James White, a 42 year old chartered engineer from Richmond, southwest London, has embarked on an epic journey traversing the length of Britain using only local buses. Last Tuesday, April 22, marked the beginning of White's unique adventure from Land's End to John O'Groats. Dedicated to his quest, White boards his first bus every morning at 8am and spends anything from 10 to 12 hours daily in transit.

Throughout his travels, James will have boarded 49 different buses and even with the £3 price cap on fares in most areas, he's still estimating his total spend to be less than £250. Sharing his quirky motivation, James admits: "I don't know why I am doing it. I just had the idea, planned it, and now I am here. I have no interest in buses whatsoever- I normally get the Tube to work."

He describes the journey as going smoothly: "So far, everything has gone exactly how I planned it. It is a strange thing to do." White has encountered nothing but encouragement along the way, saying: "Everyone has been overwhelmingly positive. It has been great, I am really enjoying it."

Not only is this a challenge for him, but it's also revealing: "It has been quite interesting to visit places that I wouldn't usually see. England when it is sunny is one of the best places to travel." Discussing the mental aspect of the trip, James remarks: "With all the changes it has been quite mentally taxing- if catching a bus can be mentally taxing."

The inspiration for the journey struck James unexpectedly during a visit to Cornwall last September. Upon noticing a bus stop at Land's End, he curiously questioned if there was a corresponding one at the opposing end of the country, John O'Groats.

The plan to traverse the nation sparked into action, with James meticulously mapping out his route every evening post-work until he finally took the plunge and booked his tickets in February. A dedicated chartered engineer, making the most of his annual leave, embarked on an extraordinary mission, catching a train from Paddington all the way to Penzance before kicking off from Land's End.

Into the second week of his adventure, he reports a highly positive experience without a hitch in terms of delays or cancellations thus far. James has taken to Instagram to share his travel chronicles, an endeavour new to him prior to this journey, which has garnered an impressive following of over 2,800 enthusiasts.

Hotel stays have marked the bulk of his outlays, with accommodation being a nightly affair barring his Manchester stop where he bunked with family. His voyage has whisked him through key cities like Exeter, Bristol, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, among others, enriching his travelling tapestry.

When asked about his most favoured leg of the trip, James extolled Cornwall for its "spectacular" vistas.

His quest isn't just for the thrill; it's coupled with a greater cause, having collected upwards of £2,800 for the Campaign Against Living Miserably, a mental health charity he chose because he felt that "men's mental health isn't spoken about enough." He expressed delight and gratitude towards the generosity of mostly unknown benefactors, saying: "The vast majority of people who have donated are strangers. Every time I get the email to say that someone has donated it is incredible."

Driven by innate curiosity and the spur of suggestions, James was pleasantly surprised by the interest his journey sparked, stating, "I am the type of person where if somebody suggests something then I want to do it for my own curiosity. I never thought that anyone else would be as interested as they are." With a clear goal, he affirmed, "I am very motivated to raise as much money as I can."