Official Jessica Watson Blog
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Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sorry I didn't update you all yesterday. I've been catching up on a bit of sleep. I've certainly had an interesting few days.The wind started picking up pretty much right after I'd sent Tuesday's blog and topped at 44knots mid-morning yesterday. Which makes for my first Southern Ocean gale.
Ella's Pink Lady and I came through beautifully and I learned a lot about how she handles when the sea's up. There's a good chance that we'll see worse somewhere along the line, but apart from a bit of fast surfing (a bit too fast for comfort!), everything went really smoothly this time. After a while, some of the waves started to knock us around a bit which got just a little hard on the nerves. But one thing I'm really happy with, is what a good job Parker did keeping us on course!The sea was really quite something. My best guess would be conservatively 5 metres and far more amazing than any of the pictures or how I'd imagined it! The ocean in a state like that is downright spectacular and fascinating to watch, but I think it's really one of those things you have to experience first hand. I'm not sure I can really describe it and pictures really don't do it any justice.
But the most amazing thing of all was the dolphin that swam along next to Ella's Pink Lady for over 6 hours while the wind was the strongest, just as if he was keeping an eye out for us! Every time I'd glance out the porthole I'd get another little flash of fin or tail just as if he was reassuring me that he was still there. I haven't seen a dolphin for weeks, so to have one see us through the gale like that was something special and very comforting!
The wind and sea kept dying off today, so we're making good ground with nice 15 to 20 knots of wind and 3m of sea. It's currently the middle of the night for me but it hardly seems dark as for the first time in weeks I got a sky full of stars and a brilliant full moon! It's such a novelty that I've spent the last few hours bundled up in more layers that I would have thought possible braving the cold and sitting out in the cockpit taking it all in.
With my mind on other things for the last few days, New Years Eve has crept upon me a lot faster than I'd realized, so I think I'll save my New Year's party for tomorrow in my own time zone. But I would like to wish Happy New Year to everyone out there celebrating tonight. Looks like I'm going to miss the fireworks so make the most of them for me!
Jesse
Recent Posts
- Only Six Weeks Until Our Exciting Campaign Starts!
- The Mini Fastnet, Turning 18 and World Food Programme Youth Ambassador
- Our Youth Should Have A Voice!
- Study, Ella’s Pink Lady and New Zealand
- Introducing The New Project!
- Bilbies, Bike Rides and Other Events
- Jessica the Bilby!
- Young Australian of the Year & Germany!
- Lion’s Club Fundraiser for the Flood Appeal this Sunday
- Happy New Year, Sailing & QLD Floods
Archive
- August 2011 (1)
- June 2011 (1)
- April 2011 (2)
- March 2011 (1)
- February 2011 (3)
- January 2011 (2)
- December 2010 (2)
- November 2010 (2)
- October 2010 (2)
- September 2010 (3)
- August 2010 (5)
- July 2010 (2)
- June 2010 (3)
- May 2010 (9)
- April 2010 (12)
- March 2010 (13)
- February 2010 (16)
- January 2010 (18)
- December 2009 (20)
- November 2009 (26)
- October 2009 (19)
- September 2009 (10)
- August 2009 (14)
- July 2009 (19)
- June 2009 (14)
Comments
Carol Russell Island QLD
Following your progress with great interest.
Cheers
Maureen
Guardian Dolphin
Guardian dolphin
Rider of the waves
Southern Gale’s special
Introductory gift!
How did you find me?
Why did you stay with me?
Your presence
Was such a comfort!
Guardian dolphin
Rider of the waves
Southern Gale’s very special
Introductory gift…
I thank you!
Jill (Newcastle)
That was a great summary of Jesse' progress from its early beginings to where she is now. I hope you post another as she nears the completion of this magnificent journey..sort of a tribute perhaps. I for one will definitely look forward to that.
Actually, it brings to mind while reading thru her blogs, an instant where she tried very hard to keep a straight face as dedicated Dad (Roger) stripping down
youngestdound.com frog marched to the skip with the toilet held at arms lemgth"
...or after setting out the carefully planned list of jobs for the day came back later to find it brutally vandalised with
"completely absurd jobs such as smoko, tea breaks, union meetings bonding sessions....", had been secretly added between the lines.
Some of the lighter moments. All of her blogs are a pleasure to read.
Thanks a lot.
Ben (Qld)
Big seas, scary? I have only been at sea once in gale, that was the english channel and there were so many sick people on the Ferry I sneaked up on deck which i was not supposed to do and wedged myself into a corner of railing on the upper deck and watched the waves just rolling and crossing each other and it didn't look that bad really apart from how badly the Ferry was being knocked aound. Then for about 4 or 5 seconds I saw a sailboat through a gap in the mountains of waves (I guess it was about the size of yours or a little bigger), it was climbing up the side of a wave and had to have been at 40 degrees tilt and the wave was at least 3 times as high as the boat was long. The the wave just fell away from umder the boat and rose my side of the boat and the boat vanished (down the other side of the wave)? That was 40 years ago and i can still the boat with a red and green paint job. If I could paint I would paint that scene.
Anyway the point was the boat just looked so tiny and i think of you out there with the weather getting worse and remember that boat and have small sense of how scary it could be.
Keep safe and dry and keep those safty lines on
Donald
Adelaide
You've attitude is nothing less than remarkable.
Best wishes for 2010 and the remainder of your voyage.
Chris Akenfelds
Brisbane QLD
Stay safe little one and I look forward to more updates on your adventures.
Best wishes
John and Susan Webb
Catamaran "Playground"
Brisbane Australia
Funny in the middle of the ocean shows how strong you are.
We are all behind you, you WILL make it.
I just want to say good job and good luck.
Best wishes,
Tyler
So good to hear you all made it through the storm without any major incidents. Those 5 metre swells must have been really amazing to watch. I know what it can be like, I've been in a similar circumstance in a 14.5 Feet (Fourteen point five feet), whatever that is in metres, Half Cabin Cruiser . . . . . but we were only in Broken bay (in Pittwater on Sydney's Northern Beaches Area) . . . . . So it must have been an exciting, albeit a bit eery, experience: And that little Dolphin ... Wowwww! ... How Wonderful. What a sense of comfort it must have been to have no better A Guardian Angel. I now know that what they say about Dolphins been the known as the 'True Mermaids' must be correct. Dolphins lead the way in front of the Old Sailing Ships and have been known to swim along in front of Ocean Liners.
Yes Jess !! ... That Dolphin wasn't 'Just There For The Ride' ..... He/She "Was There To...AND... Did See You Safely Through That Storm".
Also, where you say every time you peered out the Porthole you caught a Peek of the Tail or Fin, " Wasn't just coincidence: You said that it was like he/she was letting you know he/she was still with you'. Well I believe that That Little Mermaid WAS reassuring you that you weren't alone and that you were in Safe Hands !! " ... And that he/she knew you were watching and was doing just that, letting you know he/she was still there.
So Jess, why don't you give your New Little Guardian Angel A Name?: How about the Obvious 'FLIPPER' ... because 'Flipper' was always Saving people and keeping a Watchful Eye on the boys, just like your DOLPHIN FRIEND was keeping watch on you. I think 'FLIPPER' is appropriate because you have already named 'Parker' after 'You Know Who'.
Most importantly jess, I'm sure 'FLIPPER' Is STILL WITH YOU, and I'm Sure you'll be seeing More of your Guardian Angel.
Well Jessica, 'HAPPY NEW YEAR' Australian Time ... and I'll Remember you when you celebrate in Your Current Time Zone.
Oh! ... and 'Yes' ... The FIREWORKS WILL be More Spectacular WHEN You Arrive Home in Australia.
Have A Safe and Happy Trip ... But Most of All HAVE FUN.
"You CAN And WILL Do It Jessica Watson !!!"
NM
xx
Sounds like you were really moving right along! 44 knots of wind, how fast were you moving? 5 meter seas! that is amazing. hang on tight! What did you name your dolphin friend?
I'm glad you got a chance to enjoy some stars. Those are your fireworks while you are on the ocean. Happy New Year Jesse have a wonderful day!
Rob
Columbia, Missouri, USA
David Indiana
I look forward to your 2010 blogs and want to thank you for all the inspiration and joy your journey has afforded me so far. As well as wishing you Happy New Year, i will stick to my guns and wish you Good Winds and Safe Sailing.
jo
Wow! It sounds like you had quite a ride. (I'm a little jealous.)
I'm glad to hear ypu have a clear night sky. The month of December there is a "Blue Moon" ( 2 full moons in a month) just in time for New Year Eve.
How magical it must of been with the dolphin following you.
Always following your progress; it's simply amazing what you are doing.
Jimmy
So glad everything went well for you through your first major challenge, hope Flipper sticks around for any future ones. It must have been a bit scary for you, but you have all come through with flying colours, good job.
Keep enjoying yourself, you are always in our thoughts and prays...x
-Lori, Brisbane
Stay safe in your little pink boat.
Have a good new year.
All the best
Sarge
Greetings from Germany and all the best for 2010!
Wolf
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
AND A SAFE 2010
Your description of the gale force winds and the sea conditions made me feel as if I was there, the motion you describe with the porpoise,the 5 meters of swell and wind sent tingles down my arms.
Parker is amazing to have steered you through without any problems, and you were able to learn and understand EPL better in these conditions.
To sit out and watch the stars and Blue moon evolve above,you are very fortunate to be able to live your dream and enjoy all around.
Safe Passage,will talk later.
Brian.
Hervey Bay QLD
P.S. Well said, Richard Lathrop, my grandma used to say "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." I guess not everyone is as fortunate to have had a wise grandma. Constructive dialogue among family or friends builds, sharpens and teaches. But hateful or destructive dialogue only alienates , hurts and weakens. I am proud to be a part of this blog family and wish to learn, share and enjoy. To all the blog family lets strive to make 2010 one to remember as we go along with Jesse on her history making voyage....Godspeed to all. Mike