Holiday Spots
24/12/08 13:55 Filed in: New Zealand
The New Zealand Herald published my guide to the Top Ten Holiday Spots in New Zealand this morning.
You can visit the page here. I would love to hear what your ten favourites are!
I also have a photo-essay published in the latest issue of the excellent New Zealand travel magazine, Inspire. It covers my wonderful cruise aboard the Crystal Serenity earlier this year. Keep an eye out for it in all good book stores or collect one from your local House of Travel outlet.
Can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and have a wonderful holiday.
I have a week off and then back to work for a week before travelling to Masterton for the Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow. It promises to have some aircraft that have not been seen in the air together for over 80 years. Hope to see you there.
I’ll close with one of my favourite images from that wonderful Crystal Cruise in February 2008.
You can visit the page here. I would love to hear what your ten favourites are!
I also have a photo-essay published in the latest issue of the excellent New Zealand travel magazine, Inspire. It covers my wonderful cruise aboard the Crystal Serenity earlier this year. Keep an eye out for it in all good book stores or collect one from your local House of Travel outlet.
Can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and have a wonderful holiday.
I have a week off and then back to work for a week before travelling to Masterton for the Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow. It promises to have some aircraft that have not been seen in the air together for over 80 years. Hope to see you there.
I’ll close with one of my favourite images from that wonderful Crystal Cruise in February 2008.
|
Link Catch-Up
22/12/08 11:57 Filed in: Film | Photography | Announcement | Travel | The Hobbit | The Lord of the Rings | New Zealand
As we approach Christmas I looked at the desktop of the Mac and found some links I had put aside to post on my bog. So, without further ado here they are!
I also would like to thank all visitors to my website for your support. Have a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2009.
NZ On Screen
A fantastic resource to help you discover the best of New Zealand television and film.
UK Photo Guides
A great idea. Personal and intimate guides to locations through England and the best places to photograph them from.
The Hunt For Gollum
This film will be free to view on the internet next year. Has a nice look and feel to it.
THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM - FULL Trailer 1 from Chris Bouchard on Vimeo.
Born of Hope
This film is currently in production and is a 60 minute Lord of the Rings inspired film that will be released free to view on the internet.
Born of Hope - 2008 Teaser Trailer one from Born of Hope on Vimeo.
I also would like to thank all visitors to my website for your support. Have a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2009.
NZ On Screen
A fantastic resource to help you discover the best of New Zealand television and film.
UK Photo Guides
A great idea. Personal and intimate guides to locations through England and the best places to photograph them from.
The Hunt For Gollum
This film will be free to view on the internet next year. Has a nice look and feel to it.
THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM - FULL Trailer 1 from Chris Bouchard on Vimeo.
Born of Hope
This film is currently in production and is a 60 minute Lord of the Rings inspired film that will be released free to view on the internet.
Born of Hope - 2008 Teaser Trailer one from Born of Hope on Vimeo.
Books, Travel & Radio
Have just had a wonderful eight days in the North Island promoting Ian Brodie’s New Zealand. Had the great pleasure of talking to some wonderful people at some great radio stations.
We travelled by camper-van from Christchurch to Auckland which allowed me to revisit our backbone - State Highway One. I well remember as a child the slow trips through the Mangaweka but now it is all passing lanes and speed. Makes travelling easier but I think I prefer the older scenic route.
Visited the Weta Cave whilst in Wellington, a wonderful mixture of retail goodness and museum. You must visit if you are ever in our capital city.
So, my thanks to Kim Hill (National Radio), Wammo (Kiwi FM), Mikey Havoc (95 BFM), Suzy Cato (Big FM), Alice Worsley (Planet FM) and Bill Ralston (Radio Live) for your wonderful comments about by book.
The trip was a real holiday - the camera stayed in its case almost the whole time. The only chance to make a picture was at Lake Taupo (below).
Now we approach Christmas ...... phew!
Podcast (Interview with Kim Hill on National Radio)
We travelled by camper-van from Christchurch to Auckland which allowed me to revisit our backbone - State Highway One. I well remember as a child the slow trips through the Mangaweka but now it is all passing lanes and speed. Makes travelling easier but I think I prefer the older scenic route.
Visited the Weta Cave whilst in Wellington, a wonderful mixture of retail goodness and museum. You must visit if you are ever in our capital city.
So, my thanks to Kim Hill (National Radio), Wammo (Kiwi FM), Mikey Havoc (95 BFM), Suzy Cato (Big FM), Alice Worsley (Planet FM) and Bill Ralston (Radio Live) for your wonderful comments about by book.
The trip was a real holiday - the camera stayed in its case almost the whole time. The only chance to make a picture was at Lake Taupo (below).
Now we approach Christmas ...... phew!
Podcast (Interview with Kim Hill on National Radio)
Ian Brodie's New Zealand
After many months of waiting I am thrilled to announce the release of Ian Brodie’s New Zealand. It is now available in all good bookstores in New Zealand or from Amazon in the UK.
I am so pleased with the book, and very proud to have a book that shows the diversity and uniqueness of our country.
Over the next few weeks I will be promoting the book via television and radio in many towns. One interview I am really looking forward to is with Kim Hill on National Radio. If you would like to listen please tune in at 11-00am on Saturday 06 December.
I am so pleased with the book, and very proud to have a book that shows the diversity and uniqueness of our country.
Over the next few weeks I will be promoting the book via television and radio in many towns. One interview I am really looking forward to is with Kim Hill on National Radio. If you would like to listen please tune in at 11-00am on Saturday 06 December.
Morgan David Saxton
13/11/08 10:29 Filed in: New Zealand
Yesterday the funeral was held for Morgan Saxton. Tragically killed in a helicopter accident on the 1st November, Morgan was only 31 years old. Although I didn’t know him well he always impressed me with his wonderful personality and friendly smile. He made every person he spoke to seem special. He was far too young to die and the world is poorer with his passing.
This morning my Flickr friend Diane sent this poem which is very appropriate.
"But now the journey is over.
Too short, alas, too short.
It was filled with adventure and wisdom,
laughter and love,
gallantry and grace.
So farewell, farewell".
Cavafy
The image below is my tribute to Morgan.
In Memory of Morgan. 1977-2008
The sun reflects your mana,
the flowers reflect your personality,
the wind reflects your love of the air
and the mountains are in darkness with sadness.
I will remember you for ever..
This morning my Flickr friend Diane sent this poem which is very appropriate.
"But now the journey is over.
Too short, alas, too short.
It was filled with adventure and wisdom,
laughter and love,
gallantry and grace.
So farewell, farewell".
Cavafy
The image below is my tribute to Morgan.
In Memory of Morgan. 1977-2008
The sun reflects your mana,
the flowers reflect your personality,
the wind reflects your love of the air
and the mountains are in darkness with sadness.
I will remember you for ever..
Pubs with Personality
To be released later this month is a wonderful guidebook to some special places in New Zealand.
Entitled “Pubs with Personality”, the guide features 150 pubs in New Zealand that have that little bit extra, with a good personality and a welcoming ale.
One of the authors is my friend Peter Janssen, retired Managing Director of Reed Publishing in New Zealand. Peter started me off with the Warbirds Over Wanaka book series in 1998 and he has been a great supporter. A very witty, eloquent person - this book also reflects his great personality.
The book will be available in all good book stores. A great guide with something special for me - the cover is one of my images of “Formally The Blackball Hilton” at Blackball on the West Coast of the South Island.
Entitled “Pubs with Personality”, the guide features 150 pubs in New Zealand that have that little bit extra, with a good personality and a welcoming ale.
One of the authors is my friend Peter Janssen, retired Managing Director of Reed Publishing in New Zealand. Peter started me off with the Warbirds Over Wanaka book series in 1998 and he has been a great supporter. A very witty, eloquent person - this book also reflects his great personality.
The book will be available in all good book stores. A great guide with something special for me - the cover is one of my images of “Formally The Blackball Hilton” at Blackball on the West Coast of the South Island.
Two Masters
05/11/08 14:41 Filed in: New Zealand
Yesterday here at Wanaka Airport we had the pleasure of a visit by the Southern Trust DC-3. The team have a Heartland Tour underway at the moment visiting small towns of the South Island, showing off their aircraft and offering rides.
It is very appropriate to see this venerable workhorse in these small towns as the DC-3 was the aircraft that really opened up the hinterland of this country to the speedy delights of aerial travel.
I was very lucky and fortunate indeed to be offered the opportunity to photograph the DC-3 as she flew from Cromwell to Wanaka. What made it even more amazing was the opportunity to capture another famous aeroplane in the air beside her. The locally owned North American P-51D Mustang is a regular flower from Wanaka and her owner (Robert Borrius-Broeck) decided the two types together might make an interesting image.
I can but only agree completely!
It is very appropriate to see this venerable workhorse in these small towns as the DC-3 was the aircraft that really opened up the hinterland of this country to the speedy delights of aerial travel.
I was very lucky and fortunate indeed to be offered the opportunity to photograph the DC-3 as she flew from Cromwell to Wanaka. What made it even more amazing was the opportunity to capture another famous aeroplane in the air beside her. The locally owned North American P-51D Mustang is a regular flower from Wanaka and her owner (Robert Borrius-Broeck) decided the two types together might make an interesting image.
I can but only agree completely!
Radio New Zealand Interview
Last night I had the great pleasure to talk with Chris Witta on the Radio New Zealand National Programme. I love talking with the people from National Radio - they are all consummate professional radio personalities.
The interview is below in podcast format - I talk a little about many things but especially the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow.
Ian Brodie Warbirds RNZ 141008
The interview is below in podcast format - I talk a little about many things but especially the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow.
Ian Brodie Warbirds RNZ 141008
In Search of Rivendell
Last week I was visited by an American writer, Ethan Gilsdorf. He is travelling New Zealand looking at Lord of the Rings Locations and the placement of New Zealand as Middle-earth.
He has a great sense of humour and is very easy to talk to.
Most of his travels around New Zealand seem to be with a video camera glued to his eye as he captures special moments. These have then been posted onto the blog of his hometown newspaper The Boston Globe.
I found this clip on his blog of yesterday as he searches for Rivendell at Kaitoke Regional Park near Wellington.
This location is featured extensively in The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook. It is also great to see an interview with Wellington Rover Tours who undertake Lord of the Rings sightseeing tours of many Wellington film locations.
What doubled my pleasure in watching this video is the very thumbed copy of my Location Guide being used by the tour guide as a reference.
Excellent!
He has a great sense of humour and is very easy to talk to.
Most of his travels around New Zealand seem to be with a video camera glued to his eye as he captures special moments. These have then been posted onto the blog of his hometown newspaper The Boston Globe.
I found this clip on his blog of yesterday as he searches for Rivendell at Kaitoke Regional Park near Wellington.
This location is featured extensively in The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook. It is also great to see an interview with Wellington Rover Tours who undertake Lord of the Rings sightseeing tours of many Wellington film locations.
What doubled my pleasure in watching this video is the very thumbed copy of my Location Guide being used by the tour guide as a reference.
Excellent!
A Reflected Light
06/10/08 12:47 Filed in: Photography | New Zealand
St David’s Presbyterian Church
Luggate
New Zealand
This little church is at the end of our street and I have often wanted to photograph it but never found the right time. Last Thursday we had the most amazing sunset and I could see the time was right.
I was amazed at the way the light actually reflected onto the boards of the church - almost like the an inner light was emanating from the building itself.
Land for the church was donated in 1931 and the building was trucked from its original site in Hindon to Luggate.
Services are held on a regular basis.
Luggate
New Zealand
This little church is at the end of our street and I have often wanted to photograph it but never found the right time. Last Thursday we had the most amazing sunset and I could see the time was right.
I was amazed at the way the light actually reflected onto the boards of the church - almost like the an inner light was emanating from the building itself.
Land for the church was donated in 1931 and the building was trucked from its original site in Hindon to Luggate.
Services are held on a regular basis.
Flickr Fun
02/10/08 11:38 Filed in: Photography | Announcement
This week marks a special little moment for me. Since I started uploading images to my Flickr account in January I have now had 10,000 views. I am rapt with that.
What is really special about Flickr are my friends and the amazing images they produce. It becomes addictive and I now look at least twice a day to see what my friends have been doing. I have never met these people and in most instances I don’t even know what they look like. All I do know about them is what I discover from there photographic style. Fram an image I think you learn a lot about a persons character, there mood and what they think about life in general.
Thank you my Flickr friends - you enrich my life.
This image is for you.
What is really special about Flickr are my friends and the amazing images they produce. It becomes addictive and I now look at least twice a day to see what my friends have been doing. I have never met these people and in most instances I don’t even know what they look like. All I do know about them is what I discover from there photographic style. Fram an image I think you learn a lot about a persons character, there mood and what they think about life in general.
Thank you my Flickr friends - you enrich my life.
This image is for you.
Ian Brodie's New Zealand Pre-Order
Although my latest book Ian Brodie’s New Zealand is not released until 01 December 2008 it is pleasing to see Amazon in the United Kingdom have it for pre-order. So, anybody in England or Europe that would like to be one of the first to receive the book please follow the Amazon Link here.
The cover has not yet even been publicly released but now that Amazon have jumped the gun here it is below. The scene was taken no more that 500 metres from my home and goes a little way to explaining why I love this country and particularly why I do live where I do.
I will have further links to shops selling the book as we get closer to the release date.
The cover has not yet even been publicly released but now that Amazon have jumped the gun here it is below. The scene was taken no more that 500 metres from my home and goes a little way to explaining why I love this country and particularly why I do live where I do.
I will have further links to shops selling the book as we get closer to the release date.
Green Middle-earth Aotearoa
23/09/08 14:30 Filed in: Photography | New Zealand
Had a great trip to Gore last weekend to talk at the “Books and Bubbles Event” at Paper Plus Gore. A good number of attentive listeners made it a pleasure to talk. The bubbly Kerre Woodham who acted as MC and also gave a wonderful speech certainly made the evening go fast.
The Paper Plus store in Gore (no rhyme intended) is the largest in the country and certainly has a great spread of books (if you are passing).
On the drive back home on Saturday it was really brought home to me how verdant this country is in Spring. Some places stay this colour longer than others - here at Raes Junction green will soon become brown but not before this tree sends out its tendrils.
The Paper Plus store in Gore (no rhyme intended) is the largest in the country and certainly has a great spread of books (if you are passing).
On the drive back home on Saturday it was really brought home to me how verdant this country is in Spring. Some places stay this colour longer than others - here at Raes Junction green will soon become brown but not before this tree sends out its tendrils.
Three reasons I know Spring is on the Way
At this time of the year there is a distinct nature gear-change as the cold winter weather is overtaken by the Spring Equinox. There are three things in Wanaka that tell me it is Spring.
1. The mad-dog nor-wester begins to blow and the rain comes but the south-wester that follows just doesn’t seem to have the polar bite with it. The mountains take on a tinge of green as the spring rain irrigates the tussock for a brief time before the heat of summer arrives.
2. The pale slivers of trees that have stood ghost-like for the last 4 months start to show tendrils of green.
3. The Winter-Rose stands defiantly against any frosts and demands attention from its simple colours of green and white.
1. The mad-dog nor-wester begins to blow and the rain comes but the south-wester that follows just doesn’t seem to have the polar bite with it. The mountains take on a tinge of green as the spring rain irrigates the tussock for a brief time before the heat of summer arrives.
2. The pale slivers of trees that have stood ghost-like for the last 4 months start to show tendrils of green.
3. The Winter-Rose stands defiantly against any frosts and demands attention from its simple colours of green and white.
Paper Plus Gore Presentation
16/09/08 09:58 Filed in: Announcement | New Zealand
For anybody that lives near Gore, I will be making a presentation at the Gore Paper Plus this Friday (19 September).
Paper Plus books spokesperson Kerre Woodham is visiting Gore on Friday 19 September to chat about her favourite reads. Doug and Denise Grant from Paper Plus Gore invite the community to attend the evening event and enjoy a glass of bubbly while talking with Kerre about their favourite books.
It will be an evening of celebration for Kerre too, as she looks forward to discussing her memoir Short Fat Chick to Marathon Runner, a characteristically witty and candid account of how she worked her way to fitness and completed both the Auckland and New York Marathons – all after inauspiciously turning up to her very first training session with a hangover.
Guests will also enjoy a special appearance by accomplished New Zealand photographer and non-fiction writer, Ian Brodie. Ian’s love of country, film, travel, photography and warbirds has combined to produce some remarkable books and images. His The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook was one of the inaugural Booksellers Platinum Award titles, and Cameras in Narnia, simultaneously published in four countries, had one of the largest initial print runs of any New Zealand book.
Doug and Denise say the evening will be a celebration of great reading and a chance for the guests to chat about their favourite books while relaxing with a glass of bubbly.
The event will be held at Paper Plus Gore from 6.30pm. Entry to the VIP night costs $10, with $5 from every ticket going to Gore and Districts SPCA. Tickets can be purchased from Paper Plus Gore.
Kerre is a well-known presence on the Paper Plus website and in stores, each month announcing and reviewing her preferred latest books in Kerre’s Choices, and sharing her thoughts in the Paper Plus Book Club online discussion forum. The Paper Plus Book Club gives readers the opportunity to review books they love, add comments to other reviews and receive special book offers.
Paper Plus books spokesperson Kerre Woodham is visiting Gore on Friday 19 September to chat about her favourite reads. Doug and Denise Grant from Paper Plus Gore invite the community to attend the evening event and enjoy a glass of bubbly while talking with Kerre about their favourite books.
It will be an evening of celebration for Kerre too, as she looks forward to discussing her memoir Short Fat Chick to Marathon Runner, a characteristically witty and candid account of how she worked her way to fitness and completed both the Auckland and New York Marathons – all after inauspiciously turning up to her very first training session with a hangover.
Guests will also enjoy a special appearance by accomplished New Zealand photographer and non-fiction writer, Ian Brodie. Ian’s love of country, film, travel, photography and warbirds has combined to produce some remarkable books and images. His The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook was one of the inaugural Booksellers Platinum Award titles, and Cameras in Narnia, simultaneously published in four countries, had one of the largest initial print runs of any New Zealand book.
Doug and Denise say the evening will be a celebration of great reading and a chance for the guests to chat about their favourite books while relaxing with a glass of bubbly.
The event will be held at Paper Plus Gore from 6.30pm. Entry to the VIP night costs $10, with $5 from every ticket going to Gore and Districts SPCA. Tickets can be purchased from Paper Plus Gore.
Kerre is a well-known presence on the Paper Plus website and in stores, each month announcing and reviewing her preferred latest books in Kerre’s Choices, and sharing her thoughts in the Paper Plus Book Club online discussion forum. The Paper Plus Book Club gives readers the opportunity to review books they love, add comments to other reviews and receive special book offers.
Browse in Style
10/09/08 14:03 Filed in: Announcement
Every now and then you come across a cool piece of software that makes you sit up and go WOW!
cooliris is one of those. Tired of looking at images one at a time, hitting the back button to retrieve the next? All your problems are solved with cooliris - it is a product that looks like it was made for a Mac but operates with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.
“3D Wall”
As the advertising says “transform your browser into a full screen, 3D experience for online photos and videos”.
Follow the links above or here to download and install. You will not be disappointed and what’s more the price is excellent!
cooliris is one of those. Tired of looking at images one at a time, hitting the back button to retrieve the next? All your problems are solved with cooliris - it is a product that looks like it was made for a Mac but operates with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.
“3D Wall”
As the advertising says “transform your browser into a full screen, 3D experience for online photos and videos”.
Follow the links above or here to download and install. You will not be disappointed and what’s more the price is excellent!
In Memory
04/09/08 10:23 Filed in: The Hobbit | The Lord of the Rings
Thirty-five years ago this week we all lost our beloved JRR Tolkien to this world. On the 2nd September 1973 a light went out in Arda.
Guided by the Lonely Star,
beyond the utmost harbour-bar,
I'll find the heavens fair and free,
and beaches of the Starlit Sea.
Ship, my ship! I seek the West,
and fields and mountains ever blest.
Farewell to Middle-earth at last.
I see the Star above my mast!
In a totally inadequate form of memorial I completed this image last night. Taken in the Yorkshire Dales it is my impression of how Hobbiton might have looked after the Party Tree was destroyed by the evilness of Saruman.
The First Day of Spring
01/09/08 12:05 Filed in: New Zealand | Photography
The first day of spring has arrived in the Southern Hemisphere. Typical spring weather in Wanaka is north-west winds as the sun moves down to our part of the world. As if on cue this morning I awoke to that “typical” weather.
These two images were taken this morning as cloud formed from an approaching front. As the front edges closer the orographic effect of the Southern Alps means the West Coast receives considerable rain and we receive wind. Edging closer the rain then starts to fall but in that window of fine the most wonderful clouds can appear.
The lenticular billow cloud is a common site in Central Otago. A glider pilots delight - we know rain is on its way.
These two images were taken this morning as cloud formed from an approaching front. As the front edges closer the orographic effect of the Southern Alps means the West Coast receives considerable rain and we receive wind. Edging closer the rain then starts to fall but in that window of fine the most wonderful clouds can appear.
The lenticular billow cloud is a common site in Central Otago. A glider pilots delight - we know rain is on its way.
Rievaulx Abbey
28/08/08 10:31 Filed in: Travel | Photography
Rievaulx Abbey is a former Cistercian abbey, headed by the Abbot of Rievaulx, located in the small village of Rievaulx (pronounced 'Ree-voh'), near Helmsley in North Yorkshire, England.
When Rievaulx Abbey was founded in 1132 by twelve monks from Clairvaux Abbey as a mission centre for the colonisation of the north of England and Scotland, it was the first Cistercian abbey in the north. With time it became one of the great Cistercian abbeys of Yorkshire, second only to Fountains Abbey in fame.
Image processed with Photomatix Pro and Lightroom 2.
When Rievaulx Abbey was founded in 1132 by twelve monks from Clairvaux Abbey as a mission centre for the colonisation of the north of England and Scotland, it was the first Cistercian abbey in the north. With time it became one of the great Cistercian abbeys of Yorkshire, second only to Fountains Abbey in fame.
Image processed with Photomatix Pro and Lightroom 2.
England Revisited
26/08/08 15:03 Filed in: Travel | Photography
Since the release of Lightroom V2.0 and Photomatix Pro 3.0 I am starting to revisit a lot of the images I took in England in 2006. The combination of these two very powerful software tools allow you to realise a depth of image and colour balance that earlier versions just did not allow.
Both photos below were initially processed with Photomatix as a single HDR image and then the colours were tweaked and balanced in Lightroom.
In Photomatix I tend to subtly adjust the colour range as I am not out to create a full blown HDR rather just add some colour contrast. I find I use a number of presents within Lightroom - especially those produced by Matt Kloskowski and obtainable from his website.
Neither of these images have had any work done within Photoshop.
Shaftesbury
Hay near Pickering
Both photos below were initially processed with Photomatix as a single HDR image and then the colours were tweaked and balanced in Lightroom.
In Photomatix I tend to subtly adjust the colour range as I am not out to create a full blown HDR rather just add some colour contrast. I find I use a number of presents within Lightroom - especially those produced by Matt Kloskowski and obtainable from his website.
Neither of these images have had any work done within Photoshop.
Shaftesbury
Hay near Pickering
Sea of Galilee coming to Otago
The Otago Daily Times this morning has a front page heading “Sea of Galilee coming to Otago”.
The article continues “A sea of Galilee fishing village and harbour is coming to the shores of Lake Benmore courtesy of a feature film about the life of Christ”.
A quick search shows a film entitled Kingdom Come is currently in pre-production with filming to commence at various locations around New Zealand in 2009. Director / Producer is Dean Wright, well known to us all as Visual Effects Supervisor for Prince Caspian and The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe as well as his mammoth efforts as Visual Effects Producer for The Two Towers and The Return of the King.
Other crew (at this very early stage) are listed as Tim Coddington (co-producer), Barrie Osborne (consulting producer), Liz Mullane (Casting Director), Dan Hennah (Production Designer) and Ngila Dickson (Costume Designer).
This veritable cream of New Zealand film production bodes very well for both an exciting film and a location rich production that will again showcase Kiwi talent and locations.
The full ODT article is here.
Image courtesy of Otago Daily Times.
The article continues “A sea of Galilee fishing village and harbour is coming to the shores of Lake Benmore courtesy of a feature film about the life of Christ”.
A quick search shows a film entitled Kingdom Come is currently in pre-production with filming to commence at various locations around New Zealand in 2009. Director / Producer is Dean Wright, well known to us all as Visual Effects Supervisor for Prince Caspian and The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe as well as his mammoth efforts as Visual Effects Producer for The Two Towers and The Return of the King.
Other crew (at this very early stage) are listed as Tim Coddington (co-producer), Barrie Osborne (consulting producer), Liz Mullane (Casting Director), Dan Hennah (Production Designer) and Ngila Dickson (Costume Designer).
This veritable cream of New Zealand film production bodes very well for both an exciting film and a location rich production that will again showcase Kiwi talent and locations.
The full ODT article is here.
Image courtesy of Otago Daily Times.
The Water Horse: Film Locations
The Water Horse - Legend of the Deep was released in the USA on Christmas Day 2007.
In this multi part Blog I will identify the locations used in Scotland and New Zealand and then follow up with a look at the similarities between the two countries both in mythology and culture.
As the synopsis explains, the film follows Angus, a young Scottish boy, who finds an enchanted egg. Taking it home, he soon finds himself face-to-face with an amazing creature: the mythical "water horse" of Scottish lore. Angus begins a journey of discovery, facing his greatest fears and risking his life to protect a secret that would give birth to a legend.
The film is based on the book by Dick King-Smith, an English author who also penned another well-loved book Babe, The Gallant Pig. Babe was the basis of another very successful film (of the same name) which was released in 1995. Shot entirely in Australia, Babe had a number of connections with blockbusters made here in New Zealand. Hugo Weaving (Elrond in The Lord of the Rings) voiced Rex the Male Sheepdog, Andrew Lesnie (DoP The Lord of the Rings, King Kong) filmed and Roger Ford (Production Designer The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian) headed Production Design.
The Water Horse story takes place entirely in the Scottish Highlands, but the film adaptation had locations split between Scotland and the “Highlands” of the South Island of New Zealand.
The resultant location mix comes together seamlessly showing the scenery similarities of the two countries and also because of the fantastic work of Joe Letteri and his hard working team at Weta Digital in Wellington.
Locations use in The Water Horse were;
New Zealand
Mt Nicholas Station
1. Main Base Camp
2. Gun Emplacements
3. Military Encampment
3. Roads around the Loch
Note the departure point for boats travelling across to Mt Nicholas with cast and crew was Twelve Mile Delta which was a location in The Lord of the Rings (notably where Sam cooked the coneys).
Stone St Studios (Wellington)
1. Interior shots
2. Water shots
General
1. Coastal Scenery
Click on the TomTom button below to download the Queenstown locations to your TomTom GPS.
Scotland
Ardkinglas Estate
1. Killin Lodge
2. Military Encampment
Drumnadrochit
1. Loch Ness Visitor Centre
Click on the TomTom button below to download the Scottish locations to your TomTom GPS.
Tours are available in Scotland showcasing the locations there as well as (obviously) visiting Loch Ness. In New Zealand, Mt Nicholas Station is not able to be visited but as you drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy it is possible to look across the lake to the station.
Scottish Tours
Ardkinglas Estate
The Trail of the Water Horse
Family Travel Scotland
Dooley Vacations Water Horse Tour
The Water Horse Locations in Google Earth
View of Lake Wakatipu from Mt Nicholas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
The Scottish Crofters hut built by Dan Hennah and his team at Mt Nicholas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
Gun Emplacement (Mt Nicholas). (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
Filming at Ardkinglas Estate
The military encampment at Ardkinglas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
In this multi part Blog I will identify the locations used in Scotland and New Zealand and then follow up with a look at the similarities between the two countries both in mythology and culture.
As the synopsis explains, the film follows Angus, a young Scottish boy, who finds an enchanted egg. Taking it home, he soon finds himself face-to-face with an amazing creature: the mythical "water horse" of Scottish lore. Angus begins a journey of discovery, facing his greatest fears and risking his life to protect a secret that would give birth to a legend.
The film is based on the book by Dick King-Smith, an English author who also penned another well-loved book Babe, The Gallant Pig. Babe was the basis of another very successful film (of the same name) which was released in 1995. Shot entirely in Australia, Babe had a number of connections with blockbusters made here in New Zealand. Hugo Weaving (Elrond in The Lord of the Rings) voiced Rex the Male Sheepdog, Andrew Lesnie (DoP The Lord of the Rings, King Kong) filmed and Roger Ford (Production Designer The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian) headed Production Design.
The Water Horse story takes place entirely in the Scottish Highlands, but the film adaptation had locations split between Scotland and the “Highlands” of the South Island of New Zealand.
The resultant location mix comes together seamlessly showing the scenery similarities of the two countries and also because of the fantastic work of Joe Letteri and his hard working team at Weta Digital in Wellington.
Locations use in The Water Horse were;
New Zealand
Mt Nicholas Station
1. Main Base Camp
2. Gun Emplacements
3. Military Encampment
3. Roads around the Loch
Note the departure point for boats travelling across to Mt Nicholas with cast and crew was Twelve Mile Delta which was a location in The Lord of the Rings (notably where Sam cooked the coneys).
Stone St Studios (Wellington)
1. Interior shots
2. Water shots
General
1. Coastal Scenery
Click on the TomTom button below to download the Queenstown locations to your TomTom GPS.
Scotland
Ardkinglas Estate
1. Killin Lodge
2. Military Encampment
Drumnadrochit
1. Loch Ness Visitor Centre
Click on the TomTom button below to download the Scottish locations to your TomTom GPS.
Tours are available in Scotland showcasing the locations there as well as (obviously) visiting Loch Ness. In New Zealand, Mt Nicholas Station is not able to be visited but as you drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy it is possible to look across the lake to the station.
Scottish Tours
Ardkinglas Estate
The Trail of the Water Horse
Family Travel Scotland
Dooley Vacations Water Horse Tour
The Water Horse Locations in Google Earth
View of Lake Wakatipu from Mt Nicholas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
The Scottish Crofters hut built by Dan Hennah and his team at Mt Nicholas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
Gun Emplacement (Mt Nicholas). (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
Filming at Ardkinglas Estate
The military encampment at Ardkinglas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
Lincoln Cathedral
18/08/08 10:56 Filed in: Travel
Consecrated in 1092, Lincoln Cathedral is one of those “must see” places when travelling in England. I spent a night in Lincoln a few years ago and found myself drawn there in the evening, the next morning and then back again for a tour inside.
These two images were captured as single frames and then processed straight from RAW as single tone-mapped HDR. Saved as a Tif file they were then imported into Lightroom V2.0 for final processing.
Away from time, always outside of time!
Between east and west, between dawn and sunset,
The church lies like a seed in silence, dark before germination.
Silenced after death, containing birth and death potential with all the noise and transitation of life, the cathedral remains hushed, a great, involved seed whereof,
The flower would be radiant life inconceivable,
But whose beginning and whose end are the circle of silence.
Spanned round with the rainbow, the jeweled gloom folds music upon silence,
light upon darkness, fecundity upon death, as a seed folds leaf upon leaf
And silence upon the root and the flower,
Hushing up the secret of all between its parts,
The death out of which it fell, the life into which it has dropped,
The immortality it involves, and the death it will embrace again.
Here in the church, “before” and “after” are folded together.
DH Lawrence 'The Rainbow'
These two images were captured as single frames and then processed straight from RAW as single tone-mapped HDR. Saved as a Tif file they were then imported into Lightroom V2.0 for final processing.
Away from time, always outside of time!
Between east and west, between dawn and sunset,
The church lies like a seed in silence, dark before germination.
Silenced after death, containing birth and death potential with all the noise and transitation of life, the cathedral remains hushed, a great, involved seed whereof,
The flower would be radiant life inconceivable,
But whose beginning and whose end are the circle of silence.
Spanned round with the rainbow, the jeweled gloom folds music upon silence,
light upon darkness, fecundity upon death, as a seed folds leaf upon leaf
And silence upon the root and the flower,
Hushing up the secret of all between its parts,
The death out of which it fell, the life into which it has dropped,
The immortality it involves, and the death it will embrace again.
Here in the church, “before” and “after” are folded together.
DH Lawrence 'The Rainbow'
Winter Returns to Wanaka
13/08/08 11:12 Filed in: New Zealand
I am on a bit of a spring thing at the moment. Winter in Wanaka this year has been the wettest since we shifted here 17 years ago. I know I shouldn’t complain as most other parts of the country have had in worse than us. I couldn’t live in an equatorial climate of continuous heat either so another reason not to complain as there is something about the changing of the seasons that lets you appreciate them better.
However, I need spring!
On a bit of a flower kick at the moment and I am really enjoying processing some images that I took last summer. The advent of Adobe Lightroom 2 is partly to blame. The other reason is the wonderful book Scott Kelby’s 7-Point System for Adobe Photoshop CS3. With these two new tools a whole new world of photography is opened up. It’s fun!
The peony below was worked in Lightroom 2 before a final tweak a la Scott in CS3. I am pleased with the result.
However, I need spring!
On a bit of a flower kick at the moment and I am really enjoying processing some images that I took last summer. The advent of Adobe Lightroom 2 is partly to blame. The other reason is the wonderful book Scott Kelby’s 7-Point System for Adobe Photoshop CS3. With these two new tools a whole new world of photography is opened up. It’s fun!
The peony below was worked in Lightroom 2 before a final tweak a la Scott in CS3. I am pleased with the result.
The Lord of the Rings Locations Documentary
08/08/08 19:42 Filed in: The Lord of the Rings | New Zealand
As part of updating my website I came across this piece that was played on TVNZ when my first Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook was released.
It is a bit of a blast from the past, having featured just before The Two Towers came out in 2002. Who would have though six years has passed by!
I had an absolute ball writing the guidebooks and it was also great fun sharing this part of the journey with Hamish Clark who did a wonderful job of the documentary piece. We travelled to just a few of the locations but came across tourists looking for that right spot at virtually every one we visited. It gave me confidence that somebody might want to buy my book. The couple at Isengard were just randomly there, it was totally unscripted!
Since the guidebooks were first released in 2002 I have sold over 350,000 copies, so that is total proof of the power of the subject we all love.
I hope you enjoy it,
It is a bit of a blast from the past, having featured just before The Two Towers came out in 2002. Who would have though six years has passed by!
I had an absolute ball writing the guidebooks and it was also great fun sharing this part of the journey with Hamish Clark who did a wonderful job of the documentary piece. We travelled to just a few of the locations but came across tourists looking for that right spot at virtually every one we visited. It gave me confidence that somebody might want to buy my book. The couple at Isengard were just randomly there, it was totally unscripted!
Since the guidebooks were first released in 2002 I have sold over 350,000 copies, so that is total proof of the power of the subject we all love.
I hope you enjoy it,
Farewell Pauline Baynes
06/08/08 15:40 Filed in: The Hobbit
It is very sad to see the death of Pauline Baynes, as reported by my friends at TheOneRing.net.
When I first started reading Tolkien the imagery of these strange sounding places demanded I needed a map to follow these journeys. Even as a child I had a love of geography, spending hours poring over contours to find hidden places and secret glens. I distinctly remember (like it was yesterday) searching everywhere to find a map of Middle-earth, and eventually one was ordered in for me from our local Whitcoulls.
All of a sudden the adventure was real, progress could be followed. There were even little illustrations of places that until then I had only imagined. It was a treasure. It was drawn by Pauline Baynes.
That map hung on my bedroom wall in a home-made wooden frame constructed by my Uncle for over ten years and every reading of the book was punctuated with glances at that map on the wall.
Of course, Pauline Baynes accomplished much more; her images on the slip cover version of The Lord of the Rings provided me with a glimpse into Middle-earth and what it might look like.
In 2006 when I worked on Cameras in Narnia it was again a Pauline Baynes illustration of Lantern Waste that looked at me from the cover of my copy of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.
Thank you Pauline for all you have created in the fantastical worlds that I have had the opportunity to live in. Your achievements will live with us for ever.
When I first started reading Tolkien the imagery of these strange sounding places demanded I needed a map to follow these journeys. Even as a child I had a love of geography, spending hours poring over contours to find hidden places and secret glens. I distinctly remember (like it was yesterday) searching everywhere to find a map of Middle-earth, and eventually one was ordered in for me from our local Whitcoulls.
All of a sudden the adventure was real, progress could be followed. There were even little illustrations of places that until then I had only imagined. It was a treasure. It was drawn by Pauline Baynes.
That map hung on my bedroom wall in a home-made wooden frame constructed by my Uncle for over ten years and every reading of the book was punctuated with glances at that map on the wall.
Of course, Pauline Baynes accomplished much more; her images on the slip cover version of The Lord of the Rings provided me with a glimpse into Middle-earth and what it might look like.
In 2006 when I worked on Cameras in Narnia it was again a Pauline Baynes illustration of Lantern Waste that looked at me from the cover of my copy of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.
Thank you Pauline for all you have created in the fantastical worlds that I have had the opportunity to live in. Your achievements will live with us for ever.
The First Sign of Spring?
04/08/08 10:50 Filed in: Garden | Photography
A New Website
24/07/08 12:15 Filed in: Announcement
No 10 Downing St Visit
23/06/08 09:45 Filed in: Travel
A Proud Tradition
17/06/08 14:48 Filed in: Travel
A brief update. We return to New Zealand today but I just had to post these two images taken at the wonderful Kemble Air Day last Sunday.
One of the highlights of this trip has been commentating the amazing Typhoon which is now in service with the RAF. The aeroplane is special in itself but what makes it amazing is the display pilot this year. Flight Lieutenant Charlie Matthews is from Wanaka, New Zealand. This is cool as well but the really special thing is that Charlie is the nephew of my closest friend Tom Middleton.
Tom was sadly killed in a tragic accident in Wanaka. He would have been so proud of Charlie but as I commentated I could feel Tom standing beside me with one of his favourite quotes - this is fantastic matey.
What a magical moment to see Charlie carrying on the proud tradition of his family and aeroplanes and the proud tradition of New Zealanders flying with the RAF.
What a wonderful time it has been. More updates when I get back to NZ.
One of the highlights of this trip has been commentating the amazing Typhoon which is now in service with the RAF. The aeroplane is special in itself but what makes it amazing is the display pilot this year. Flight Lieutenant Charlie Matthews is from Wanaka, New Zealand. This is cool as well but the really special thing is that Charlie is the nephew of my closest friend Tom Middleton.
Tom was sadly killed in a tragic accident in Wanaka. He would have been so proud of Charlie but as I commentated I could feel Tom standing beside me with one of his favourite quotes - this is fantastic matey.
What a magical moment to see Charlie carrying on the proud tradition of his family and aeroplanes and the proud tradition of New Zealanders flying with the RAF.
What a wonderful time it has been. More updates when I get back to NZ.
The Best Beer in the World
12/06/08 04:53 Filed in: Travel
There are a lot of things I really like about England. One of my real favourites though is the beer. None of this Fosters or other imports for me - give me real English ale. Yesterday we visited Hook Norton; a beautiful village in the Cotswolds that has the added advantage of having a real ale brewery. Hook Norton produce a number of different brews and it was a real treat to see where they are made. A fine old building steeped in history and a great little pub around the corner. What more could you ask for.
The Biggin Hill Air Fair
10/06/08 03:44 Filed in: Travel
Well, what a show. Two days of non stop action with aeroplanes from a 1909 Bleriot to a 2008 Eurofighter Typhoon. I've had an absolute ball commentating, looking, soaking up history, meeting wonderful people. A sell out crowd of over 85,000 attended the show just on Sunday and looking at the quality of the event I am sure there will be no complaints.
Working a bit meant I couldn't take many photos of the show itself so below is a selection of those I took before and after the flying commenced. Highlights for me? Well, the biggest was meeting Flight Lieutenant Charlie Matthews - the Eurofighter Typhoon display pilot for 2008. Where does he come from? Wanaka, New Zealand. Made me very proud to be a Kiwi.
A few days off now in Oxfordshire staying at our favourite inn, The Coach & Horses at Chislehampton and then off to Kemble for the airshow next Sunday.
A close look at the awesome Apache Helicopter.
Working a bit meant I couldn't take many photos of the show itself so below is a selection of those I took before and after the flying commenced. Highlights for me? Well, the biggest was meeting Flight Lieutenant Charlie Matthews - the Eurofighter Typhoon display pilot for 2008. Where does he come from? Wanaka, New Zealand. Made me very proud to be a Kiwi.
A few days off now in Oxfordshire staying at our favourite inn, The Coach & Horses at Chislehampton and then off to Kemble for the airshow next Sunday.
A close look at the awesome Apache Helicopter.
First UK airshow appearance of the British Army Apache Helicopter.
Avro Lancaster from the BBMF.
Avro Lancaster from the BBMF
The sound and commentary team
Sunset over the historic skies of Biggin Hill.
No 10 Downing St
06/06/08 09:10 Filed in: Travel
Today, the opportunity of a lifetime. To visit No. 10 Downing St and the Prime Minister. The feeling of walking through the doors was amazing, all the most powerful people in the world had walked through them. History inside breathes from the walls; Churchill, Thatcher, Blair. It was great to meet Prime Minister Brown but unfortunately no cameras allowed inside so will have to wait for the official photo from the Prime Minister's Office.
London in Summer
05/06/08 20:48 Filed in: Travel
London in summer is a fantastic escape from the winter chills of Wanaka. To recap, travelled across from Hong Kong to London with
The 12hr 45min flight seemed to pass by in a blink. There is just so much room in these huge seats with multiple recline positions that it really does feel you are on a magic carpet. After take off the meal starts to be served and with such attentive service and expertly prepared and cooked food there is no way this feels like you are on an aeroplane.
Then it's time to watch one of the many hundred films available on your own personal screen before an English afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and clotted cream.
The lie flat bed provides an easy afternoon nap before dinner is served and then in the twinkle of an eye our descent begins.
I should add that whilst all this is happening in the air, outside the window is a continuing geography lesson. China, Russia, Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands and then the North Sea glide by with easy pinpointing of landmarks provided by the on-screen navigation system.
The above does not even start to adequately explain what Business Premier is like. After this all other forms of travel will be a disappointment. Thanks, Air New Zealand for the flight of a lifetime.
Our arrival in London was typical of their summer I guess. Drizzle, low cloud base and mirk everywhere.
We had another day of this on Tuesday but spent the day quite easily exploring the shops of Oxford Street. I must admit, being a bit of a country boy the number of people were totally overwhelming. Yesterday was more my style. We awoke to clearing skies so decided to take a stroll in Hyde Park. Sun, flowers and coffee by the lake are much more my idea of a holiday. A visit to the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner was a highlight. Placed gently beside one of the memorial stones was a tribute to a New Zealand fighter pilot. Warrant Officer Burke from Matamata, killed in France flying a Typhoon and remembered in London. Truly from "The Uttermost Ends of the Earth".
We had a commentator meeting last night for the Biggin Hill Air Show this weekend and what an eclectic mix - an American, an Englishman and a Kiwi. I can see we are going to have a lot of fun.
Today the sun shines again, time for a coffee al fresco I think.
Land of Hope & Glory
02/06/08 00:04 Filed in: Travel
Off to the UK again! I can't wait. This time we have decided to travel via Hong Kong. Never been here before and it has been an interesting diversion. Really a cross between Singapore and Bangkok. The Air New Zealand flight on Friday was excellent. Wonderful staff on board and the joy of traveIling Premium Economy. For not a lot more that normal economy you get a cabin of your own with much more room, the seats recline a LOT more and you get great food. Highly recommended!
We arrived yesterday morning in Hong Kong and spent the normal first day walking zombie-like around as the jet lag clicked in. Today much better and the opportunity to actually photograph something.
Tomorrow morning on to Heathrow. This trip is a bit of a busmans holiday as I will be commentating at two airshows. Biggin Hill this coming weekend and Kemble the following. A great opportunity to see some different aeroplanes and see how things run on the other side of the world.
Early start tomorrow as we leave at 0845hrs . In the meantime some images from today.
We arrived yesterday morning in Hong Kong and spent the normal first day walking zombie-like around as the jet lag clicked in. Today much better and the opportunity to actually photograph something.
Tomorrow morning on to Heathrow. This trip is a bit of a busmans holiday as I will be commentating at two airshows. Biggin Hill this coming weekend and Kemble the following. A great opportunity to see some different aeroplanes and see how things run on the other side of the world.
Early start tomorrow as we leave at 0845hrs . In the meantime some images from today.
Intersection near Nathan Road
Red
Travelling the Typhoon Shelter at Aberdeen.
Middle-earth Returns to NZ
25/04/08 12:52 Filed in: The Hobbit
Finally today the news we have all been waiting for. Guillermo del Toro will direct The Hobbit and it will be made in New Zealand. More can be found on this announcement from my friends at TheOneRing.net.
Now I start thinking about the possible locations that could be used in the two films (The Hobbit and the prequel to The Lord of the Rings).
It was obvious to me that New Zealand again had to be a major star. This country and its remarkable scenery has become the embodiment of Middle-earth to millions of people. The media hype from the three films may have lessened but the fans have not. Sales of my location guide continue and the books have become one of the five biggest sellers in this country. I mention this because it proves the popularity of Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings - fans will visit Middle-earth Aotearoa for many years to come. The Hobbit will reinforce that.
Where will they film? The crossover between the books does create some locations that have to be the same.
Hobbiton and Rivendell are two that immediately spring to mind. The vision of these places was created by Tolkien and then turned into three dimensions by Peter Jackson and his team. The journey Bilbo undertakes between these two points is the same almost that Frodo and Sam take some seventy seven years later. I can't imagine that they could look any different in the new films.
We do have a number of new locations in The Hobbit to ponder though but luckily Tolkein did describe some of these locations vividly;
We have a journey through the Misty Mountains via a different route.
Goblin Town
The Clearing
Eagles Eyrie
The Carrock
Beorn's Farmstead
Mirkwood
Thranduil's Realm
Lake-town
Ruins of Dale
The Lonely Mountain
Then we must look at the prequel and here we need a Palantir for some whilst other locations we have already seen.
Dol Goldur
The establishment of Barad-dur
Balin re-colonising Moria
Saruman and Isengard
The journeys of Aragorn
Gollum and his search for The Ring
I have no doubt that many of these locations will be found in the unlikeliest of places. Who would have imagined The Great East Road traversing the pine trees near Tarras for example.
There is one thing we can be assured of though, we have the right team to find the locations and the right team to translate them into Middle-earth.
Now all we have to do is wait.
Beorn's Meadows
Now I start thinking about the possible locations that could be used in the two films (The Hobbit and the prequel to The Lord of the Rings).
It was obvious to me that New Zealand again had to be a major star. This country and its remarkable scenery has become the embodiment of Middle-earth to millions of people. The media hype from the three films may have lessened but the fans have not. Sales of my location guide continue and the books have become one of the five biggest sellers in this country. I mention this because it proves the popularity of Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings - fans will visit Middle-earth Aotearoa for many years to come. The Hobbit will reinforce that.
Where will they film? The crossover between the books does create some locations that have to be the same.
Hobbiton and Rivendell are two that immediately spring to mind. The vision of these places was created by Tolkien and then turned into three dimensions by Peter Jackson and his team. The journey Bilbo undertakes between these two points is the same almost that Frodo and Sam take some seventy seven years later. I can't imagine that they could look any different in the new films.
We do have a number of new locations in The Hobbit to ponder though but luckily Tolkein did describe some of these locations vividly;
We have a journey through the Misty Mountains via a different route.
Goblin Town
The Clearing
Eagles Eyrie
The Carrock
Beorn's Farmstead
Mirkwood
Thranduil's Realm
Lake-town
Ruins of Dale
The Lonely Mountain
Then we must look at the prequel and here we need a Palantir for some whilst other locations we have already seen.
Dol Goldur
The establishment of Barad-dur
Balin re-colonising Moria
Saruman and Isengard
The journeys of Aragorn
Gollum and his search for The Ring
I have no doubt that many of these locations will be found in the unlikeliest of places. Who would have imagined The Great East Road traversing the pine trees near Tarras for example.
There is one thing we can be assured of though, we have the right team to find the locations and the right team to translate them into Middle-earth.
Now all we have to do is wait.
Beorn's Meadows