70th Birthday
March 23, 2023
It’s been 5 years since the “Smith Boys” got together.So what better time to do this than to Celebrate a Birthday.
November Road Trip
December 5, 2022
(with the Last of the Summer Wine riders)
Post Camino Pictures
October 20, 2022
We had a week in Santiago de Compostela after we had finished our Camuno
Camino day 18 to 21 Portomarin to Santiago de Compostela
October 5, 2022
The weather started to clear up as we headed away from Portomarin for our last few days on the Camino.
Camino day 11 to 17 Astorga to Portomarin
October 1, 2022
The days are starting to merge and recalling the names and places becomes more difficult.
Camino days 7 to 10. – Burgos to Leon (The Meseta)
September 26, 2022
Quote “The Meseta is the central Spanish tableland, which intersects the Camino Frances between Burgos and Leon. It is a part of Spain known among pilgrims for its wide skies, dry heat and flat lands, all of which mess with perceptions of time and distance.” This is all true. We were pleased to be riding … More Camino days 7 to 10. – Burgos to Leon (The Meseta)
Camino Days 4 to 6 – Cirauqui to Villambistia
September 21, 2022
3 days and 136 km across Spain. This is a lovely country to ride through. (The nice weather helps.)
Camino day 3 – Larrasoaña to Cirauqui
September 19, 2022
We had one of the best Pilgrim meals so far. It consisted of a salad and bread followed by a whole roast chicken (for two). This included a bottle of wine and ice cream for dessert. Total cost €12 pp. The goal today was to get up Alto del Perdón “Where the path of the … More Camino day 3 – Larrasoaña to Cirauqui
Camino day 2 – Roncesvalle to Larrasoaña
September 18, 2022
The day started wet although it wasn’t cold as we headed out from the Monastery. It did get better as the day progressed we only cover 30km in 4:5 hours of riding. The track was quite rough in parts where we had to walk our bikes
Camino day 1 – St Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalle
September 17, 2022
The day was overcast as we headed away but the sky cleared as we headed up the Pyrenees. We chose to take the more difficult Nepoleon route which climbs to 1,400 metres in a very short distance. We had deviated off the track at the recommendation of the casino cycling guide. Some of these were … More Camino day 1 – St Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalle
Canal boating in France
September 15, 2022
When the opportunity came to cycle the Camino we jumped at it We had previously cycled the Portuguese Camino back in 2018 and enjoyed the whole experience, so when our time in the UK had come to an end we set our sights on a new challenge. Cycling the 790 km French Camino from St … More Canal boating in France
UK 2022 (update)
August 13, 2022
It’s been awhile so thought it was timely to post a few more photos of what we have been up to over the past couple of months
Tenerife
June 28, 2022
We decided to treat ourselves to a week off, so we contacted a travel agent and booked a week in Tenerife through Tui Holidays.
NZ Visitors
June 12, 2022
We had a day off when Noel & Gillian Humm popped in for a couple of nights
Platinum Jubilee
June 5, 2022
The Queens Platinum Jubilee weekend here in the UK was a huge event. We were fortunate to be able to partake in several activities not only in Pradoe but also at Youlgrave in the Peaks District
Pradoe 2022
May 10, 2022
We were invited back to Pradoe for another four months helping to look after the gardens around the house. We were last there in 2018.
Summer Roundup 2022
April 17, 2022
While 2021/22 was a year of lockdowns and restrictions, we did manage to get out and about, albeit being careful about social distancing and mask-wearing.
South Island Road Trip 2021 (#2)
June 25, 2021
I have tried something different with this post. I have attached links to the best rides we did while on our 7 weeks sojourn in the South Island over February, March & April.In total we biked over 1,100km. We chose to ride the best bits of the plethora of tracks on offer around the parts … More South Island Road Trip 2021 (#2)
South Island Road Trip 2021 (#1)
March 6, 2021
With both of us now having the well-earned title of “Retired,” we have started our relatively itinerary free road trip to the South Island. We packed up the caravan on the 25th of February and headed south to catch the Bluebridge Ferry to Picton We disembarked the ferry at about 6.00 pm and travelled 25km … More South Island Road Trip 2021 (#1)
Smith’s 2020 Highlights
December 5, 2020
I read and hear all the time how 2020 is a year like no other….. and I like that. Sure it has been challenging, hard and for some totally discouraging. I think as a Nation we have pulled together, encouraged one another and made the best of the situation that was beyond our control. Ann … More Smith’s 2020 Highlights
Garage Conversion Project
October 6, 2020
The home we built in Taupo has an old 40 sq meter double garage that was the original garage on the property prior to the section being subdivided for development.
Summer in Retrospect
March 28, 2020
This is a time to value family and friends to remember the fun we all had together over summer before we had to retreat into our individual bubbles.
December (The month of Birthdays and Adventures)
December 26, 2019
December is the time to relax and get out into the sunshine and catch up with family and friends.
November 2019
November 30, 2019
With the weather warming up we started to get out and about.
Spring 2019
October 13, 2019
Although there have been only a few really nice days so far this spring, we made the most of them and got out and about with family and friends who visited over the school holidays.
Winter Wanderings
September 8, 2019
Weather-wise this winter has not been ideal for getting out and about, but we made the most of it.
Fun Family Times (June & July)
July 30, 2019
We have had a number of fun family events over the past couple of months. Here are a few highlights.
Magic May
May 15, 2019
We made the most of the fickle weather that arrived in May.
April Antics
April 26, 2019
Here is a summary of what we got up to during April.
February Fun
March 10, 2019
We said goodbye to the new neighbours at the Belmont apartment. They had made us feel very welcome in the short time we were there.
Christmas & New Year with Family & Friends
January 10, 2019
This is a snapshot of how we spent the summer holidays this year.
End of a Year. End of an Era.
December 19, 2018
What an amazing year.
Where was the Koru Lounge
November 23, 2018
So this is what recovering from a brain injury is like. Looking from the outside it’s sitting in the sun with a coffee, a good book and an amazing vista from the cliff top over to Rangitoto Island.
Last Little European Sojourn.
August 22, 2018
We were invited by a lovely Dutch couple, who had been following us on our blog, to spend a few days in Utrecth in the Netherlands with them. This time in Utrecth was one of those connections you couldn’t plan.
Paris
August 19, 2018
Paris: What an interesting place. The first thing we noticed after the solitude of the Camino were the people. More precisely tourists, into which category we fitted.
Barcelona and Madrid
August 14, 2018
We flew from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona for four days after completing the Camino. This was a great time to rest after the previous three weeks in Portugal and Spain.
Smith's Journeys 