Hi All - Happy New Year; I am sure 2009 will be a good one for us all and I can tell you that it has been outstanding so far. I will do a proper blog once I get a bit of time but for starters we are now working hard on Spirit of Mystery to get her ready for the next leg. Tracey, Gina and the kids flew back to the UK on Friday evening after a wonderful time together and since then our focus has been Australia.

At the moment it looks like we will be leaving Cape Town for Simons Town on Thursday for we should have a North Westerly to carry us down the coast. This should make a nice shake down for the boat and of course give us a chance to work on our sea legs. Simons Town will be a short stop or really a staging post for a weather window to head off into the big blue yonder and Melbourne.

Cape Town could not have been better and I will write it up later - possibly tonight - but I have to say that the ocean is starting to call and the urge to get out there is building by the day. Cheers Pete

Over the years I have been privileged to have experienced a wide variety of Christmases from childhood through to the Royal Marines. If I put saving Raphael Dinelli during the Vendee Globe at the top of the list then yesterday would come a very close second for it was perfect.

As we rolled into the 25th of December 2008 the wind increased and Spirit of Mystery Mystery lifted her skirts and made a run for Cape Town surfing on the residual swell from our big blow. It was a beautiful night which although a bit chilly allowed us the freedom of just wearing thermals; always very liberating after a few days in full gear.

Eliot spotted the first sight of land in the dark as we were putting our final reef into the big lug and a fission of excitement swept through the boat. We were actually going to make Cape Town for Christmas with the family and Eliot was effervescent with excitement; singing and dancing a little jig on the foredeck.

Dawn could not have been any better as the sun rose to throw the mountain range into silhouette with a beautifully mellow golden sunrise which was unable to drown out the moon that sat above it all. Albatross capped it as they swept about us with efficient grace and suddenly we smelt Africa and I can tell you that after a couple of months at sea it has an evocative smell.

Cape Town was on us before we knew it and we called the families to let them know we would be in a couple of hours. We all had a shave, washed our hair and gave Spirit of Mystery a quick tidy up. Campbell came out in the Club launch to greet us and took Andy off for a picture with table Mountain in the background. It was, he said, an odd experience to see our fine little craft from the outside after so long living in our little nut shell.

I tied the South African Courtesy flag under tour big St Pirrans and it was this little act of tradition that really bought it home to me. We had done it and I stole a couple of minutes to reflect on this amazing project and the people that have made it happen. Like most good things in life this, a couple of years ago, was just another daft idea. Lots of hard work, commitment and an amazing team ranging from Chris Rees and all the suppliers, Cornwall Playing for Success, Stuart Elford, our sponsors and Mandy to name but a few have made this such a special experience.

The families were waving and shouting from the pontoon as we came in for a big hug. We made spirit fast and trundled into the bar for a well earned beer; it was cold, had condensation running down it and was like nectar. One of my memories is of Eliot taking his first gulp of a man's size beer for he has stepped up to the plate, been there done that and earned it.

The rest is a happy blur; we found a restaurant with live music and tucked into a meal to die for. Jess, my niece, took to the stage and brought the place to a standstill. The house we are staying in is fantastic and the kitchen is bigger than Spirit of Mystery. As ever the little things mean so much more, a hot shower, cup of tea and toast.

I woke up after four hours of sleep and crept down to the office to look at the website and all the lovely messages of support that we have been sent since slipping from Newlyn all those miles ago. It was fantastic and I would like to sign off with a big thank you from the four of us for joining us on our adventure; Happy Christmas.

Cheers Pete

Well, what else could anyone ask for on Christmas Day? I've had several emails and calls from friends and supporters asking if Spirit of Mystery had yet made it into Cape Town, and I can now confirm that YES they have arrived safe and well. I wonder who had won the sweepstake in Newlyn - no doubt Paul Moody will let us know how close the winner was to the actual arrival time?

Pete called from Cape Town at 12.25pm saying that they were sat in a restaurant enjoying beer and wine and waiting for their Christmas dinner, and obviously all four crew members were incredibly happy to be celebrating both their arrival and Christmas with the rest of their families.

I'm sure that you will all agree that the arrival in Cape Town couldn't have been any better - not for us supporters anyway! It certainly was an exciting and entertaining finish to the first part of their journey.

Many congratulations to Pete, Mark, Andy and Eliot for making Christmas Day that little bit more special for their avid supporters!

Have a well earned rest guys and have a really great Christmas.

Cheers Mandy