Bag End Monologue

It was a long two-hour drive but I’m Galadriel made it. I don’t know about you, but when given the choice between hanging around the house and making a thrilling voyage to Hobbiton, I’d go with option two. There’s always been something exciting about the idea of walking on the same ground as Martin Freeman and being as close to kissing his feet as I could ever be in my lifetime. Of course, this wouldn’t be something I’d have the right to do when there’s a wealth of dedicated Ringers around who are much more deserving, but it’s fun to think about.

Strolling through the Stone Cutting, the guide always likes to issue a challenge. The nature of the first task, though testing, seems to be rather simple until you hear the stats. Try breaking a record
Why the rich have to live at the top of a hill, I will never know. Bag End has always been the jewel of the Shire, and so naturally Tolkein would have wanted to put it on a pedestal. The mansion of a hobbit hole, with its brass-knobbed green door, despite the struggle to reach, is most definitely a highlight for all. Not only does it provide a memorable photo opportunity, but we are also given an insight into what it was like to thread leaves one by one onto a full size, fiberglass oak tree and drill it to the roof, not a challenge one would willingly take up. They really do like to put emphasis on hardship of this tiring job but you’ve got to hand it to them when you consider the intensity of Tolkein’s fans and how adamant they were about the tree being an oak and not a pine. It was apparent that Sir Peter Jackson didn’t desire being torn to pieces if he made the slightest
The final stretch of the tour leads you to the local Shire pub, the Green Dragon where one has the chance to refuel on cider, ginger beer and a few other traditional eats while allowing for the opportunity to have a chinwag with fellow tourists and enthusiastic Ringers. Many a selfie is taken from all angles in an attempt to look cool while drinking a non-alcoholic beverage. Photos by the bar with drinks raised in a toast to the great mind and creativity of JRR Tolkein is also a must. On the subject, one can’t resist having a wander around the building and taking photos of beer mugs on every horizontal surface because it just looks aesthetically pleasing. It is definitely a pub one would wish to visit each Saturday… or every day, what with the warm, comforting, community feel given off by the rustic interior design. The armchair by the fire is definitely a popular spot to sit and swig but you’d have to be careful not to jump in anyone’s grave in your excitement to score such a grand and iconic seat. For those who just aren’t quick enough, comfort isn’t hard to find but considering the fact that it was a movie set, you have to thank your lucky stars that you’re there in the first place. You get people the world over making claims of what they’d be prepared to do just to be in your place and raving about how lucky one would be to live in