Report by MHARI KELLY

AN ex Middlewich pupil is back on dry land - after 10 months sailing round the world.

Greg Norris, 46, arrived in Plymouth last Wednesday on one of seven 60ft yachts competing in an epic 50,000 mile race round the globe.

And he enjoyed an emotional dockside reunion with his wife Eileen and dad Alec, of Tewkesbury Close.

"It was a very fast and furious sail back. We had a near gale behind us and so we made very good time," he said.

"To see my family again was quite emotional but there was a huge party organised for us and we had a marvellous time."

Greg, an ex Middlewich Junior School pupil, was taking part in a contest arranged by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to circumnavigate the globe without stopping.

During the voyage he had to go weeks without washing and suffered from violent sickness - but they're not his worst memories.

"One of the most difficult parts of the trip was a 3,000 mile sail from Hawaii to Japan," said Greg.

"A sister boat had a very serious injury on board. A man got his leg caught up in the ropes and the lower part of it was severed. We acted as the communications boat, liaising with the US coast guard and eventually he was airlifted back to the UK, but it was very upsetting. I heard the other day that he had lost his foot."

But despite the difficulties, Greg says the trip was worthwhile.

"I have been able to see some wonderful places. And the destinations were a big part of it for me," he said.

Now he must re-adjust to life at home, near Preston.

He explained: "I was floating along in my own little world, oblivious to the time of day, week or even month. You do become quite detached from reality.

"Until a week ago I didn't have to worry about work. We already had all the necessities of life on board."

Greg is also set to visit St Chad's Primary School in Winsford, where his cousin Claire Garvey is a teacher. Her pupils have been following his voyage on a daily basis and Greg is hoping to talk to them about the trials and tribulations of his amazing feat.

And although he's trying to find a job he can't rule out a return to sea.

"I have been in marketing for most of my career but now I have some pretty impressive sailing qualifications," he said. "I have a yachtmaster ticket which gives me the authority to skipper a boat, so perhaps I will explore that a bit more."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.