Travels with Chog

Non-Fiction

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Travels with Chog is an account of an overland adventure undertaken in 1983/4 by the author and his stalwart companion Chog. Adapted over the years from the author’s meticulous diary notes, the travelogue captures the innocence of youth and the exultation of the spirit, as well as the joie-de-vivre of simply being alive. The joy and excitement of being on the road is well captured as the pair of Londoners immerse themselves in their adventure, taking discomfort and adversity in their stride.

Starting out on 90cc motorcycles, they ride their modest steeds to Greece before continuing their journey (ostensibly to Australia) on public transport. The author’s often Brysonesque narrative offers the armchair traveller a glimpse into the halcyon and nostalgic days of travel before mass tourism. The story skips along apace and takes the reader along as the two young adventurers behold ancient mosques, deserts, mountains, wildlife and colourful locals.

Interspersed and cleverly woven into the travelogue are the author’s memories and reminiscences of growing up in the 60s and 70s in working-class London. Travels with Chog is at times side-splittingly funny and at others, serious and contemplative as well as informative. Above all, it’s a good old-fashioned Boy’s Own romp!

George Lockyer was born and raised in London, England and has been travelling the world and riding motorcycles for well over 40 years. Ever since reading Ted Simon’s classic Jupiter’s Travels he has tried to combine the two.

Shortly after meeting New Zealander Karen in Cape Town, the pair married in Zimbabwe in 1985. They moved to Sydney from London in 1989, where Annie and Fergus were later born.

In 2003 they moved to beautiful Governors Bay in New Zealand’s South Island where George and Karen still live. Since leaving school in 1976 George has been a bricklayer and stonemason, a useful trade for travelling and one he continues to practice today but on a part time basis. This, combined with writing provides a perfect life balance.

His first articles appeared in Australian Road Rider many years ago and his work has been featured in many other magazines. Since 2003 George has been a regular contributor of travel articles, columns and book reviews for New Zealand Bike Rider Magazine, where he continues to have a considerable following.

In 2013 as a volunteer firefighter, George published his first book, on the Governors Bay Fire Brigade to celebrate their silver jubilee. David Bateman, the largest independent publisher in NZ then published Living the DreamKiwi Bikers (2015), The Long and Winding Aotearoa (2017), Kiwi Garages (2021), Kiwis on Harleys (2023) and Iconic Kiwi Pubs (2023). Tales and TailsDown Under (2020) was published by Kahuku Publishing. George is currently working on a new book entitled Fire Stations of Aotearoa due out in 2025.