Leg 5 - Race 7 - Day 1 Today is the day we go. Woke up early and got a taxi down to the boat. It was pouring with rain. Can't believe I am going to sail across the equator to Vietnam then onto China. The trip to Vietnam will take about 30 days. Then a few days off there then the sail to China will take around 25 days. We are spending a few days in Beijing before flying home on 25th March in time for Easter. Faced timed the children to say our last good buys. Sadl...

Woke up this morning to find a cockatoo on the balcony. Managed to get a photo. Final preparations for the boat today. Got butterflies in my tummy! I Am sure it will go once we get going. It's also going to be hard not talking to the children or my mum and family for the next 4 weeks. Went to the boat for briefings and had to through immigrant which was basically two boarder control staff checking us and our passports. Went over watches and bunk allocation. We...

Got up and started packing ready for the boat. Only 2 days to go!!! Have packed everything into dry bags and have a large dry bag with it all in. Only allowed 20kg plus our foulies and boots. A lot of the time you wear the same clothes. Also no shower on board so have to clean using baby wipes. It's always bliss once the race has finished and having your first shower. I weighed myself 160lbs! Hoping to lose weight on the boat especially as there is a no drinking ...

Had to register with the crew office and hand in passports. In the next couple of days on the clipper website they are writing about me on meet the crew so if you go to www.clipperroundtheworld.com And search on crew dairies for Helen Hancorn you should find me. When the race leaves on Monday 18th January you can go on their website and search on race viewer to see the boats race. Ours is the orange one you click on the boats to see which is which and it tells y...

Had a chilled out day. Swim in the lagoon then meeting up with other crew members. Really relaxing. It was hard saying goodbye to Wendi today. My friend from the uk who came out to join us and is now flying back. ✈️ Gave her some cards to take home. Found a lovely card today in a shop for my mum and when I saw it brought tears to my eyes as when I am at home I speak to her most days. We are so far away and I can understand why people get home sick. So glad I ...