The longest global walk comes to an end after almost three decades

HULL, England (NBC, KYMA) - A British adventurer who has been walking around the world for almost three decades finished his trek Monday, ending a 31,000-mile journey with a hug from his mother outside the house where he grew up.

Karl Bushby has hacked through jungles in Central America, crossed the ice between Alaska and Russia and last month swam across the English channel on the final stretch of a voyage made entirely under his own effort.

Hundreds of cheering supporters greeted the 57-year-old in the square of his home city of hull this morning.

He then headed for his family home where his mother, his 36-year-old son and a 12-year-old granddaughter were waiting.

Bushby served in the British army's parachute regiment in his twenties.

After the breakdown of his marriage he drew a line on a world map and set off, inspired by his father who had wondered if it was possible to walk from London to New York.

Carrying a tent, a few hundred dollars and a cheap plastic camera, he started in Chile and headed north through the americas, crossing from Alaska to Russia, Mongolia and China, and back through Europe after swimming the Caspian sea.

He originally expected to spend about 10 years on the road but he hadn't anticipated the obstacles he'd face.

Amongst them a brief imprisonment in Panama, being held at gunpoint in Mexico and detention by Russian authorities for crossing the border illegally.

Not to mention delays from the 2008 financial crisis and the covid pandemic.

Bushby said he has only spent about 15 of the 28 years walking, returning to Mexico periodically to sort out visas, logistics and corporate and media sponsorship deals.

A feature-length documentary about his journey is in production, and Bushby is planning to embark on a speaking tour around England in the coming weeks.