I guess most foreigners who are visiting this blog will not have heard of Karl Bushby. He is fifty seven years old and has just come home after twenty eight years away and guess what? He is a Hull City supporter - just like me.
But where has Karl been?
It was back in 1998 that he set off from Punta Arenas in Chile, planning to walk back to Hull without using any trains, planes, motor vehicles or ships. He wanted to walk the whole way and guessed it would take a long time but perhaps not twenty eight years!
Karl Bushby with The Beast
His marriage had broken up and he was no longer cocooned by army life. He had some mental health issues too. The walk would be a kind of therapy.
Along the way, he temporarily settled in both Colombia and China after falling for two women. And he had various visa problems that held him up for many months - mostly connected with his travels through both Russia and China.
All of his worldly belongings were in the trolley that he pushed. He called it "The Beast". And please don't think that he entirely cast off the world that we occupy because for the last decade or so he had a laptop with internet access and a smartphone. Karl is no mug. He knew he needed to attract funds if his ambition was ever to be achieved. Once or twice he flew away from the point he had reached, returning much later to the same spot before continuing.
Crossing the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia was a big challenge. He had to wait until the sea was iced over to get across. And to get back to England from France last month, he simply swam across The English Channel (French: La Manche) without any special training. Easy peasy.
He arrived back in Hull yesterday to a hero's welcome and embraced his mother. I hope to see him at Hull City's next home game against Brighton and Hove Albion and I will applaud him with the rest. A slogan often attached to Hull City is "Dare to Dream" and Karl Bushby certainly did that. Welcome home Karl!
Karl in his new Hull City shirt
How often did he fear for his safety ? How often was he lonely ?
ReplyDeleteHow often did he sleep outside ? How often was he in danger as he slumbered ?
Caliban on his island dreams of strange noises, music, and voices.
Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises. Sounds, and sweet airs, that give
delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears,
and sometimes voices that, if I then had waked after long sleep, will make
me sleep again.
The Tempest Act III Scene II.
I can't imagine doing that under any circumstances. I don't swim well, don't trust ice and would hate being away from family for that long. I admire his perseverance though!
ReplyDeleteQuite the adventurer!
ReplyDeleteI guess he could have kayaked or rowed the wet bits but that is a truly remarkable feat - espwcially channel swimming.
ReplyDeleteWhile I can imagine walking long distances, I'd hate having to do it with "the Beast" (or anything else except for a medium-weight rucksack), and certainly not the swimming bits or crossing iced-over Sea!
ReplyDeleteA true adventure. There will be a book, and also a film.
I hope Karl found what he was looking for, his inner peace.
I vaguely remember hearing about him (or maybe it was someone else?) years ago but then forgot. I'm wondering now how he managed to get "the beast" across when swimming the English Channel. Anyway, welcome home!
ReplyDeleteHis remarkable feat was reported here yesterday. That was quite an achievement.
ReplyDeleteIt is such an unimaginable feat that you almost can't quite believe it is true.
ReplyDeleteI hope he can adjust to a more restful way of life now he is home.
An amazing achievement. But, with a failed marriage and two other significant relationships failed, you have to wonder what his mental health is like. I doubt after all that he'll be able to sit still at home. I heard he wants to write a book about his adventures, but I don't think it will stop him from getting restless legs again. He sounds a troubled soul.
ReplyDeleteThat took a long time. That's not a walk, that's his life. Good on him.
ReplyDeleteThere is another man doing this, Paul Salopek.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/impact/article/paul-salopek-explorer-story
I have read about this guy, but I didn't know he was from where you lived. What an amazing feat. I know I could have never done what he did. Walking through Russia is not my idea of a fun time, and I love to walk!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure he is a hero though, leaving family behind and concentrating on himself!
ReplyDeleteI read about Karl Bushby the other day. What an extraordinary feat. And the part about swimming across the English Channel...wow! I hope he will enjoy his life at home in Hull and the Tigers give him a win.
ReplyDeleteYes. He is big news here, too!
ReplyDeleteTakes a special kind of person to take that on. All kinds of things out there!!
ReplyDeleteI have seen a couple of news headlines on this, I was wondering how he crossed the channel. That is a long walk.
ReplyDeleteI saw this story -- way to go, indeed! I am so impressed that he managed to do it.
ReplyDelete