EVERY father wants his 'boy' to blaze a trial, and for one Hereford dad it's the longest walk in the world, writes BILL TANNER.

Keith Bushby expects to see son Karl again in several years' time, once the 31-year-old former paratrooper has covered 36,000 miles across four continents, 25 countries, seven mountain ranges, six deserts and a frozen sea.

Karl's extraordinary odyssey is an endurance test beyond anything encountered in today's technological age. On completion, it will represent the furthest continuous footpath in human history.

Starting in November 1998, Karl has so far scaled South America via Argentina, Chile, Peru and Ecuador. The next phase of his journey takes him through two of the most dangerous destinations for foreign travellers, Colombia and Panama.

Central America, the USA, Canada and Alaska follow before Karl crosses the frozen Bering Sea to Siberia. From here he heads on through Russia and Europe to the UK.

Keith, who keeps in regular touch with Karl's progress through letters and the Internet, says he's 'concerned, but not worried' about his son's efforts.

Karl, he says, has always been an outdoor person; a 'wanderer' with eyes on the horizon.

"He is very single-minded and determined, with a capacity for enthusiasm when focussed on a goal. This is not an ad-hoc adventure, he's been planning it for many years."

Knowing that the 'old man' was good for any favour, Karl entrusted Keith with certain tasks, primary amongst them being the fostering of possible sponsors. Father feared an uphill struggle from the outset, and so it proved to be.

"Large companies usually have sponsorship policies which are far too narrow to include in expeditions like Goliath. The time frame is too long to fit in to any of their plans."

Keith has been lucky with support for specific items, in that Karl now has his clothing, footwear and equipment provided. Other than that, he has survived on contributions from family, friends, and the 'overwhelming goodwill' of peoples whose nations he's passed through.

There are also anxieties for the physical toll that such an unparalleled walk will take on Karl's body, particularly the joints.

"To date, however, he's shown a great deal of common sense in the way he's managed the wear and tear to which he's exposed himself," says Keith, who is confidant that, come what may, Karl won't be found lacking.

"We all have dreams, but not many of us will get further than dreaming. As Karl says, everybody dies, but not everybody lives - I'm proud to call him my son."