14th May 2017

A visit to Hobbiton was expected to be a highlight of our trip, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The day began beautifully, with a clear blue sky and warm sunshine greeting us as we woke. We enjoyed a noisy but free night’s camping. While the occasional sound of a passing lorry disturbed my sleep, I quickly drifted off again (or so I believe).

After a quick coffee, we started the short journey to the Hobbiton Film Set. Arriving early, we were surprised to see so many people already there, looking tired but excited. After purchasing our tickets, we secured spots on the third bus to depart from the site.

The set is around ten minutes away on Alexander Farm, a working sheep farm. Following our guide, we explored various sets from ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’. The attention to detail was extraordinary, and the tour itself was superb, culminating in a complimentary glass of ale or cider at the Green Dragon.

Originally, much of the set was constructed from polystyrene, but it has since been replaced with more durable materials. For fans of the films, it’s worth noting how meticulously Sir Peter Jackson adhered to the original stories in the books. His insistence on absolute accuracy in the creation of the film sets, regardless of cost, is evident throughout.

What a delightful way to spend several hours, immersing yourself in the fantasy of your teenage years. It is a testament to Tolkien’s genius that his stories have resonated with so many nations; today, visitors from around the world are certainly represented in this little Shire in New Zealand. Walking along the same paths and leaning against the same circular doorways as those beloved, imagined heroes is truly the stuff of dreams.

It was a glorious day, and the fine weather stayed with us to our next campsite in Drury, just outside Auckland. As usual, we made several stops along the way to take in the sights and to have lunch. We were unusually virtuous today, both opting for salads.

After checking in, we set off to explore in the van. First, we admired the luxurious properties tucked into the hills behind the town, and then we took a stroll along the estuary near the town centre. The tide was out, but the sunset over the mudflats was something truly special, almost Turner-esque!

We returned to our campsite under the cover of darkness, fortunate to find it situated on the grounds of an Irish pub. How lucky was that?