Karl Bushby has returned to his childhood home in Hull after leaving Chile in November 1998 with the aim of walking an unbroken path back to his roots
To date, he has crossed four continents, swum the English Channel and walked more than 31,000 miles (58,000km)
Family, friends and supporters have been waiting for him at the finish line
He crossed the Humber Bridge on Sunday and was 'overwhelmed' with the reception
The expedition has been mainly self-funded. However, sponsors have joined along the way, including a US-based documentary firm
Karl has been sent a letter of congratulations from Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has praised his determination and self belief
Biju Kurian has travelled from the US to be here today. Biju says he hosted Karl for nine days when he travelled into Oklahoma in 2014
Thank you for joining our live coverage of Karl Bushby's return to Hull.
The global adventurer set off from Chile in 1998 with the aim of walking back to his childhood home.
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Karl Bushby reunited with his mum at home
After 28 years away, walking 31,000-miles (50,000km), Karl Bushby has arrived at his mother's home in Hull.
The former paratrooper set off from Chile in 1998 aged 29 and has travelled across the Bering Strait between Russia and the US, as well as swimming the English Channel.
The 56-year-old was met by cheering crowds as he made his way from the Humber Bridge to Hull city centre, where he was met by the city's Lord Mayor for a civic reception.
After setting off again from Hull City Hall, he walked the last few miles before an emotional reunion with his tearful mum, Angela, who joked: "Where have you been?"
Jack Mason, 18, had his arm signed by Bushby as he approached his home.
He said that he was going to get it tattooed.
“He’s inspirational," Mason said.
Karl is now inside his childhood home, where his mum, Angela, previously told the BBC she was "gobsmacked" when Karl revealed his intention to walk home from Chile in 1998.
The idea was supported by his father, Keith, a former SAS soldier.
"I was gobsmacked when Karl told me what he planned to do," said Angela, a retired packer at a snack food factory who is divorced from Keith.
"Karl has always been headstrong," she added. "Once Karl puts his mind to something, he does it."
Kevin Shoesmith
Reporting from Hull
I once asked Karl if he has time to truly absorb the beauty of places he passes through, such as the stunning main square in Mons where I met him last month.
"I'm seeing the world in a lot of detail," he said, in response to my question. "But it's from my perspective, relevant to what I'm doing.
"And it's not like the vacation-style detail where you're going to a place to learn the culture and the food and all that kind of thing. You kind of naturally know the food of a place because you're living in it.
"You're certainly not spending a lot of money on a traditional dish in a fancy restaurant with them telling you this is our traditional dish. You're shoveling plates in someone's house on the side of a road somewhere, but that's their traditional stuff."
Karl grabs a quick photo in the centre of Mons, Belgium
Bushby was greeted at his mother's home by crowds and banners.
Also in the garden was German film director Werner Herzog who is set to make a documentary about Karl's global adventure.
Chad Thomas has travelled from Wakefield to be here.
He’s followed Karl since he was in Azerbaijan.
“If he can walk around the world for 28 years, what’s the last few miles with him?”
The street in east Hull was filled with media from across the world as adventurer Karl Bushby ended his 28-year trek from Chile to Hull.
It's a scrum as Karl and his mother, Angela, embrace as his 28-year journey ends at his childhood home in Hull.
A tearful Angela says: "Where have you been?"
After 28 years away Karl Bushby arrives at his mother's home in Hull.
Karl Bushby is moments away from his goal and is pausing near the house to allow people to take selfies and for autographs.
Kevin Shoesmith
Reporting from Hull
Bushby is now just a few yards from his home and has to negotiate a cycle barrier.
Stopping at the traffic light, a man has just given Karl a double thumbs up
People are tooting their horns.
Simon Spark
Reportng from Hull
One person walking along with Bushby on the final leg said he has been inspired to do his own round-the-world journey
Graham Hughes (left) brought his book for him to sign and managed to document a long chat with Karl and thank him personally.
Also inspired is Peter Hobson who said he would be cycling around the world next all because of Karl.
Kevin Shoesmith
Reporting from Hull
I've been covering Karl's journey for 20 years. A few days ago, I joined him and fellow adventurer Angela Maxwell as they made their way north through rural Lincolnshire.
The key question as his journey ends will be this: what next for Karl Bushby? For years, his life has been relatively simple: get up, get from A to B, eat, sleep, repeat. The biggest hurdle may well be reintegrating into society and all the difficulties that brings.
Karl Bushby receives a Hull welcome after 28 years walking around the world.
Grace McGrory
Reporting from Hull
Image source, Grace McGrory / BBCFrench adventurer Dimitri Kieffer crossed the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia with Karl in 2006.
He travelled from his home in the US.
“I wanted to come here to welcome him in his home town," Kieffer said. “It’s quite fantastic to see so much excitement in Hull about it. It’s inspirational and I have enjoyed the city.”
Karl is being followed by about 30 people as he prepares to return to his mum's house in Hull.
Maria and her 12-year-old son Benjamin posed for a selfie with Bushby.
“It’s not everyday you see a man who has just walked from Chile to England. So you take the opportunity," Maria said."This man is the new local hero for Hull for the 21st Century.”
The journey of 31,000 miles enters the final stretch with approximately 2 miles left to go for Karl Bushby, who left Chile in 1998.
Months after Karl set off on his trek, he was given $100 US (£75) by Michael Bier - an Austrian ex-pat living in Chile - in return for delivering the card to a friend in Vienna.
Michael moved to Chile from his native Austria in 1993.
Image source, Michael BierEarlier this year, he told the BBC: "I had earlier driven past this man who was walking along the side of a road. He was pushing a trolley containing all of his possessions.
"I then read in a newspaper that this man was Karl Bushby and he was walking from Chile back to the UK.
"I knew which way he was headed and I figured he would visit a general post office in order to collect his letters, so I left a little note to Karl asking him if he would deliver a postcard to my old neighbour, Dieter, when he reached Vienna."
Days before crossing into Austria from Hungary, Karl said: "This postcard has been on a few adventurers. It's a bit ratty but it'll get to Michael's old neighbour, as promised."
The postcard, written in German, translates to: "Dear Kerdi [a nickname]. This card was given to Karl Bushby on 7.6.1999, who is walking on foot from Punta Arenas via Bering Strait to London (sic).
"I hope it arrives with you and you invite Karl for a few days. Greetings, Michael."
