In search of hobbits...

...and so, my friends, not being touristy tourists, we nearly missed out on the Hobbiton tour...as, late in the day, on a rainy afternoon, we wound our way through the rolling hills of Matamata to find the Hobbit farm...surely not many people would be there on such a yuck day in the middle of winter...but it went something like this...

(Hobbit person)  "Do you have an online booking?"
(Kiwi person) "Uh...no...didn't even cross my mind that I would need it"
(HB) "Well...the 3:30 is full...hang on...
(KP) Thinking...oh shit..this is an expensive trip to the gift shop...
(HP) "You just got the last 2 seats on the last tour of the day at 4 o'clock"
(KP) "Whew!")

Just a cool $75 each to get in (I'll never moan about Disneyland entry prices again!) and we were off.  P.S. There is no local price.  It seems we are one happy, global whanau, and we all pay the same!

A great day in Hobbiton

A hobbit hole, complete with vege garden

Visiting...

So as not to get lost...

A beer and a cider (complimentary) at the Green Dragon pub

The Green Dragon Pub!

Rotovegas!

Tourist stuff!

Te Puia thermal area - Pohutu geyser doing its thing

The consummate tourist shot!

Not a postcard...just my amazing pic!

Hmm...I wonder....

Nec minit....

Food glorious food!

Hastings - barbee cooked by the bro!

Eat, drink and be merry they said...and so we took them literally!

Wellington - brekky

Hastings - Steak pie with salad and tomato stuff 

Some samples of food that we ate...on the way around the island...just some...nowhere near all...amazing!

Martinborough - Pancakes with bacon and banana (and blueberries and maple and cream!)

Tinui family dinner - Roast lamb, roast veges and gravy

Rotorua - Bread and dips (oh, and wine!)

Weta Workshop

Here's where it all began...a very ordinary-looking place...

So off we went, to Peter Jackson's place.  To describe it as understated is, well, understated.  Amazing kiwi ingenuity and attitude all around.  Really enjoyed the visit and Sheryl now has new ways to use her work equipment - creating swords and weapons and stuff!

...with some extraordinary inhabitants!

My new mate - he's a local

Sheryl's new mate...local too

...and the kids in the yard...

Friday night in the big town!

So...regular Friday stuff...groceries, laundry, gardening, extensive cups of tea...holiday at its finest.  Dinner at 'The Club' - a service club similar to the RSA, which is similar to the American Legion gave Sheryl an opportunity (another one!) to experience a New Zealand that most tourists never see.  She is ever appreciative of such opportunities! Pool, darts, raffles, indoor bowls, onsite pokie machines, gambling on horses, greyhounds and anything else that moves!

We continue to eat our way around the country, and nothing happens without a cup of tea first.  Big rugby final tomorrow night, and the melodious tones of the start of 'Coronation Street' calling me from the lounge! Must go!