INTREPID Dorset voyagers Lois Bickerton and Andrew Jones have arrived in western Australia at the end of a 4,700-mile race across the Southern Ocean.

It marked the final journey for former Thomas Hardy student Lois, who signed up to the first three legs of the Clipper round-the-world race.

In her latest Echo blog, Lois, 28, said: "It's been a journey I will never forget.

"My crew have been just great and I will look forward to welcoming them all home in Hull next year."

Her 68-foot boat Qingdao came fifth out of the 10-boat fleet in the race from Cape Town, South Africa to Geraldton after 24 days at sea.

Former Dorchester schoolboy Andrewand his crewmates finished seventh.

The 37-year-old had quit his job as a managing director to take part in an epic adventure and is undertaking all seven legs of the voyage, which returns to the United Kingdom next July.

Eight of the Clipper boats have now arrived in western Australia including former Weymouth pub landlord Jan Ridd, skipper of the Canadian entry, Cape Breton Island, who finished in fourth place.

It is a rarity in a round-the-world yacht race to have so many boats finish so close together and the people of Geraldton enjoyed a real spectacle as they arrived in daylight hours.

The strong winds that turned Wednesday's (DEC 16) finish into a sprint for the line eased to a pleasant sea breeze on Thursday - keeping the crews cool as they set to work today cleaning their yachts and carrying out routine maintenance.

Crewmembers were welcomed with a barbecue and cold beers provided by Geraldton Yacht Club as each boat arrived.

Meanwhile, out on the water Cork and Hull & Humber are still racing towards Geraldton with the Irish team focused on arriving before the prize giving ceremony on Sunday December 20 and Hull & Humber before Christmas Day.

Lois's sister Lara Bickerton, 26, flew out to welcome her in Australia and the pair now intend to work and travel.

Lara is working on 'Down Under in Adelaide' for the BBC in the New Year and Lois will be working as a physiotherapist in Manley, Sydney.

Their parents, John and Carole of Coombe Keynes, will fly out to meet them in February.

Andrew also received a warm welcome from his parents Chris and Michael who had made the trip over for a family Christmas before their son sets sail on January 3 on leg four to Qingdao, China with a stopover in Singapore.

THE Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race started on September 13 from the Humber on the United Kingdom's east coast and will return there on July 17 2010 after 35,000 miles of ocean racing.

The race enables people of all walks of life to experience sailing as full training is provided. Crew can sign up for the whole circumnavigation or one or more legs.