Day 10 From Bathurst to Lithgow and Mt Panorama

Our first stop today was the Small Arms Museum in Lithgow. 

 Now for someone who doesn't like guns of any shape or form, this was an attraction that I was unsure of.  The factory commenced operation in 1912, after the Australian government realised that we were a bit far away from England, and it took a while for supplies to reach us, and as many arms were used in the Boer War, they decided to make their own.

Lithgow was chosen due to it being on the coal fields, and the need for iron ore to make the weapons.  When WW1 broke out they felt that the location was quite safe, but had gun patrols on the hills all around.

But my interest was taken in so many of the exhibits, because I suddenly realised almost all my Military Durnford grandfathers and great uncles, all ran around brandishing a gun of some sort.

Not only them, but our grandfather who arrived in Australia at the Rum Rebellion, so many of them all had some sort of involvement with weapons.  250 years in the Royal Engineers did not rub off on me! With both our father's involved in WW2, they also were reliant on the weapons for survival.

In Captain Cook's time and Early Australia

I was horrified when my son and daughter had to get gun licences for their work, thank goodness they never had to use them!

From then on, I was on a bit of a mission to see if I could find any guns that they may have used.













First off, the Henry Martini Rifle, used by Anthony William Durnford in South Africa in 1879.  The trouble with the rifles that Anthony's men used, was that they got stuck.

Anthony, with one arm in a sling, used to help his men to clear the barrels.

They were slaughtered with bad odds - 20,000 Zulus and 1700 odd British and South African troops.

Used by our Boer War Relatives

The Boer War

Used in WW2 both our father's served in the South Pacific

 They diversified and made sewing machines, and projectors for the film industry, among other small items.

Upstairs was a huge private collection of firearms from around the world, all donated by a Queensland man, Mr Hayes.  The whole of the top floor houses his amazing collection.

 A couple of these early Australian weapons probably caused the bullet wound to Montague Durnford's hand!

Our son was in Iraq! This amazing gun commemorates Desert Storm.

The lady is supposed to be Ned Kelly's sister

The Check in Time clock of the 1920's

 All in all, well worth a visit, even if you don't like guns!


For me, a little light reading and homework!






Mc Donalds for lunch, an Angus burger, probably the first time we have enjoyed a meal from McDonalds.


Then another "boys" event, we rode around Mt Panorama!

If you don't understand this, Bathurst is the home of motor racing in Australia!  Probably the secret dream of all males, to do a lap of the track.

Inside the museum, some great displays, and tributes to Peter Brock and Greg Hansford.

 

 Another item ticked off the bucket list!  I guess you could say we had a "blokey" sort of a day!

Tonight it is into a cabin, glad I am not the hotel inspector, had to chase a cockroach off the bed.

The place is quite disgusting, but as it is the only caravan park in town, why bother doing any maintenance?  Looks like it was quite modern when it opened 30 years or so ago, and that is how it has stayed!

Next stop is Cowra.