Hobbits and Sky Jumps

Our hottest day yet, between 26 and 29 degrees (thank goodness we aren't in Australia!) We drove down to Matamata, about three hours away, to Hobbiton, the film set experience. Now Jim and I had  intended taking a trip to see this from our 5-day break at the end of next week. But then we thought everyone would enjoy it so we all went. Yes, it was a bit of a hike, but as Kit says, distances are no problem because the roads are good and not too much traffic. Obviously Jim and I have read the books - several times, and seen the films, but none of them had done either, though Dylan has whizzed through the first 100 pages of the first book in LOTR which I brought with me for him. Nevertheless, they all throughly enjoyed the experience, and I wouldn't have missed it for the worlds.

The entire site is about 200 acres of the most wonderful undulating ground, trees, ponds, and fabulous small scale hobbit holes and gardens. They employ a team of gardeners to keep the gardens looking just right.

The boys had a grand time, but you can just see from this that the doors conceal a mere three foot deep  interior with rubble floor, used mainly to store implements. It would have been wonderful to step into a 'real' Hobbit-hole, but you can imagine how long the contents would last!

So many lovely shots, you really didn't know where to stop clicking! Jim was always bringing up the rear with his cam-corder!

             
    The scenery was stunning. This is a working farm, the sheep ad cattle are real and had to be painstakingly removed to other areas during filming.

     The approach across the bridge to the Green Dragon Inn, where we stopped for refreshments.

Yesterday Jim and I took the boys out for ice cream and popped into a store to buy the LOTR trilogy dvds for the family - but Dylan and Krissie want to read the books before watching the films! Apart from this little trip out, yesterday was a rest day, we all just chilled out, spot of ironing, spot of stitching, not very much of anything really. Kit and Krissie are working their way through Jamie's 15 minute mesa, we've had two so far, and the timings are getting better! Yesterday we had the spicey prawns and pasta with a fennel and lemon salad - yummy!

Today we have been into Auckland to go up the Sky Tower. I had jokingly said on facebook that I would do the jump...so many people took me at my word!

So, what d'you think? Is it me? Am I stupid? No, I must come clean, I wouldn't do it for a million pounds. They drop you gently from the very top, we were sitting in the cafeteria a floor down when I took this, then they hang you there for about 30 seconds, then DROP you very quickly, and everyone gasps /screams! As you near the ground they slow you down gently. I could scarcely bear to lean over the curved windows to follow the jumper down, so there is no way you'd get me up there jumping, or even doing the skywalk.  It took me all my nerve to walk on the glass floor!

                                                            Huh! They didn't fool me!

When we left the Sky Tower Kit drove us round to Mission Bay, to a very special destination!

KiwiYo is the Place to Go for teens and many others. Frozen yoghurt is the delicacy, but not just any frozen yoghurt. First you choose a size of container, then your flavour yoghurt. Then you add your sprinkles, marshmallows, fudge, Oreos, chocolate drops....oh, too many toppings (I had melon!) then you add your drizzle, chocolate, fudge, strawberry etc. They weigh your pot and you pay accordingly.

Yes, you can imagine the mess at Fraser's place at the table - thank goodness for wet- wipes!

Well, a quiet night in front of the TV now the boys are in bed - we are watching Primeval New Zealand. Early night I think! Catch you next time!