British adventurer Karl Bushby back on UK soil after 28-year round-the-world walk

British adventurer Karl Bushby, a 57-year-old former paratrooper, has returned to the UK after completing a 50,000-kilometre, 28-year journey from South America. On Monday, Bushby swam across the English Channel and set foot on UK soil near Hull, his mother's home in northern England.

Bushby, who began his quest in November 1998, vowed to reach his mother's home without using any form of transport, including planes, trains, boats, vehicles or other means. After 28 years and 50,000 kilometres, he faced the final challenge of crossing the English Channel.

The adventurer and his team kept the swim a secret for safety and security reasons. Bushby expressed his satisfaction at standing on UK soil after decades of trekking. Despite facing numerous obstacles such as visa refusals, financial crises, and the Covid-19 pandemic, Bushby paused his journey periodically, living in Mexico during those times before resuming when the situation improved.

At his arrival in southeast England on Monday afternoon, Bushby was greeted by friends, family, including his father and brothers, as well as renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog and his crew. The documentary film crew is producing a feature-length film titled "Walk of Life" to chronicle Bushby's journey, which has seen him walk the Americas, cross the Bering Strait, and traverse east to west overland.

Looking to reestablish himself in the "grown-up world," Bushby admitted he will arrive home with nothing, emphasizing the challenges of balancing his extraordinary adventure with everyday life.