Back home

Hi everyone,

Sorry it's taken so long for me to reply but yes, i am back at home now. After reaching dry land on the 25th June, I stayed in Mauritius for a week and then flew back to the UK. I have slowly been adjusting to being back on dry land, walking and generally being around people again. The change has been tougher than i thought as life is totally different to on the boat!

Apart from being physically and mentally exhausted, i also lost quite a bit weight so have been enjoying eating non-dehydrated food and have put it all back on very quickly. As i had put a lot on before i went i lost around 20kgs in weight. I am now back to normal and regaining some fitness and strength. Most people don't realise how weak you are when you finish and think you should be very fit but it's the opposite. You're fitness increases for the first few weeks but after that the 12 hours of rowing and the conditions slowly break your body down and there is huge muscle wastage. Thankfully the rowing muscles are still kind of there and i have already had my first race of the sprint season! You can't keep me out of a boat for long. I still have a few issues with ligament and nerve damage in my fingers and hands and my bum hasn't fully recovered either but generally i am in good health. In fact, everyone was surprised how well i looked when we finished (excluding the weight loss which was soon sorted out by the hotel's breakfast buffet!).

I kept a diary whilst on the boat and in due course will post more about the row and all the drama but until then can i just say thank you for all the support over the last 4 months, not only for me but also for the people left behind. Adventures like this are often harder on family and friends than the actual competitors with the constant worry and fear - we just get on with it!

Thank you again

Helen

ALMOST HOME

We are delighted to say that Helen will be arriving in Mauritius around 7pm local time which is approx 4pm GMT. They are at present 28 miles out and rowing like madmen/women to make it back before dark and to celebrate Simon girlfriend's Charlie's 21st birthday which is today. Happy birthday Charlie!!!
Last minute preparations are now being made at the local yacht club to celebrate their arrival. TV crews are on standby and boats being ordered to go and greet them once they have passed the finish line.
EXCITING OR WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All friends and relatives are frantically buying goodies for the crew to enjoy and we have champagne on ice.
This will be the last blog from us and we will hand back to Helen to update you further.
We personally would like to thank all friends, family and all for their fantastic support over the past few months. It has been a comfort to know so many people have been looking out for her.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
PS Happy 50th birthday Lynda - have a drink when we get back.

Mum & Dad signing off xxxxxxxxx

MAURITIUS HERE WE COME

We will be leaving on Monday from Heathrow to fly to Mauritius. Arrival should be around 9.30am on 23rd which will be approx 5.30GMT. We are enhoping Helen will be arriving somewhere around 26th/27th June.

We had a call from her this morning and she seemed very down as the combination of wind and waves had been soaking the crew every 15 seconds for approx 2 days. With no dry clothes, cabin floor wet, the Indian Ocean is not a very nce place to be! Only 350nm to go and these last few miles are obviously going to be as tough and demanding as the previous 2,800 miles. All the crew are now calling on their last reserves of energy and it's only sheer determination and bloody mindedness that is keeping them going. They will fight to the end to achieve their ambition.

Helen told us this morning that they are now rowing 3 up again with 1 steering to try and get some rest and sleep to refresh them for the last few days push to the finish.

Please keep your messages coming through. Thank you to everyone who has given us cards, letters to take out to her.

Now that this extradordinary journey is nearly over please don't forget that Helen is trying to raise vital funds for Scope Short Breaks in Bury St Edmunds. It is a respite unit for children with cerebral palsy. Please visit www.justgiving.com/indianoceanrow to donate.

The next post will be from Mauritius where instead of dot watching we will be standing on the beach surveying the horizon waiting for that dot to turn into the welcome of No. 88 Audeamus.

Any comments about these blogs would be appreciated so that we know that people are reading them. Thank you and goodnight!

90% THERE!!

Well, what a week, we've seen the speedometer in the red and they have been flying. They have completed quite a few miles this week with approx 450nm to go. They are gradually catching Bexhill and now it looks like a race to the line although don't forget Audeamus started 9 days behind and are not actually racing but the crew's pride and determination means they are going flat out to cross the line first, in doing so achieving their ambition and all the records that they set out to achieve.

So everyone, keep fingers and toes crossed as it looks like it's going right to the wire.

We spoke to Helen on Wednesday am - now she can see the end in sight spirits of all the crew are lifting, the weather is improving and hopefully all is well in the Indian Ocean.

They even had a visit of a 6 ft manta ray circling the boat and the other night saw space debris falling into the ocean. Some of the other boats have reported that they have seen a moonbow - a very rare occurance especially in the Indian Ocean. So it looks like there is more to see than the sea!!!!!!!!

We will probably post only a couple more blogs before we hand the task back to Helen - can I hear you shouting HURRAY!!! but we have done the best we can but unsure what Helen will say!

All for now - speak soon

HAND STEERING TO MAURITIUS

Satelite phone call from Helen on Saturday am, she sounded in good spirits although she reckons her body is now shot to pieces. With sore feet, ankles, knees,backside, hands and arms (not much else left although her ear infection has cleared up). With under 700nm to go the crew can now see the finish line looming although the auto helm has been giving problems and has been draining all the boats batteries resulting in water rations. To rectify this they have had to rig up a manual tiller using one of the broken oars and a series of ropes. The downside of this is that they have lost a rowing position as someone has to sit there to manually steer Audeamus.

Although the winds have finally turned in their favour the waves and current are still against them and with one less rower progress has slowed. They are predicting that they should arrive in 12-16 days but could be quicker if they can break out of this current.

Our tickets are booked and we are looking forward to seeing Helen at the finish line.

Don't forget Helen is still looking for sponsorship and your very valuable message,s of support to Helen and the crew.

A MESSAGE FROM HELEN

Firstly, we had a call from Helen this morning and she wants to thank each and everyone of you for all the messages that you have been sending. She really appreciates the support she has been receiving and she asks that you continue to send them as she and the rest of the crew find them uplifting especially at times when spirits are low. She has been overwhelmed by all the support and hopes it will not be long before she will be able to thank you all in person.

It's been a week of high's and low's - earlier in the week Audeamus had completed 2000nm "FANTASTIC" but then we were very concerned that according to the tracker the boat speed had dropped and were not making very good progress. Nobody could find out the reason! We were relieved to hear her voice this morning saying that they had been battling against southerly winds and easterly currents. That resulted in very slow progress. Coupled with this Angela had not been rowing for a couple of days due to "sore butt problems" so the crew had to row 3 up for this period. 

Helen also reports that all 4 sliding seat positions are giving problems and they are rapidly becoming fixed as the runners keep breaking down. She reckons that by the time they reach Mauritius they will be out of stock of sliding seats. 

We have decided that when we go to Mauritius we are taking t-sheets with the slogan "Parents of an ocean rower - the toughest job in the world!" - believe us, it's hard being at home not knowing whats happening on the boat. 

All the crew are absolutley DETERMINED to be first over the line and with Angela back they will be at full strength and hopefully the wind and currents will turn in their favour. It would be great for the crew to have a bit of good luck as so far this has been in short supply.

There is a new number for the satelite phone - 881631522893 - www.iridium.com, please keep sending your messages. If you wish you can make a donation to Helen's chosen charity Scope Short Breaks which is a respite unit for young people aged 8 to 18 years of age with cerebral palsy- visit www.justgiving.com/indianoceanrow

xxxxxxxx from Helen to all xxxxxxxx

OVER THE HUMP

Neill & Hazel reporting - Well, they are over the half way mark and in 2nd place. Now they are catching up on Bexhill and Neill has been using pen and paper to calculate when they will arrive in Mauritius. There is a site with a prediction that they will arrive on 23rd June - Neill has been beavering away, calculator in hand and has come up with the date of arrival as "19th/20th June" Anyone who knows Neill knows that he is normally spot on with timings, so it's worth a bet!!!!!!!! 

We have spoken to Helen twice this week - once to give us a new satelite telephone number, as messages were not getting through as they had run out of minutes. So if any family or friend's would like to send her a sat message please go to www.iridium.com, go to send a satelite message and fill in the details - you will need the number 881631522893. It's that simple and it is free. So please, continue to send her messages of support as we know she does look for them.

The second call was on my birthday, the crew of Audeamus sang "Happy Birthday" to me, there are not many people (if any) who can say that they have been sung to by 8 people in a rowing boat on the Indian Ocean from a position almost exactly half way between Australia and Mauritius. That is something I will always remember and it made my day. 

So just under 1500nm to go!!!! 

Helen would like to wish all Teddy Hall crews the best of luck for the Oxford Summer Eights, which is this week and she said "Go Girls" and retain the headship - she will be thinking of you and will phone us on Sunday for the results.

She is still upbeat and pleased with their position. She has the rowers "claw hands" and a sore backside but apart from that she sounds fine. 

Please send her your support

WET AND WINDY!!

The crew have suffered some very bad weather this past week. With 30 knot winds and 6 metre waves!! The whole fleet was stalled all having to deploy the para anchor's. These anchor's helps to keep the bow facing to the weather and to help stop the boat rocking so much. All the boats survived although one of the doubles did capsize. Although they were upside down for 7 minutes the boat was eventually righted. 

They are all on the way again, Audeamus have really put the power on with 81 nautical miles completed yesterday. 

We spoke to Helen this morning and she seems in good spirits, she said she is suffering with claw hands and it takes her about 10 minutes every morning to get her hands straight (her bum is sore as well) 

As of tonight they are closing down on the 3 boats in front and they are only 21nm and 32nm behind Pura Vida and RFP respectively. The gap between them and Bexhill is now down to 177nm and hopefully they will catch them within the next week or so. 

We will keep you informed and don't forget Helen still would like messages of support for her and the crew. These are invaluable to the morale on board. 

Please visit www.justgiving.com/indianoceanrow to donate to Helen's chose charity Scope. Or if you wish to donate directly to Helen e-mail tayice@gtbarton.fsnet.co.uk for further details.

GO GIRL!

Things have progressed quite quickly since the last update, Audeamus has reached the magical milestone of 1000nm (nautical miles) and at this time of updating it stands at 1034nm. They are now only 237nm behind the lead boat and the prediction is that they will catch them up around 28th. May and arrive in Mauritius around the 15th June. NOTE there is still a long way to go - another 2/3rds of the Indian Ocean. Please visit a new site set up for Audeamus www.mt-hood.com. This site gives you speed indicators and predictions when she is due to arrive (the site is still growing and looking good)
Many, many thanks to all who are sending Helen messages of support, she really appreciates these. We spoke to Helen yesterday (13th May) she has had a couple of days when her spirit was low due to being wet and cold, as they have had some rough weather (and she thought "WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE") but she now sounds much better now, the sun is shinning althought the sea is still rough, all the crew are supporting each other. Anyone who knows Helen, will know how dedicated and single minded she can be and this will see her through.
Many thanks to Jonathan at Suffolk Free Press for the update on Helen and the row but please note that my name is Hazel not ALEX!!!! not sure where that came from?
We are now thinking of booking flights to Mauritius, can't wait to see her.
Don't forget she is still trying to raise money for Scope Short Breaks in Bury St Edmunds - you can donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/indianoceanrow.
We will update soon.

HELEN CALLING

We have, at last, had a phone call from Helen (even if it was 5am) she sounded in good spirits. She was shaken by the knockdown that occured on the 1st. May but she is fine now. Although they are now having to row with 3 sliding seats and 1 fixed seat, we think it must be a race to get to position and the loser gets the fixed seat. They reckon rowing like this sucks!! Land support are now appealing for family/friends to send a message to Helen and the crew to show support. Don't forget the website is www.piraterow.com to get the latest news and tracking. They are now starting to overtake some of the other boats and closing in on the rest. Today is day 9 and they have 2688 nm to the finish!!!!!!!!!!!

OFF AND RUNNING

Mum and Dad reporting: This is day 6 of the challenge, unfortunately we have not been able to speak to Helen yet as we were not at home when she tried to contact us by satellite phone on Saturday 2nd. She did speak to her Uncle Ross and said that she was fine and unhurt after being hit by a huge wave (approx 50ft) on Friday 1st. which almost caused a capsize. Apart from breaking an oar, losing one sliding seat and seat cushions, all is well. The crew were shaken by the experience fortunately no-one was hurt and they are all in good spirits and back rowing pulling hard (71nm) in last 24 hours.
We have reports that all the crew are sore in the places that they thought they would be sore i.e. hands and bums!!!!!!!!
We have it on good authority that as they are now starting to catch boats they will be "Mooning" every time they pass one (could be a big shock for the flying fish)
Please keep the messages of support coming as Helen will need all the encouragement and inspiration she can get.
If anyone would like to contact us please do so on tayice@gtbarton.fsnet.co.uk.
We will next update after we have spoken to her. Hopefully within the next few days.

Last message

Leaving at 2300 BST Monday so 0600 Aussie time on Tues. Argh!

If i don't get to update the blog too much whilst i am away or the parents don't get to speak to me then you can see more info at http://indianocean8.blogspot.com/ which is going to be the crew blog.

Incredibly excited and can't wait. A big thank you to everyone who has got me here-i won't let you down. Expect me to be in Mauritius in around 40-50 days!

Helx

still in aus

Hi

I've managed to find internet for a few minutes so tohught i'd drop by to update you. Mum and Dad have been doing agrand job but put the wrong sat phone number! So unless you want to message the Kiwi boat use this one instead 881631670766. I've changed it below. More news from Aus and it's expected that we will leave in the early hours on Sat morning ie 0300 Aus time (2000 GMT). The storm coming in is pretty big and of the local fishing boats are returning to harbour before tonight. 2 crews are back so far-Mick one of the solo guys had rudder and steering issues so has come back and is hoping to sort them out in time to leave again with us. He has been disqualified from the race but is determined to complete the crossing anyway. Roger and Tom from Dream It Do It were flown back yesterday after Roger broke some ribs whilst falling on desk. They were hit by a huge wave and he was thrown onto the side. Also news this morning that the Aussie crew who were leading are being towed back due to a leak. It just shows how tough this race is. Everyone else is doing really well though and are past the Abrolhos Islands and heading away from the strong currents around Aus. Really can't wait to get started now and it's just frustrating sitting back here. Lots to do still to get the boat ready (packing the food is taking forever and no idea how it's all going to fit in!).
Hopefully the next message you'll get will be saying we've left and the adventure has begun!

IT'S NOT PLAIN SAILING

Internet connections to Australia are not good but we have spoken to Helen twice this week and she seems to be in good spirits and desperate to go.!!!!!!!!!!!!
The crew are bonding well and have made friends with the crews of the other boats and despite the rivalry they have all helped each other prepare the boats for the race.
Monday 19th April saw the start of the race with 10 boats leaving the start line with a rousing farewell. Crafts of all sizes gave them a good send off. Audeamous was given a little trip on the ocean when they rowed out to say farewell to the other boats. It proved to be a good trial as she seems to be a fast boat. Helen found this to be emotional, saying goodbye to new found friends.
Just to prove how difficult ocean rowing is less than 36 hours into the race, already 2 of the boats have had to drop out for various reasons.
On top of that, with bad weather forecast for the West of Australia, Audeamous departure has now been delayed until Friday which all the crew are find frustrating.
So, it looks like Friday 24th April at approx 11am WA time (5am BST) with hopefully good weather and a fair breeze will see Audeamus and crew start their record attempt.
In an e-mail to us Helen has asked us to say that she and the crew will be in need of inspiration before and during the voyage. Therefore, has requested friends, family and acquaintances contact her on the boat via sat phone at www.iridium.com, go to top right corner, select send a satelite message, complete the details and enter the phone no. 881631670766 - enter message and send. All this is free of charge.
Don't forget also messages can be sent to www.piraterow.com, select guestbook and also on www.indianoceanrowingrace09.com , crew messages, here you can also track all the boats, receive the latest news and view the excellent photo gallery.
We will update again when the Audeamus has left Geraldton.

LIFE DOWN UNDER

Whilst Helen is away we now have the task to update her blog (this is Mum and Dad filling in) due to her not having very good internet access in Geraldton.
She flew to Perth via Dubai on Sunday 5th April from Heathrow. We are happy to say that she arrived safe and well, if tired. Helen has now been able to meet her crewmates in the flesh for the first time. She has only had contact with them before via conference calls, so now is the time before they go to get together and bond as a team.
She had a big disappointment on the first day there with Rory, who flew with her to Austrailia, had to drop out of the crew. Panic reined but Woodvales own Simon Chalk has stepped in to fill the void (Simon has already rowed the Indian Ocean in a single)
The projected start date, although not confirmed is 22nd April. The crew are keeping themselves very busy fitting the boat out, purchasing supplies for the trip and of course trialing the boat "Audeamus" on the water all in temperatures of 30C +
With time getting close did you know you can send Helen and the crew Good Luck messages and keep in touch with her on www.piraterow.com select guestbook and from here send your own message. This will be uploaded immediately and the crew will be able to view themselves (don't forget they are 6 hours ahead of us) She does need to know her friends, family and wellwishers are thinking of her and the crew.
There are some good photo's being posted on the site showing all the competitors enjoying a pre-race BBQ and Fancy Dress Party. See if you can spot Helen, all we will say is "Red Wig". There is also a few photo's of Helen in the boat having a row.
Helen is also still looking for sponsorship, so if you are able to help send us an e-mail on tayice@gtbarton.fsnet.co.uk or if you want to give direct to Scope Short Breaks go onto www.justgiving.com/indianoceanrow.com

Leaving on Sunday!

Yes it's almost here. I am flying out to Australia on Sunday to start the preparation for the row which should start on the 19th/20th. It's has come around incredibly quickly and there is so much to do and get ready! It's been a hectic couple of weeks with training and racing in London at the women's and men's head of the rivers plus the Boat Race yesterday. I had the honour of being the guest speaker at the Oxford Alumni Association pre-Boat Race lunch and apart from talking about the race managed to squeeze in a few references to my row. It was a great day made even better by an Oxford victory and getting to see so many from uni in the pub afterwards! I am trying to see as many people as i can before i leave so lots of social events and enjoying the company of friends and family whilst i can. It's going to be a long 2 months without seeing them.

On other news the race website is now up and running at www.indianoceanrowingrace09.com and has more information on the other crews competing and a message wall. Whilst we are out on the ocean we will have a sat phone and (very slow) internet access so will be able to keep in contact with the outside world. You can send text messages to the crew for free so PLEASE take advantage of this to keep us motivated. Even if it's just to say what you have been up to or what you ate for lunch, it will be great to be kept in the loop.

Also a couple of sponsors have joined the cause. Swedish Orphan International, a pharmaceuticals company near Newmarket specialising in rare diseases, have generously donated towards my cause and OverBoard, a dry bag and waterproof company, have donated kit for the crew. Thank you!

http://www.swedishorphan.com/
http://www.over-board.co.uk/catalog/index.php

Helx

The Boat

Here are a couple of photos of the boat!

I'm back

Sorry for the long period of absence. No excuse except for being busy getting everything ready for the trip and trying to get the last portion of sponsorship (still looking by the way!). From now on though i will try to update whenever i can and let you know about the run up to the race.

Flights are booked so i am officially, 100% going to Australia at least! leaving on the 5th April so only 3 weeks away and it's getting incredibly exciting. Can't wait to leave and get out on the boat and meet the rest of the crew. Peter form the crew is going to be joining me on the Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course i'm doing this week so it will be great to get to meet him and get to know each other before the many weeks at sea.

On other news, there has been so much! I have hopefully gained £2000 more sponsorship in the last week or so but i am still about £5000 short. I am already funding a lot of the trip myself and have resigned myself to the fact that i won't be able to afford to go back to university to persue my dream career. Well at least not for the moment. Instead i will be looking for a full-time job wen i get back to help repay the many loans i have had to get from family. It's going to be a hard slog but well worth it. Sometimes you just need to take a leap of faith, grasp the opportunity and deal with the fall-out afterwards!

Race Night Thanks

I just want to say thank you to all those who sponsored races at the race night last week as well as all those who came to suport the cause. Race sponsors were:

• Gordon Ross
• Jewson Ltd (Stowmarket)
• Ross and Judith Taylor
• Max and Jan Bacon (Pakenham Post Office)
• Keith Harrison
• Aaron Windows
• Don Taylor
• Clarkes of Walsham Ltd
• Walter Alderton

and thanks to everyone who gave donations on the night

• John Collison
• Walsham Sports Club
• Bob Newman
• The Harrisons plus table for their auction race winnings!
• Julie

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! x

More Press

Yay i'm in the paper again! This time the Suffolk Free Press have done a follow-up and it's in the sports section with a photo of me grimacing despite the fact i haven't taken a stroke and am just sitting there. A few of you will notice that i'm pointing into the bank as well. Got the Scope t-shirt in for the first time now that i am OFFICIAL. Tha's right, i have a letter of authority and everything. So what's new? It's been more of the same really. Training and fundraising. The money search is becoming increasingly frustrating but we will get there! After the high of the race night it's really time to knuckle down and move on to the next event. I am going to hold a huge, gigantic raffle with prizes generously donated from shops and companies in the local area. It's still in the planning stages at the moment but expect to see tickets coming out in the next couple of weeks. So far prizes include meals, makeovers, hampers and gym memberships. All health related of course. Still looking for that elusive corporate sponsor or even someone who will listen to my pitch. The credit crunch is making this twice as hard as normal but they say that the hardest part of ocean rowing is getting to the startline. If i have to get a loan then i will. I can't turn this opportunity down, even if it might put my chances of going back to university and starting my new career on hold. That's how much this means to me. To be able to go out there in the middle of an ocean and face the mental and physical battle is truly exhilarating. And raising money for charity whilst i'm on my trip of a lifetime just makes it so much better. Let's just hope that someone else shares my enthusiasm!