You can hardly blame Peter Jackson for being a bit nostalgic. And in fact, he should perhaps be applauded for the measured approach he’s taken to the end of principle photography on The Hobbit. After years making highly regarded adaptations of some of the most widely loved books in the world, he’s probably entitled to a little time taking photos with Ian McKellen and making goofy videos with Orlando Bloom on their last days on set.

And so, on the last day of filming for the final two movies, Jackson live blogged the experience on his Facebook page. You can see the whole day there, but some highlights include:

Arriving at the studio.

8.20am. Not my favourite time of the day. When I drive to the studio, I usually feel nervous, and the day seems daunting. 100 people are about to look to me to find out what our first shot is, what lens I want to use, and how many set-ups it’s going to take to get the scene finished. Some of the time I have a plan, and some of the time I wing it. It helps to rehearse with the actors, and the ideas (hopefully good ones) start flowing.

It’s always better once we break the ice and start shooting.

The good news is that the studio is 5 mins from home, with no traffic lights or rush hour.

– Peter Jackson

Big Richard, Medium Richard and Little Richard.

2.00pm. Just breaking for lunch, with the first shot on F Stage complete. A daunting number to go. I don’t want to think about it, but it’s probably 7 or 8 set-ups. Splinter Unit have made the move to K Stage and will start shooting after lunch.

I asked the various Thorins to pose just before they headed off to lunch. One of these is Richard Armitage, and two of them are not. It’s your guess … The one in the middle is a little psycho.

I am looking forward to making movies with everyone the same height in the future.

The pressure now goes on. We’re going to have to move like the clappers!

– Peter Jackson

One Hot Director with Two Not Quite So Hot Dwarves.

Aidan and Dean nail their first shot today. They’ve been waiting patiently since lunchtime. 3 more to go for Splinter.

8.15pm. Lining up third to last Main Unit shot.

– Peter Jackson

The last shot.

Big monitors, main unit. Small screens bottom right, splinter.

We’re neck and neck … Shooting our final shots at the same time.

10.32 pm. 4 or 5 takes so far.

No, wait … Done! While I was typing this, we shot more takes and finished! Richard was fantastic. Splinter almost done. Minutes away.

Smiles and happiness… And sadness. Yikes, very sad.

– Peter Jackson

Per Jackson’s count, it’s been “15 years of Tolkien … 771 days of shooting …” including the years on The Lord of the Rings. Fans will have to add a little more time yet, but even then, the end of the Tolkien-on-film era is coming. The Hobbit: the Desolation of Smaug is due out this December, with part three, There and Back Again, premiering a year later.