Thursday, December 6, 2012

HOME OF THE HOBBITS

 
Behold the Tourist Information Centre in Matamata, New Zealand.
This is where we began a tour of the movie set for the fantasy town of Hobbiton,
in Middle Earth.
Now, I am not a Tolkien tragic, but I did read The Hobbit years ago,
and have seen at least one of the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.
 
 
As we were in the area, and as Mr C enjoys the series, it seemed a fun expedition.
Movie-maker extraordinaire Peter Jackson scoured New Zealand for locations for his latest Hobbit movies, settling on a lush green farm not far from Matamata as the home of the hobbits.
 

Once upon a time, there was a happy little tribe of short, plump, merry little guys known as The Hobbits.
 
They lived in homes/burrows, dug into a special verdant hill far away,
with round painted doors and windows, and beautiful cottage gardens.
 
 
Because of their short stature, their houses, doors, windows, and furniture were only about half human-size. 
 
 
The hobbits enjoyed gardening, and sitting outside for a drink.
Or tipple.
 
 
 
Their carpentry and sewing were of the rustic variety.
 
 
 
 
It is believed they grew all their own food...
 
 
 
Rhubarb? Yes, please ...
 
 
 
 
and that they loved flowers.
 
 
For celebratory or triumphal events,
they gathered under a Party Tree...
 
 
dancing jigs, playing and singing..
 
 
 
At the top of the hill was the home of the Hobbit hero, Bilbo Baggins.
His was the largest, grandest, hobbit home, with about 8 windows poking out of the hill!
 
 
 
Bilbo's view was grand, down to the water mill and the Green Dragon,
aka The Local...
 
 
One day, the Wizard Gandalf drove his cart over this bridge,
and came to see Bilbo.
 
 
 
Inside the Green Dragon, hobbits purchase delicious ginger beer,
and other boutique ales...
 
 
 
 
and they all live happily ever after ....
 
xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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12 comments:

  1. sandaDecember 7, 2012 at 4:02 AM

    What a delightful post. That is quite a place and your pictures are fantastic! Sad to say I have never read the Hobbitt books; never seemed to be my cup of tea but I must be only person who hasn't read or watched the movies. All that green really makes me envious of your beautiful summer in progress!

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    Replies
    1. PatriciaDecember 7, 2012 at 1:05 PM

      Hi Sanda, it was very pretty and summery, and of course, involved flowers so I loved it. Hobbitt never seemed to be my thing either; I read the book when my son was about 12, I think to encourage his interests.

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  2. metteDecember 7, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    Sanda s not the only person, who has not read any Hobbitt books. A total mystery for me too.
    But enjoyed your briefing. Thank you.

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  3. DarlaDecember 7, 2012 at 5:42 PM

    I would sure like to visit. I recently saw a brief clip of the new film and wondered where the beautiful setting was. You enlightened me.

    Darla

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    Replies
    1. PatriciaDecember 7, 2012 at 10:42 PM

      Hi Darla, I only saw the clip after we came home! But of course it was exciting to see where we have just been. I could not believe how green it was - just beautiful.

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  4. BerylDecember 7, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    Not sure what "a Tolkien tragic" means, but think it must be the Australian term for fan? I am a fan, but think that might be because I read them before I turned 20. Thanks for all the pictures of the Hobbit Village. Wonderful!

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    Replies
    1. PatriciaDecember 7, 2012 at 10:44 PM

      Hi Beryl, Yes, a tragic is a fan who is a bit too keen .. not quite me in this case. I did enjoy transferring the fantasy tale into a real place, and the guide was very good at doing this. It was such a beautiful place, I am glad it has been put to use in a film, for all the world to see.

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  5. RosemaryDecember 8, 2012 at 3:08 AM

    The Hobbits and Lord of the Rings tend to be books that you read or have read to you when younger. I was first introduced to the books after a radio series many years ago did the Hobbits. I loved all of the voices and the noise effects on the programme, I made up my own Hobbit land in my imagination - this was pre TV days.
    Everything looks so lush and colourful with you in contrast to our coming winter.

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  6. PatriciaDecember 8, 2012 at 4:28 PM

    Hi Rosemary, welcome to my blog! A Hobbit radio series would have worked well, back in those pre-TV days, (which I also remember). It was incredibly lush in New Zealand - alas not so green much of the year here in Australia.

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  7. KathyDecember 18, 2012 at 3:58 AM

    Oh, I did enjoy this. :-) I devoured all the Tolkien books at college and have loved them ever since, even reading the whole of The Hobbit aloud to my children when they were little. I also much enjoyed the Lord of the Rings films, but am not quite sure how they are managing to make another trilogy our of one medium length children's book. In the UK they serialised not only The Hobbit but also the Lord of the Rings on radio and both worked extremely well.

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