( No Pies here officer! )

Warm pies from the local convenience store, make a delightful breakfast.

Nice and early we arrive at the Hairy Feet tour. Ginny the cat & Nellie dog welcome us : )

Susie the property owner, encouraged us all to grab some props and take a few fun snaps.

Susie loaded the intimate group of 6 into her van and sped off up the hill.
6 mins and 30 seconds of actual location film made it into the movie, the most actual aired footage from any location used in filming.

Susies speciality, is her book of actual film shots taken on her property..She then allows visitors to stand in the very spot the cast stood in.. Note the bird house.

Again study the background, and look at the next shot.

Meet happy hobbit Ian, unsheathing his weapon..Ooh err Mrs!

The amazingly enthusiastic Susie, she is clearly devoted to the property and very proud of her families involvement in the filming of the Hobbit an unexpected journey.

The New Zealand silver fern, emblem of New Zealand.

Ruakuri a natural cave system, created from limestone over millions of years.

The underground system consists of tunnels and chambers, re discovered in the 1790's.

Our guide " Pippin" took us through the geological time line.

The second part of this adventure was the awesome Glow worm caves.

The Glow worms have an 11 month life cycle, 9 months are spent in the pupae stage, where they hang about in these caves dangling their little spitty fishing wires, hoping to snag the odd bug.

The Reef Resort proves to be much more luxurious than we remember booking!

Boasting its own private spa pools & a whirlpool bath overlooking the lake!

We order the worlds smallest Popadoms at the Indian Affair restaurant.

Fortunately the remainder of the meal was not Hobbit sized.

Back to our luxury pad & a ginormous bathtub filled with hot bubbly water made my day.

Goodnight precious people at home..Thinking of Grandad Marriott tonight. xxxx