Lighting up...

[Knight of Gondor]

Can you give a reference for that, Knight, as it is not something that I have ever come across before? Mind you, Kentucky is a major tobacco producing area.

As I understand it, the Shire is based upon the countryside around Birmingham, where Tolkien was brought up. And the prevalence of pipeweed derives from the fact that, as has been said, Tolkien was a pipe-smoker.

As you know, Tolkien liked to mix his comparisons, and not make them perfect, so it makes sense to base the Shire on more than just one region. I have a few clipped articles about the subject that I shall go find and post about next time. But if you ask me, my great-Uncle Bilbo is proof enough. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]