In the early morning light she appeared on the horizon, a grey silhouette against a pale blue sky.

After a two-month voyage across the whims of the Atlantic Ocean, the Spirit of Bermuda was home.

Taking advantage of a 15-18 knot southerly wind the three-masted schooner was a glorious sight, the Bermuda flag flying proudly off her stern in the morning sun.

At the Sea Buoy in the East End, a welcoming party of small craft were there to greet her from 9 a.m., sounding their boat horns and cheering her on.

Slicing through the water like butter, she then cut up the South Channel and into the Great Sound. Through Timlin's Narrows, Spirit glided into Hamilton Harbour, her accompanying flotilla now gathering apace.

There were boats of every description, from yachts to fishing boats, dinghies to catamarans. The mood of celebration resounded with shouts, cheers and clapping, while passing ferries blew their horns in appreciation.

Arcing around the harbour, Spirit then fired a cannon salute off her starboard as she passed Parliament Hill at 11.50 a.m.

All along the waterfront, people gathered to welcome her home. Then it was on to Dockyard where the families of crew members eagerly awaited the arrival of their loved ones.

At 12.30 p.m., after 7,000 miles of adventure, the crew finally struck the jib and remaining sails. Spirit motored in to her berth and a warm embrace from the people of Bermuda.