24/3/14 Meandering, Military Museum & Monkeys

Monday 24^th Meandering and Military Museum

It was a day of languid walks, a couple of which went uphill to the Worldwide Arms Museum, a fascinating individually-owned collection of weaponry and uniforms from Greco-Roman times to the present, including suits of armour and machine guns. Really impressive. Most unusually, the guns were out in the open and you could handle them. I was quite stunned to discover how bloody heavy the Thompson guns were – in the Al Capone movies they brandish them like cricket bats but the real things are very cumbersome. As for the Bren guns like Sean Connery hauled up the beach in The Longest Day, you would be just about clapped out after lugging one of those a few hundred metres.

 

 Asia

 European floor

 Zulu warriors (I like how all the models on display are all ethnically exact for the region of the uniform/clothing)

 Aussies

 

The owner (Robert Taylor) turned up just as we were leaving and we had a bit of a chat. Unusual fellow. The whole collection (or at least the half which is presently on display) is housed in a great castle-like building on top of the hill behind the Christ statue. Complete with battlements and a tower, with cannon and Chinese warrior statues poking out through the weapon spaces. He is going to move the whole lot down into the town so that the military can help protect him – apparently he was menaced by a gang of local hoods.  It is currently only open by appointment.

 The view from the lower balcony level.  That is our hotel (P & T ) blocking his view.

 On the rooftop are several species of monkeys who have been rescued.  These are gibbons.

 Looking down on his turret and cannons.

 

We had a final beach walk in the cool of the evening, in between the floodlit trees that we can see from our lofty vantage point. The hotel was just about empty after the holiday makers all went back. We counted 8 rooms with lights.

 Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time.  This local firewood merchant was rolling his log down the hill.  Perfectly controlled and arrived at his destination without hitting a motorbike, vehicle or pedestrian.

 These two pics are for my children who have been going clucky over some newly hatched chickens on the farmlet.  We have also been seeing baby chicks guys.  The hen below had about 20.

 

I (Janine) just want to add that the whole Worldwide arms museum was fantastic.  A real surprise package.  The building in itself was well laid out and distinctive with artwork, full wall friezes and amazing detail.  The collection was professionally displayed.  I really enjoyed the uniform displays but was also very impressed by the very large collections of guns and swords.  Some very old and very rare. If you have the time and are in the area do go and see it.  Well worth it.