We 're counting: Passing through Hobbiton on our way south

Hobbit Extras!

We headed back to Auckland for the last week of August to pack and pick up the car and trailer, which we hadn't taken north with us. It was also another chance to catch up with brothers Wayne & Kate, Allan & Nicky. Our travels up this way have been enjoyable in that it has given us time with all my brothers and partners and enjoy a different relationship with them now all our children have grown up and it's just us Oldies. I was 11 when my elder two brothers had to go flatting in Hamilton as we moved to Christchurch and they were both working. So the relationships now are quite different. Just a pity Mum (Pat) wasn't here to join in too.

Drying fish from the pond

Allan kindly offered to keep the car & trailer at his place while we explored up north. With no towing set up for the car yet, we would have been travelling separately which isn't much fun. So we have now decided to sell the trailer and then focus on the towing frame for the Suzuki.

But! As we didn't sell the trailer in the week on Trademe before departing Auckland, we had to leave in convoy. Bill reorganising his gear, trying to get as much as he can into the car and bus. Just in case we can sell it during the two weeks in Wellington at our next destination, Waitarere Beach. But first. A visit to Hobbiton!

Where's Bill? (Or should that be Wally!)

Some of you will be aware I had a birthday a few months ago, and as it was supposedly one to be celebrated, but me being me, I'll do it next year when Bill celebrates his. But our lovely Children wanted us to do something different, like visit Hobbiton. We were aware of The Shire in Matamata and had enjoyed the movies with the kids in the years gone by. So it came as a bit of a surprise to receive two gift vouchers. One for a pair of Allbird shoes (very comfy too I must say) and the other a visit to Hobbiton in Matamata. So we thought perfect as we head south.

Matamata for those of you who have never been through, is a lovely rural town supporting the farms in this very productive part of NZ. And being spring, the paddocks and hills were a lovely lush green.

We found a lovely farm to park up for the night through the Motorhome Club with a lovely rural vista and only 8km from Hobbiton. Also the farmer was happy for us to leave the bus and trailer on his property while we did the visit, so it was quite secure.

The Shire (Hobbiton) is set in the middle of a 1250 acre sheep and beef farm which is still owned by the Family who work a partnership with Peter Jackson and his crew.

Looking across to the Green Dragon Pub.
It was a cold bleak day and the smoke floating across
the scene looked such an English setting

When originally set up, they used disposable materials as they hadn't planned all the films at that stage. But when they returned nearly 10 years later to do the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit Trilogies, they made the Shire more permanent. And now it is this amazing tourist attraction for people from all over the world. The venue is well set up in that they have a departure point where they take everyone on the 10 minute drive by bus into the middle of the farm. There is a little film commentary as you go in and on the return trip explaining how it was all founded, and operates. You have a guide allocated at the departure point who travels in with you. Very friendly and full of Hobbit trivia of course.

The Shire is set down in a small gully with 30 hobbit holes (homes) built into the hills. They aren't very deep, just enough for someone to dress the windows. It is, as you expect from Peter Jackson and his Crew, very realistic. The staff numbers must be huge just maintaining the grounds. It was well worth the visit (yes it was Julie - put it on your Bucket list), and you are rewarded with a beer at the Green Dragon at the end of the tour. So thank you our Darlings - it was an enjoyable gift.

With the morning spent at Hobbiton, we continued south to Taupo. Quite a contrast, but we found a lovely spot at Five Mile Bay to park up for the night right on the lake. A leisurely wander around the town, in true tourist fashion between showers the next day before continuing onto Waiouru. We don't like to travel big distances as you can see. We visited the Waiouru War Museum probably 15 years ago with the kids, so we felt it was time to visit it again. We came away with the same feelings as last time - such a waste of young lives! What hell they went through. And how they ever returned to normal lives afterwards would have been a struggle. Too much for some.

Inside the Green Dragon - could be a pub anywhere in England

From here it was onto our present location - Waitarere Beach, just south of Foxton Beach - for a couple of weeks before heading back across to the South Island (the Mainland of course).