I’m going on an adventure!

When you speak to any person who lives in New Zealand, there’s one topic of conversation, the weather. It’s just like being back home. But to be fair, this is unprecedented. It’s basically now our August here and they’ve been having a rough time of it. Apparently there’s only been 7 fine days this summer so far up in the north island. I do feel for them. 

Today was of course no exception, it’s pouring down. To be honest it’s the first day where the weather has actually impacted me directly, but not to dampen my spirit, it was off for a tour to Hobbiton. 

So Hobbiton is the set they made to film the Hobbit trilogy, if you weren’t aware. While it’s also the filming location of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the set they used for that was temporary and they rebuilt a permanent set for the Hobbit. These entrepreneurs are very clever, it’s one of the top things to do in New Zealand, and makes lots of money. 

You basically get taken on a guided tour of the Hobbiton village and all the little houses the hobbits live in. You don’t really get to go into the houses as there are no insides, but you do get to go in some doorways. 

At the start of the tour, the guide tried to get one of us to do our best Martin Freeman impression and run down the entire village shouting “I’m off on an adventure”. She was deadly serious and I almost volunteered, but everyone just looked a little bit scared so we passed. 

The tour concluded with a pint at the green dragon pub, which was beautiful. If I ever owned a pub that’s what I would want it to look like.