One activity I did try, for no better reason than it is illegal in the UK was to visit a gun club (big gun nut fraternity in Oz.) I mention this as it was an odd experience. It was run by Japanese who spoke very little English. The club was decorated with "Wanted " posters and pictures of strange little men with machine guns uttering "Banzia". After some communication difficulties, for a very modest sum and a few minutes instruction. I was let loose with a very large hand gun. It was however securely chained so that it could only be pointed in the general direction of the target.

My istructor was tickled pink when he learned my name was "Harry". He rushed off, to return with a box of Magnum 44 ammunition with a broad smile. "Ah!! Derty Halli!" He intoned "Velly Stlong" and stepped smartly back clamping down his ear defenders.

After this I had to have a blast away. However they only let you shoot at bits of paper. I have bad eyesight and poor co-ordination but after only a dozen rounds I could hit the black part of the target every time and even scored a "Bull". I can report that this is a fearsome weapon, The noise, recoil and the blast that hits your face and hands is frightful. I can also report that anyone firing this with one hand or without ear defenders would suffer serious injury. It would be best invest in a wheelbarrow to transport it. However after a half hour or so I could feel the boredome setting in. It would have been more interesting to shoot holes through a V8 engine or demolish a brick wall, easily possible I can well believe. But "Dirty Harry", I can assure you, is complete fiction.