Smith's Journeys

December is the time to relax and get out into the sunshine and catch up with family and friends.

Ann’s dad celebrated his 99th Birthday in Dunedin. It was great to be able to spend a few days there with family to celebrate this amazing event.

We had a lovely lunch at the restaurant attached to the Forbury Park Raceway

We caught up with Ann’s brother Bill & Ruth at Wingatui where we stayed for a few nights before the party

99th Birthday Party

Ann’s sister Julie hosted the Party

Ann with sister in law Ruth and brother in law Al.

Dunedin is quite spectacular. We stayed with Julie & Al’s at Andersons Bay

St Clair Beach

We spent a week in Taupo after Ann finished work this allowed us to cycle and catch up on the gardens.

Happy Place

Ann’s 65th Birthday on the 23rd December, we decided to celebrate by cycling the Timber Trail.

This is an 82 km trail which we did over two days.  We stayed the night before in the Timber Trail Centre in Ongarue. This is the old schoolhouse that has been converted into backpackers accommodation. It was very comfortable and the hosts Marty and Sylvia provided a very nice two-course meal and a packed lunch for the next day.

Timber Trail Centre

We were shuttled to the start of the trail at 8.30 the next morning

Bennetts Road departure

The highest point on the trail 971 metres. The climb through the native forest was worth it.

We overnighted at Camp Epic which is a clamping camp set up in the DoC camping ground at Piropiro.

Beds were very comfortable

Great kitchens dining room (Breakfast was included)

Sat around a fire pit until it was time for bed

There were eight of these bridges on the trail.

The eMTB bikes performed well. We took an extra battery each, with the shuttle company taking them to the campsite with the rest of our gear.

Cell Phone coverage was almost non-existent. Ann found a spot about 10km from the end.

Amazing Totara

Very well maintained tracks

Cheers