Smith's Journeys

2025 was a big year for us. Here is a snapshot of some of the highlights.

The year started off in Taupō. The family got together to enjoy good company and the usual outdoor activities, including biking, games, swimming, and food.

Andy & Marisara joined us for Christmas

We then headed to Central Otago with Neville & Donna for a bit of cycling.

Neville & Graeme enjoyed a day on the Dunstan Trail.

We had a slight issue with the motorhome, which required it to be transported from Ranfurly to Cromwell, where it stayed until our return from overseas

We started our 5-month overseas adventure with a few days in Shanghai, China.

Graz in Austria

Met Paula & Jude at the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia

We then headed to Trogir. We booked a boat and bike tour of the Croatian Islands. Our travel companions were Paula & Jude, along with Heather, MJ & Michael. We first met Heather & MJ when we cycled the Danube in 2018.

Old fort on the Trogir waterfront

Pučišća

Brać

Korćula – Stari Grad

The team: Ann, Graeme, Heather, MJ, Michael, Jude & Paula.

Dubrovnik

Orebić – Osićac

Final night drinks with the team

We did a quick visit to the UK. It was great to go back to Prodoe in Shropshire. We enjoyed spending 3 weeks looking after the grounds.

Flew from UK to Spain to catch up with Bruce & Nieves

We flew from Porto in Portugal to Eindhoven in the Netherlands, where we met the owners of the motorhome we will be using for the next eight weeks

We drove to Kiel in the north of Germany, where we met up with our friends the Wilson’s, who were visiting their son Kirk, his wife and children

It was then on to Lübeck, where our friends Clive and Ruth were our tour guides.

The Alps above Innsbruck in Austria were magnificent after the relatively flat driving in Germany

We picked up Ann’s sister Julie and her husband Al in Innsbruck before heading up to the Reschen Pass. This is the border between Austria and Italy. This is where we started our week-long cycle ride down the Adige River cycleway.

The cycle tunnel was closed due to a rockfall, so we had to navigate the 2 km road tunnel along with cars and large trucks, all travelling at 70 kph

After dropping Julie & Al back at Innsbruck, we head to France via Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

We were surprised to find our friends from Utrecht, Lose & Peter, were staying at the Taizé community, which was one village further up the road from where we were based

We spent a day in the village of Le Quesnoy, which was freed by the NZ troops during WW1

We cycled around the WW1 cemeteries of Flanders Fields, basing ourselves in Ypres (Leper)

We returned the motorhome to Eindhoven and had another pleasant couple of days with Paul & Anja.

It was then on the Utrecht, enjoying the hospitality of Peter & Lose

We flew to New York, staying in Andy’s Roosevelt Island apartment while we explored the city

911 Memorial

.Any & Marisara

Park Ave was closed to motor vehicles the weekend we arrived, so we took the opportunity to grab 2 city bikes for the day and enjoy cycling the city

Niagara Falls, Canada, was next stop

Caught up with Ann’s nephew, Dan & his wife Amy.

Celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary at Ivy Lea on Lake Ontario.

Lake Pesico for a few days with MJ & Michael was an amazing time. Graeme mountain biked with Michael while Ann hiked up a nearby mountain

It was then back to New York to see a few shows and some more exploring

Home again after 5 months

It was then back to Central Otago to pick up the motorhome

Back in time for the spring blossom in Palmerston North

Tauranga for Tilly’s Kapahaka performance

Taupō Great Lake cycling with Neville

Matt & Holly’s engagement party at Paengaroa

Ride in with the hills with the “Last of the Summer Wine” crew

Built a fence in time for Christmas

The family returned for a Taupō summer Christmas