Hobbiton

[fbhjr]

After checking into our hotel we went back to Hobbiton.

(You can tell that’s a different photo from the other post as they’ve taken down many of the umbrellas at the tables…)

After giving us plenty of time in the gift shop, we piled into the van and headed off for the actual Hobbit holes.


We drove a few km through the north islands second biggest sheep farm and then were there.


Of course, it wasn’t jus the 8 of us in the van. A bus came in too…


The hobbit holes come in several sizes. To make you look human sized, to make you look dwarf size and to make you look Hobbit size.




I certainly look human sized near some.

The smaller ones are around the outside to make them look farther away too…

Of course there were kids on the tour, they made it easier for some to look to scale.


Some were easier for us to look to scale.


The gardens and such are real.


There is that big famous one at the top too…



Yes, I know there shouldn’t be windows to the right of the door… Trust me, no one there cares…

It does look nice.

Walking sticks ready to go.


And, my wife was happy to be there.

I was too.


I’ll admit, it does look like the Shire.






There was a fair bit of walking up and down, round and about.





Some of you will be happy to see there are Hobbit bee keepers.


My wife wanted to go on the lawn near the party tree. For a while we were afraid this would be as close as we would get…



They say the tree is why they picked this spot.


My wife and I took interest in the boat and were able to tell the tour guide what kind it was.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currach

I thought the Hobbit laundry very amusing. Some of it must have been doll clothes.


We admired the thatched roofs. I guess they bring people in from England to do it.


Eventually we headed to the Green Dragon Inn where dinner would be served.





It was nice at sunset.


I found the post board interesting.


You get one free drink for being on the tour.

And, it is a nice place to have it.


It was nice to sit for a bit.


Then, dinner time.


It was a nice meal.



And, we made good work of it.


It was nice.


There was desert too!


They were planning a faire. I don’t see sword fighters on there…


It was dark when we went out.


But, it was lit up nicely.



This was when we went to the lawn in front of the party tree.

Under the tree there was singing and dancing.

(Two of the folks on the tour "got lost on the nature trail" and had to be found by the guides. So, I think more than singing and dancing went on…)

Many of the Hobbit holes were lit up at night.


Finally we went back to the bus & van and were returned to our cars.
The good news was it was clear and I could finally see the southern stars. An extra bonus.

It was a lot of fun. I’m glad we did the dinner tour. That made it extra special.

Comments

[twicet.livejournal.com]

What great photographs! It must have been so much fun to see all of this:)

[becofoz]

New Zealand is so pretty. I'm glad you got to see it, even briefly, and I'm glad you enjoyed your hobbit dinner.

[manue7a.livejournal.com]

Amazing!

[postingwhore.livejournal.com]

http://www.phoenixswords.com/fbhjr/20170108/2001.jpg shows up with a 404 error for me :\

I've never realized that New Zealand looked that nice!

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Fixed now. Should have been 201 not 2001....

[meathiel]

I am only slightly jealous! ;-)

[yesididit2.livejournal.com]

hobbiton is awesome!

[hindustar.livejournal.com]

Aahhhhhhh! @#%$%@$ That looks so amazing and fun omg! Jealous but so happy you both got to have that experience. <3
=) =)

[ravena-kade.livejournal.com]

really nice

[chris-warrior.livejournal.com]

omg, that looks like it was amazing. :D thanks for the wonderful photos!

[touchofgr3y.livejournal.com]

So, your entire trip has basically been my dream trip, but this really put it over the edge. I'm green with envy! It looks like an amazing time :)

[chaquir.livejournal.com]

now how awesome is thàt to see this all for real!

[evrgreen.livejournal.com]

That looks like it was a fantastic day!

We are jealous!

[cissa.livejournal.com]

I would adore hearing more about the menu!

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

There was a roasted chicken with a nut based stuffing inside it.
Ham hocks.
Beef cubes in some sort of dark wine sauce. There with dumplings with those, but I didn't eat any as I was told they had cheese. It was in a dish that had to be scooped out with a big wooden spoon.
Sausage that we think might have been made of previous meals left over ham as they tasted a fair bit like the ham.
Roasted potato
Roasted sweet potato
Some sort of stuffed baked potato (I'm not sure these were eaten...)
Mushrooms that looked pan cooked to me.
There was some sort of salad there we were told was for elves. (My wife had a bit just to say she had some of all of everything.)
Assorted fruit, vegetables and rolls were scattered around the table as well. (I had an apple.)

There was desert too.
Some sort of trifle I didn't eat due to cream.
Some sort of apple tarts.
A pastry I can't describe.
Apple halves with spices in the middle.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It sounds wonderful!

Would you and Holly be interested in coming to dinner sometime for beef stew? We are just crazy about the Guinness version (all the alcohol boils off), and aim at perfecting it next time by adding mushrooms and pearl onions. :) But seriously- the broth is AMAZING.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Depending on when, sure!