Official Jessica Watson Blog

Speeding, Surfing and Dancing Along

Thursday, February 25, 2010

It's my sister's 18th birthday today so first off, happy birthday Emily!! It's the second year running that I've been away, so I'll have to find a special way to make up for the late presents next year!

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Attitude commented on 02-Apr-2010 08:12 PM

"The miracle, or the power, that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application, and perseverance under the promptings of a brave, determined spirit." Mark Twain

Paula Harberger commented on 12-Mar-2010 05:48 PM

Hiya Jesse, You are speeding along !! Wow, you must be breaking some records. No speed camera's eh? You are sailing like the yacht is stolen, excellent. Glad it is not too uncomfortabe, wouldn't it be nice if it was like that always. You are speeding home to us, I am so excited. Take care, have fun, turn the music up. Cheers Paula

Paula Harberger commented on 11-Mar-2010 11:09 PM

Hiya Jesse, Gee its good to see ya. Sorry I have missed posting for a while. Still think about you everyday. I am so glad I have the day off tomorrow, so I will be reading and catching up on all of your news. Great to see you are still so positive and up beat.

What is that saying, “a rolling stone gathers no moss, except the zipper on your pants may experience some corrosion”…….

Checked your voyage map today at work… Wow… you are sneaking up on home, and how good is it to see all those pink Ella flags all around the world, coming home. I have my voyage chart on the wall, it is a lot larger then what I thought it would be, but I have been sticking on the stickers as we/you go…

Title for your book, I would like to add mine to the large list …. “Pass the Line”

It is inspired by your story you told us when you talked of how when you were young fellow yachties would not hand you the “line” to tie down their boats / yacht. Only because they thought you were a mere kid….they helped shape your determination… I loved that story.

Well look at what you have achieved, you had to pass the line of other people’s negative opinion, you went passed the line of dealing with loneliness, fear, fatigue, to achieve your dream….You did every longitude and latitude line and you also took your support crew and family ‘pass the line’ with you.!!! Irrespective of the name of the book, I want to buy two, one for never opening, to keep it perfect, and one to read.

mmmm…maybe that is a good name…”keep it perfect”. “perfect in pink”…I could go on and on….so must go.

Need to go read heaps and heaps…..see you tomorrow. Have fun Jesse, Cheers Paula

Anonymous commented on 10-Mar-2010 09:25 AM

hey jessica,
hows it going out there?? Your almost to Australia!! Your doing a great job!! Our class has been following your progress and we can't believe how close you are to Australia!!! Keep up the great work!!
Madison and Isabelle, Kodiak AK =)

Anonymous commented on 08-Mar-2010 11:02 PM

Hello Jesse. How about "Jessica Watson: The Ins and Outs of My Global Solo Sailing". Regards toyou and your family and crew. Grandmom, Patricia and granddaughter, Courtney, 13. Ocean City, NJ.

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Another Cape Down and into the Indian!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Well that's it. Another ocean and cape down! It took a while with light winds for the last few days but Ella's Pink Lady has passed under Cape Agulhas, but being 400nm south of land I couldn't quite see it this time. A bright orange half moon and a spectacular sky of stars was enough of a celebration. But of course, I also put a bit of a dent in the chocolate supplies and let off a few party poppers!

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joshua commented on 20-Mar-2010 07:48 PM

hi jess
orps

joshua mulik commented on 20-Mar-2010 12:54 PM

Hey Jess Our primary school is run like a ship. The rooms are called Cabins, the library is the Chartroom, the Canteen is the Galley, the undercovr area is the quarterdeck and the office is the Bridge. The children say "Ahoy there!" instead of "Hello!" and we have a strong tie to the navy at Garden Island. It is definitely a unique and (I think) the best school in West Australia. So when the students post a comment and it is from Cabin 1, hopefully you will understand that that is like saying Room 1. All the students are so excited you are now in our ocean. Take care and we will write every day next week. Cabin 1 kids, Ocean Reef Primary School

words pale into insignifegance in expressing our wholehearted appreciation, especially not meaning to bother the gods as some must have it, ure in the right place, so many sickeningly sick things are happening here, who would not wanr be out there with you

joshua mulik commented on 20-Mar-2010 12:49 PM

hello jess
i got your website and i love it
my mum will love your, map
please email me.
my school all love you all
don't email orps at cabin 1
my name is joshua mulik in my boat
i love you
i will go on your map
my email is hotmail
email to joshuamulik@hotmail.com

kurt commented on 19-Mar-2010 11:44 AM

hi jessica

dont get to scared
how is it being by yourself

Megatay commented on 19-Mar-2010 11:44 AM

how is it being by yourself in the ocean

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Oysters, Mussels, Cheese and Crackers!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Pic: Smoked oysters, mussels, olives, pickled onions, cheese and crackers! Why? It's a long story. See the latest blog at http://www.bountyboat.blogspot.com/ for all the details. Oh, and for the record, I wasn't bragging!

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Almost Around the Cape and Why I am Sailing Around the World?

Monday, February 22, 2010

I'll start with the good news, or I should say the best news, as there isn't any bad news today. Now only 120nm till we pass under Cape Agulhas (I've been saying the Cape of Good Hope but the most southern point of Africa is actually Cape Agulhas) and can officially tick off another Cape!

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Anonymous commented on 31-Jan-2012 10:15 PM

Hey Jessica, I know this is a bit after you finished your circumnavigation around the world but anyway congratulations on becoming the youngest person the circumnavigate the world. I've already read your book True Spirit twice and it is amazing, your amazing
and your my hero. I wish I could do something like what you did, but I kinda can't really sail because I get a little seasick, my dream though is to travel the globe which I plan to do when I get a degree at university. Your amazing and congratulations again,
your book is really good, compassionate, funny, compelling and I loved every bit of it, I'm reading it again, if that gives you an idea! Emma

Shane Eastwood commented on 24-May-2010 09:14 PM

heyyy jess well since you have come back i decided to start reading your posts as in the near future i am hoping to solo circumnavigate the world myself it is hard to do this because of where i live (Whittlesea being 1 hour in an direction away from water) but still i have had to choose my second dream which is to be a pilot as sailing the globe is now getting to be extremely difficult but since you have done it you really have inspired me to give it another go and this time i am determined never to give up on this dream. and by the way what book is that your reading? just something that has been on my mind since i saw that photo.

Drew commented on 26-Apr-2010 02:10 PM

Jessica, you are such an inspiration. Right now my dreams ARE just dreams, and heck, I'm 23 years old, but I know that one day they will be a reality. You are a testament to the simple beauty of a life lived to its fullest. Enjoying life is something that not many people do these days.

I have learned from you, my friend. God bless you.

Alessandro Machi commented on 23-Apr-2010 01:39 AM

Well, you've officially taken your parents off the hook for your around the world voyage with the following quote.

You wrote "But being a 'little girl' meant that more often than not, my offer of help would be completely ignored, while the line was passed to the fully grown man next to me. I found this incredibly frustrating as I knew that I was just as capable of handling the lines as anyone else. I hated being judged by my appearance and other people's expectations of what a 'little girl' was capable of." end Jessica quote.

So if you had been handed the line on a few occasions many years ago, is it not possible you would you have ended up in the same situation as you are now? Perhaps you would be writing that...

..."Ever since I was a little girl and I was handed the line of another boat to help pull them in, it made me feel so grown up inside that I knew sailing was in my heart and soul"... -end of made up quote

It is a good story either way, that is for sure.

scrubbyflipcrew commented on 15-Apr-2010 02:47 PM

hey jesse hows it going we just read this blog today it was good.
good luck.
Skateboards rock
Scrubbyflipcrew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

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Quick Update on some Fast Sailing

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Lots of nice, fast sailing over the last few days. Now only 250nm until we pass under the Cape of Good Hope!

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4 Months at Sea

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Four months at sea today, but it still feels like only yesterday that we were leaving Sydney! It's almost a bit scary how fast the time has flown and how completely I've settled into everyday life out here. But I'm also really looking forward to all things land and home.

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Going Places and Wear and Tear

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

It wasn't too long after I'd sent the last blog that we started getting some wind and sailed across the prime meridian into the eastern hemisphere - thank goodness! After that, the wind sat at around 30 knots for most of yesterday, so Ella's Pink Lady's been flying along, covering lots of lovely miles to the south and east.

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Drifting Around

Monday, February 15, 2010

We haven't actually been doing a lot of sailing over the last few days, more just sort of drifting and rolling, sometime backwards, not particularly exciting stuff. So we still haven't quite crossed over the Prime Meridian. We're sitting just a few nm away from the eastern hemisphere and not able to get there because there isn't any wind!

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Outdoor Office

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Flat seas and sunshine for the last few days and I'm loving it, even if Ella's Pink Lady's speeds are a bit of the slow side. There's been a few too many 3 knots on the 'speedo', not exactly glamorous but we are moving and with thesun shining it's a bit hard to worry about anything too much!

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megan commented on 14-May-2010 12:06 PM

how can you handle being by yourself at night

Anonymous commented on 03-Mar-2010 12:14 PM

Hi Jessica.
I want to wish you luck for the rest of your journey.
I think that what you are doing is very brave,especially at the age of 16. I know that i could never do what you are doing in my lifetime!
My English class in New Zealand have been looking at your blog's regularly to see how you are doing,and what you have been up to.
We are all very impressed with what you have been achieving on your big journey around the world.I wish you all the best and all my luck,good on you keep it up.

Anonymous commented on 03-Mar-2010 12:04 PM

hey jessica i am writting this to see how you are doing i think what you are doing is great and hope that you are having fun.i really like reading your blog with my engish class seeing what you have been up to how is the weather where you are at the mo.I would never do what you are doing because i am hate boats and the water.I hope you love your trip around the world.but just got to say one thing you will never see me out there tho.WISHING YOU LUCY I HOPE TO HEAR BACK. FROM JUSTINE

Anonymous commented on 03-Mar-2010 12:04 PM

Hi jessica!
I hope you are having fun.
I think that what you are doing is awesome.
Enjoy the rest of your journey.
all the best. good luck!!!!! :)

yoseph commented on 25-Feb-2010 11:51 AM

Gd onya n well done, our Jess yo

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Blue Sky & Sunset

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Pic 1: You've gotta love that blue Sky!

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Rolex replica commented on 17-Oct-2010 06:28 PM

nice article. keep post like this...

Bernard Nansen commented on 22-Apr-2010 08:06 PM

allmost home so concentrate a little while longer and enjoy the spoils, you have aquitted your self extremely well and have earned a lot of respect, I have followed your journey with joy at your courage and tenacity hope mother nature treats you kindly in the last weeks of your voyage, i wish you fair winds and smooth seas

Roger Knight commented on 28-Feb-2010 08:00 PM

Hi Jessica.

I'm an older guy (62) who used to sail out of Mooloolaba Yacht Club myself back before you were even thought of in the mid 1980's My Yacht Noosa Seducer won some trophies and season point scores back then so I have a sailing history too but I have to tell you seriously just how much I admire you Jess.

The sea is a very seriously challenging place to be even for your elders but I'd be pretty sure that by now you will have some solid experience and at such a tender age. You are an inspiration! Not only to Kids of your own age but to kids of my age too! Thank you for your inspiration.

You have taken your dream and decided to “live it” and my eldest grandson Nathan who is 17 and very handsome just as you are yourself, has taken his own dream by the throat too and has already become an open age Pro-Wrestling Champion here in Adelaide where I live now and in his first year. Nathan has very enthusiastic following too mostly screaming girls and cougars of course. They queue up for ages after the bouts to have him autograph their bodies with texta pens too. Occasionally he even has to autograph boring programs and autograph books too! LOL

Actually he is a good clean cut role model out of the ring, which is probably why his fans adore him. He is gentle and unassuming person and surprisingly also a year 12 straight "A" student and I guess you have heaps of distractions on the study front but what I say is live for the moment young Jess, coz you only have each moment once. You can always repeat a year or so anyway.

You too will have hoards screaming and adoring crowds to negotiate too Jessica but you will be OK with it. (I sure hope you don’t have boy’s asking you to sign your autograph on their bodies) .LOL
You certainly have your head together and I am so very pleased that everything is going well for you.

You kids are really showing us oldies up and I love it! Believe me when I say, you inspire us all!

I wish you clear skies and brisk reaching breezes for the remainder of your course/route and you have the knowledge that the love and hearts of all Australians sails with you.

Roger

Anonymous commented on 22-Feb-2010 12:43 PM

Hi Jesse

Great to see both your pictures and that the comment section is working again.

Hope you are enjoying the weather and that it continues all the way to Africa and then home. Glad you included a photo of yourself again so what we can see how healthy you are.

I wonder how much school work was done in weather conditions like that! We suspect none but who cares!

Cya

Leask Family, Forbes NSW

Anonymous commented on 22-Feb-2010 12:43 PM

omg skipper..

where are all your dolfans? am i the only one you have left? ok here goes: squeal-squeal.. squeak-squeak!
how's that? well jesse.. i hope this finds you well and in good spirits with cape #2 off your bow!

~your friend fumes

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Official Jessica Watson Blog

Speeding, Surfing and Dancing Along

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Another Cape Down and into the Indian!

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Oysters, Mussels, Cheese and Crackers!

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Almost Around the Cape and Why I am Sailing Around the World?

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Quick Update on some Fast Sailing

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4 Months at Sea

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Going Places and Wear and Tear

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Drifting Around

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Outdoor Office

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Blue Sky & Sunset

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