Halfling Hideaway

Location : Bridesville, BC. September 2019.

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirt, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, not yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.” – The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkein.

We arrived later than we had wanted to in the evening of Saturday September 14th, but we all know what they say about Wizards, they arrive precisely when they are suppose to.

Will, our AirBnB host, greeted us at the gate and led the way to the round door where our Hobbit adventure was about to begin. It was dark, but he had a fire lit outside waiting for us, and with all the lights twinkling that led the path to the Hobbit hole, we could see the distinct round door awaiting us to open it. 

Unlock the latch, by means of a “shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle”, and step on through and be transported immediately to The Shire, right here in Bridesville, B.C. The round arch ways, the wooden beams, the low ceilings and a fireplace with two armchairs perfectly sat facing each other accompanied by quilts for some cozy time in front of the fire.

 

From the main entry way, off to the left is a kitchen, with all the essentials a Hobbit needs. The cooking space is a grill outside which added to the adventure and all its details. To the right, a hobbit dining area with a table and chairs for eating in comfort exactly like a Hobbit. The details in the main area bring excitement to this Halfling Hideaway. A pipe, the golden ring on a chain, a copy of the Hobbit and copies of all LOTR books. As well as paintings of characters that were done by a family member of the host, they are outstanding. Make sure to hang your coat on the coat hooks, hobbits are fond of visitors. 

 

Enter the bedroom, a bed awaits surrounded by white curtains from the ceiling, giving it that magical feeling. There are candles around, as well as flowers which add to that sense of home. Off to the side of the bedroom, enter through the wooden parted doors to find a spacious bathroom with everything you need. The hand basin is remarkable. 

 

We settle down and cook some dinner on the grill; steak, potatoes, carrots, onions, zucchini, corn on the cob and a side salad. A dinner I think any Hobbit would be proud of. Once our bellies are full and the dishes are done, we grab our hoodies and head outside to sit under the night sky by the campfire. It is quiet, and so peaceful. Surrounded by nature and knowing there are deer roaming around in the trees that surround you is truly wonderful. 

We end the night by falling asleep with candles lightening and happy thoughts of our first night in this Hobbit-hole. 

 

It’s Sunday morning, and what other way to begin our day than with a hobbit approved breakfast. Bacon, eggs, toast with Jam, coffee. Every Hobbit needs their caffeine. 

 

We dress in our Hobbit best. I am in awe of how good he looks dressed as a Hobbit and it makes the fun more enjoyable. I shower and put on my dress. 

In the corner of the main area, sits a treasure chest, if you care to look inside you’ll find games to spend the time playing, I highly recommend The Hobbit : Defeat of Smaug. We play this while drinking tea. We asked Will, the host, to come by if he had some time to take some photos for us. He happily did, and we enjoyed chatting with him how this all came about and how he done it. Will, thank you, it was such a pleasure. 

A Hobbit nap over, we change back to civilian clothes to head in to the town of Osoyoos for some dinner. Diamond – steak and seafood restaurant. It’s busy, which can only mean its reviews online live up to their expectations. Escargot, calamari, steak and mushrooms with a baked potato, chicken salamander with jumbo prawns and garlic and pita bread, a glass of wine and a virgin Caesar. It was delicious. Every part of the dishes, every bite, we left feeling truly full and satisfied. We head home to change in to some comfy clothes to spend the evening drinking tea, eating dessert, playing cards and relaxing in the quietness of this little hideaway. 

 

Monday morning arrives, and it’s time to pack up. Both of us cannot help but feel sad that our weekend at this Halfling Hideaway has come to an end, and wish that freezing time was an all too real power that we could poses.

We take our belongings to the car, take one last look around inside, still in awe of all the details that was managed to be captured in this little hole in the ground, then head to the car, closing the round door behind us for the last time that weekend.

 

Halfling Hideaway you were truly magical. A memory that will never be forgotten.

 

-A.