Official Jessica Watson Blog

Wow this is amazing keep goin jessica...


p.s. your very pretty

Hi Jesse,

Your new post arrived unexpectedly, and I hadn't had the chance to offer my slant on "Happy as Larry", so here you are:....

For the record, I remember knowing only one Larry. He was an Afrikaaner - and he was NEVER known to be happy at all, sad thing.

In contrast, the only other Larry who comes to mind is Larry the Lawnmower of Channel 7. Like you, he also has a motley crew...Willie the Wheelbarrow, Posie the Rake and Tangles the Hose. These guys putz happily around Greenwood Garden together keeping the grounds 'shipshape'.

Maybe you can introduce your Scallies to them IN ABOUT 7 WEEKS....HIP HIP HOORAY!!! They can all work together and even keep EPL spic and span!

Fondest regards for now, stay double hooked and not tooooo much cocoa.

jesica ur going to complite agreat job.its amazing i can emajine how can u spend ur days and night.ur so bravehaert,I wish u all the success.thanks.mashum.

Hiya there Jesse, Gee it’s great to see you.   I cannot imagine what it would be like to constantly attend to the ‘slight breeze’ scenario's.  The getting up and down to do adjustments must be awfully tiring.  On the other hand, opening up a cupboard to get something out and having it meet you on the forehead would not be particularly nice either.  

 

Goes to show what a formidable sailor you are.  You just take it in your stride, no probs.   I like how you say no day is the same in your description, this is a good thing? I often think about you out there and your repetitious tasks you need to do, to just keep sailing along.  I have even wondered how your hands are fairing….only cause I know they are hard working hands.  All that salt water must make your skin dry and tender.   Hope you have Ella Bache moisturiser !!  I know you have.  I also think with no two days the same, makes the things you must do daily as in tending to boat and weather easier to cope with.  I think it is a great strategy that you go with the flow.  Anyway, better sign off, by the way, your tinned and dried combo did not look too bad at all. 

Have fun Jesse, turn the music up, do a little dance and come home soon.  Cheers Paula

 

heyy jess i love ur pics<3

stunning pictures, keep up the great work, well done.

Fantastic achievement, a great example to all as to what one can achieve with dedication,support and planning. Best wishes for the final "leg"

Fantastic achievement, a great example to all as to what one can achieve with dedication,support and planning. Best wishes for the final "leg"

"Nuff Respect" form Jamaica. Lots of luck. Hope you make it safe. And although you are missing home keep the faith. You've got lots of courage girl.

WOW! your an inspiration to me. i hope you have fun sailing around the world.
xx <3

Île Amsterdam
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Not to be confused with the Amsterdam Island in the Svalbard archipelago, near Spitsbergen; see Amsterdamøya.
New Amsterdam
Île Amsterdam



Motto: Liberté, égalité, fraternité
Anthem: La Marseillaise


Orthographic projection centred over île Amsterdam
New Amsterdam, Amsterdam Island, or (Fr.) Île Amsterdam (French pronunciation: [ilamstəʁˈdam]; named after Amsterdam, the Dutch capital) is a French island in the Indian Ocean located at 37°49′33″S 77°33′17″E / 37.82583°S 77.55472°E / -37.82583; 77.55472Coordinates: 37°49′33″S 77°33′17″E / 37.82583°S 77.55472°E / -37.82583; 77.55472. It is part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Contents [hide]
1 Description
2 Flora and fauna
2.1 Fauna
2.1.1 Birds
2.1.2 Mammals
3 History
4 See also
5 References
6 Further reading
7 External links


[edit] Description
The volcanic island is a potentially active volcano which last erupted in 1792. It has an area of 55 km² (21 mi²), measuring 21 km (13 mi) on its longest side, and reaches as high as 867 m (2844 ft) at the Mont de la Dives.

The island is part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Terres australes et antarctiques françaises; TAAF), and together with neighboring Île Saint-Paul (85 km to the South) forms one of the five districts of the territory. Its base, Martin-de-Viviès, formerly called La Roche Godon, is the capital of the territory.

Unlike most parts of TAAF, Île Amsterdam has a mild, oceanic climate, with a mean annual temperature of 13°C (55°F), rainfall of 1,100 mm, persistent westerly winds and high levels of humidity.[2]


Phylica arborea grove on Île Amsterdam.Île Amsterdam is one of only three islands which are land antipodes of the continental United States. It corresponds to an area near Lamar, Colorado. The other two antipodes are île Saint-Paul and Kerguelen Island.

The only human habitation is at the Martin de Viviès base with about 30 inhabitants related to the study of fauna, weather, the atmosphere and geomagnetism.

[edit] Flora and fauna
Further information: Amsterdam and Saint-Paul Islands temperate grasslands
The island has Phylica arborea trees, which are also found on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island.

[edit] Fauna
[edit] Birds
The island is home to the endemic Amsterdam Albatross, which breeds only on the Plateau des Tourbières. Other rare species are the great skua, Antarctic tern and Gentoo penguin. The Amsterdam Island duck is now extinct, as are the local breeding populations of several petrels.[1] The common waxbill has been introduced.[2]

[edit] Mammals
There are no native land mammals. Subantarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals breed on the island. Introduced mammals include the house mouse and brown rat. Feral cats are present.[2]

A herd of wild cattle also inhabits the island. They originate from the introduction of five animals by Heurtin after his stay on the island in 1871,[2] and by 1988 had increased to an estimated 2,000. Following recognition that the cattle were damaging the island ecosystems, a fence was built restricting them to a small area of the island.[1]

[edit] History
This island was discovered by the Spanish explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano on March 18, 1522, along his first world circumnavigation. Elcano did not name the island, however.

Having found the island unnamed, the Dutch captain Anthonie van Diemen named it Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch for New Amsterdam) after his ship in 1633.


Map of Île Amsterdam.French Captain Pierre François Péron (not to be confused with François Péron) was marooned three years on this island (from 1792 to 1795). Peron's Memoires, in which he describes his survival alone on New Amsterdam, were published in a limited edition and are now an expensive collectors' item.[3][4][5]

The islands of Île Amsterdam and Île Saint-Paul were attached to Madagascar in 1924 and hence became a French colony.

Though, Amsterdam island, along with Saint-Paul island, is considered by some Mauritian parts as a national territory. Question of Mauritian sovereignty over these two islands has been carried out by the leader of the opposition in 2007, Paul Raymond Berenger. This new claim could be put on discussion with France, in combination with claim over Tromelin island which has been officially held for a long time[6].

The first French base in New Amsterdam was erected in 1949, and was originally called Camp Heurtin. The Global Atmosphere Watch still has a research station on Île Amsterdam.

[edit] See also
List of volcanoes in French Southern and Antarctic Lands
French overseas departments and territories
Administrative divisions of France
Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans

Hey Jesse
Maybe you vacuum cleaner was trying to say to you "Get me out of here, we'll be home soon and I haven't been out of the cupboard since we left Sydney', mine says things very similar to me all the time.
Great piccys, happy sailing.
Love Aunty Chris, Tamworth, NSW, Oz

Congratulations,good luck for the rest of the trip. You have inspired me and my georgaphy students to go beyond the comfort zone. Best Wishes for a wonderful life. regards Rosa

Retired UAL Capt. who flew 12-16 hours down under and to the Far East. Young Lady you are one brave soul! Godspeed and may your remaining days and nights be safe.