A Forest Hill couple have returned from an epic two-year honeymoon where they cycled halfway around the globe on a tandem bike.

Kat and Steve Turner, 34, braved soaring heat and arctic temperatures, dog attacks as well as navigating through police states during their around 31,000 km cycling feat from New Zealand to London.

News Shopper: Kat and Steve outside Westminster at the end of their journey.

The pioneering pair visited 22 countries and climbed a total height of 249,365m - the equivalent to cycling up Everest 28 times - in their 699 day journey on their tandem, nicknamed Hooch.

The 'tandem Turners', who lived in Kemble Road, started their honeymoon with a difference in April 2012 - giving up jobs as a teacher and parliamentary caseworker to raise cash for sustainable development charity Practical Action.

Mrs Turner, 32, who learned how to ride a bike just days before the challenge, said: "It has been a fantastic journey, and an amazing experience. There were so many people we met that made it special.

"It has certainly made the world seem like a much less scary place.

"But it was extremely difficult too, and not as romantic as you imagine your honeymoon might be - most of our nights were spent in a tiny two-person tent rubbing cream into each other’s sore bits."

News Shopper: Kat camping in some bushes

Their adventure began in New Zealand’s South Island and took them across south east Asia, and countries including China, Uzbekistan and Turkey as well as former Soviet states before finishing at Hampton Court Palace on March 29.

They are currently staying with Kat’s mum in Penge  where they say they are enjoying normality.

News Shopper: Kat in the desert in Kazhakstan with Hooch

 Steve and Kat’s journey in numbers...

Time in the saddle: 1,585 hours

Days travelling: 699

Kilometres cycled: 30,500kms

Average kilometres per day: 72kms

Countries visited: 22

Height gained: 249,365m

To find out more visit practicalaction/tandemturners.org