The Newland boys (all three of them) are big fans of the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, so when Mike suggested a trip to Hobbiton to coincide with Tom’s 10th birthday, it seemed fitting. Throwing budgetary restraint to the wind, we splurged on the whole enchilada – the ‘Evening Banquet Tour’, booking weeks in advance. We kept it a secret until just a few days before Tom’s big day. Lucky little Hobbit.
I am neither a JR Tolkein fan nor have I seen any of the LOTR movies. I was pretty sure that I’d be trailing behind everyone else as a fairly indifferent spectator, grumbling about the expense. As it happened, I was wrong (and yes, Mike, you can quote me on that – you likely won’t hear it again for…ahem… years). The fact that I’m dedicating an entire blog post to Hobbiton….well. There you have it. Truly a trip highlight for all, even the cynic(s) among us.
We parked Mr. Baggins in Matamata and, clutching our golden tickets, made our way to the shuttle bus that would take us to the movie set nestled high in the impossibly green hills. Countless sheep dotted the landscape. The cynic in me suspected that they were actors, hired by Sir Peter Jackson as extras. It was just too perfect.
It was, in a word, spectacular. From start to finish. Incredibly well done. It really felt like a different world – trees groaning under the weight of their fruit, vegetable gardens bursting. The set was accessible, not overly ‘touristy’ and filled with stunning vistas at every turn.
The Hobbit holes were meticulously well kept and exquisitely detailed. Mike was ready to move in. Think chess sets set up in the garden, laundry lines hung with Hobbit-sized clothes and wheelbarrows filled with pumpkins and squash. Butterflies (trained extras, me thinks) flitting about in the sunlight and swallows swooping into their nests. Come ON.
The guides were young, enthusiastic and clearly rabid fans themselves. They kept trying to trip up our gobsmacked boys with little-known trivia. Geek spoiler: Did you know the Orcs were played by members of New Zealand’s military in thanks for building the roads to the movie set? That the ales are specially made with only 1% alcohol, to keep cast and crew from going overboard when filming Bilbo’s birthday scenes over three days? That there is one tree in the Shire that is actually fake, carefully re-constructed with twine and wire, each leaf placed just so?
Yup, this one. Right above Bag End.
As the sun set, we made our way to the Green Dragon Inn for pints of Middle Earth Ale (of the 5% variety) while a fire burned in the hearth.
The feast was unbelievable. Almost obscene in it’s bounty, and so delicious. Mike maintains that it’s the best meal he’s had on our trip. When it was time for dessert, the entire room erupted into ‘Happy Birthday’ and Tom was presented with a platter of pies, tarts and treats fit for a hundred Hobbits.
After dinner, we were handed lanterns for a night tour of the Shire before eventually making our way to the shuttles that would take us back to planet Earth.
And so…I must admit, Mike was right (that’s twice, Mike. TWICE). It was worth every farthing. If you find yourself in New Zealand, whether or not on ‘party business’, visit Hobbiton. You might just find yourself with a new set of ears and some hairy feet.
