A recently retired 62-year-old man has entered Cornwall after trekking from his home in Yorkshire last April.
Ex-Navy man Jim Morton began his trip on April, 12 2021, and started by walking up the west coast of Scotland. He then made his way across the top of the country and came back down through the east coast of the UK, having crossed the border into England in January of this year.
He reaches Cornwall!
Jim has also retained an interest and connection with the Gurkhas ever since he began his full naval life on HMS Gurkha and is raising money via the walk for the Gurkha Welfare Trust, as they rebuild villages devastated by an earthquake in Nepal. He has so far raised more than £20,000 for the organisation, which is enough to build two and a half new houses.
He has had an eventful time on the road, including being airlifted to hospital in Inverness after a cliff fall, washed out to sea twice, almost being swept away in flood water and rescuing trapped sheep, to give examples of his journey to date.
Another quick selfie for Jim
The West Country’s naval history has also given Jim the chance to meet some senior officials en route in recent days and to relive some of his memories on board, including when he visited HMS Raleigh, the site of his first day in the services back in 1976.
He recently visited RNAS Culdrose in Helston, where he was photographed in front of a Merlin helicopter and some Navy personnel.
Jim is currently walking around Mullion where he will be staying with his wife Sue and their two Westies Shona and Maisie - which Jim jokingly said "are in charge of public relations and security."
The security and head of public relations - Shona and Maisie
Although his journey has been eventful to say the least, Jim is enjoying the scenery he has experienced on his walk, although he has managed to go through five pairs of walking shoes and boots!
Not a stranger to Cornwall, Jim has been here many times throughout his life, as his sister currently lives here.
"There's nothing better than a Cornish pasty and a pint of Rattler," said Jim.
To see more of Jim's journey, you can visit his Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/I-may-be-gone-a-while-103893198051092/?ref=page_internal - and if you would like to donate to Jim's fundraising page - you can visit the link here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-morton11
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