I also liked the way Gandalf seemed almost to have forgotten how to laugh in the time he'd been away. His joy just in being in The Shire and enjoying his time with the hobbits brought out the delightfulness of the hobbits but also how greatly Gandalf is worn down by his responsibilities, and struggles and worries in standing against the evils that are beyond the borders of The Shire. It's all very touching, the contrast between the realities of the outside world and the delightfulness of the limited world of the hobbits.
the limited world of the hobbits....
......sigh..........doesn't sound all that bad to me.............
.........wish I could book a vacation in the Shire...........