Smith's Journeys

With summer now behind us, we looked for activities to keep us out, about and busy whenever the weather allowed.

Last of the Summer Wine Riders

We hosted the Last of the Summer Wine Riders in Taupō where we rode several of the Great Lakes Trails as well as a trip through to Rotorua where we rode the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop.

Soak in the hot tub at the end of the day is always enjoyable

Foxton Beach

Easter saw us taking the caravan down to Foxton Beach where we loved having the company of friends and family.

Queen Charlotte Sounds Track

In mid-April we headed south towards Dunedin where we planned to stay for a few weeks helping with Ann’s family running chores and giving support to her Dad and his wife Jill.

We stopped off for a few days to ride the Queen Charlotte Track. The weather was a mixed bag, which delivered mist, rain then sunshine.

Christchurch

Next stop catching up with Neville (Graeme’s brother) & Donna in Christchurch and a walk to Godley Head on the Banks Peninsula.

Twizel

After a pleasant weekend in Christchurch, we headed inland to Twizel to Julie (Ann’s sister) & Alan’s holiday house. We enjoyed a week of fine and frosty weather which allowed us to explore some rides that are off the beaten track.

Lake Ruataniwha & Ōhau River loop was a bit more of a challenge than we anticipated but had quite spectacular views.
(clip to ride clip) _2:03

Clutha Gold Trail (southern end)

We arrived at Wingatui 2 weeks after leaving home. We moved into Ann’s brother’s home, after dropping them at the airport as they headed to Canada to catch up with family.

The weather was settled enough to allow us to spend a couple of days on the Clutha Gold trail. (click to ride clip) ^_2:05

Taiaroa Head

We managed to get a bonus sunny day before the rain arrived, so we headed down the Otago Peninsula to Taiaroa Head and the Royal Albatross colony. A good 60km ride with no wind and plenty of sunshine.

Brighton

We took a drive down to Brighton with Ann’s Dad as the weather was quite settled

Two days later we returned with Janice & Tony who were staying overnight from Gore. What a difference a little wind makes

Nugget Point

We got another good day so drove the 100km to Kaka Point on the South Otago coast and rode to the Nuggets Lighthouse.

Otago Harbour Loop.

Neville and Donna arrived down from Christchurch for the weekend. Again the weather was kind to us, so decided to bike the Otago Harbour Loop.

This is a 40-odd km ride, which takes you down one side of the harbour to Port Chalmers. Here we boarded a ferry with 6 others and crossed the harbour to Portobello. We were joined there by Julie & Al, and after a lovely lunch, we cycled up the other side of the harbour back to Dunedin.
click to ride link ^_2.31

Seasider Train Excursion

We boarded the excursion train at Dunedin Railway Station and headed North up the Otago Coast.

Now it’s just waiting to see where winter will take us.

Cheers