In the end, the Greek Gods were kind to Mark Fuhrmann.

One of the worst rainstorms in years raged over the country as the partner at maritime PR firm Blue-C was nearing the end of an exhausting 3,355-mile (5,400-kilometre) solo kayak trip from Oslo to Athens.

But the sky was clear and the seas were calm on 21 November, when the 60-year old Canadian paddled over the finish line in Piraeus harbour.