Feb 1 Picnic yesterday - What a great day!

(edit 1 - 2020-02-02 9:30pm) - added more photos, courtesy of Dianne)

We started off with fairly uncertain weather yesterday for the picnic - it was windy and cloudy here in Johnsonville in the morning, with a bit of light drizzle - but as we drove north of Upper Hutt to the Pakuratahi valley, it started to fine up as we got closer. Sure enough, the sun broke out, and the picnic couldn't have gone better!

caption: Alex and Jack

 I think we had a record breaking group size; I counted more than thirty people (and three dogs!). Really good turn out, and thanks to everyone for making the day a success. A few people who had cancelled ended up coming as well (thanks, Brian & Harrison). A few faces we haven't seen for a (long) while, as well, and two people from my running group turned up, always up for a good walk (thanks Cameron & Sarah). Well met and well done!

caption: Getting into costume, and getting into character

But the biggest thank you, once again, goes to Kathy for bringing her fabulous costumes. Her collection of costumes has become really something. If you want a personal cosplay session, drop her a line, or visit her at The One Room LOTR Fan Museum in Newtown. She'd love to host you!

( http://www.theoneroomfanmuseum.nz/ )


The park was starting to get a bit busier with other visitors, and we had more than a few sets of curious eyes cast at us. One young mother with her two kids wanted to take photos of us, but I convinced them to join us on the walk, in costume. Nice going!

Brand new members! (© Dianne)

Alex took a few photos of the walk and the picnic - here's some (if you're only seeing one picture here, you may have to click on the link to get back to www.welly-moot.com for the rest).

[edit: Also included are Dianne's pictures (as marked " © Dianne"))

caption: Crossing the swingbridge

(© Dianne)

(© Dianne)

(© Dianne)

(© Dianne)

(© Dianne)

(© Dianne)

Picnic

My costume didn't have pockets, so I didn't have my camera with me. I'm relying on other people to send me the best pictures. Contact me on facebook or send them to me here on jack@welly-moot.com - I'm more than happy to post them here.

Reminder - Welly-moot Picnic at Rivendell is only a week away (Feb 1)!

Get your picnic sets ready, dig your costumes out of the closet, and come and join us next week, February 1st, at the Kaitoke Regional Park (north of Upper Hutt), where the group will join up at the Forks carpark at 10:00am.

It's only a week away at this stage, and the long range weather forecasts are still looking good, so it's all on!

First, you can decide if you want to join us in costumes - Kathy will be there from The One Room Fan Museum, with a good selection of LOTR costumes that are available for a gold coin donation. Costumes are absolutely not compulsory, but Rivendell seems like a totally appropriate location to don them one more time.

Once we're ready, we will go for a good walk through the forest across the swing bridge, traversing the roughly 45 minute track in a counter-clockwise direction, which will take us right in to the grass field beside Rivendell and its archway. The carpark is close by, so feel free to leave your picnics in the cars during the walk. If you don't want to walk, no problem there either - you can look after the picnics until we get there (I hope we can trust you with the food!).

Closer to 11:30 / noon, we will start the lunch. At some point I'd love to get a nice group photo.

That's the plan - and it's all of the plan. Nice and simple!

If anyone has questions, or needs a ride, drop me a line at jack@welly-moot.com, I'm sure something can be arranged.


See you at the carpark at 10:00am on February 1st!

Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/d1UVJQm9tLpmiEie8


NB - if the weather turns sour on Saturday, we'll postpone till the next day, Sunday 2nd of February. If they're both rubbish, we'll decide further, and watch this site (www.welly-moot.com) for more details.

  - Jack

Rest in Peace, Christopher Tolkien.

It is with great sadness that I have to write this - it's just come to my attention that Christopher Tolkien, the son of J.R.R. Tolkien, has passed away, at age 95. Without him we would not have the Silmarillion, or any of the other reference works, or more recently any of his full tales of the best Middle-earth backstories. He was a protector and staunch defender of all his father's works, for some 91 years. Famously he protected it even from his father:

"I (then between four and five years old) was greatly concerned with petty consistency as the story unfolded, and that on one occasion I interrupted: ‘Last time, you said Bilbo’s front door was blue, and you said Thorin had a golden tassel on his hood, but you’ve just said that Bilbo’s front door was green, and the tassel on Thorin’s hood was silver’; at which point my father muttered ‘Damn the boy’, and then ‘strode across the room’ to his desk to make a note."

His work is at an end. We shall remember him.

The Welly-moot sends its deepest condolences to the Tolkien family.


"He was strong in life - may his spirit find its way to the halls of his father"

Next event - Picnic at Rivendell, 1st of February

Welly-moot, in association with The One Room Fan Museum, presents:

Rivendell Picnic 2020

We haven't had an event for a little while, and I think it's high time. What better way to celebrate the new decade with a Picnic at everyone's favourite LOTR location - Rivendell!

We're all getting together on February 1st, (with Feb 2 as the Plan B bad weather day). We're basically using the same plan as last year, since it worked so well.

Here's the outline:

• Meet at the Kaitoke Forks Carpark (by the swing-bridge), at 10:00am
• Adjust costumes (Hell yes! In costume through the rainforest!) (*)
• At 10:15 or so, we cross the swing-bridge, and walk the main track. It'll take about 30-45 minutes, although possibly a bit longer depending on costume.
• The end of the walk will get us to the Rivendell grassy lawn, where we unpack our picnics
• After the picnic, all join for a Welly-moot group photo by the Archway.

Plus anything else we can think of on the day, or before. We're open to ideas, so drop us a line anytime!

The final plans will be published here as the time comes closer, so check back here often. Please share on your social media as well - the more the merrier!

  - Jack


(*) Bring a Middle-earth costume of your own - or if you're stuck, Kathy will be here with The One Room Fan Museum's amazing costume collection, which you are welcome to wear on the day for a gold coin donation.

Public Announcement - The Roxy is showing the LOTR trilogy on Sept 21,21, 22

Just to let everyone know - the LOTR trilogy is once again being shown by Miramar's The Roxy cinema. They'll be shown one movie at a time, and they're "only" the theatrical cuts rather than the extended versions, but to make up for that, they'll be projected in glorious 35mm film format. They do sell out quickly, so book in as fast as possible.

Get your tickets here: https://www.roxycinema.co.nz/the-lord-of-the-rings

  - Jack

Come join us for the Tolkien movie this Monday (June 3rd)

A reminder that on Queen's Birthday (yes, the day after tomorrow!), we're meeting at 2:00pm in the lunch area of the Penthouse Cinema on Ohiro Road (Brooklyn), to enjoy a little lunch and conversation before the 3:15pm session of the Tolkien bio-pic. The movie is getting favourable reviews.

Everyone is welcome, but can you please let me know approximate numbers so I can prepare the good folk at the Penthouse for our group. They are holding a lunch-table for us, or more than one if we have the numbers.

There are also still a small number of seats held for us there - give them a call. Their phone number is (04) 802 5086,when booking remember to tell them you're part of the Welly-moot group and they'll seat us all in the same block of seats.

https://www.penthousecinema.co.nz/movie/tolkien/
 

Also a quick reminder that Kathy from The One Room Fan Museum has costumes available, but get in touch with her soon.

http://www.theoneroomfanmuseum.nz/contact/
https://www.facebook.com/theoneroomfanmuseum/


Hope to see a lots of you there!

  - Jack

Tolkien Movie Detail - Group event on Queen's Birthday (June 3rd) at 3:15 PM

We finally have details of session times, and although earlier than expected, Queen's Birthday (June 3rd) seems to be the best date. We hope it suits you all as well!

Cinema Session

We've set up a group booking at the Penthouse Cinema, for the 3:15pm session. The booking is for up to 20 people, so just give them a call. Their phone number is (04) 802 5086,when booking remember to tell them you're part of the group and they'll seat us all in the same block of seats.


https://www.penthousecinema.co.nz/movie/tolkien/


 NB - the Penthouse Cinema is located at 205 Ohiro Road, Brooklyn.

Lunch Booking

We also want to get together beforehand to sit down for a spot of lunch, or just cup of coffee, so we're kicking off the event at 2:00pm in the Penthouse Cafe. Can you all drop me a quick message by Friday evening if you intend to be there for that so I can arrange a reserved table for us there as well, on my usual jack@welly-moot.com or just leave me a comment somewhere (Facebook works equally well).

https://www.penthousecinema.co.nz/cafe/

Costs

Tickets are $16 for adults, $13.50 for Students and Senior Citizens, and $11 for children (keep in mind it's rated "M" for violence, which I'm guessing is for the WWI content). Lunch/coffee is at own expense.

Costumes

The Penthouse staff were delighted when I mentioned our group's penchant for middle-earth costumes, so if anyone felt so inclined, please wear'em if you got'em! And if you don't, please talk to Kathy from The One Room LOTR Fan Museum in Newtown, who is more than happy to help you out!

http://www.theoneroomfanmuseum.nz/contact/
https://www.facebook.com/theoneroomfanmuseum/

The gorgeous French film poster