British adventurer Karl Bushby reached his mother Angela’s home in Hull, England, on November 2, 2026. The 57-year-old completed a 50,000-kilometer journey across four continents that lasted 28 years. His return also brought him together with his family, including a 12-year-old granddaughter he had never met.
Bushby left Punta Arenas, Chile, in November 1998, expecting the journey to take 12 years. He followed two strict rules: he would not use transport to move forward, and he would return home on foot. However, difficult weather, problems getting permission to enter countries, and the pandemic caused long delays.
Political problems blocked his route through Russia and Iran, so he spent 31 days swimming across the Caspian Sea. He used a wetsuit and a flotation vest to help him stay afloat. In early October, he crossed the English Channel by swimming and reached Britain again.
Before reaching his mother’s house, Bushby received a welcome from up to 1,000 people in central Hull. He thanked the many people who had supported him throughout the trip. Strangers had offered meals and shelter, while a doctor’s family in Peru had cared for him during a serious stomach infection.
