I left my 8-year-old son behind 28 years ago to walk around the world. Now I’m about to finish — but will he forgive me?

Karl Bushby swam the English Channel to close out a globe-spanning trek that cost him decades with his family.

By Mary K. Jacob · New York Post

Published: Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 2:53 PM

Key Things to Know

Karl Bushby is roughly 250 miles from completing his 28-year journey to walk around the world.
Bushby anticipates a tough reunion with his 36-year-old son Adam, whom he left in 1998.
Bushby set out on the Goliath Expedition from Punta Arenas, Chile, in November 1998.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Karl Bushby, a 57-year-old former British paratrooper, is about 250 miles away from completing his 28-year round-the-world trek known as the Goliath Expedition. Having left behind his eight-year-old son Adam in 1998, Bushby is preparing to face his now 36-year-old child and family as he approaches his hometown of Hull.

Bushby began his journey from Punta Arenas, Chile, adhering to rules requiring unmotorized forward progress and no returning home until walking there. He recently swam ashore at Dover after crossing the English Channel, and his return will be featured in a documentary directed by Werner Herzog.

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