After three months at sea, Pete insisted the crew were getting on like a house on fire – but admitted making Cape Town for Christmas was a "massive psychological boost".
Pete, his son Eliot, brother Andy and brother-in-law Mark Maidment, are following in the wake of seven Newlyn fishermen who left Cornwall for a new life in Australia in 1854. "We are in really good shape and heading into what is known as the Roaring Forties," said Pete, speaking via satellite phone.
"The Southern Ocean always throws up some serious challenges along the way and, of course, it's a lot colder now we have said goodbye to Africa.
"But it's a happy little ship; there hasn't been a cross word said between any of us since we left Newlyn."
The crew were aiming to make a stop at the island of St Paul's, which lies half-way between Africa and Australia.
Pete reports the crew is a "bit shell-shocked" after the last three or so days of 25-30 knot winds on the beam.
To follow the Spirit of Mystery's progress, log on to www.petegoss.com
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