Christmas joy for Oz-bound crew

The crew aim to be in Australia by the end of February

West Country sailor Pete Goss and his crew have reached Cape Town in South Africa as they sail in a wooden fishing boat for Australia.

Mr Goss and his son Eliot, brother Andy and brother-in-law Mark Maidment set off on 20 October and are retracing a voyage from Cornwall made in 1854.

Their vessel, Spirit of Mystery, is relying on sail and navigating by the stars, like the original sailors did.

Mr Goss's crew spent Christmas Day with their families in Cape Town.

All four crew members are reported to be "incredibly happy" to be celebrating both their arrival and Christmas with their families.

They aim to leave Cape Town on 4 January and make it to Australia by the end of February.

The trip has been raising money for the charity Mr Goss is patron of, Cornwall Playing for Success, which provides out-of-hours activities for children.

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