The Tolkien Professor
From bookriot.com: "If you’re like me and always wished you’d had the opportunity to take a class devoted to Tolkien...look no further than The Tolkien Professor. This podcast is a series of lectures and discussions that examine Tolkien’s works from an academic point of view..."
Legendarium Podcast
From aconitecafe.com: “The Legendarium is a podcast that explores all things fantasy and sci-fi, and asks what will stand the test of time, and why. Ryan and Craig (and guests) will go after pretty much anything nerdy, including books, movies, music, video games, and comics."
Sword & Laser
From About: “The Sword and Laser (S&L) is a science fiction and fantasy-themed book club, video show and podcast, started by Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt. The main goal of the club is to build a strong online community of sci-fi / fantasy buffs, and to discuss and enjoy books of both genres.”
Please take the time to listen to Tolkien's famous essay that shares with us how important fantasy writing is, and the profound impact "fairy stories" have on our every day lives.
Saddle up, put on your sturdiest boots, and don your favorite riding cloak. Rather than flying from Hogwarts to Middle Earth, we will walk and ride!
Long travels with good company is great fun, but even more so with the right songs! Listen to the favorites of the Fellowship below. I highly recommend "Tom Bombadil's Song" at the 39:06 mark, and Frodo's version of "The Old Walking Song" at the 1:08:19 mark.
Your long journey to Hobbiton (Matamata, New Zealand) will now be rewarded. Awaiting you are the lush green hills, cozy burrows, and welcoming dining halls favored by our Halfling friends...provided you made proper reservations!
Hobbiton Village. Image provided by Wikimedia Commons
If you haven't yet made reservations, perhaps fortune will favor you. Visit the official Hobbiton Movie Set tour website to make proper arrangements.
There are 3 standard tours through Hobbiton:
- Hobbiton Movie Set tour (2 hours)
- Evening Banquet Tour (4 hours)
- Second Breakfast Tour (3 hours)
A wise Hobbit would spend the extra coin for one of the tours that serves a hearty meal at The Shire's favorite eatery, The Green Dragon. So much walking is wearisome and make for sore feet. Especially brave Hobbits should try out the Evening Banquet tour so as to see the Shire at both day and at night with lantern light! Don't worry, there are no Nazgul (Black Riders/Ringwraiths) to chase us this evening.
The tour, as one might suspect, takes place in sets used for the Shire, as depicted in "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Return of the King," and "The Hobbit" movie series. Walk, dine and visit all of Frodo and Sam's favorite locales. Better yet, come on International Hobbit Day (always the 22nd day of September), or during one of the rotating seasonal festivals, such as the Mid-Winter Feast.
Unfortunately, us big folk cannot rest in Hobbit-sized houses and burrows. Make sure you've arranged proper accommodations further up the East Road, maybe around Bree where the big folk and Hobbits tarry on together.
Don't depart Bag End without taking in some other cool excursions that Matamata, New Zealand has to offer!
Mt. Ruapehu
LotR film watchers know this mountain as Mount Doom (or as Orodruin/Amon Amarth for the readers). Frodo and Sam are depicted as struggling up its craggy slope to complete their journey of destroying the One Ring in the fiery core of this mountain.
Ironically, Mt. Ruapehu is an active stratovolcano, but tourists should be warned that there are no visible lava beds in which to boil cursed evil artifacts into oblivion. Rather, this mountain serves as the premier ski resort for New Zealand, and it features other fun family activities, such as a state of the art gondola running up its steep slope, a chalet near the summit which boasts 2 award-winning restaurant, and a variety of summer hiking.
If the opportunity presents itself, hike the Meads Wall trail. This is the very trail used as Frodo and Sam's Mount Doom ascent in The Return of the King. While it features some great rock climbing, the trail is only about a 20 minute hike, so you don't have to rush to your elevenses or tea time!
Mt. Ruapehu enveloped in clouds. Image by Jason Pratt (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonpratt/5419794319)
Matamata Proper (the Town)
Need a quick break from travel fantasy? Visit the town of Matamata to enjoy local cuisine, art, and the culture of the Maori people.
The Hobbiton website states that Matamata is known for their cheeses, and being a dairy farming community, this is no surprise! They also have quaint cafes, nearby waterfalls, hot springs, an 18-hole golf course, and even a museum.
Firth Tower Museum
This is a perfect opportunity for history buffs to learn about New Zealand's pioneering history. Below is a tour led by some wonderful local children, highlighting some fun family learning opportunities:
Have you had enough with swords and sorcery? Of course not! Enjoy the food selection offered below to buff you up for the next journey to Westeros, where we will explore the offerings of King's Landing.
Don't make the same tragic mistake as Aragorn and forget a hobbit's second breakfast (which must occur PROMPTLY at 9AM local time. According to the Webstaraunt Store blogpost for Hobbit Day, "Second Breakfast is usually a bit lighter than its predecessor. Offer up pastries, fruits, or toast with jams and jellies. Include some savory sides to complement the sweet dishes." As such, let's tuck into some strawberry French toast - and don't forget the sausage links!
Plate of Strawberry French toast. Image: "Strawberry French Toast" by Edison C. is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Description - A sweet and savory recipe which consists of a fried or baked battered bread covered in cream cheese, strawberries, and a sweet glaze consistent with maple syrup. This sugary treat will give a hobbit the energy needed to make it to elevenses, but only just!
Speaking of elevenses, you better have a treat ready to serve with some piping hot tea if you want to remain a welcomed member of the Shire. We have you covered with a lemon tea cake recipe from Melissa d'Arabian via Food Network.
Loaf of icing-laced lemon cake on a clear dish. Image provided by https://pixabay.com/photos/lemon-loaf-cake-lemon-glaze-770313/
Description - This is a light cake with a tangy glaze which pairs perfectly with a cup of hot tea or black coffee. It's heavy enough to carry the hungriest of hobbits through to lunch, and sugary enough to stave off a mid-morning sweet tooth craving.
