Karl Bushby has finally returned to the UK after spending almost three decades walking thousands of miles across the world in an attempt to reach his hometown of Hull.

The 57-year-old former British paratrooper received an emotional welcome on Monday, 2 November, as he completed his extraordinary expedition, which began in Punta Arenas, southern Chile, on 1 November 1998.

Bushby was just 28 when he embarked on what he initially expected to be a 12-year journey. However, a series of obstacles, including dangerous weather conditions, border restrictions, financial difficulties and unexpected encounters, meant his return took considerably longer than anticipated.

After travelling through 30 countries and covering approximately 31,000 miles, he finally made it back to Hull, where crowds gathered to celebrate his achievement. His return also marked the end of a promise he had made to himself when he first left home, that he would not return until he had completed the journey on foot.

Bushby's arrival in Hull attracted hundreds of supporters, well-wishers and members of the media, with people gathering in Queen Victoria Square to witness the final stages of his expedition. The adventurer was seen pushing his two-wheeled cart through the city before receiving a civic welcome outside the town hall.

Speaking to the crowds, Bushby appeared overwhelmed by the reception and acknowledged the enormous amount of support he had received throughout his journey. He said:

"There has never been a welcome home quite like this, I’m sure."

"After 28 years you couldn’t ask for more than this."

"It took a world to get me here. The kindness of strangers – so many, from individuals to nation states, to get me back here."

His journey eventually brought him across the Humber Bridge before he made his way through Hull and towards the family home he had left nearly three decades earlier.

One of the most emotional moments came when he was reunited with his mother, Angela, whom he had not seen in person for around 10 years. The pair embraced outside her home, with Angela visibly emotional as she welcomed her son back. During their reunion, Bushby joked about how much time had passed, telling her:

"You’ve changed a bit."

His mother responded:

"I’m older," before he replied: "We both are."

The reunion marked a significant moment for the family after years of waiting for his return.

Bushby originally set off from Punta Arenas in Chile on 1 November 1998, with the ambition of walking all the way back to his home in England.

His expedition, known as the Goliath Expedition, involved travelling across South America, Central America, North America, Asia and Europe, with the aim of completing the journey without using motorised transport to move forward.

One of the most challenging parts of the expedition involved crossing the Darién Gap, a notoriously difficult stretch of jungle between Colombia and Panama. The area is known for its dangerous terrain, dense vegetation and lack of established roads, making it one of the most challenging sections of his route. He also faced significant dangers while attempting to cross the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia in 2006.

The crossing involved navigating shifting sea ice in freezing conditions, with Bushby and fellow adventurer Dimitri Kieffer encountering life-threatening situations during the attempt.

The pair were eventually rescued after becoming stranded in dangerous conditions. They also faced arrest and detention in Russia after entering the country without the necessary permission.

His difficulties did not end there, as visa restrictions and political complications repeatedly prevented him from continuing his journey.

At one stage, Bushby was unable to secure permission to enter Russia, leading him to walk from Los Angeles to the Russian Embassy in Washington DC in protest. His determination eventually helped him resolve the issue, although further delays meant it took years before he could continue travelling through the country.

As well as walking across vast stretches of land, Bushby also had to swim across major bodies of water to maintain his commitment to the expedition. He swam across the Caspian Sea and, more recently, completed a crossing of the English Channel as part of the final stages of his journey back to Britain.

Despite the physical demands and repeated setbacks, he continued working towards his goal until he finally arrived home.

While Bushby's achievement has been celebrated by many, his return has also prompted conversations about the personal sacrifices made during his 28 years away.

When he first left Hull, Bushby was a father to an eight-year-old son, Adam. However, his decision to pursue the expedition meant he missed much of his son's childhood and the years in which he was growing up. Adam is now 36, meaning his father was away for almost his entire childhood and much of his adult life.

Although the pair have maintained some contact over the years, reports have highlighted that Bushby has only seen his son a handful of times throughout the expedition.

During an earlier interview, Bushby acknowledged the difficult decision he had made when choosing to continue with the journey, knowing that he would miss watching his son grow up. He explained that he had considered whether he would be more valuable to his son by completing an extraordinary achievement rather than remaining at home.

His return to Hull also provided an opportunity to reconnect with his son and meet his granddaughter, who is now 12 years old and whom he had never met before.

The family reunion has therefore been met with mixed reactions, with some people questioning whether the achievement should be celebrated without considering the impact his prolonged absence had on those closest to him.

News of Bushby's return has attracted a range of reactions online, with some people amazed by the length of time he spent walking across the world.

One person expressed disbelief at how long the expedition had taken, writing:

“Bro’s been walking from before i was born! thats crazy! Congrats to him tho!!”

Another person wrote:

“Damn I remember this dude from years ago! What an achievement! Well done to him!”

However, others were less impressed by the story, arguing that his decision to spend almost three decades away from his family should not be overlooked.

One person questioned the impact his absence had on his mother:

“Very unfair and selfish what he did to his mum. If his mum left him as a child for 28 years to pursue her career would he take her back?”

Another social media user focused on the effect his decision had on his son:

“Turned his back on his family and abandoned his 8 year old son for his own selfish reasons. This is not something anyone should be applauding or praising him for.”

After finally completing the expedition, Bushby has suggested that he may be ready to put his walking days behind him.

Having spent 28 years working towards one goal, his return marks the beginning of a very different chapter, as he adjusts to being back home and reconnects with the family and friends he left behind.

His journey has also attracted interest from the film industry, with filmmaker Werner Herzog working on a documentary about the expedition.

Bushby has also spoken about plans for further writing and speaking engagements, meaning his experiences are likely to continue reaching audiences even though the walk itself is over.

His return is undoubtedly an extraordinary milestone, particularly given the dangers, setbacks and sheer distance involved in completing the expedition.