7 Nov 65 : Customs nightmares and Ham radio fun : Auckland, New Zealand

"Go and see the Collector of Customs" he said. "He is the top man and you can't go any higher"...

4 Nov 65 : Sailing into little Auckland : New Zealand

'We are at this moment sailing into a bay and can see Auckland ahead. It looks more like a fishing village actually and so far we have seen no large buildings...'

2 Nov 65 : Riding rough waters : The Cap Finisterre, Tasman Sea

'It's been so rough that the sea has been pouring in through our porthole which frequently goes right under the water....'

31 Oct 65 : Wharfie trouble and poker nights : Tasman Sea

'We had a riotous evening, having been joined by two very drunk members of the crew. I am quite sure that never before in the history of Monopoly has a game been graced with such foul language!!'

10 Oct 65 : Paradise, bliss – and drunken legionnaires : Tahiti

'Tahiti has just slipped over the horizon and I think this is one of the biggest regrets of my life, for I shall probably never see it again...'

5 Oct 65 : Approaching the equator : Cap Finisterre, Pacific Ocean

'Very hot and sticky. Sleep is very difficult and some of the crew now sleep on deck...'

2 Oct 65 : Boredom and booze at sea : Cap Finisterre, Pacific Ocean

'We are 'speeding' along at 17 miles per hour which seems a ridiculously slow speed to be travelling for a distance of 7000 miles - but I suppose we will get there sooner or later...'

29 Sept 65 : On board with life’s runaways : Cap Finisterre, Pacific Ocean

'The crew are a motley bunch - scruffy as anything and usually drunk, but very likeable and helpful...'

20 Sept 65 : A big shock from home : Los Angeles, California

'I wish I could be there right now to offer a comforting word, especially to Mum. You both sounded so heartbroken and dejected...'

19 Sept 65 : Theme park thrills : Disneyland, California

'Had a great day yesterday. We went to Disneyland which I'm sure you have heard of...'