Hobbit Home a Real Head-Turner
Staff Reporter

Happy Valley stonemason Carl Gifford has yet to see The Lord Of The Rings but he thought it would be a bit of fun to build a hobbit house.

So observant motorists driving along Happy Valley Rd on Wellington's south coast might do a double-take if they look to the west, just south of the turnoff to the Happy Valley landfill, and spot the wee house tucked away on the side of the road.

Initial work needed a 10-tonne digger to place the large rocks on either side of the door - the recycled end of cable drum. Then in a fit of New Year's Eve night energy and forsaking the usual party activities, Mr Gifford finished most of it off.

"I'd been busy working during the day and didn't finish till about 10 (pm) . . . so I came up here. I was quite excited about it.

"I must admit I was hiding as the cars were driving past. I thought, 'these people will think I am an idiot'."

Eventually he will put in a chimney and rig up a lantern that sends smoke through - just to give people something else to see.

The house joins a series of stonework mounds, designs and sculptures dotted along the road and around his property. "I'm just having a bit of fun," he said.

"I'm . . . into ancient times. Lots of things that were built by those ancient people like caves has always fascinated me."

View the Associated Photo