"This is Edoras, home of Theodean, King of Rohan, who's mind has been overthrown by Sauraman".

Yes it was time, for the Geek that is David Betts to leave all cool people and return to his geeky ways. A trip to Edoras - that will do nicely! And not only a visit, a personalised tour. A jeep picked me up, and had just three other people on the tour. Most of the Rohan shots in Jacksons Lord of the Rings were filmed here, in a National Park in the middle of nowhere. Our guide was really funny, asking alot of politically incorrect questions, and being a true geek himself - this was going to be an awesome trip! The Scenery out here, is really what amazed me, I mean it has no towns for a least 50 miles. It is literally the middle of New Zealand, where no bdy but Hikers go. I spotted the hill that Edoras was built upon from a mile away, the land looks so much like that of the film (as it would). Even the Misty Mountains in the background, although not covered in snow, were stunning. The 4 x 4 jeep shot though the marsh land, and waded through the rivers that surrounded this place. We were told that Jackson paid the New Zealand Army to build a road to the site, it was so inaccessible! Hows that for remote. Everything here is gorgeous, its the home of the true New Zealand, thats how i felt. We hiked the hill, and as a treat our tour guide had the props used in the film, Aragorns Sword, Eoins Sword, Gimlis Axe, and a Rohan Horse Flag... Oh my god it was like giving a child a playstation - i was off with the sword in a shot, battling the evil Caroline to the death! That sword is really huge too, it amazes me that anyone ever fought with weapons this huge! I know its just a film, but they used to back in the day fight with long swords as well. From the summit we could see where they filmed the backdrop to Helms Deep too. I was definately in my element...GEEK! oooh piece of film trivia why did Tolkin cal ORCS ORCS........Oxford Rugby Club! He hated them when he was at school there... What is knowledge - The Bomb (and power!)

This place really did take my breath away, and the tour was worth every penny! By the end I was ready to save Gondor from the evil of Saron. But that would be another tour, for another time.