This will be our last look at the Shire (for now :) - although I'm certain I will continue to reference it for the rest of my life, lol! I have to admit that I was surprised (shocked would be the better word) yesterday to find out that a number of you have not yet seen the movies. The books are another story and I will grant you a pass on them - they're a big undertaking - but the movies are a must-see. At least give the first one ('The Fellowship of the Ring') a try - and let me know when you do - I'd love to hear your feedback. Find out what all the fuss is about!! JJ Hubby had only seen the movies, but as a result of visiting Hobbiton, he is now in the midst of reading 'The Hobbit.'
I must tell you that while away, I read 'The Hunger Games' trilogy. While they are not necessarily great literature... I couldn't put them down! I completely understand why it was turned into a movie (which I have yet to see.)
Professional thatchers were brought in to fashion the roofs on a number of the homes. According to our tour guide, a properly thatched roof will last upwards to 100 years.
It's the details that made this 'town' feel so authentic. It feels like it's been around for centuries.
Pickles the cat :) While the movies were shot, he apparently made a general
nuisance of himself and was banished from the set on a number of occasions.
This scene reminds me of 'The Friendly Giant'!
This is still a working sheep farm.
Pretty much everywhere you look in New Zealand, you'll see sheep grazing on the hills.
I was posting once a week prior to my time away, but have decided to shoot for twice (Monday's & Friday's) for the next while - I'll see how that goes :) Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!
I am hanging my head in shame! I will now try and watch the first movie ( Mr SK is a big fan of both books and movies). These little homes are so adorable, I love this kind of stuff, so I don't know why I haven't watched these films yet for that reason alone! it must have been a fab experience to actually be where they filmed it!
ReplyDeleteI predict you'll love them if you do - we watched them all over the weekend and both agreed that they are probably one of the best movies EVER! A true classic.
DeleteI confess I have neither read the books nor seen the films! In the late 1970's one of my friends read the books and absolutely fell in love with them. She was so impressed that she decided to write to Professor Tolkien. She received a reply some time later from the publishers regretting to inform her that J R R Tolkien had died in 1973. We teased her for years about that. Nowadays with the Internet we can look him up in an instant.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story Tracey - now that's true devotion :)
DeleteI should make an effort to at least watch the first movie. I'm not sure why I never got around to it. Because now that I'm looking at your photos, I must know what the fuss is all about. Those homes are adorable. I'd love to have one to run away to now and then. Pickles the cat is so cute. I'm not surprised he made a nuisance of himself. Cats like to get into everything.
ReplyDeleteHehe, Yes Martha - you NEED to find out! Pickles was really cute and followed our group around.
DeleteI've enjoyed these photos of Hobbiton so much, Jane! Makes it seem like The Shire is a real place. And yes, I think that MUST be the Friendly Giant's chair, LOL!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean - I feel like it's truly real now as well.
DeleteDon't you want to live there in that village, I did, since I saw the movies! I have to confess, I never read the books either, but my boys did when they were little. They have always loved the Hobbit. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.
ReplyDeleteHi Dorothy, I'm with you on that wish :)
DeleteLovely photos...does someone take care of the kitty?
ReplyDeleteI expect he belongs to the family who owns the farm.
DeleteJust my two cents worth...Generally I do NOT care for mystical- type / fantacy movies (actually I cant stand them) but for anyone who has not seen these movies trust me they are not kids movies. They are filmed incredibly well and are really geared for an adult audience due to the deep storyline which is good vs. evil. I have to watch these movies at least once per year - which is coming due pretty quick!!
ReplyDeleteMe too JJ!
DeleteMe three! JJ Hubby is right - they are not children's movies - (although they are definitely PG) - there are some very violent and dark moments in them.
DeleteHang on, you got to see this? I am so incredibly jealous, I wold love a Hobbit house.
ReplyDeleteSo would I Tabitha - I am hoping to modify my garden shed to look like one... I guess that'll have to be the next best thing :)
DeleteI have to say that I too, was quite surprised by the number of people who hadn't seen the movies. I hope that your pictures and posts about Hobbiton will inspire them to see the movies and maybe even read the books too. I had read the books years ago and re-read them as the movies came out. Peter Jackson did a phenomenal job on those films and the casting was excellent. My friend Jacqueline and I excitedly waited each year for the next in the trilogy to be released!! I have to admit that I was a huge Sean Bean fan--from the Sharpe series--and that was part of the breathless expectation! LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteMe too Dianne, under what rock where have you all been living, lol!! I am hoping that my pics have inspired a few to take a look - & one look will be all that it takes. I am another person who loves Sean Bean... great looks and that accent ;)
DeleteDear Jane,
ReplyDeleteThese photos are incredible! I am so happy that you got to see this.
I agree with you 100%!!! The Lord of The Ring movies are a MUST SEE!!!!
Do you remember them coming out at Christmas for three years in a row?
Such wonderfully made movies, that is what good films are all about.
Oh, and I just read the comment above from Dianne...and Sean Bean, I love him too!
Hi Kay, I do and now this Christmas, it'll be The Hobbit, which I'm very eagerly anticipating.
DeleteYes, I'll rent them, although I'd love to own them so I can watch whenever, but the price for them all may be out of my realm... Speaking of, you're for sure in your realm behind the red door! I'd come in and have a cup of tea with you anyday Jane:) xox
ReplyDeleteVicki, I am so thrilled and can't wait to hear your review! That was the only home we could go into for a photo op - so I was pretty tickled :)
DeleteHow totally cool! I'm a major fan of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, all three of them are awesome! Thanks for posting the pics!
ReplyDeleteI figured you for a Rings fan - glad you enjoyed the pics!
DeleteGreat pictures of The Shire. Looks like such an unbelievable sweet place to be.
ReplyDeleteRead the books and watch the movies, you will be mesmerized for a long time.
In jest, I often refer to our little home as "The Shire".
You look right at home Jane in that cute little home with the red door.
Can't wait for more pictures.
You're right Lorene, I was right at home and if there hadn't been a long line of people waiting for their chance, I'd probably still be in there having a cup of tea, lol!!
DeleteJane you have inspired me to watch the movies - they are on my list to hire. I started watching the first one with my boys when they were teenagers, but, as usual, they started fighting so I walked out of the room. When they left home they took the movie with them!
ReplyDeleteWhoo hoo :) Please let me know what you think after you do. I have to laugh at your boys fighting and then taking the movie with them when they left home. Sometimes I feel sad that my kids are now all grown up... but most of the time I don't, haha!
DeleteHa Ha! Love that last photo of you peeking out of the door. About the movie - I have to admit that I only read the trilogy when i was in University because it was considered 'cool' in those days. (Yes, I'm shallow as a kiddie's wading pool.) However I promise i will try to watch the movie if I ever get the chance.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if and when you do. Somehow it doesn't surprise me that it would have been considered 'cool' to read them when you were at University. Now it's 'cool' to have also watched them... hehe!
DeleteWhat a magical looking place.
ReplyDeleteIt truly was. I wish we could have stayed longer that day - it was a warm, cloudless day with little to no breeze - so perfect.
DeleteLovely photos.
ReplyDeleteNZ and their sheep, lots of jokes about those two :)
Thanks :) & haha, I bet there are!!
Deletewow..just too cool!!
ReplyDeleteHi Annmarie, It was a truly magical day!
DeleteIs it just me or the way the picture is? That shovel looks huge! I think its bigger than what a hobbit is!
ReplyDeleteDoes the cat belong to the owner of the set or is it wild and just hang out? Got to love cats... there are always right there in the midst of things.
Haha, I thought exactly the same thing - I'm sure it was as tall as me! I don't know who'd possibly be using that in a hobbit village, unless they were expecting a troll.
DeleteThe farm is owned by a family, so I just assumed it's their pet. Yes, Pickles basically joined in our tour group :)
I only wish he could talk - with all he's seen, he'd make a great tour guide!
DeleteI'm on cute overload! The cat! The shire! And unlike many of your 'uncultured' audience, I've seen ALL the movies, and have read The Hobbit, lol. Excellent movies all around, and I agree the Hunger Games Trilogy is absolutely addictive. Even though book 3 feels rushed. But I'm waiting to the movie to hit the DVD so I can watch it in comfort of my PJ's. Excellent trip and photos - they should have one finished hobbit house for photos, I LOVE visiting houses.
ReplyDeleteTatiana :) How are you? Haha, I'm so glad you enjoyed this tour of The Shire - it of course means so much more to someone like yourself, who's seen the movies and read The Hobbit. I bet you're looking forward to the release of the movie in December - I can hardly wait. I have read through the books 3x's and the Hobbit 5x's. If you ever find the time, the other books are quite a committment - but oh so worth the effort. I agree about having one finished home - it would have been the cherry on top to be able to go inside one that was fully furnished. Thanks for popping by - I know you're busy and I really appreciate you taking the time to visit and comment. Take care :)
DeleteAs for the Hunger Games - I sure am looking forward to seeing the movie now.
DeleteMe too (Hunger Games) - and busy as I am, I still pop by to visit every week or two even if I don't comment. But yeah, as a fan of the books/movies it's quite a vicarious tour.
DeleteI do plan on reading the books someday, but definitely after I'm done school - they're THICK. I call books like that 'the zombie apocalypse books' assuming that I'll have all the time in the world to read, holed up somewhere safe, in case of an apocalyptic scenario, a la 'I am Legend'. Ahem. :)
I have never read the books or seen the films... how bad am I!!! Looking through your pics this looks amazing and I might have to pick a book up over summer....
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, You NEED to see these movies!! They are so amazing - I can't express it enough. Once you do, you'll understand why these little homes called 'The Shire' are so perfect and precious :)
Delete