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| Briton completes 13-year odyssey | Briton completes 13-year odyssey |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A 40-year-old adventurer has completed a 46,000-mile round-the-world journey, which has taken 13 years. | A 40-year-old adventurer has completed a 46,000-mile round-the-world journey, which has taken 13 years. |
| Jason Lewis, from Dorset, has travelled over five continents, two oceans and a sea to be the first to circle the globe on human power alone. | Jason Lewis, from Dorset, has travelled over five continents, two oceans and a sea to be the first to circle the globe on human power alone. |
| After dodging crocodiles and breaking both his legs, he travelled up the River Thames in his pedal-powered boat. | After dodging crocodiles and breaking both his legs, he travelled up the River Thames in his pedal-powered boat. |
| On Saturday, an overwhelmed Mr Lewis carried his boat over Greenwich's Meridian Line, where the quest began. | |
| I came over the line and I was choked Jason Lewis | |
| He said he thought it was "never going to happen", but was "overwhelmed to have returned in one piece". | |
| "It feels fantastic. I came over the line and I was choked. I blubbed like a baby," Mr Lewis said. | |
| "Everything I've been doing for the last 13 years has been in some way connected with this trip and tomorrow that will be no more." | |
| The former cleaner, from Askerswell, received a royal welcome from the Duke of Gloucester when he finally crossed the Meridien Line from east to west at London's Royal Observatory with his trusted Devon-built 26ft (8m) Moksha. | |
| Among the hundreds of onlookers was his father Col Sebert Lewis, who helped his son with the navigation, "sleeping with a paper and pen in case of emergencies". | |
| He said: "It has been like one long military exercise lasting 13 years. | |
| "I felt like I was on the expedition." | |
| In pictures: Epic journey Returning after 13 years | In pictures: Epic journey Returning after 13 years |
| The Duke of Gloucester - who is the patron of "Expedition 360" - launched and named the craft in 1994. | The Duke of Gloucester - who is the patron of "Expedition 360" - launched and named the craft in 1994. |
| Mr Lewis went on to say the "low points" had included breaking both legs in the USA and being arrested by Egyptian authorities, who thought he was a spy. | |
| He added: "There have been many high moments. To be honest, it's always good to reach the other side of an ocean. | |
| "But if it was just about the physical challenge I would have got bored. | |
| "The 'why' question changed over the years. | |
| "I started circumnavigating the world ... but it became more about using the expedition as an educational tool to enhance children's learning experience in the classroom." | |
| Rest planned | |
| Mr Lewis, who completed the journey in 16 legs and stayed at various points around the world in-between, also made the trip in kayaks, mountain bikes and in-line skates. | |
| He was 26 when he began his 46,000-mile (74,000km) journey on 12 July 1994, with his colleague, Steve Smith, who decided to leave the expedition in Hawaii in 1999. | He was 26 when he began his 46,000-mile (74,000km) journey on 12 July 1994, with his colleague, Steve Smith, who decided to leave the expedition in Hawaii in 1999. |
| Mr Lewis arrived in Britain at 2100 BST on Sunday, 30 September after spending a day crossing the English Channel from Calais, France, on the 16th and final leg of the trip. | Mr Lewis arrived in Britain at 2100 BST on Sunday, 30 September after spending a day crossing the English Channel from Calais, France, on the 16th and final leg of the trip. |
| He said he planned to rest on Sunday, before starting a career organising "mini expeditions" for young people and giving talks about climate change. | |
| The Moshka will now be put into retirement as he takes his well earned rest. |