Keep Rolling, Keep Bowling

[ READER STORY ] GOOD TIMES AND BIG SPORTS AT ATKV EILAND SPA

The life of a bowler who is also a camper, is never dull. My husband and I are retired and we travel full time with our caravan.

Once a year, we pitch up at ATKV Eiland Spa, on the southern banks of the Letaba River in Limpopo. This is a fantastic resort, with loads of activities to keep us busy for weeks, or even months. We play tennis, jukskei, hoefie, and of course, bowling!

Let me tell you, lawn bowls is not just picking up a little black ball, aiming and rolling. It takes skill. And these days, there are many coloured balls available, from red to green and orange and even pink and yellow.

Bowling is serious business. I am a bowler and have developed a frown between the eyes from all the concentration. As the “lead”, it is expected of you to roll your ball right up to the “kitty”, or “jack” as it is also called. And if you can’t get close to the kitty, nobody asks you to play in the competitions.

Sitting here under the green trees next to the bowling green at Eiland Spa, I hear one of the old men tell their lead to pull up their socks, because he is not playing well.

“Yes, you were probably partying and braaiing until late last night,” says the old man. “I heard you, I stay just two caravan sites from you. You will have to haal uit en wys.

“By the way, what wood were you using for the braai? It had a great smell.