As you can see from the view of Plymouth Hoe from our hotel, the weather was sunny on the day of the launch. The preparations began early and so did the publicity. At 7.30am Peter went for his last shower before conducting an interview with Radio Devon. Peter explained how the six tonnes of lead in the hull of the Loquax would keep them on an even keel while Suzy described how Sophie and herself would be linking up with Cranford Community school in Hounslow, London to continue their studies on board.

In the cabin of the boat you can see the satellite telephone provided by Inmarsat and the RM Notebook which enables the girls to communicate with the school via the Internet.

The previous evening a photographer from the Guardian newspaper had arrived and taken some photographs of the crew on board Loquax. Peter's brother Chas was helping getting the vessel ship-shape and along with Sophie's friend Miriam was accompanying the family across the Channel the next day. The photographs were published in the newspaper on the day of the launch, and as the day went on television crews and more press photographers arrived to capture the event.

Vindy and Paula from the charity Sight Savers International were helping to explain the role of the Edingtons in delivering vital medical equipment to The Gambia. You can see Paula holding up an artificial lens, these are used to restore sight to people who have cataracts. 

The Edingtons popped some champagne to celebrate their departure and continued to do interviews right up until the last minute before setting sail.