LONE sailor Pete Harrison survived a brush in the infamous Bermuda Triangle, broken rigging, gale force winds and swelling seas that almost tipped him overboard in a 4,000-mile solo voyage that would have tested the metal of many yachtsmen.

The 58-year-old retired Royal Navy clearance diving officer sailed into his home port of Watchet last Friday after a 44-day trip from the Caribbean island of St Martin via Bermuda and the Azores.

And Pete, who bought Watchet's Chives café and deli with his family a year ago, motored into the marina aboard his 40ft sailing ketch the Tigress of Deben to a hero's welcome and a champagne reception.

Bizarrely, he had not planned to undertake the journey alone but family commitments and a broken hand suffered by his daughter Jenny - who manages Chives - meant he had to bring the boat home unaided.

Among those waiting to greet Pete was his wife Annie, who had been holding the fort on the business front.

But the homecoming was also the final part of a 13,000 mile Atlantic adventure for both Pete and retired teacher Annie that started in Turkey in April 2008.

The couple sold the Sunnybank Caravan Park in Watchet four years ago and planned what is commonly regarded by yachties as the ultimate cruise.

Having upgraded and updated the 37-year-old Tigress in preparation for the blue water passage, Pete and Annie set off on the outward leg of their epic voyage, stopping at Greece, Italy, Sardinia, Gibralta, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands before a 2,000-mile Atlantic crossing to Barbados.

They arrived at their destination on New Year's Day 2009 and continued up and down the chain of islands from Bequia to Antigua for the next two sailing seasons, with all three of their daughters visiting from time to time and Pete pursuing his passion for underwater photography.

The return journey to bring the Tigress back to Watchet saw Pete enduring winds of 25 knots and surviving an electrical fault that filled the boat's cabin with smoke as he passed through the Bermuda Triangle.

Halfway between Bermuda and the Azores he had problems with his rigging and heavy winds and bad weather meant he nearly went over in the Bay of Biscay.

He reached the UK shores of the Isles of Scilly with a broken motor and sails that were in desperate need of repair.

And even in the safety of Watchet Marina, the Tigress almost inflicted the ultimate humiliation.

A problem with the shaft seal saw the boat filling up with water and almost sinking.

"That would have been really embarrassing but fortunately it was OK," said Pete.

Snatching sleep when he could, he described the journey home as a challenge and something he had never really planned to do.

"I enjoyed the challenge and the experience but I have to admit that I sometimes questioned what I was doing."

Photos: Steve Guscott