Adventurer Nearing End of 28-Year Round-the-World Walk

Adventurer Karl Bushby, who embarked on a journey to walk around the world 28 years ago, is nearing the end of his expedition. Bushby began his trek from Chile in November 1998 with the goal of returning to his hometown of Hull, England, where his mother still resides.

Initially anticipating a 12-year journey, Bushby's progress has been slowed by visa restrictions, the 2008 financial crash, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical events. He has covered over 30,000 miles (more than 48,000 km) and is now planning to swim across the English Channel in October. This comes after his request to use a service tunnel under the Channel was denied.

Bushby set out with two self-imposed rules: no use of transport to advance his journey and no return to the UK until the walk was complete. He is currently in Belgium, preparing for the final leg of his walk to Calais. His primary means of carrying equipment is a trolley he calls "The Beast," which he constructed in Nicaragua early in his adventure.

The 57-year-old former paratrooper has navigated diverse and challenging terrains. He recalled crossing the frozen Bering Strait in 2006 and swimming 186 miles across the Caspian Sea. He also described the dangers of crossing the Darién Gap between Colombia and Panama, a region he traversed while attempting to appear homeless to avoid threats of kidnapping.

Despite the physical hardships, Bushby highlights the kindness of strangers he has encountered globally, stating that people have received him with open arms since day one. He acknowledged past difficulties, including falling in love twice and having to continue his journey, which he described as more challenging than the physical pain.

Bushby's mother, Angela Bushby, expressed her son's journey has proven his capabilities, writing in a letter, "You used to think you were useless. Well, you have proven you're not." Bushby, who struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia in his youth, explained that while the Army boosted his confidence, his early experiences left him with low self-esteem and a feeling of being an underachiever.

Now, with the end in sight, Bushby feels a sense of urgency. "It's definitely time to call it a day," he said. "I don't want to keep this going for much longer." As he approaches Mons, Belgium, he is sometimes recognized by people who follow his journey on social media.

Upon reaching the Grand-Place in Mons, Bushby acknowledged the eventual return to his mother's home will be a significant adjustment. "One day I'm going to wake up in my mother's house – 57 years old with nothing but my stuff in a bag next to the bed," he admitted.

He finds motivation in the landscapes he encounters, saying he gets "a real buzz from a good horizon." The sight of the white cliffs of Dover will mark the culmination of his nearly three-decade-long global expedition.