Travels with Geoffrey : If It CAN Go Wrong, It Will

by Sharon Hayhurst

When Sharon and her husband, Geoffrey, travel abroad, they stumble through Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia and Oman, flinging sausages and car parts, evading jails, abduction, wild coyotes and the Mafia, but will they continue to survive the perils, despite their satnav’s suicidal tendencies? Join them for a rollickingly good time while they lurch between glorious scenery, irritable outbursts and dubious driving.

Travels with Geoffrey is an engaging travel narrative full of madcap adventures and is perfect for fans of Beth Haslam, Marjory McGinn and Tony James Slater.

Genres: Travel, Memoir, Adventure, Nonfiction, Humor

354 pages, Paperback

Published August 18, 2021

About the author

Sharon is a travel memoir writer who uses her customary wicked sense of humour to share her stories. She is a kindergarten teacher with a special talent for attracting trouble and falling over her own feet. Sharon lives on a rural property in New Zealand with her husband, Geoffrey, and an assortment of animals. Sharon’s writing draws the reader in, making them feel as if they are along for the ride, with plenty of laughs along the way.

Follow Sharon on Social Media to see photos that accompany her first book in the `Never A Dull Moment’ Series.

https://www.instagram.com/sharonhslm/

https://www.facebook.com/sharon.hayhu...

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really can't remember when I laughed so much at a book! Every page brought a new fit of giggles at their misadventures. I used to think that my husband was accident prone on holiday but this family trump everything! From giving saving breaths to a collapsing inflatable, crazy sat-navs to the cruise from hell, it's hysterical. Did I mention a coyote? Or a Gypsy horse race? It’s a true catalogue of catastrophes. I'd be at home in hiding.
Sharon aka Denise and her family live in New Zealand and love to travel, believing that it expands your view of the world. Travelling to Europe from New Zealand, laden with luggage, takes a bit of forward planning so everything is researched and organised before leaving. However, the best laid schemes and all that apply here!
I love the chapter headings and endings which often reduced me to a fit of giggling! I particularly enjoyed Sharon’s matter of fact tone which somehow makes it even funnier. Above all I loved their sense of humour and how close a family they are, and despite everything, their love of travel and their pleasure in their experiences. This is definitely, for me a 5-star read.

[Tammy Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever judged a book by its cover?
I have and tend not to read books with cartoonishness on the cover. But I kept reading so many excellent reviews about Travels with Geoffrey that I had to see for myself if it was as good as people say. I fell off my seat laughing several times and loved every word of this entertaining travel memoir. What lesson have I learned? I will never judge a book by its cover again. My favorite destination Sharon Hayhurst visits is Venice. I’d love to see the canals. Sharon has taught me to step out of my comfort zone and to travel to those places that may seem scary but are worth it so we can see their beauty. But can I talk my husband into joining me?

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given this book five stars for several reasons:
- It made me laugh out loud many times (always a plus for me!) - it was very entertaining.
- I love the easy style it's written in, a nice easy read (love the "oh, but wait"'s !!)
- I found it informative and learnt some interesting facts about other countries.
- I fell in love with the family - Geoffrey, Denise, Jan and Don (especially grumpy Geoffrey and his tanties!) - despite all the troubles, they always had a sense of humour, and I liked the way the author poked fun at herself, Geoffrey and almost everyone, while at the same time celebrating the kindness and warm welcome of those they met on their travels. This is an honest book, and the author tells it as it is travelling abroad.
- The book brought back memories of my own travels abroad many years ago - oh and wait, I travelled with a real Geoffrey and a real Don (together up the French Alps) where we had our own "if it CAN happen it will" moments!!! .....so the book was made even more hilarious from that angle for me personally, and I loved the nicknames that Jan and Don bestowed on their family.
Looking forward to Book 2!!!

[Lisa Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Hayhurst’s first travelogue memoir had me by turn laughing our loud and cringing in amazement at the things which can possibly go wrong in this highly recommended book.
Travels with Geoffrey (Sharon’s long-suffering husband) is a wonderfully descriptive book of one travel obsessed Kiwi family’s holidays around the world. But Sharon’s family don’t have picture postcard, lying on a beach, relaxing holidays. Oh no! They hire cars with Satnavs inhabited by an evil spirit, they find unexpected countries popping up on their itinerary, drive roads no one else would dare and get abducted by taxi drivers, to name but a few of their escapades.
Throughout all of their adventures, disasters and some seriously terrifying scenarios, Sharon retains a black humour which has her laughing just moments after a near death experience. Sharon says travelling makes her come alive, and it shows as she takes us along on the ride of a lifetime with this crazy but hilarious family.

[Kathryn Gauci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read quite a few travel memoirs, but this is one book that hooked me from the very first page and I couldn't put it down. The author's hilarious adventures with her family come alive on every page through her wonderful sense of humour, vivid expressions, and ability to laugh when times get tough - and doesn't any seasoned traveller know that even the best plans often go wrong? Throughout the author's journey, I also learned quite a lot; how to cope when things turn sour; the joy of family and companionship; and most of all, that travelling isn't all about staying at the most luxurious hotels. It's about life itself and what we take away from it. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading her next one.

[E.J. Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is a delightful collection of travel adventures or possibly misadventures. Following the family of 4 on their journeys through Europe and the Middle east was a treat, albeit a treat where I held my breath many times. Recalcitrant GPS units combined with wrong turns, missed exits and dubious lodgings ensured that this family's trips were never dull. Join them and while the wheels of their car are hanging off the edge of a steep cliff, rest assured there are also wonderful destinations, rather delicious food and plenty of laughs.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exhilarating, humorous travel escapade. The reader is "warned" at the beginning of the book that this is not a book about traveling and everything goes wonderfully. This warning had me diving right in to read what happens. There are getting lost moments, car issues, GPS wrongs, swimming mishaps and more. All of these are dealt with humor; lots of humor. While there is a comedic undertone, everything does eventually right itself and they do keep traveling on. I really enjoyed the descriptions of their travels . The author's writing style puts you right there. I highly recommend this book!

[S. Bavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous memoir describing one family’s multiple travels in various countries by rental car and all of the problems they face along the way. Being clumsy and navigationally challenged these number quite a few - with them breaking beds, getting lost up mountain roads, in olive groves and vineyards and having trouble with a car crash, nightmare car rental firm and sickness. Sharon paints many hilarious pictures with words - of the family being chased by scary Asian hornets, boarding a ferry on foot with what sounds like mountains of luggage and squeezing themselves into a tiny room for four where they had to take it in turns standing up.
The soundtrack for their travels is the constant grumbling of Geoffrey and the mimicry of their two kids Jan and Don. I recommend this warm-hearted travel memoir to anyone who enjoys a tongue in cheek laugh while wondering what on Earth could possibly happen next to these unfortunate travelers!

[Alison Cubitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a family that hails from Down Under, where land is in plentiful supply, Denise, Geoffrey, Jan and Don spend a lot of time on holiday cooped up in confined spaces together. Sometimes it works out, but often it’s a disaster in this ‘if it can go wrong, it will’ book of travelling misadventures.

As there are scant opportunities to practice European languages in the South Pacific, it’s little wonder that the family doesn’t speak the languages of most of the countries they visit. But what I like about them is that they plough on, regardless.

Going on holiday with this lot is like watching a favourite sitcom. When we first meet him, Geoffrey comes across as a mixture of Homer Simpson and One Foot in the Grave’s Victor Meldrew. At one particularly vexing moment on their travels, he utters Meldrew’s immortal catchphrase: ‘I don’t believe it.’ However, without giving away plot spoilers, by the end, he changes his mind about the places he vowed never to visit.
Denise, who specialises in finding the world’s most inaccessible holiday accommodation, has all the chutzpah of Cheryl West in Outrageous Fortune. And Jan and Don are admirable supporting characters.

Sharon Hayhurst’s writing is frank, funny and full of self-deprecating humour. She has an ear for witty dialogue and has not only produced a work of delightful comic travel anecdotes; she’s proven she can write insightfully about the downsides of travel and tourism. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I recommend this book for travellers and armchair ones as well as anyone who needs a laugh.

I received a free copy of this book.

[Lisa Overman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud travel adventures

This will at times leave you wondering what the hell were they thinking. It’s an everything that can go wrong will go wrong adventure. Definitely entertaining and enjoyable.

[Gail LaPrino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and interesting

I don't get to travel much, so I see the world through books. This one was a nice balance of amusing travel and into about the various sights visited. I really enjoyed the ride!!!

[Valerie Poore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon Hayhurst must be a lovely, patient and highly good-humoured person. It's hard to imagine how so many things could go wrong to a family on their travels. I also think her husband, Geoffrey in the book, is a truly brave soldier to keep driving under such taxing conditions. All told, this is an anecdotal travel memoir of wry humour, mad escapades and hair-raising experiences, not to mention an annoying and stubborn Satnav, which leads them up the mountain path more than once. I enjoyed it very much, but even more than the humour, I enjoyed Sharon's beautiful descriptions of Italy (which she obviously loves) and Oman (which was surprisingly moving). I shall now look forward to her next book, which I believe is coming out soon!

[Cheryl Mullender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and very funny book

I've loved this book, we like to Travel aswell and have had our wings clipped since covid. So it was lovely to read about all the places they travelled to, places that were a bit off the normal tourist route. I laughed out loud at some of their adventures and mishaps along the way, it was very funny at times. Can wait to read the next book in this series of memoirs

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never a dull moment!

Oh my goodness, what can I say? This book is hilarious! Who knew so many things could go wrong? Geoffrey, Denise, and their 2 kids, Jan and Don, travel the world making memories and encountering unforgettable, in more ways than one, experiences along the way. An easy read that will have you howling at every page turn!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amusing book about one family’s travel adventures

Trouble seems to follow this family from one location to another. Eventually, everything works out and they continue on their merry way to the next travel catastrophe.

[MISS R E PARKINSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

a laugh out loud book

This book made me laugh so much. The adventures they had were very funny. I felt like I was there with them and descriptions were really good. I would highly recommend this book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read!

If you enjoy travel memoirs you will love this one. Honest, descriptive and funny. I’m Looking forward to a sequel!

[Rosie Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Travels With Geoffrey: If It CAN Go Wrong, It Will, is a memoir written about some of the many long-haul travels that a family from New Zealand have taken.

The first adventure took place in Canada, thirty-five years ago, and was particularly memorable for the hungry spring awakened bears who smelled their campfire.

Sixteen years later they set foot in Europe, driving across Britain, France and Italy. With another six year gap, they returned to Italy and added Croatia, Bosnia and the UAE, while the final trip took place just seven years ago when they returned to Italy and ended on a hot note in Oman.

All these holidays, apart from one cruise, were fly-drive style, with the family renting a variety of vehicles. Many of the satellite navigation systems were almost useless and they didn’t always have paper maps with them. So the family spent hours getting lost between places of interest. Language was also a major barrier and caused endless difficulties.

Much of the book’s focus was on the multiple disasters that struck, with the intention on humour. However, I would have liked to read more about each place that they visited for the cultural elements. My favourite destinations in the book were from the last trip to Abruzzo in Italy and Oman; I actually felt like I was along for the trip and enjoyed learning about both places.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant fun, never a dull moment!

I had to whittle down my notes a bit to write this review, because I had commented SO many times where I’d laughed etc. Such a brilliant book-and a fabulous cover to go with it!

The book covers travels from before they had their children, and after/with them-up to 2018. Travels to Canada, Alaska, Europe, South East Asia, Oman, Cornwall, Lake District, Scotland etc. Hubby works in IT, and she's a kindergarten teacher. So, they're still working, not travelling because they’re retired as in some books of this type.

This was such a fun book, with so many laughs. They do seem a bit accident-prone! Well, especially Geoffrey. There's good, happy banter-not just with mum and dad, but also from their two kids, too. What scrapes they get into, there's never a dull moment with this family! The author really is a scream. This will totally crack you up. Absolutely loaded with hilarious escapades!

I love how things go wrong-so many things-and yet they take it all so well, they find the fun in it. The book is never complaining, whinging, moaning. You're laughing along with them. So many laughs, you'll be splitting your sides.

A lovely, fun book, which will really make you smile. Very entertaining writing.

[Linda Hawkswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Laugh a Page - Never a Dull Moment
I have not laughed out loud at a book as I did with this. It was hilarious.

Covering their travels around the globe, both pre and post children years, there never seems to be a trip or day that goes by without something befalling them. What a lot of misfortunes this poor family have, never less it makes for wonderful reading. Poor Geoffrey seems the most accident-prone and more than capable to get them lost on even the shortest of journeys.

Both are still in full-time employment so are determined to enjoy life to the full, both loving traveling. Living in New Zealand their travels included Canada, Cornwall, Lake District, Scotland, Alaska, South East Asia, and various European locations. It is amazing how many times they got lost and that nothing drastic befell them, following their accidents, catastrophes and many misfortunes there was certainly never a dull moment. Taking everything in their stride, even the kids did not moan, whine or complain, even when they were all cramped together on an overnight crossing with a berth no bigger than a large shoebox.

Thank you Sharon for a truly wonderful and entertaining read. I look forward to the next installment with bated breath.

[Shirley Read-Jahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with a big grin on my face. The story covers the family’s different holidays, spanning 1990 to 2018, each mostly comprising some sort of disastrous adventure. The author has a knack of making you laugh at everything that goes wrong at the same time as feeling sorry for her and Geoffrey and astounded at some of the truly awful experiences they go through. I howled with laughter at their SatNav horrors, empathising totally.

She has a great turn of phrase, such as this gorgeous one in her Hot Stuff chapter, “The Arabian Sea was like waves of silk…”. And she’s a very amusing writer, too, as in The Dagger chapter, “I headed over to where the customs officer was searching my bag, expecting it to be the Greek man-fan again. But no, it was my tiny nail clippers this time, not even scissors, but blunt-edged clippers. The deadly items were seized in case I decided to take the pilot hostage and threaten to clip his toenails unless he took me to Cuba.”

I much enjoyed this book. It was a fast read because I wanted to know what dreadful situation they’d find themselves in next! Ms Hayhurst writes picturesquely, flowingly, with not one wasted word. Once you’ve got your nose stuck into this book, I’ll bet you won’t want to put it down. 5 stars for you, Sharon Hayhurst.

[Alyson Sheldrake · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very funny and entertaining book.

Remind me never to accept an invitation to go travelling with this author! This was a genuinely funny and amusing book that had me turning the pages in anticipation. Sharon and her family bravely travel to far-flung locations, seemingly with a set of travel plans in hand. At every turn, they meet misfortune, accidents, and catastrophes. It almost sounds like a work of fiction. There are so many things that go wrong for this family, and yet through it all, the author’s narrative reminds you that this is actually a memoir – all these things actually happened! Which somehow makes the whole book even funnier.

The book is also full of wonderful descriptions of the places they visit and the people they meet. I take my hat off to them for not giving up and just returning back home on several occasions – their love of travel and adventure is inspiring.

This is a very entertaining and heart-warming read that ultimately leaves you cheering the family on as they turn a corner and face yet another disaster. And it will definitely leave you giggling and wanting to read more from this accomplished writer. Highly recommended.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This couple starts traveling pre kids but the book really takes off when they start traveling when the kids are 6 and 13. The places they go are mostly off the beaten tourist track and not always easy to get to. The early days of Satnavs (GPS) show they weren’t always reliable. Taken in circles, goat paths, dirt roads blocked off that people moved the concrete barriers. The signs are missing or never installed and in some places the english language signs were painted over—what fun. The boat trips with rooms not as stated and B&B’s the same. If the USA ever gets to travel in Europe again this book gives some good ideas of where to go and pay attention to when to go—not when it is bad weather time—but just be sure to do your research and take maps. I think I would stop traveling if this was happening to me but it is interesting to read about it happening to others. I recommend this book.

[Mitos Suson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Travels with Geoffrey. It was a fun entertaining and light-hearted read. Sharon Hayshurst takes us with her on a wonderful joyride to the places she’s visited. Hers is an especially personal and wildly detailed perspective; you’ll feel like you are really in the car or in the hotel with them. I love her adventures or her misadventures of getting lost. Sounds familiar? I am geographically challenged myself, and the GPS is no help. I loved her style of writing and play of word. She can be very witty! It’s a unique travel book; like an intimate family travel diary giving us a generous insight of all the possible mishaps. All that can go wrong when you travel and you’re out of your comfort zone and the family hijinks ensues which make for the sweetest memories! True to its title, it’s definitely never a dull moment. Reading this book, will make you feel like you’ve gotten a big hug from her entire family, and you’ll embrace all their quirks. I highly recommend Travels with Geoffrey: If It CAN Go Wrong, It Will.

[Irene Pylypec · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this family ever invites you to travel with them, don’t do it! Read this entertaining book and you will know why I issued this warning. They say that trouble seems to follow some people around; this is definitely the case when this family travels. But despite all the hiccups they encounter, they take it all in stride. Well, at least the author does. She puts a positive spin on everything and attempts, not always successfully, to get all family members on the same page.

Sharon Hayhurst draws the reader in with her hilarious style of writing. For example, there’s the naming of inanimate objects, something I can identify with because I do the same thing. Their rental cars and their “sassy” GPS take on personas of their own.

I was thoroughly engaged in reading about this family’s misadventures, wondering what would befall them next and how they would get out of some dicey situations. If you need a good laugh, do yourself a favour. Read this book.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Travels with Geoffrey” is a hilarious memoir about the travels of a family from New Zealand to faraway Europe and Asia over the years. Everything that could go wrong does and does x100. From demonically possessed satnavs, to bloody injuries to all four travelers in less than an hour in a new rental, to criminal taxi drivers in Vietnam, the book is one laugh after the other. Geoffrey, Denise, Jan, and Don (not their real names and they were probably smart to change them) rollick from one destination to another over the years.

After the laughter is over, the reader realizes that this book (pineapple floaties and all), is also a chronicle of one family’s growth from footloose and fancy free newly marrieds to empty nesters. I highly recommend this book for its laugh-out-loud moments, but also for its family story.

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. I am a traveller myself, and I know that when travelling, not everything will go as planned, which stands true for this book, “If it CAN go wrong, it will”.
Geoffroy and his family set off on trips to Greece, France, and Italy, among many other places. This book is filled with unexpected surprises, adventure, and humour. I found myself laughing aloud quite a few times, such as when the author says, “I wound the window down and leant out but Geoffrey suddenly floored it and took off. ‘What the hell are you doing?’ I shouted. ‘It’s a prison,’ he yelled back. ‘Wineries don’t have four watchtowers complete with armed guards and a rim of barbed wire! I reckon that guy’s just been released and is waiting for a lift;”. If you want to escape reality for a bit then this book is for you.

[Bob Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travels With Geoffrey is portrayed, including by the author, as the story of decades of journeys by a family of holiday travelers – a mother who ascribes much of what is wrong in the world to her husband’s overestimation of himself as a rental-car driver, a father who, as a result of his wife’s judgment, often speaks a language that can be most easily transcribed as f#@%ing, and two kids, a backseat chorus, who, usually when most inappropriate, serve up judgmental remarks of the kind you would expect from kids who are out of swatting range. But I’m not swallowing that. I think the family, even if they seldom take a turn that is not the wrong one, are probably kind and caring, and possessed of the tolerance that only traveling the world can develop, but also of the wisdom to know that if you want to sell books you have to keep things stirred up a bit.

[Maximilian Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of my holidays throughout childhood and adult life have revolved around roadtrips across Europe with my parents. It's a coincidence Dad's also called Jeffrey. There were some mad escapades including him deciding he'd follow the car in front because they looked like they knew where they were going. Somehow they led us directly to our hotel in Barcelona! It meant this book as always going to appeal to me. It didn't let me down in any way at all. It not only had me snorting my coffee and falling off my chair laughing, it also brought back a huge amount of memories. In some ways, it made me realise my family aren't the only crazy ones. This is an excellent read filled with humour and also the truth of what it can be like sat in a car with the whole family for hours on end. It makes one glad they finally invented iPads!!

[Luisa Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I laughed reading this book! Sharon and Geoffrey are intrepid travellers but Sharon is the organiser and planner and they set off with tickets and accommodation booked. What can go wrong? Well, the unexpected occurs with surprising regularity and Sharon's patience is taxed, what with Geoffrey's somewhat irregular driving techniques and the trials of coping with a petulant satnav, travel becomes an occasional nightmare. Not to be thwared by forced changes of plan the couple argue and battle with the enemies and enjoy the beauty of each very different destination. They stay well clear of organised packages and book self-catering accommodation, usually well-off the beaten track. Every cloud finds its silver lining and the reader cannot help but applaud them for their perseverence as the holiday's twists and turns make us laugh along on every page.