Sunrise in Cromwell. "Blood has been spilled in the night."

Garden next to a fruit shop on the way to Mavora Lakes.

Row of poplar trees with yellow leaves.

This is where Gandalf called for Shadowfax on the edge of Fangorn Forest. If you look at his feet carefully you will notice he is wearing modern sports shoes.

"He sprang away, calling Shadowfax as he ran."

"The great horse tossed his head. His flowing tail flicked in the moonlight. Then he leapt forward, spurning the earth, and was gone like the north wind from the mountains." (LOTR, Book III, Chapter XI, page 619)

This is the location of the funeral pyre where Éomer and the Riders of Rohan burnt the remains of the dead Orcs after their epic battle.

Gimli: We failed them.

"At last as the afternoon was waning they came to the eaves of the forest, and in an open glade among the first trees they found the place of the great burning: the ashes were still hot and smoking. Beside it was a great pile of helms and mail, cloven shields, and broken swords, bows and darts and other gear of war. Upon a stake in the middle was set a great goblin head; upon its shattered helm the white badge could still be seen. Further away, not far from the river, where it came streaming out from the edge of the wood, there was a mound. It was newly raised: the raw earth was covered with fresh cut turves: about it were planted fifteen spears." (LOTR, Book III, Chapter II, page 461)

Aragorn: A Hobbit lay here ... and the other.

Aragorn: Tracks lead away from battle ... into Fangorn Forest.

This is where Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli encounter Gandalf the White.

"Aragorn looked and beheld a bent figure moving slowly. It was not far away. It looked like an old beggar-man, walking wearily, leaning on a rough staff. His head was bowed, and he did not look towards them. In other lands they would have greeted him with kind words; but now they stood silent, each feeling a strange expectancy: something was approaching that held a hidden power - or menace." (LOTR, Book III, Chapter V, page 513)

This is the Lower Mavora Lake (Manawapopore). Notice how still the water is.

This is the Upper Mavora Lake (Hikurangi), located at the end of Mavora Lakes Road.

This is the spot where Frodo and Sam break away from the Fellowship by crossing to the eastern shore on an elven boat.

"So Frodo and Sam set off on the last stage of the Quest together." (LOTR, Book II, Chapter X, page 427)

And where Aragorn encourages Gimli and Legolas to help him find the Merry and Pippin.

This is the tree where Frodo hid from the Uruk-hai ...

Amon Hen "Soon he came out alone on the summit of Amon Hen, and halted ..."

LOTR, Book II, Chapter X, page 391

... starring Nick as Frodo.

And this is the tree stump where Merry and Pippin hid from the Orcs ...

... starring Kristine and Nick.

We arrived at Te Anau in the afternoon. The town sits on the shores of Lake Te Anau.

Nice calm scene of the Lake.

This is a "Rohan" tree.

Sea plane landing on the lake.

This is a statue of Quintin Mackinnon, who along with Ernest Mitchell became the first European to travel from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound in 1888.

This is the Fiordland Department of Conservation Visitor Information Centre.

A map of our walk to Ivon Wilson Park.

This is Lake Henry, on the Ivon Wilson Park.

Another view of Lake Henry.