But between 60-year-old Pete and his goal lies 3,800 miles of ocean with all the trials and tribulations that come with the 100-day journey.

It’s been a long-desired ambition of the roofer from Heath Row, Bishop’s Stortford to be the oldest solo person to row the Atlantic – as he puts it in the Indian summer of his life – and the attempt has been beset by numerous obstacles.

A serious bout of Covid set his training back in 2020 and he had to scrap his plan to set off last year due to delays in his specialised boat being built.

But when he popped into the Indie office on Monday, he was just over a week from beginning the venture and feeling positive about his chances of completing the mammoth task.

“I’m ready mentally and physically – but I’m not like a superhuman athlete,” said Pete. “I’ve got massive faith in myself, and the boat is bullet-proof and made to go in the Atlantic.”

Pete sets off for Portugal on Tuesday (Nov 28) and will spend 10 days there doing last-minute preparations before the epic journey begins from Portimao on December 10.

He will spend his 61st birthday on February 2 at sea and will hope to finish the journey in Cayenne, French Guiana by the end of March in time for his daughter Ella’s birthday.

He revealed he had no nerves, but there was a cloud over the much-awaited venture as his dad had been taken ill. Pete said he had discussed his dilemma with the family, and it was decided he would still go ahead.