AN epic journey retracing the steps of Captain Cook is approaching the most perilous stage of its voyage.

A replica of Cook's ship Endeavour, which is en route from Australia to Whitby, North Yorkshire, is about to round Cape Horn at the tip of South America, some of the most treacherous and notorious waters in the world.

On board is a member of Captain Cook's family, Jon Preston, 39, who is returning to his native North-East.

He is providing a fascinating insight into a life on the ocean wave in a journal he is keeping during the voyage.

Mr Preston, who won a prized place on board because he is descended from Captain's Cook sister, has relations in Wolsingham, County Durham, and Gosforth, Newcastle.

The latest entry in his diary details a day in the life of a "scurvy dog" on the leg between Hobart, Tasmania, and Bluff, New Zealand.

He describes being woken at 3.35am for early morning watch duties, with just a few albatross, shearwater and storm petrels for company until dawn.

Recounting the sea-life he has encountered, Mr Preston says: "We have had dolphins playing around the ship, and yesterday morning Dougal the bosun spotted a southern right whale.

"As cold and inhospitable as the Southern Ocean can sometimes seem down here in the roaring forties, it is teeming with life."

With his watch over and his hammock lashed and stowed, Mr Preston had a hearty breakfast followed by the daily crew meeting.

He describes being on toilet cleaning duty, which lasted two hours, followed by the afternoon ship's maintenance and then back on deck for the first dog watch.

Then it was galley duty, and two hours of setting up and washing up, with a meal in between.

Mr Preston notes: "Time for another quick coffee before slinging up the hammocks again for a few hours sleep before the graveyard watch, midnight till 4am."

Endeavour is due to arrive in Whitby in June.

With thermals on to brave a bracing south westerly, Mr Preston completed his watch before jumping back into his hammock to end another long, but fulfilling, day on board.

Anyone who wants to follow the progress of the Endeavour, due to arrive in Whitby on June 21, can log on to the website at www.barkendeavour. com.au