Slideshow featuring traveller John Treagood .
The story of Mr Treagood, who was born in Kent, could easily be turned into a Hollywood film. Raised by his grandfather, he never knew his mother, and at the age of 16 he ran away.
After being blinded in one eye while serving in the army for six years, John used the money he received to get a BA in medieval history and a PhD in environmental studies. He then became a freelance lecturer.
But one day, unbeknown to even John himself, he decided to pack his backpack and go for a walk. And he hasn’t looked back.
John doesn’t have a pension but instead earns his money from odd jobs such as tree pruning and gardening.
JOHN Treagood has made his first trip to Mid Devon following an online campaign to get him a new horse following the death of his previous one Gildor.
John’s new Shire horse, Misty, was purchased by donations from across the globe and given to the 79-year-old in March.
The campaign was so successful; it even enabled supporters to purchase a new trailer.
Because of the campaign, John was taken into the hearts of people across the planet, and he now says that he regularly gets over 20 visitors a day.
“I’ve had people coming and saying it’s nice to see me on the road again.
“I thought that was unusual for motorists, they usual want me off it I think. I slow them down a bit.
“I’ve been told I’m a tourist attraction. I can’t see tourists coming all the way just to see me. I can think of prettier looking things to look at.”
Despite the appreciation, John says that visitors can sometimes get in the way of his reading.
“It can be a bit of a bug bear at times because I like reading books and I can read a book all day but not lately because every time I get into a book a get a visitor.”
The new found fame has also meant that at times John gets his fair share of abusive comments.
“I don’t mind a bit of a abuse such as those who shout out ‘get a job you lazy bastard’ which is a favourite one because if they think I’m young enough to get a job that’s a compliment and if they call me a bastard that’s a compliment because I am - I can prove it by birth so it doesn’t bother me.”
As well as Misty, John is joined on his travels by Whisky, a 10 year old dog, a stray which he picked up from Morrisons in Tiverton, and a three year old Staffordshire bull terrier, Hale, who he got from a friend in Willand.
• John Treagood - Devon ...
• John Treagood Spotlight
LYRICS
I dressed you in the morning
for a journey to the past
We signed our names in shadows
that I promised you would last
Main travelled roads before us
passing slowly out of sight
The haunted valley chorus
Sweeping softly through the night
The last four men were waiting
for their call to take the stage
And when the curtains opened
they stood like lovers in a cage
The crowd in perfect silence
closed their eyes to hide their shame
The dressing rooms are empty
and nobody is to blame
I walked through fields of honour
where the gentle earth had bled
The young men are still fighting
and the forest tracks are red
The hotel lifts are broken
and the trains are running slow
The blind men at reception
never miss a single show
Main travelled roads behind me
and a white bird in the sky
A secret sign to show me
where the ocean comes to die
I arose and left you
sleeping in your silent room
Eternal is the warrior
who finds beauty in his wounds