Latest news with #Greg
The Guardian
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Experience: I've walked across three countries in a straight line
Growing up, I loved the outdoors. I gallivanted through the Staffordshire countryside with my stepbrother, Greg. We used to pick a point in the distance and create 'missions' to walk towards it. It was a mischievous challenge that saw us hopping fences, wading through rivers and sneaking around farmers. I was also obsessed with maps, and even read the Birmingham A-Z for fun. When Google Earth came out in 2005, I spent hours studying satellite images. As I got older, countryside adventures became rarer. In 2018, I was working as a van driver but made videos about geography and map-based games in my spare time. I found myself craving a challenge. I thought back to my hedge-hopping days. What if, instead of walking across a few fields, I could cross the width of a whole country – and in a perfectly straight line? I had no idea if it was possible, but using mapping software, I plotted a line across Wales from the English border to the west coast. Following a straight line might sound – literally – straightforward; the reality is anything but. Plot the wrong course, and you'll end up reaching rows of houses that are impossible to pass. You're forced to shimmy or climb over every obstacle. Trips would take multiple days, so I would carry food and toilet roll in my backpack and a tent to camp in at night. I would have to eat, sleep and 'use the toilet' without leaving the line. And even if I managed to navigate all these, there was still a risk being thrown off private farmland. My parents and my girlfriend, Verity, were sceptical and also concerned for my safety. They may have had a point. I didn't train for my first attempt, in early 2019. I got stuck on a mountain with no signal, darkness falling and hypothermia setting in. I had to abort the mission. Nonetheless, when I posted the footage online, I was blown away by the response. Viewers loved the silliness and originality of the concept, and recognised my joy as I scrambled over barbed wire, across rivers and through fields of startled sheep. I'd failed but knew I had to keep trying. After another failed Wales attempt in 2020, I decided to try Norway. The north of the country is less than 30km wide, with few farms and a right to roam – so no risk of angry farmers. But the landscape was alien to me. On one occasion, I barely escaped from a peat bog after being trapped up to my waist. Still, after two days, I finished it – crossing an entire country in a straight line for the first time. Verity was there at the finish line. It felt amazing to share the moment with her. But I couldn't stop there. After my first video, others began to try their own missions. In 2023, two straight-liners told me they planned to cross Wales. By that point, a GPS malfunction had caused my third attempt to fail; the idea of someone else doing it first was devastating. I devised a new route, prioritising mountains over farmland. It was longer, but I felt that avoiding farmers gave me the best chance of completion. I was right, and finished it in February that year, after four days. The satisfaction was incredible. Next came England, something I'd long thought was impossible. The route was more than 100km, twice the length of most of my previous walks. I travelled lighter and a crew followed me in a support van. We met whenever my line crossed a road, and I'd restock my supplies and sleep. It was my toughest challenge yet. Much of the route was forest, and on the last day I hit a sea of fallen trees. The height of the pile, and sharpness of the branches, meant a single slip could be fatal. I faced a gut-wrenching decision: abandon the mission after six days of pain or risk my life to continue. Miraculously, I found a route avoiding the worst of it and got to the end. Still, I'm glad I won't have to do it again. Since then, I've become a father, and my appetite for danger has changed. I'm incredibly thankful to my viewers, whose support has enabled me to do these challenges full-time. I'm certainly not your typical adventurer. But if I were to have any label, that's the one I'd choose – after all, isn't it every kid's dream? As told to Ed Harding Do you have an experience to share? Email experience@
Glasgow Times
15 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Balloon release to be held in memory of Cambuslang man
Greg Monks' loved ones will remember the 38-year-old at the event next week. It will take place at the field at Fullarton Park in the city's East End from 7pm on Monday, June 23. Jillian Monks, Greg's sister, asked those who wish to attend to gather at this time and to please bring a blue balloon. The balloons will then be released at around 7.15pm. Ms Monks added that Greg's funeral details will 'hopefully' be confirmed later this week. READ NEXT: Thousands raised to bring Greg Monks home from Portugal In a post on Facebook, she wrote: 'Hey all, we are arranging a balloon release for Greg on Monday, June 23 at 7pm at the field at Fullarton Park. 'We will meet there at 7pm and release the balloons at around 7.15pm. If you can bring a blue (preferably) balloon with a message on it, if you wish. 'Funeral details to follow. The proposed date is June 25, 2025, at 4pm. Please be aware that this may change and is not confirmed. 'We will be able to confirm this, hopefully, on Friday with full details. Thank you to everyone for their kindness over the last few weeks during this incredibly difficult time.' READ NEXT: Greg Monks' family say they believe he 'got lost' in Portugal We previously reported that more than £34,000 had been raised to help repatriate Greg's body after his tragic death in Albufeira. The 38-year-old went missing shortly after arriving in the resort town on Tuesday, May 27, for a stag do. He was reported missing after leaving the main strip in Albufeira after a night out between May 27 and May 28. On June 4, Judicial Police in Portugal confirmed that the body of a man, a 38-year-old British citizen, was discovered in the Cerro de Aguia area, where Grege was last seen on CCTV.
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Fare dodger caught red handed after evading £1,650 in tickets
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A prolific fare dodger was caught red-handed after racking up a £1,650 bill on the Elizabeth line. The man had avoided paying for almost 250 journeys by using a trick known as short-faring over eight months. He had been using his Oyster Card to travel from Harold Wood or Romford to Stratford in east London, but he had only bought the fare in Zones 2 to 3, instead of the full fare from Zone 6 to 2. A monthly Travelcard between Zones 2 to 3 costs £128.7, while a Zones 2 to 6 pass sets you back by £214.7. Thinking he had gamed the system, the unassuming passenger travelled regularly between the zones by shortening his fare, but the detection system picked up his journeys. The TfL investigators set up a sting operation at 5.30am to catch the man on his morning commute to Stratford from Harold Wood. The heated encounter is featured in an upcoming episode of the Channel 5 series Fare Dodgers: At War with the Law, which airs on Monday. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video His fare dodging had created a 35-page dossier of evidence for the investigators Rich and Greg to trawl through to understand his movements – and to set up the best time to catch him in action. He had avoided paying £1,651 worth of Tube tickets over around 245 journeys. Irregular payments and travel patterns can be picked up by the TfL's Irregular Travel Analysis Platform (ITAP), which also detects short-faring. It combs through ticketing and journey data, passengers' information, CCTV and travel patterns to spot fare evaders racking up the biggest bills. The transport authority spent almost £22 million on a fare dodging crackdown last year. Around 3.4% of passengers avoided paying for travel between April and December last year. TfL recovered £400,000 through the courts after the prosecution of 360 worst evaders. Dressed in normal clothing to stay undercover, the pair waited for the man to walk into their arms. When asking for a ticket check on his Oyster card, the man says he didn't have one. 'You do, so what did you use to come here,' the investigator asks. The man continues to insist he has used a bank card. While he agrees to provide his name and address, but he refuses to show his Oyster card, saying he has lost it. More Trending He eventually hands over the Oyster card after being taken to a back room for questioning when the investigators said they will call the police if he continues to be 'obstructive.' After the chat, he continued his journey while the case will be passed onto the TfL prosecution team. Another short-farer was caught at Waterloo station previously, who evaded paying £20,000 on his regular commute from Surrey to central London. The next episode of Fare Dodgers: At War with the Law is on Channel 5 airs at 9pm on Monday, June 23 on TV and on the streaming platform. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Man 'carrying a gun' at Elm Park Underground station arrested during rush hour MORE: Passengers stuck on trains and platforms in sweltering heat after fire alarm MORE: Dartford Crossing charge will go up for drivers – here's how much it rises
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Heartbroken friends and family of Greg Monks to hold balloon release in his memory
A balloon release will be held in memory of Greg Monks, whose body was discovered on June 4 in Portugal after he disappeared on stag-do. The family and friends of Greg Monk who tragically died after disappearing on a stag do in Portugal are holding a balloon release in his memory. The event on Monday, June 23, will be held on the field at Fullarton Park in Glasgow and will provide the community a chance to come together to remember Greg, whose body was discovered on June 4, following a week-long search in Albufeira. Attendees will meet at 7pm and release balloons around 15 minutes later. Those attending are encouraged to bring blue balloon, with a personal message to Greg. Funeral dates for the mechanic are still being finalised, with the proposed date set for Wednesday, June 25 at 4pm. However, his heartbroken family have said they will confirm the arrangements by Friday. In a message to those who followed the case, Greg's family expressed heartfelt thanks for their 'kindness over the last few of weeks during this incredibly difficult time'. Greg Monks, 38, from Cambuslang, disappeared during a stag do in Albufeira, Portugal on May 28. His body was discovered following a week-long search with police concluding he likely fell to his death as he attempted to make his way back to his hotel. He was last spotted on CCTV around four miles from the main bar area in the Cerro de Aguia district. Portuguese authorities believe Greg became disorientated after heavily drinking, jumped a fence and tragically fell down a ravine in a remote, uneven area. Police confirmed there is no evidence of foul play. However, autopsy results are pending. The devastating news was met with an emotional tribute from Greg's sister Jillian, who described him as "an amazing boy" and thanks everyone for their support throughout the ordeal. Posting in the Missing Person Greg Monks - Albufeira, Portugal Facebook group, she wrote: "Didn't think it would end like this.. We are absolutely devastated! Greg was an amazing boy who everyone thought so highly of, Was friends with everyone and always made us laugh! We will miss him everyday! "I just want to thank absolutely everyone for everything they done from sharing their posts to out looking, phoning everywhere to get CCTV. She added: "The support we have received from everyone has been out of this world If love coulda saved you, you would live forever! Miss you forever brother." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Heavy police presence in Webbwood due to search for missing man
Ontario Provincial Police asked residents to keep clear of a roadway in Webbwood as officers conducted an investigation. Ontario Provincial Police asked residents to keep clear of a roadway in Webbwood as officers conducted an investigation. The search for a man last seen Sunday in Webbwood, west of Sudbury, has drawn a heavy police presence in the area of Agnew Lake Road, Ontario Provincial Police say. Greg, 50, was last seen wearing a light-coloured jacket and dark-coloured pants, police said in a news release Tuesday. Search and rescue crews continue to search for him along the 6.3 km stretch of road in Sables-Spanish Rivers Township, located more than 12 km west of Espanola, after the Manitoulin detachment started an investigation Monday. 'Police and family members are concerned for Greg's safety and are asking anyone who may have information regarding this missing person investigation to contact the OPP immediately at 1-888-310-1122,' police said. 'If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000. Reference occurrence #E250775377." Greg is described as being five-foot-eight, 155 pounds with green eyes and short brown and grey hair. He wears reading glasses.
