The famous words, spoken by Frodo as Gandalf enters Hobbiton in his horse-drawn cart at the beginning of The Fellowship Of The Ring, serve to alert the wizard to the modicum of suspicion by which he is regarded by Hobbits after earlier endeavours.

A visiting wizard spells trouble and hobbits tend not to meddle in the affairs of wizards for fear of disruption and upheaval in their quiet little village in the Shire.

The scene is pastoral in a way that only the Shire can offer. Sheep grazing, oak trees, green hills as far as the eye can see and the great wizard opening Bilbo’s gate in Bagshot Row.