We’re excited to be giving away two copies of A Diary of Africa by Chris Watson to our GrownUps members!
To be in the draw, simply make sure you’re a GrownUps member, signed up to our newsletter, and fill in your details at the bottom of the page.
A Journey through youth, friendship and continents in the 1970s
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.
Now in his 70s and retired from his career in insurance, Watson says that, more than 50 years since his African adventure, he was inspired to write the book as a record for himself and his fellow travellers to help counter fading memories. The travel memoir also offers interesting insights and comparisons with modern travel.
“Our overland Africa trip, from north to south, took place in a bygone age of travel with all aspects vastly different to today’s digital world,” Watson says. “Yet, for many of us, our aspiration to travel, to experience new sights, scents, people and landscapes, hasn’t changed all that much.
“In our case, as young adults, we were given almost total freedom, far away from what was expected to be the norm. I’ve expanded on my diary entries to reflect on the friendships, the mishaps, the physical journey and the journey into adulthood.
“While I believe many of my readers will also be in their seventies, I’d love to be able to inspire younger travellers to get out there and realise their dreams, to understand teamwork, build friendships, and experience how different life can be on another continent.”
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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Terms and conditions
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You must be a GrownUps member and subscribed to our newsletter to be eligible to enter.
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The competition closes on 18th March 2026. Winners will be notified via email by 19th March 2026.
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It is your responsibility to provide a correct New Zealand postal address for prize delivery. GrownUps is not responsible for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
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Winners will be drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
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GrownUps employees and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.
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By entering, you agree to GrownUps using your name on social media as a winner of the competition.
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One entry per household.
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The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other items.
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You must reside in New Zealand, as the prize can only be delivered within New Zealand.
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You must be over 50 years of age to enter. Please ensure your membership details are up to date in your dashboard.
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