Official Jessica Watson Blog

The last few days have been pretty busy in the lead up to departure from the Sunshine Coast this morning. After feeling like I’d never get away for so long, the last few days have been a bit of a blur!

It was so nice to set off knowing that Ella’s Pink Lady was completely ready with everything neatly packed, and what a send off I got! I wasn’t at all prepared for all people lining the river to wave or the small fleet of boats that saw me out the harbour, not to mention the two helicopters buzzing around over head. It was amazing to have all that support from the Sunshine Coast, I have to admit it was all a bit of fun and I couldn’t help feeling so proud of Ella’s Pink Lady looking so sturdy and with all the pretty new signage.

Of course I couldn’t leave without my brother Tom and sister Hannah having the last say, when I came below for the first time after setting sail, I found that they’d left messages and jokes all over my walls!

Even when the last boats had left me to head back into the river I still wasn’t going anywhere too fast, with hardly any wind right on the nose I didn’t lose sight of Mooloolaba for quite a while. But luckily the wind picked up and we covered a few miles this afternoon. I had fun just enjoying the sunshine and cracked open my first can of potatoes to fry up into chips for afternoon tea.

So right now I’m sailing along at 6 knots off Cape Moreton, there are a few fishing boats around and I’ve been spotting a few whales. It’s nice and flat with perfect sailing conditions but I’m still being a bit careful to ensure my food stays down till I get my sea legs in a few days.

Ok, I better go and fire the radar up, turn the navigation lights on and have one last check of everything on deck before it gets dark. Then I might think about some dinner before grabbing some cat naps of sleep.

Till tomorrow,

Jessica