A FARNDALE traveller is once again embarking on an epic journey along old European pilgrim routes.

Stuart Nelson, 66, has gone on a number of gruelling journeys in recent years - each time raising money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The year before last, he cycled 3,000km from Shetland to Scilly, and last year walked from Northumberland to Rome - also a distance of 3,000km.

This year, he will continue that walking journey, but into totally new pastures.

His route is taking him from St Peter’s Square in Rome - where he set off just after the Pope’s Easter Sunday address - to Jerusalem.

He said: “I’ll walk along the length of, and across Italy, to Brindisi, where - like the pilgrims of old, I shall take a ship across to Greece.

“I will walk across Greece to Athens, and then find my way to Haifa in Israel.

“After a walk to and around the Sea of Galilee, I shall make my way to Tel Aviv and across to my final goal - Jerusalem.

“It’s a little shorter this year, at just over 2,000 km.

“This is all on paths, especially through Greece, which are not well known these days. I shall pass through Bari, Brindisi, Patras, Corinth. In Israel I will walk through Capernaeum, Nazareth, Caesarea Tel Aviv and Bethlehem.”

Stuart’s progress can be followed at facebook.com/manintheblueblazer. At the time of writing he was already 13 days into his trek and was skirting Vesuvius.

“I do this as well in order to raise awareness - and much needed funds - for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service,” he said. He added that hopes to be back in at the Feversham Arms in Farndale for a “Home from Jerusalem” party for his 67th birthday in August.

See more at his JustGiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/triptojerusalem.