Jonny's Mecca

This is was what I had been waiting for. A trip around the Lord of the Rings Hobbiton film set at Matamata. It was a beautiful morning, blue skies and we were off to the Shire. The guide was an 85 year old chap called Eric. I swear he didn't look a day over 60, amazing chap. He loved it as much as us, talking about the cast and the characters and what happened where. Really put you into the picture, just brilliant, best tour we have done by far. OK I'm biased but it was amazing to be in the film set and picture the scenes. A local garden centre was purchased to work on nothing but the films !! The set was so secret they even had a no fly zone to 5k over the area ! The New Zealand Army had to build a 3km road into the set all in complete secrecy !!

Stood by the Party tree exactly where Bilbo stood in the film "my dear Boffins, Bagginses, Proudfeet"

Pictures taken of the finished set. Amazing the degree of secrecy at the time. Everyone involved signed contracts forbidding them from telling anyone what they saw for 3 years !

Stood with The Hill and Bagshot Row behind me

Picture of the completed set outside Bag End where Bilbo sat with Gandalf blowing smoke rings "Gandalf my old friend, I'll make this a night to remember "

Couple of unlikely hobbits at Bag End

Eric, the tour guide ...... 85 years old!

Sweet

That was all followed by some sheep shearing and a bit of lammykin action. The set is on a working farm. Chris the shearer had this one cut and done in about 2 minutes. The record is about 30 seconds!

Done n dusted