Pete Goss and his crew on the replica Mounts Bay lugger Spirit of Mystery have arrived into Cape Town on Christmas day.

Last night, they were still 150 miles from the South African port (see previous news story), but this evening a message appeared on the project’s website – Pete’s team wrote: ‘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.’

The crew are following in the wake of a voyage made in 1854 by seven Cornishmen to take part in the Australian Gold Rush.

The crew plan to spend some time recovering in Cape Town before tackling the next, Southern Ocean leg. Keep up with their voyage here.