Official Jessica Watson Blog

Oh Jesse you poor, poor thing. Having to sew that wretched split in your sail. I keel over when a button needs sewing on and even then i pass it on to my husband to do. There you were sewing away, bruising your little hands and there we were your faithful followers wining and dining, nary a needle or thread in sight. but it must be said we were having fun in honour of you. It was lovely to receive the photos of the over east get together. And as i (think) i said in my last post thankyou Jesse for bringing me together with such wonderful people. Tony (different drum) is a lovely lovely man and it turned out i had directed one of his beautiful daughters' in a play some years back. And your 'Aunty' Sam well she is quite delightful as you may well imagine from her posts. Even though I am the follower my husband came along also and had a wonderful evening too. It was great to talk with Sam and Tony both who have a lot of knowledge about sailing. It helped give me a much better understanding about the things you are doing and what you write about.
Jesse dear, here's hoping that sun shines sooner than later and of course i wish you good winds and safe sailing.
love,
jo

I have followed your voyage from the start and have decided to now say hello. I'm a Nanna and have been so worried about you and someone said text you and tell you so here I am. To do what you are doing is amazing but also a terrifying thought for a Nanna it's like I know you and I have willed you all the way hoping and praying that you get home safe. There were knockers at the start that's why I willed you on take care darlin from Nanna {young at heart}. XX WhitsundaysQLD

Hi Jess,

Glad to hear things are a settled a bit and hope you have smoother but quicker sailing. I'm still awed by your journey and your strength. Looking forward to seeing you safely home. Take care little sweetheart. Sunshine Coast. qld.

Hi Jessica, glad to see that you made it safely through the terrible storm. You must have been terrified. @buka, so sorry to hear the terrible news of the sad deaths of your government leaders. Please accept my condolences. Jeanp Australia

Home stretch now, Jessica,

INobody has to say "don't give up"beause we know you wont.

I have posted your blog to my daughter who is on exchange in Japan and is homesick and wants to come home.

The lesson is NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON A DREAM. You live that lesson now, but the life lesson should always remain with you and with others who can see you as an example.

Fair winds and smooth sailing to you.

Ryan pilot B777).

Hi Jesse.
We,ve been watching your progress from the beginning. What you're doing is just awesome. Good luck & good sailing.
The team at Bartlett Marine NZ.

your a star jesse. i'm 31 (australian) don't know you but living in singapore working and if i think abt what i've done so far this year and what you've done i'm so embarrased!
u really are a champ!
good luck for the short trip back!

Can't believe your FIRST around the world journey is almost done! I'm going to miss the daily updates. Congratulations on such a successful trip and can't wait to hear about the next adventure.

Hi Jesse,

I have been away from the computer for a few days (sailing actually) and heard about a tropical storm in the South Indian Ocean. Had me nervous for you. I am so glad you are doing well and sailing along however slow it might be.

God Speed Girl!

Dave
North Carolina USA

you are amazing

Hey Captain Jesse I have continued to watch your progress every other day. I read your blogs and your consistency in connecting with us through those considerable writing skills, leaves us to ponder what else we might read that “take us there”. Most other news publications appear bland and lacking depth after a dose of “Jesse news”. Again congratulations on your awesome effort thus far, stay safe and Gods speed (without too much wind or high swells please).

Kind regards, James and family.

Ahoy Jesse,
it's been a while since I visited your voyage. this is the last long stretch and you have mastered every challenge.
the final obstacle you'll have to endure is the actual return. As triumphant and thrilling as I'm sure it will be, i imagine that it will be followed by some depression. after all, you have focussed on this voyage so hard, for so long, it will be psychologically difficult when it disappears.
having said that, I also know that your mental strength, your positive attitude, will get you through anything. you have shown us that over and over again.
so enjoy this final phase of your odyssey, my dear Jessica, and thanks a million for sharing it with us.

Fair Winds,

Richard Lathrop

I am praying for you to continue to have a safe and wonderful journey! It is wonderful to see you going after your heart's desire. You go girl!!

Hi Jessica in a word you are an amazing young woman. I check on your progress everyday. Keep safe and smooth sailing.

From the mountains of Vermont I've been following your journey from day one. You are an inspiration with amazing courage. Thank you for sharing this adventure with the world. On this full moon night I send you many blessings. connie

Today's Inspirational Quote:

"Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always
beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may
alight upon you."

-- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Dear Jesse, it is great to see you doing so well and proving so many people wrong. I had a laugh this morning reading all the blogs and came across one from my beautiful wife jacqueline aka (the McGraths from Nowra) I look forward to the day you come home as well, we will be in Sydney for the big occassion and I guess then our house will be a little tidier. You have not only entertained the many people from around the globe with your heroics but have kept Jacqueline by the computer for countless hours, not to mention the frequent trips to the library too exhaust their stocks on sailing books. You have not only united people, many have become friends like Richie from Paris and Samurai just to name a few. Keep up the good work and as my wife would say take care little one.
Jim

Hey Jess,
I was wondering what your plan is when you get close to Tasmania. Do you plan to go under or through Bass strait?
Tim

I feel so silly! I looked at the Google map and thought i saw another island that Jessica would be going by. I zoomed in to get the name so I could Google it...... It was a darn piece of lint on my screen. Oh well, still looking forward to the next post!
Hi to the lady in Kansas, and Oklahoma as well. I am in Olathe Kansas just outside of Kansas City. It's nice to know there are fellow Jessica fanatics in the neighborhood! Brian C.

@ Bongo, 30 Mar, 1:58AM Re: Google Earth issue... Frustrating, no? I'm wondering if it is because my system runs with Vista. Like you, I have uninstalled and reinstalled several times with no consistent luck. Once in a GREAT while, I am surprised when I see that glorious "pink necklace"! Surely there's a solution to this before Jesse pulls back in to her home port!!!

Go Jesse --- We're all thinking about you more than ever!

Blessings,
Marie
WA St., USA

Hi everyone! It seems that I opened a can of worms, with that landing dock question.

Well, it seems, at least, that the finish line is passing between the Heads.

About the location where Jessica will put her feet on dry land, 5 Oceans Media will necessarily clear that soon enough. I learnt much, in only a few days, on the Harbour's configuration and the possible moorings for EPL.

@Victor C.P., I am afraid you missed some points.

First, your quarantine hypothesis looks like a fantasy. It could almost have made me laugh, but your extraordinary talent to see half-empty botlles is too amazing to laugh at.

Second, why should I be disappointed by the fact that Darling Harbour may not be the most green and romantic place in Sydney, but I don't care at all, as far as it is suitable for a tremendous welcome. I only noticed that its name was matching well Jessica's status, as the world's sweetheart.

Any chosen dock will do it, in fact, as it will have been selected for answering the needs of this memorable event.

Sorry for this short zigzag, folks...

Come on, Captain Jesse! Wherever you land, it will be a place for emotion, joy and feast! No doubt Andrew, Bruce and the Jessica team will be brilliant, once again.

Sail fine, sail smooth, sail fast, sail safe... but sail. Follow your route, while we root for you...

Well...It seems you've been cruising along nicely and EPL working on the n/miles moving you ever closer to the final leg and chapter of your adventure. I keep thinking about what it will be like trying to return to school after you have sailed the world, taken hold of your reins and kept the emotions in check rising to the needs and the swells of the moment..and wonderfully posting the message..all is well..even as you hang on for dear life..tossed about like so much confetti. I still see you clinging to the top of the mast while snapping a quick picture for those of us dying to see it every evening...How do you follow this Miss Watson? Can you sing as well as you sail? Are you a prodigy in Literature as the posts seem to indicate? I know that as the closing paragraphs melt before you and you grasp every feeling you can to remember. Hopeful you have retained the best material for surprises even for us..your cybercrew and adoptive units...who will miss your missives and interplay of light and dark...

I have thought of the beauty and the mystery of the sea..the descriptive scenes as EPL flew across the glass and when she sat still eyeing her reflection...It has been a curious voyage..one of discovery and of enlightenment. I can't count the times I've scurried through the pages of my Chapmans book of sailing to figure out whether you just said something in Aussie or in 'Sail-ish'. You kept us guessing in the quiet times and wowed us with the explanations...How do you top this missy? What a 17th Birthday present...you got the world a few gulps at a time..felt the air of the French Polynesian Islands and took in the salty tears of the aerial reunion as you waved to the Horn and slipped on past the Falklands.. We're you as surprised as I was at how swift The Pink strung together those miles between South America and Africa? I have saved a few momentos of your trek some on my cell phone as I remembered to pray for you..and some on the computer in the special file subdivided into 'The Ship, The Voyage, The Sailor'. I collected the nay-sayers who said 'Don't let her go', the Well-wishers'- and the sympathetic teens who defended your ability. Yep..you've proven that you are made of the right stuff and that includes tenacity and grit..perhaps you will graduate into the teaching and advising schools...I'm not sure you will find that very satisfying after glancing off of the swells and careening down the deep depths of wake and crest. Have you even begun to imagine the excitement and the adenalin of the final chapter? Every great book has a closing chapter we the readers couldn't guess..keeping us hanging on to the very last drop of saltwater and the b eezes have died down. I thought about Tania Aebi and the relief she felt as Varuna came to port in New York. And the dissappointment of knowing that a technical 55 miles would keep the prize out of her hands..and yet the satisfaction of knowing they really couldn't take any of it from her. She had sailed a 26 foot long boat by herself..all the way around the world..before GPS..before..computers...not even knowing Celestial Navigation...when she set out..She had been struck by freighters..cast adrift and sure she was through...and yes..once nearly drowned...I am enthralled by the similarities and the differences between the people and the yachts. You inspire me to do things that I had put off and nearly put out of my mind..but I just recorded 17 of my songs..I wanted to record 24 (I thought to do a 2 CD set)- I actually recorded 19 but began to lose my voice during the last 2..my fingers felt like hamburger and only some were on the 12 string...a few were on the 6..I couldn't afford it but God made a way..and like EPL..I sailed into the studio and recorded the sonds with my drummer and a friend on bass..
Some days when stress was pushing all of my buttons..I would check on the bit of a girl hugging the mast while drenched to the bone..wishing she could get a decent cup of chocolate..and I would think..Wow..if Jessica can do it..so can..her 61 year old adoptive grampa..and Marine Electrical Inspector...So..How will you top this Captain?..Jessica stay In The Pink...Blessings and prayers..stay safe..smooth sailing...


Gary & Jan
Savannah,Ga

Hi Jesse, when I open your voyage route right here on your website, the first map always pops up in a rather large view of the whole earth, and there your path already seems to be very close to Australia's west coast. Of cause I understand that there's still a lot of water to be taken under your keel, but to me its also a sign how fast time can feel even if speaking of an endeavor like your's. -- And, just to add some more of my weired philosophy .. ;) .. isn't all our life some kind of voyage like yours: First, it seems almost infinite. To get through passably well, its often a question more of the right equipment and a lot of persistence but of Hollywood-like heroism. The particular path is unknown except for the next few twists, although the general course is set. In spite of a lot of people around us, we're basically alone on our "life's boat". Absolute certainty there's none. And in the end, the vast ocean of time becomes a very small pond with frightening speed. -- Well, that should be enough thoughtfulness for today! The best way to deal with life is to get the best from every moment, anyway. Then, and only then, will time be your friend. -- So I wish you good winds and the best for all those moments you're going through right now! -- Nico -- Frankfurt/Germany

Would love to fly overhead and drop loads of chockies on you.
Just pretend you're on a diet when your supplies diminish. Going well, Jessica, I'm watching your every move each day. Warmest wishes. Patricia

Jesse - just wondering since I am on the other side of the world, will there be internet coverage of your arrival in Sydney? I would LOVE to see you sailing in! I hope there is at least some international coverage. I know you must be getting excited, but as a mother, I'll bet I know who is more excited than you!!
Take care - God speed - chocolate is not far away!