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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!
This is definitely an attitude I'm going to have to put some serious effort into changing, if I ever decide to have a go at racing. Otherwise I'd be left at the back of the fleet every time the sun came out!The other day I finally had the bright idea of un-bolting the Toughbook computer from its place at the nav station and taking it out into the cockpit to get some typing done. (Don't ask me why I didn't think of this earlier?). Sitting in front of a computer is a hundred times more pleasant when outside right next to the water. It's also far easier to persuade myself to actually sit down and get everything done. Apologies to anyone reading this while surrounded by four walls!
So while sitting outside in my lovely outdoor office I had two cute bluefish join us. They spent the afternoon swimming around us, nibbling away at who knows what on the hull. It's good to know that someone's keeping the hull clean of weed. Sort of like a drive-through car wash really!
Ella's Pink Lady is moving nicely at the moment but we've got headwinds with the wind from the south east which means that we're not quite making the course that I'd like to be on. Also, tomorrow or possibly later today, we should becrossing over the Prime Meridien. I can't wait to be back in the eastern hemisphere, then it really will feel like we're on the way home.
It's great to have everyone back online after the problems with the blog server. The technical details are completely beyond me, so I'll stay out of trying to explain, but it sure sounds like it caused all sorts of drama back on land. Welcome back to everyone anyway!
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
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.
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!!!!! :)
I hope the wind changes so that you aeren't punching into headwinds for too long as you make your way south to round the Cape.
Hang loose,
the Canberra Watsons that you've never met!
Roses are red,
Sailboats are pink,
For the greatest web site in the world,
Click on Jessica’s link.
Yikes, that is really bad. You definitely deserve better than that on Valentine’s Day, Jess. But hey, I’m SaltyDog, not Shakespeare.
And to you, Julie, happy Valentine’s Day. Without a doubt, you and Roger should be named “Parents of the Year.” Obviously, Jessica is the product of a very loving family and you both deserve all of the credit in the world.
And to all of the ladies, young and old, in Jessica’s blogging family, thank you for opening your hearts to Jess and to all of your fellow bloggers. Happy Valentine’s Day to every one of you.
Jessica, I hope you feel the love of the entire blogging family today. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Have fun, stay safe and happy sailing.
From Seattle, WA, USA
SaltyDog
We also cant wait to have you in the eastern hemisphere.
We just voted you the sexiest circumnavigator in history
Sail on, sail safe, mate
KB
Melb
I continue to enjoy your regular blogs, you are certainly an amazing young woman.
Continue to travel safe and enjoy every minute of your freedom
Aussie Aussie Aussie
Thanks for such a wonderful update... I envy you having a laptop since im stuck inside with the pc hehe
You look like you are making great time.Should be home in time for summer,or at least in time for my summer.I always forget you summer is different than mine is.
How is the homework coming along? Are you a visual/audial or tactile learner? My husband is a dyslexic so he used taped books to help him get thru school.
Glad to know that you are enjoying the sun!! May you have fair weather and the wind at your back at a nice and steady 10 kpm
Take care,
chris in northern calif
Linda
Rockhampton
Keep up the good work and mabe you could start a count down of the distance you have left till Australia.
Stay safe.
Annie & Cam "H"
You sound like you are having the time of your life out there. Fingers crossed the weather stays kind for at least the next few days to give you a chance to really enjoy this part of the journey.
What a great idea taking the Toughbook outside with you. I do the same at home when I am working. Sitting outside in the fresh air working is far more enjoyable.
You are certainly covering the miles and Cape of Good Hope cannot be that far away.
I love your writing. You continue to amaze me with your great description of what is going on around you. I really feel part of your trip, thank you.
How are your meals going these days. Have you created any new dishes?? :-)
Stay safe,
Rob
Ingleburn, NSW
You have become to personify the 'long lost daughter'!
No problem now you are 'found', although you never were missing in the first place!
It's just the terra firma glitches which have held us in suspense. I'm never one to complain though.
Your imaginitive writing cracks me up...your cute bluefish visitors 'like a drive through carwash'..you aptly describe your environment in such a comical fashion. I think it may one of many many many reasons you have me hooked on your journey.
Yes sweetheart, you are well on your way home, but you show no indication that you may be in a hurry. For that I am glad, because it is comforting to know you are content wherever you are upon the great oceans, whether it be today, yesterday or tomorrow...you just love being 'out there'.
Hmmmm...do I detect a hint of your future plans???.....racing...that will go nicely with Australian of the Year.
I'm right with you with loving the sunshine, it warms the soul and beats the blues. And of course we must never forget you are a Sunshine Coast kid...BUT born on the GOLD COAST..my home town.
Talking of your toughbook, I actually dislike sitting in front of the computer, but since your journey was in its infancy, I have been there...like or not...and loving it!! How's that for a contradiction in terms?
Enjoy the lovely conditions sweeheart, and hope to hear more good and happy updates from you soon.
Stay safe and eat well til next time Jesse.
Not too many comments but I'm sure you've still got lots of readers so plse keep the info coming.
The America's cup is underway - their adventure is nothing like what we're experiencing with you. I know where I'd rather be right now!!
Cape #2 here we come.
xxx
John & Jan from Wooroloo WA
all the best Capt'n Kelly
Hope u get a bit of speed up, i bet u just cant wait to get home and do the normal teenage thing!!
Im jealous, it sound amazing, typing away sourrounded by the ocean, i'd miss my family, but gee, it does sound peaceful!!
Once again you are such an amazing young Lady, Jessica!!
Best Wishes and safe sailing,
Kate, Aimee & Caleb
Melton, Vic, Australia
There's gotta be a little storm near her somewhere Bob! lol
@Michael! She leaves the shores a focused, fighting and determined big kid. She'll return a very well balanced beautiful young woman. A chip on both shoulders perhaps! lol
I usually don't take bags off the tellers as I have seen the damage too Jess! Too Sad!!!!
I don't think we really have the time to educate the adults of the world in the damage plastic does to our marine life and damage it does to the ocean and reefs.
A plastic bag that doesn't break down or breaks down to slow can kill for up to 70 years as the carcass of a baby dolphin will decompose quickly and the bag is then ready to strike again!!!
Your site's a good thing for some awareness Jessica!
You must have felt really bad about that bird Jess! (Your chocolate biscuits???) lol You know that's all they will ever want to eat now don't you?
It wouldn’t surprise me if you come home with all these different and awesome animals following you! lol
Your cruzzin Jess!
We’re so proud of you! Nite Jess! Or good morning! What ever crazy time you’re in, Good night mate!
Night everyone!
Billy!
Happy valentines day everyone!
@ haha Saltydog. I reckon your poem rocks mate!
Billy
Glad that the blog is back to normal. It sounds like you are till trucking along nicely. I can't believe how far you have gone already and how much time has gone buy on your adventure. It will be a bummer when the trip is over and the blog ends. Kind of like a favorite t.v. show that goes away. Keep up the good work and stay safe!
Steve Z.
Gotta love that sunshine, it's the best isn't it. Does wonders for my attitude too.
I've just finished reading Adrienne Cahalan "Around the buoys". Very interesting book and she is/was hooked on racing. From an early start on a laser to ending up on the big multi-hulls she has achieved so much in her life. As I was reading it I wondered if you would end up doing similar things. Speaking of multi-hulls, just been watching the America Cup and I believe this is the first time they have used them. They are huge things and can get up to incredible speeds as I'm sure you know. Very exciting to watch for the first time.
I also love your description of your drive-through car wash, hope it's working. Very funny!
@ SaltyDog, thankyou for the Valentine message, and the same to you. Hope you have a loving partner to help celebrate with.
So Jesse, as usual we are thinking of you, enjoy your night and take care little one!
The McGraths, Nowra NSW