Cheering crowds gathered as the 57‑year‑old adventurer finished his long walk. The story shows how one person can turn a personal crisis into a global adventure worth reading.

Karl Bushby began his 28‑year walk around the world in 1998 from Chile. He said he would avoid all transport and would not return home until the challenge was completed.

He paused the journey several times. A Moscow visa was denied, the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid‑19 pandemic also caused stops. Each time he resumed from the exact spot where he left off. He walked the length of the Americas, crossed the frozen Bering Strait, travelled through parts of Central Asia and Europe, and swam across the English Channel to return to Hull in November 2026.

When he arrived, up to 1,000 people greeted him. He was reunited with his mother, his son and his 12‑year‑old granddaughter. Hull’s mayor praised him and the UK prime minister’s spokesperson called the trek an extraordinary achievement.

A documentary crew led by Werner Herzog filmed his homecoming. Bushby said he will now focus on the documentary and write a book about his journey.