Hobbiton 7-10-13

It takes an hour and a half to drive there so we get Maddy up at 8:30 in order to set off at 9:30am. Geoff had booked tickets the night before for the 11:30am tour and we made it with 30 mins to spare, just time to get a fridge magnet and postcard before being bumped up onto the 11:15 tour! The film set is 12 acres in the middle of a sheep farm of 1300 sheep and 500 Angus cattle (for McDonalds Angus burgers) so there is a 5-10 min bus journey to the start.
Hobbit holes, Bag End, the party marque, the Green Dragon for a refreshing mug of ginger beer and an informative tour guide as well. Perfect.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/112117467706582203156/albums/5931880798234088529 has all the photos on it but here is a small selection.

 Bag End, just right for blowing smoke rings.

the tree on top of Bag End isn't real! It's made from silicone and plastic

 

 Hobbit houses come full size 100% or 60% for humans to stand in front of. Originally they were made out of ply, polystyrene, and untreated timber and then replaced with permanent structures that should last 50 years or so.

 Marque for Bilbo's 111th birthday - Bag End is just above

 Sam Gamgee's place

 Over the bridge to the Green Dragon

 Ginger Beer - very tasty

 

Giant cheese scones served at the Green Dragon with raspberry jam. Maddy wasn't too keen on hers so Geoff and I finished it for her.