The daring explorer set foot in Britain for the first time in almost three decades last month
|
Last updated:
1793621758
GB News has mapped out the remarkable 36,000-mile journey undertaken by a British explorer by foot as he approaches the finish line after 28 years on the road.
Karl Bushby, 57, embarked on his mammoth trek back to Hull from the tip of South America in November 1998.
His journey from the southernmost point of Chile to Yorkshire had just two rules – he cannot use any form of transport and he was not able to return to Britain until he completed his goal.
Earlier last month, Mr Bushby set foot on British for the first time in the 21st century after swimming across the English Channel before arriving into Dover.
And now, after years of trekking through dense jungles and scorching deserts, the 57-year-old has finally arrived home.
He was embraced at the finish line by his family, including 36-year-old son Adam and his 12-year-old granddaughter, who he had never met in person.
Speaking to the BBC while walking through rural Lincolnshire, the daring explorer said: “We’re definitely in terra incognita [unknown territory] right now, or pretty soon will be.
“Right now, I’m comfortable because I’m doing what I do, but pretty soon that’s going to screech to a halt.”
Describing British public’s interest in his adventure since he returned to the UK, the former paratrooper said it had been “almost overwhelming”.
He said: “The amount of people that have recognised me along the way. It’s cool.
“It gets a bit weird at times when people get really, really excited, and I just can’t work out why. From my perspective, it just seems a little strange. I’m some guy who’s just walking.”
Mr Bushby acknowledged his 28-year voyage has allowed him to live “a million men’s dreams”.
“A lot of people would love to walk away from home and just keep going,” he said.
BEST OF BRITAIN – READ THE LATEST:
But the 57-year-old cautioned those who may wish to undertake a similar trek it is “not as glorious as it looks”.
He pointed to the mundane duties he regularly caries out, such as fixing punctures to his heavy duty hardcart and finding a place to wash his underwear.
Mr Bushby said he spent roughly 15 years of the almost three decade-long trip actually walking, with the rest of the time being allocated to applying for visas and “dealing with geopolitics”.
Complications caused by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions also forced him to grapple with lengthy delays.
Reflecting on how the journey has shaped him, the 57-year-old believes it made me age in an unconventional fashion.
“I’m older, but I don’t feel that old. I still feel way too young for my age, mentally.
“I still identify with that guy from the Americas way back when.”
But despite the many years spent on the road, Mr Bushby insisted he has “still got that sense of adventure”.
The curtain on the 57-year-old’s mammoth voyage was finally brought down on Monday, crossing the Humber Bridge where thousands were waiting to cheer him on for his final steps.
From there, he walked to the city’s Sutton Park estate, where he was embraced by his mother Angela.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Follow related topics:
`;
placeholder.insertAdjacentHTML(‘beforeend’, taboola);
}

