Day 1 Noon Monday 23rd November

Finally the time had come to set off. At precisely 10.30 the noise in the marina erupted with very loud music, klaxons and fog horns going off everywhere.  Thousands of local people turned out in their boats and hundreds more lined the breakwater to see us leave. It was very emotional and made you feel special and that you were about to tackle something of significance.

And then we were off – just us, the rest of the fleet and the ocean. The fleet soon dissipated and we were left alone with a big ocean swell for company. Sleeping proved difficult for everyone.but in the first 24 hours we covered nearly 150 miles. Let’s hope we keep up that rate. More news tomorrow.