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A Diary of Africa
A Journey through youth, friendship and continents in the 1970s
Brief Description
In 1971, a band of young English and colonial adventurers piled into an old Bedford truck called Monty and set out from London with little money, no plan, and a hunger for something bigger than home. Over four unforgettable months, they crossed deserts and borders, jungles...
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A Diary of Africa
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A raw, vivid account of a 1971 overland journey across Africa. Through Chris Watson's diary entries, this memoir follows young travellers crossing deserts, borders and cities in an old Bedford truck, capturing adventure, humour and the spirit of youth.
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Description
In 1971, a band of young English and colonial adventurers piled into an old Bedford truck called Monty and set out from London with little money, no plan, and a hunger for something bigger than home. Over four unforgettable months, they crossed deserts and borders, jungles and cities, travelling from Morocco to Durban and learning, sometimes the hard way, what it means to be far from everything familiar.
Told through Chris Watson's vivid diary entries, A Diary of Africa captures the grit, wonder and humour of overland travel in a bygone era - before mobile phones, GPS or guidebooks.
It's a story of friendship, mishap and sheer determination, tracing a journey across continents and into adulthood. For anyone who has dreamed of the open road, or wondered what it truly means to travel off the map, this is a raw and honest account of youth, courage and curiosity on the ultimate road trip.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781067087562
Publisher: Mary Egan Publishing
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 04 March 2026
Country: New Zealand
Imprint: Mary Egan Publishing
Illustration: Colour photos throughout
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 153.0mm
Height: 230.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 356
About the Author
Chris Watson was born and raised in Timaru. He lost his father at the age of four, an early experience that shaped much of his outlook on life. For the past fifty years, he has lived in central Auckland, where his three sons, Matthew, Sebastian, and Patrick, have also settled, along with his grandchildren, Hayden and Annabelle.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Chris has followed rugby and cricket since childhood and played inter-club squash for forty years. An adventurous traveller, he has a fondness for exploring places beyond the usual tourist path. His journeys have taken him through Albania, Ethiopia, Paraguay, and Uzbekistan, and he is currently planning a visit to Azerbaijan with his partner, Jan.
Chris practises Tai Chi, is a Duty Manager at his local Men’s Shed, and enjoys a winter break in sunny Queensland when time permits.
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