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Day 14 - Hobbiton
We left our gorgeous camp overlooking the beautiful blue bay after a march round the mount which constitute as our daily exercise. Smashed it out in 30 mins which gave us extra time to grab some brekkie before heading to Cambridge, NZ and more importantly, Hobbiton! Breakfast at Dixie Brown's was disappointing, greasy and a very suspicious sausage (which I had to endure as H refused to eat it!). There was a massive dog on the table next to us which made us think of our pup, how well he is being looked after (he even had an Easter Egg (dog treat) hunt!!) and looking forward to seeing him (and everyone else obviously!) soon.
On our way to Hobbiton we were overwhelmed by the green, rolling, soft mounds and stunningly beautiful scenery in every direction. It's no wonder the location scouts settled here.
We got to the Shire's Rest early and mooched the shop. H fell in love with an illustrated Hobbit book and as (shamefully) neither of us have actually read it, I bought it as a trip momento (and educational too, maybe I can read it to my gorgeous niece when she comes to stay).
The short bus ride to Hobbiton was just enough to introduce the venue and build a bit of Lord of the Rings excitement. The 'set' has been retained since they rebuilt it for the Hobbit trilogy, it was dismantled after LotR as its in the middle of a working sheep and beef farm.
Hobbit holes aside, it's so pretty. Fully maintained allotments, gardens and of course 44 miniature people dwellings, located around the party tree, just over the bridge from the Green Dragon pub, which serves a very nice cider!
We spent a lovely couple of hours touring the village, and it is a village rather than a set. I felt very at home, Holly felt like a wizard..
We left Hobbiton and with our days running out fast, shot north to the coromandel peninsula. After a drive and disappointing loop of Tairua looking for our overdue fush and chups, we carried on to Whitianga where we not only found a chippy but a (very village/local/yokel) camp site. Jobs a good 'un. A fraught walk to the beach, where we battled mozzies there and back and we were ready for our bed!
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