Sailing dream turns into a breeze

By STUART DYE

Friends and neighbours of Steve Kermode thought he was mad. The children who played near his London home called him Noah.

But like his biblical counterpart, Steve refused to give up on his dream. And he spent 11 years building a yacht - the Kiwi Breeze - in his backyard.

Then the New Zealander, who had been living in the UK for 22 years, decided to sail home.

Yesterday, after an epic 18-month voyage covering more than 24,000km, he arrived with his beloved boat limping in to berth.

"She's had a hard time," laughed the property developer.

Mr Kermode, with 11-year-old son Connor, were given an emotional welcome by family and friends when he finally landed at Half Moon Bay marina in Auckland.

But the most important reunion will come next week when wife Yasmin flies in from London.

She began the dream family trip, but soon lost her sea legs.

"She doesn't like the sea. She doesn't fill the bath too deep," he said.

The journey has not been without its trials.

It almost didn't get started because the crane used to lift the yacht out of the family garden began cracking the road. Engineers had to reinforce the concrete before a second attempt was made.

Then, five days out of Panama, the mast collapsed. Mr Kermode was forced to patch it up before a lengthy stop in Ecuador for repairs.

And finally, as he cruised into the Hauraki Gulf yesterday, the Kiwi Breeze ran out of fuel and lost part of its steering.

But the dramas weren't enough to put Mr Kermode, 43, and Connor off their round-the-world voyage.

"It's been wonderful. Hard work at times but very rewarding. All in all a great experience and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

"Except the wife would probably divorce me ... "