another month?

It will be interesting to see who wins in the Wales - France game.

I was supposed to be playing bowls today, but was cancelled due to Storming wet weather:(.

I think this is the weather that's causing problems to the container ship on a reef outside of Tauranga. As well as losing oil, it's now had lots of containers fall off it into the sea, about 70 of them!!!

John

10-13-2011, 10:04 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

The ship on the reef has been big news in the U.K, saying it's the worst pollution in history!!

Sorry to hear about your wet weather sounds a bit like our summers.

Indoor for us is in full swing and going well, but nothing like the callenges of outdoor.

Interesting weekend in the rugby.

kiwi bowler

10-16-2011, 09:20 PM

Good morning John

Well we have made the final and now get to play France again next week.

It's the second week of School Holidays here, so my son and I have decided to go up north this week to our home at Tokerau Beach. If all goes to plan I will get to go to roll-up at Coopers Beach Bowling Club on Thursaday (there's a picture in my photos).

John, just out of interest do you bowl with the same bowls indoors as out?

John

10-16-2011, 09:49 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Saw the rugby today as well, Kiwis were awesome, must be very very firm favourites to win the final!!!!!!

Have a good break, saw the photos must be a great place to live.

Like many others have tried all sorts of bowls indoors and out these days I play with and old set (restamped) Henselite Classic 2's, not the best for indoor end rinks but am going through a Purple patch winning more than I've ever done.
Have been tempted with some of these newer woods but have tried things in the past so sticking with these.

Expect with your outdoor faster greens outdoor and indoor are similar?

edinburghump

10-17-2011, 12:24 PM

foxyone2

10-17-2011, 01:22 PM

Kiwis would be my favourites to win it but a lot depends on which French team turns up (they definitely seem to have two distinct ways of playing).

On the subject of bowls, I really think that if a set of bowls is working for you don't even think about changing. I personally think the whole "narrower bowls are easier" is a bit of a fallacy. An umpiring colleague was at an event shortly before the outdoor season closed where there happened to be 5 current internationals playing out of 10 players. Not one of them had a set newer than 20-25 years old and none had "tight" sets (I think the oldest set were about 35 years old). I challenge anyone to tell me they would have played better with narrow bowls?:rolleyes:
The narrower bowls only really come into their own when the greens are fast i.e. 15 seconds+.
With narrow bowls it's easier to control your green (width) but correct weight is more critical, the opposite theory applies when using a wider drawing bowl. The foregoing is especially true in fishtailing windy situations. Some of the narrower model bowls seem to be more affected by windy conditions than the wider ones.
When I come back at fairly regular intervals to play in the U.K. I leave my narrow bowls at home and use bowls which are wider, smaller and lighter for your outdoor greens. I only use bowls similar to my Australian sets when I play your indoor leagues.
I agree with E.U., if you're going well with your current set resist the urge to chop and change. Too many bowlers over here are caught up in the fad of viewing their bowls as fashion statements..........all the colours of the rainbow, gharish logos, coupled with the latest speckled variety.
I love it when my opposition use them, they stand out like the proverbial in a cluttered head which makes them a much easier target. The only way I would change my black sets would be for a grass green colour!:)

Angel

10-17-2011, 08:16 PM

Not a bad Idea Foxyone2 wouldn't be able to see my bowls in the head if they were the same color as grass, its all very well having these brightly

colored bowls but when you lead if like me you have a bad game they don't half stand out when your short,

Frankie

10-19-2011, 02:47 PM

Played the other day against White woods, although do agree they really stood out in a compact head, did dent feel they were any easier to hit!:D

John

10-28-2011, 05:25 PM

foxyone2

10-29-2011, 01:44 AM

John

10-29-2011, 08:13 AM

Well spotted foxyone2, think it just feels that way at the moment, every spare minute I've got a wood in my hand.

After a very busy summer did say I was going to take it easy this winter, not working out that way:o

kiwi bowler

10-30-2011, 11:10 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Hope the week away has gone well and you've had a bit of bowling.

Expect you watched the Rugby, although unbiased it was very exciting and could have gone either way.
Never thought that France would run New Zealand close, we have the 6 Nations Rugby Championships in the New Year will be interesting to see how England bounce back!

Indoor, in the U.K. Is fully underway I'm doing a bit to much have manacled to get through most of the first round Nationals & County comps so have a few more games than dates!!

Hi John

Yes we had a great week away, mostly doing work in the garden but it was relaxing and very quiet.

Got back Thursday and now I'm back to bowls and we have started the Champ Pairs at the weekend, we play a 2 life system here, which gives us a minimum of 2 games.

I'm in one of the 4 teams left and it should to be completed this coming weekend.

As for the Rugby, yes it could have gone either way and I found it very hard watching the last 15mins or so.

John

11-01-2011, 09:55 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Sounds like you've a great life style, time away from competitive bowls is something I've been trying to do.
I enjoy Summer bowls and it's every day, did say this winter would not bowl as much, but that is not happening, back bowling every day getting a bit stale.

Were booked a couple weeks holiday before Christmas and have said will get in subs if needed.:cool:

kiwi bowler

11-01-2011, 10:50 AM

Hi John

We try to go away at least every 2 months if possible. My wife like's a good break away from her very stressful job.

I hope you have a good time away at xmas, is it overseas? Speaking of Xmas I went to a shopping mall late this afternoon and noticed they have put up Xmas decoration already and it's only the 1st November?

I played in a Mixed Triples Tournament today, we did ok, but missed out on the prizes by 1, not enough ends.

But I will tell you conditions were not nice, very strong winds and rain for half of the last game. I came into the club rooms after the last game freezing.

John

11-02-2011, 07:15 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Does not sound like a good start to a Summer for New Zealand!

Were booked with a few friends on the ship Boudicca, sailing out of Portsmouth for 16 nights with New Years eve in Madeira, apparently one of the best fireworks display around!
Great price considering its Christmas and New Year quite looking forward to it as it's only 6 weeks away!!
Good thing is that the bowling winds down over the Christmas so won't be missing much:cool:

kiwi bowler

11-06-2011, 02:59 AM

Hi John, it sounds like a really great holiday!

We finished off the Champ Pairs yesderday, even though it was very windy and we had some showers.

The wind did make as look like beginner bowlers at times, but my skip and I got to the final and won it on the last end by one shot.:grin:

John

11-07-2011, 10:02 AM

Well done Kiwi Bowler,

Good to hear about the bowling, set you up for the summer.

Our winter is in full swing warm up to end of October but getting cold know pleased I'm indoors, having the best start ever to my indoor season but it means even more bowling, have managed to get decent teams together,have finally learn't that its a waste of time trying to carry friends at good level.
Off bowling now :D

kiwi bowler

11-13-2011, 11:10 PM

Good morning all, got a nice sunny day here in Auckland, so I mowed the lawns at 8.30am this morning, before it gets too hot.

Didn't get to play bowls on Saturday as the wife had a few places she wanted to go to across the other side of Auckland and she no longer likes driving in traffic.

So while she was at one of her stops my boy and I disappeared to a neighbouring Large Bowling Club and took a few photos with my phone.

Which I have uploaded to members photos, it is the Pakuranga Bowling Club, a mixed club and they have 3 Grass Greens and 2 Artificial Greens.

Frankie

11-14-2011, 02:23 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Great photos, its good when England is in Winter to see know that Bowling is outdoor somewhere in the world!

Hope you are getting plenty of time to bowl, I'm finding that there are a few less playing indoors so the time demand on the ones that do play is even greater. Don't mind on wet wintry days!!

Angel

11-16-2011, 09:29 AM

Morning Kiwi Bowler

What great pictures I think its really intersting to see other Bowling greens from around the world,
We are busy with our Indoor season now and the weather is getting so much colder have had to put the central heating on an light the fire at night,
Hope your bowling is going well

Bye for now Angel:D

kiwi bowler

11-17-2011, 07:50 AM

The men's champ singles at my club starts this Sat, so I went to the ladies roll-up this morning for a bit of practice.
It was a nice warm morning, with a medium to light breeze.

Speedy

11-18-2011, 02:40 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Very brave thing to do some of our ladies are excellent at draw bowling , think a few ends with some of them might not have done my confidence a lot of good coming into the Club singles!!:mad:

kiwi bowler

11-20-2011, 01:26 AM

Hi Speedy

Yes the Ladies at my club are very good draw bowlers too.

And I needed some practice against some good bowlers as I have just changed my bowls to Henselite ABT2000's, (I got them last week) which have a similar draw to my old Henselite Masters Deluxe Bowls, only a little narrower.

Anyway I played in our Champ Singles, which is a 2 life competition and I'm still in it but with only one life left. The weather was sunny, but windy.
The game I lost was to our club's top singles player, who actually put me off a bit with all his talking's a loud "I need more green", "I need less Green", "I need more weight" etc....

Our Champ singles will be continued next Saturday and there are 6 of us left in it.

The 2 - 2 lifers who play each other first game and 4 - 1 lifers, which I'm one off.

John

11-22-2011, 10:10 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Never heard of the 2 life game before sounds a good idea rather than lose one game and you are out!!

Pleased to hear that's the season going O.K. For me it's full blast indoors, still in a couple of National comps, fours and pairs 3 rounds in but the competition does not get any easier!!8-)
Realising my limitation at last:wink:

kiwi bowler

11-22-2011, 10:52 PM

Hi John

All our Club Champs here are a 2 life system, but when you go to Centre for the "Champ of Champ" it's sudden death.

John

11-24-2011, 09:13 PM

Hi John

All our Club Champs here are a 2 life system, but when you go to Centre for the "Champ of Champ" it's sudden death.

Does sound a good idea, we find on singles day the loosing players quickly drift away after they have marked the next round, by lunch time only a few players left.

The 2 life system gives bowlers a chance to play themselves in and makes a day of it for the club:eek:

kiwi bowler

11-26-2011, 07:22 AM

Good evening all

We completed the Champ Singles at my club today and I had a great day. I got to the final where I had to play the 2 lifer and I managed to beat him twice to win the Champ Singles. :grin:

And this was with my new second hand Henselite ABT2000 bowls, which I have only used on 3 full days.

E T

11-26-2011, 09:05 PM

Well done Kiwi Bowler, have been following the thread re second life sounds a good idea especially for new bowlers, getting some good practice!!

Also I might stay in the Club singles a bit longer!!!:D

kiwi bowler

11-28-2011, 03:45 AM

Good afternoon all, got another nice here today, sunny and no wind.

Played in a centre pairs event yesterday and I played quite good drawing bowls, out bowling the other leads on most occasions, but my Skip had one of those days when nothing went right for him.

His drives ended up being worst for us, on quite a few occasions:(. We needed to win 3 games to qualifly, but only got two and had two losses.

But at least it was good to play bowls on a nice grass green and there was no wind.:D

keith

11-30-2011, 05:27 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Sounds like summer has arrived in New Zealand, reminds me of our long distant summer, nothing like it!!

England weather is very mild expect it's going to be one of the warmest on record.
Our bowling green has been cut several times during October and November which is quIte rare, the green keeper was saying that he has had more grass of the green since closing day than most of the summer!!

The same goes for the lawn at home hasn't stopped growing!!

Hope all the comps go well:D

Bar Man

12-10-2011, 09:07 PM

Hi All,

Our green keeper has been on holiday in Spain for 3 months, went mid September, he never let any one else cut the green and keeps the keys to the shed.

He's back now the Grass is a mess couple inches thick with the mild autumn moaning all the time as it's too wet and cold now to get on the green.

Teach us a lesson and not a bit of 'delegation' come into the club.

Trouble is our green is the envy of many but he won't let anyone help!!:(

vaio

12-11-2011, 07:22 PM

Sounds like a lot of green keepers, trouble is don't blame them you have 100 members & you have 100 green keepers!!

Lots of work goes in especially the winter so can understand how they get protective!:D

kiwi bowler

12-14-2011, 06:15 AM

Hopefully the champ Triples will be completed this Saturday - depending on the weather. We have had a bit of rain this week with still more to come?

Anyway there's 3 teams left, two 1 lifers and one 2 lifer's.

The two 1 lifer's have to play each other (I'm in one of them) and the winner will play the two lifer, who has a bye.

The Champ Triple's are 15 ends and no time limit.

We had lost our first game a couple of weeks back to the other one lifer, but on that occassion I played two. After that game I changed to lead and we played a lot better.
Like pairs I think it's a good idea to have the best draw bowler leading to put pressure on the other team.

kiwi bowler

12-17-2011, 09:34 AM

Hi guys, we managed to finish off the Champ Triples today.

First off we played the other one lifer and after the 15 ends we were even, so we had to play an extra end which we won, with out of Skip having to play his last bowl.

So to the final we had to play the 2 lifer and we won the first game quite easily and didn't have to play all 15 ends.

Then during the second game after only a couple of ends, they pulled out.

Saying their Lead was not well, we said we were fine to continue another day but they said no, as we were also playing too well for them?

So even though we won the Champ Triples, I don't quite feel right about how we won.

John

12-17-2011, 07:13 PM

foxyone2

12-17-2011, 09:15 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

know how you feel, always a hollo victory, can remember a few times in my past when have eased up a bit feeling sorry for some ageing bowlers, THEN THEY COME BACK AND BEAT US, and what makes it worse with a grin ear to ear!!

Happy Christmas and a successful New Year
I was always taught by my parents to respect my elders.........the only problem these days, and at my age, it's becoming more difficult to find them!.

snapper

12-19-2011, 05:18 PM

I was always taught by my parents to respect my elders.........the only problem these days, and at my age, it's becoming more difficult to find them!.

Hi Foxyone2

Know exactly what you mean I went to get my eyes tested the other week and the girl who did it looked about thirteen came out feeling very old
They do say when Doctors and Policemen start to look very young it means you are getting OLD.
Don't want to admit it for a few years yet.

Snapper from a very busy Cornwall

Del

12-22-2011, 10:17 AM

Trouble is for looking in the mirror I still look about 20!!

Although the other half says I look OLD for 65:(

So there must be something wrong with the mirror.

Happy Christmas one and all:(

kiwi bowler

12-23-2011, 08:50 PM

Good morning all, it's a nice sunny day here in Auckland.

Not sure what to do today - my bowls club is closed for xmas and I have done all my Christmas Shopping.:grin:

My family and I will be spending Xmas day at one of my brother's places, so I don't have to do any cooking this year.:grin:

Angel

12-24-2011, 09:58 PM

Hi Everyone

I am now at sea and heading towards Maderia have spent tonight watching a show and nearly went to sleep tomorrow christmas day
So have a nice time this is costing me a fortune so will say good night and i will get some good photos

Merry Christmas Angel

John

12-26-2011, 11:27 AM

Hi All in New Zealand,

Hope you are enjoying the festive holidays, in the U.K. News still a lot of reports about earthquakes etc, hope all is well with you all.

Best wishes

Scrum

12-30-2011, 12:04 PM

Hi Everyone ´Down under´,

Wishing you also a happy new year::

Seems a long time ago since the Rugby World Cup, all the rugby fanatics that I know who went really enjoyed themselves.

Great shame the England team let themselves down off the field!!

too much money now in the sport, going the same way as football with the true followers loosing inteterest:mad::mad:

Have good remainder of the bowling season

kiwi bowler

12-31-2011, 06:22 AM

Hi All in New Zealand,

Hope you are enjoying the festive holidays, in the U.K. News still a lot of reports about earthquakes etc, hope all is well with you all.

Best wishes

Hi John, yes have had a great xmas and am currently away on holiday in the Far north of NZ, to celebrate the New Year.

But apart from CH Ch having more earthquakes, quite a few other area's around NZ have had very bad flooding.:(

Anyway I hope you and everyone has a very happy new year.:D

John

01-01-2012, 09:45 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,
Trouble is these days news spread so quick around the world, you just don't know.

Sounds like you had a good time, were had a hectic family get together first time for many a year, everyont really got on, planning the same for next year.

Last night my bowling club had a brilliant do on, small band etc and well supported from the Club.
Getting over the hang over.

best wishes for the New Year:rolleyes:

kiwi bowler

01-01-2012, 11:08 PM

Hi John, yes we did have a good time until yesterday morning.

Have had to return home to Auckland, due to our house alarm going off and not stopping!! - got phoned up by the neighbour.

Seems Parts of Auckland had no power for approx 6 hours from very early Sunday morning - which caused our back up battery to become very low, so it would not cut out!

John

01-03-2012, 10:05 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Can understand you rusing back, might have been some envious bowler after your woods!!!!!!

Plwase to hear it's just a false alarm, not just the U.K. that need alarms!

kiwi bowler

01-04-2012, 06:50 PM

Yes John, in Auckland and other large cities you need an alarm, but not so much in rural area's.

We have got the men's champ fours starting in just over a week, and team entry numbers are right down this year. So far there are only 5 teams entered and I have heard one of thoses teams might pull out?

keith

01-06-2012, 09:02 PM

In the Counties this year Men's entries are down but the mixed pairs triples and fours are substantially up, might be indicating the future of bowls??

Although I know several male bowlers don't like playing in mixed competitions but the entry satistics there is no argument with.

kiwi bowler

01-14-2012, 10:10 AM

Played the Champ Fours today and yes there were only four teams in it.

Again we played a 2 life system and 15 ends, with no time limit.

I much say all games today were very close and all were decided on the last end.

There are 2 teams left for the final in approx 6 weeks time, us with 1 life and the 2 lifer.

Throw

01-15-2012, 09:14 PM

Been through the posts and noticed the debate on the 2 life system, sounds a great idea especially in singles, never know it in the U.K.

All comps in the U.K seem to be straight knockouts, although these days everyone is getting so much bowling this would extend competitions so I guess the main objection is fitting it all in!!:mad:

kiwi bowler

01-16-2012, 10:27 AM

Those who win a Champ event at their club, then go to their Centre to play in the Champ of Champ for that event and then it is sudden death.

Throw

01-18-2012, 06:19 PM

That's interesting, as expected when I mentioned it to some fellow outdoor bowlers came the comment, we have so much bowling these days that you would never get it all fitted in.
Can understand it as these days in the U.K. We have less people bowling and there are more comps etc bowlers are bowling nearly everyday, if there's bad weather it can cause complete chaos:D

kiwi bowler

01-19-2012, 07:19 AM

Hi Throw, maybe our bowls season here is longer than yours?

We start in the beginning of September and go to the beginning of May each year, approx 8 months.

Throw

01-19-2012, 08:03 AM

Hey, Spot on Kiwi Bowler,

U.K. Bowling starts beginning of May and finishes middle of September that's 4 months and 2 weeks at the very most!

That's why our season is so cramped, and the summer seems to fly by, looking it this way, it's easy to see why we struggle to get everything in, also bowlers get a little tired by the end of the season:o

kiwi bowler

01-21-2012, 08:20 PM

Good Morning Throw, got another hot day here in Auckland.

I was talking to a fellow bowler the other day who tells me he's bowls at least 5 days every week.

So I can understand Bowlers getting tired by the end of the season.

I myself only bowl 1 to 2 days a week at the most, thats every Saturday and on Sunday or another week day.

Throw

01-22-2012, 09:45 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Several bowlers atbmy Club play at least 5 times a week and sometimes twice a day, friendly in the afternoon then league in the evening.

Probably our short season makes bowlers get the most out of it!!

Sounds like you have it about right:eek:

kiwi bowler

01-25-2012, 02:56 AM

Hi Guys, we have another very hot day here in Auckland.

No bowls on this weekend for me as it's Auckland Anniversay day on Monday (Public holiday) and my other half wants to go away for the weekend.

But if I time it right I should get home in time for Twilite bowls Monday evening.:grin:

John

01-25-2012, 09:20 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Pleased to hear you're having a decent summer, our winter is mild compared to last year, heating bill going a lot less than half year so can't be bad.

Our closing date for National entries ends 1st Feb for the coming outdoor season just finalised my entries, have 'on paper' the best team mates I've had had for a long time, just have to wait and see:D

Have a good weekend:cool:

kiwi bowler

01-25-2012, 09:33 PM

Hi John

So how do you normaly go in the Nationals? and good luck for this year.

I have thought about entering the national's here in the singles and pairs, especially now I have a very good pairs partner/skip.

So we have decided to see how we go at the Champ of Champs this year and if we do ok we are going to enter the next national's that are in Auckland.

John

01-26-2012, 07:26 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Well over the years have had some decent results, in more recent times have reached the last 8 in the over 55 singles and pairs and first round at Worthing in the mixed pairs!
If you look at 'Bowls England' website we get substantial entries for these comps just hoping for some good draws this year, a few home draws is quite an advantage!!

Think you have to enter these as its all experience and those who do make it to the National finals are usually had lots of experience!

Finals in Aukland sound great:eek:

Del

01-30-2012, 01:36 PM

Good to hear about the sunshine, our indoor league tonight is in a bit of doubt with some snow around and forecast not so brilliant.

First time this year and we will probably play so can't complain, no catch up games yet:o

kiwi bowler

02-04-2012, 06:37 AM

Hi Guys,

Been playing in the Handicap singles at my club and made it to the last 5 before being put out.

It was a nice hot day, with a medium wind and I have just got home and found I'm a little sun-burnt..... I forgot to put on suntan lotion.:(

Sid

02-04-2012, 10:21 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler, awesome weather, we got ice snow etc etc:rolleyes:

Watch the old sunburn, our Vounty had a letter last year from the Hospital aboutbhis dangers in sport and lack of protection.

Apparently they are seeing loads more folk from outdoor sports with skin issues caused by the sun.

Since last year nearly all in the club are wearing floppy hats, that's the men:cool:

kiwi bowler

02-06-2012, 08:25 PM

John

02-08-2012, 04:36 PM

Hi kiwi Bowler,

Good to hear from you and that your summer and bowling is going well!!

Our indoor is drawing to a close, our winter has arrived at last we are gripped by ice with a snow covering, har to believe that our outdoor green opens in 10 weeks Time, will have to warm up by then!!:rolleyes:

Angel

02-09-2012, 07:44 PM

Yesterday, our Waiting day here in NZ, was another hot summers day and this time I remembered my suntan lotion.

It was my club's turn to hold our annual competition against 3 other clubs.

There's 4 teams of Pairs from each club and we play 3 games of 10 ends.

Thus we use up all 8 rinks on our green and this competition has been going on since 1989.

Anyway it was our clubs turn to win the Trophy:grin:, I guess we had home advantage.

We ended up with 8 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses.

The Sunshine sounds great Kiwi Bowler we are having a very cold frosty time at present and I am so looking forward to the Summer the night are getting lighter it was still light at half five this evening hate having to come home in the dark,
You sound as if you are having a lovely summer with some great Bowling Competitions Good Luck in the rest.

Angel:D

kiwi bowler

02-11-2012, 09:35 AM

Hi guys, I was playing some of my best bowls on Thursday, when in my last game I went to pick up the bowls mat and.....

I felt my back go, :(:(, now I'm lots of taking tablets and using a walking stick.

My Doctor wants me to get an x-ray done first next week and she also says I will have to have a scan done too!

I will also be going to the Pysio, this week.

As for bowls my Doctor say's it will be about 2 weeks at the earliest before I can bowl again.:(

And this is just from picking up the bowls mat:confused:

foxyone2

02-11-2012, 11:26 AM

John

02-11-2012, 04:12 PM

[QUOTE=kiwi bowler;14053]Hi guys, I was playing some of my best bowls on Thursday, when in my last game I went to pick up the bowls mat and.....

I felt my back go, :(:(, now I'm lots of taking tablets and using a walking stick.

My Doctor wants me to get an x-ray done first next week and she also says I will have to have a scan done too!

I will also be going to the Pysio, this week.

As for bowls my Doctor say's it will be about 2 weeks at the earliest before I can bowl again.:(

And this is just from picking up the bowls mat.

So sorry to hear of the 'Bowling injury', a good mate last season picked up a empty plastic bin in his kitchen and was in agony for a couple weeks.

Rest must be the answer, not easy in the bowling season:wink:

London Pride

02-12-2012, 12:09 AM

Yesterday, our Waitangi day here in NZ, was another hot summers day and this time I remembered my suntan lotion.

It was my club's turn to hold our annual competition against 3 other clubs.

There's 4 teams of Pairs from each club and we play 3 games of 10 ends.

Thus we use up all 8 rinks on our green and this competition has been going on since 1989.

Anyway it was our clubs turn to win the Trophy:grin:, I guess we had home advantage.

We ended up with 8 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses.

Hi Kiwi bowler, I too am glad to here that you are having a nice summer, I am currently in Northampton helping to umpire some indoor English Finals, when we left around 08.00 this morning it was -11 and dropped to -11.5 as we were driving. When we left tonight it was 'only' -6.5, brrrr it's cold, certainly not used to this.

snapper

02-13-2012, 05:39 PM

foxyone2

02-13-2012, 08:48 PM

Hi London Pride

I would love to go up and see the England Finals I bet the standard of Bowling is very good, but its a long way up from Cornwall, our weather is usually mild down here but every now and again we get snow and everything grinds to a stand still,
Its started to get more colder this week but with luck we wont get any snow,
My Club had great plans to build a new Club House but that has gone out the window and we are now going to have to find the money ourselves we are looking at grants and borrowing its going to be a huge undertaking but it needs to be done before our present one falls down,
We have a committee formed to try and sort things out I hope they have a meeting soon to let Members know what will be needed.

Snapper from a Cold Cornwall:rolleyes:
Our club undertook a large scale rebuilding/renovation project a few years back. Luckily one of our members is a very experienced retired builder and he acted as the Project Manager. Not only did he do splendid job he also saved the club thousands of dollars...........not bad for an 80 year old!.:grin::)

keith

02-14-2012, 09:40 AM

Hi London Pride

I would love to go up and see the England Finals I bet the standard of Bowling is very good, but its a long way up from Cornwall, our weather is usually mild down here but every now and again we get snow and everything grinds to a stand still,
Its started to get more colder this week but with luck we wont get any snow,
My Club had great plans to build a new Club House but that has gone out the window and we are now going to have to find the money ourselves we are looking at grants and borrowing its going to be a huge undertaking but it needs to be done before our present one falls down,
We have a committee formed to try and sort things out I hope they have a meeting soon to let Members know what will be needed.

Snapper from a Cold Cornwall:rolleyes:

Hi Snapper,

Not the best time for applying for grants etc, the Olypics seemed to have mopped up a lot of funds, we know this as my club is looking for improvement grants.

The club is trying a lot of fund raising events, one issue is that our membership is getting on in age so it is a bit disappointing with the lack of enthusiasm but can understand it8-)

John

02-26-2012, 10:15 AM

Hi All,

Not really for the N Z thread but clubs that are Council owned seem to be going through a difficult patch as in our County these greens are having to come into the real world paying Market rents and the rumours are 2 greens are to be closed (these are where there are 2 council greens close to each other!!

The move to the big super clubs continue!!!:(

vaio

02-27-2012, 01:42 PM

Hi Everyone,

My club is having a big push on recruitment, at last, think they have left it a bit late as we are an ageing privately owned club!

There is a belief that if the club folds and the land is sold members who have joined for at least 5 years are in for a share, and younger members would prefer this option.

Would be a sad day but looking around if nothing happens in recruitmaent I think the days not far away:(

kiwi bowler

02-28-2012, 12:31 AM

Good afternoon all from a nice overcast day here in Auckland.

We completed the Champ 4's at my club last Saturday, this being the first time I had bowled since hurting my back 3 weeks ago.

The back's getting better with me doing exercises and going to the physio etc, but I have been told to lose my stomach. The wording used was I look "Pregnant", yes I have put on quite a bit of weight around the stomach area.
If I don't lose the stomach, I will most likely have to have a back operation, which I don't want!
So I am trying..., as well as trying to change my diet, I'm walking briskly for 30 to 40 minutes every day.
I only started on Sunday just gone, but I have taken my measurements and weight and will check each Sunday.

As for the 4's we played the final against the 2 lifer who we had to beat twice and we did.:grin:

So this season 2011/12 is the first time I have won all 4 Men's Champ's at my club (Singles, Pairs, Triples and Four's).:grin::grin:

John

02-28-2012, 08:59 PM

Well done on the Bowling Kiwi Bowler, but sorry to hear about the back.

Sounds like salads for a while!!!

The wife is always on about a good balanced diet but these days in retirement seem to have a lot of lunches out that can pile the pounds on.

We always try to eat lunch time as it gives the day time to work it off and just a light tee, sounds good if we stick to it!!:cool:

kiwi bowler

03-03-2012, 10:30 AM

Hi john, thanks for the advise.

I have tried to be good all week, but we went out to a family dinner tonight and it was not that easy.
So will have to go for two walks tomorrow, morning and evening.

All bowls was cancelled this weekend because of very bad weather, had some rain, but it was more the winds.

John

03-03-2012, 10:10 PM

Yea, eating out is always a nightmare, needs more discipline, the wife says!!

Try not to play too many friendlies as to their credit the Ladies always lay on a big tea, these days have total resistance and just drink a cup of tea!:o

Such a hard life.

kiwi bowler

03-11-2012, 11:20 PM

Good morning guys, we have a bit of a overcast day here in Auckland with a little rain, but still warm.

I played progressive bowls Saturday as Skip which I haven't done since last season and I found it quite hard.

Having that pressure when you are down and you are sort of blamed if you can't draw the shot or kill the end.

This season I have been playing lead as I just wanted to practice draw bowling with my new bowls and it worked as I won all four men's Champs.

But then on Sat they were short a skip and I got talked into it, drawing I was ok most times, but driving not so good.:(

Frankie

03-12-2012, 07:22 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Weather sounds great for bowling!

U. K. Indoors is nearly finished with outdoor greens opening in just over a month.

Trouble is the weather is fantastic, warm sunny brilliant bowling weather with the grass throwing itself out of the ground, could easily be bowling. Cant wait.

The seasons are certainly changing, with some areas of the U K have announced hose pipe bans today, unheard of:o

kiwi bowler

03-19-2012, 09:03 PM

Morning guys, looking at the news today and last night it looks like some of the rain from Aussie has arrived here.

Lots of flooding in Northland and other parts of NZ and there's also been very strong winds with lots of trees coming down.

We had some rain here in South Auckland yesterday, but nothing like other parts and got sun today.:confused:

John

03-20-2012, 05:59 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Were in between seasons in the U.K. Weather is warm in fact great bowling weather, trouble is the Greens don't open for around 3 weeks.

This seems a similar pattern these days with our summer weather arriving months early, talk of hose pipe bans already.

Pleased to hear the bowls are still going well, hope it continues to the end of the season:eek:

kiwi bowler

03-21-2012, 09:36 PM

Hi John, maybe we could send some of the rain we have had this week over there by a very long hose.:o

I'm playing in the Champ of Champ Pairs and Triples in a couple of weeks and was hoping to get in some needed practise today, bit it's raining.:(

Back to you and your season opening, do you find it a big change going from indoors to outdoors?

I hear your greens over there are very slow - heavy at the start of the season.

John

03-23-2012, 09:34 AM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

England could certainly do with the rain!! Hosepipe bans is ongoing in the press these days:(

U.K. Grass greens are true puddings at the start of the season, the game is completely difference to that of indoors, an indoor bowler can struggle quite a lot for the first few weeks as when in trouble you tend to try and draw yourself out of the problem and can be woefully SHORT:(

Still I enjoy outdoors far greater than indoors!!

kiwi bowler

04-05-2012, 05:07 AM

Hi John, I played in both the Champ of Champ Pairs & Triples, but we didn't do any good. Lost in first round of pairs and second round in Triples by 1 shot.
I will be playing in the Champ of Champ singles in just over 2 weeks time, so hoping I can do a bit better.

Weather in Auckland this week has been warm with no rain, but other parts of NZ are still getting heavy rain.

Tommorrow we are heading up north (where they have rain) for the Easter weekend and Petrol prices here are at a record high.:(

John

04-06-2012, 07:36 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Good to hear how things are going for you. Never thought I would say it but petrol price is having a big impact on day to day life these days.

With the recent hikes it's about £7 a gallon (big con going to litres), never worked it out before, in the winter there are 3 of us that travel together, costs £8 round trip then green fees.
Folk are beginning to have second thoughts, it's not the club membership fee but the running costs!

Looking at the map of New Zealand there looks like quite a bit of travelling as well!

Have a good break.

kiwi bowler

04-15-2012, 04:52 AM

Approx current NZ Petrol Prices:

Octane 91 $2.20 a Litre
Octane 95 $2.29 a Litre
Diesel $1.57 a Litre plus road user charges

Yes we can do a bit off travelling here too!:(

The club that's holding the Champ of Champ Singles, that I'm in next Saturday is approx 33K's from my place, one way.

John

04-15-2012, 09:16 PM

foxyone2

04-15-2012, 10:56 PM

Hi Kiwi Bowler,

Sorry I should have put our costs in Litres, just that we talk MPG for some things and Litres at the pumps, think it confuses many including me.

Our Diesel is about £1.50

Unleaded about. £1.44

Varying so much this days, an economical car is a must, cant imagine anyone buying a big engine car etc.

Best of luck next Saturday, my club opened for the season last Saturday, bit wet and cold at the moment to get the arm swinging.
The amount you are paying in Pounds is virtually identical to the amount we are currently paying in Dollars, however the current exchange rate is Aus.$1.53 to the Pound. This means you are paying much more for your fuel, the prices I quote are for Adelaide, the Eastern States are usually less.
I now run a V.W. Golf diesel and cannot believe that diesel fuel is more expensive than petrol, it is after all a by-product of the petrol refining process. I'm convinced the oil companies are ripping us off!.
On the plus side I only have to get the car serviced every 15000 kilometres and the consumption over the six years I've had it, is 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres. The engine life will be much greater.........just look at your London taxis, the vast majority are diesel and it's nothing for them to clock-up two or three million kilometres without problems.