Official Jessica Watson Blog
Subscribe to Blog RSS feedSlow Sailing, Stitching and Fog
The weather's been much calmer again. Sometimes a little too calm, with the wind occasionally dropping right out. But the light conditions have been a good chance to get on top of all my latest jobs and have given my bruised and tender hands a bit of time to recover.
It's been a lot clearer today but the last few days have been quite foggy. Normally I don't mind a bit of fog because it's sort of pretty swirling and sitting in the troughs between the swell. But this time it was mostly just grey, damp and dreary. Is there any kind of bad weather I haven't had lately?! I'm starting to wonder what I did to offend the sun, it's hardly showed its face in weeks!
The mainsail is all stitched up again. I don't think I'm going to win any embroidery awards but it should all hold together. I didn't snap or lose a single needle overboard this time and only stabbed my hands a few times,
pushing the needle through the thicker parts of the sail with the palm. The galley is also far more orderly again after spending yesterday afternoon empting lockers and drying everything out.
Today I've been busy shifting a bit of weight around to keep us trimmed and sailing nicely. Now that I've used so much of my water and diesel, a job that would be a lot easier if I could step off to see if the bows or stern is
sitting high in the water. Then I had a small mechanical problem to sort, a few other jobs to do and I swapped the headsail over to the spare because the old one was looking a little scruffy.
Ella's Pink Lady is getting along nicely with the code 0 up at the moment. We're sitting on a nice 6 knots heading south east. The wind feels a little cooler now that we're back south in the 40's again and I'm back to wearing my Musto mid layers and socks to sleep again.
I was sorry to hear that Powderfinger have decided to break up. I got sent their new song 'Sail the Wildest Stretch' a while back and I have totally played it to pieces ever since.
Well that's enough from me today. I'm headed back on deck with a cup of coffee and a jar of Nutella (don't worry I'll be a good girl and use a spoon!) to see if there's any stars peaking out behind the clouds.
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 think you have done amazingly and have provided a good role model for young girls everywhere. Even inspiring some of us older than you to take risks and learn new things.
You certainly proved me wrong with your success so far, go all out and make it home safe to stick it to those who voiced there doubt and tried to stop you.
Smooth Sailing, take care and make it home safe xoxox
Your a champion, not long now. I know you probably know, but watch out for the hypolittes when you round s/e tas. If its a night rounding they are hard buggers to see. Looking forward to seeing you get home.(Paul Roberts)
You are almost there.
And soon you will reap the rewards of your hard work.
''The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.'' (Denis Waitley)
>>New Zealanders can raise an eyebrow about Aussies trying to claim Crowded House, Phar Lap and the pavlova as their own.
But when 16-year-old Queenslander Jessica Watson becomes the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, Kiwis can maybe take some revenge.
[...]
Jessica is due to sail her 34-footer, Ella's Pink Lady, through Sydney Heads, completing her voyage just ahead of her 17th birthday on May 18.
Her New Zealand-born parents Roger and Julie Watson will be there to join the celebrations, along with other Kiwi family members.
Jessica's grandfather Gordon Chisholm, from Central Otago, says Kiwis can rightly lay claim to the young adventurer.
"Oh yeah, you bet", he said when asked by reporters about her heritage.
But Australian sailing great John Bertrand said New Zealand will struggle to claim her, although that won't stop them trying.
"The fact is that she lives in Australia on Queensland's Sunshine Coast)," he said.
"It's going to be a pretty tough slog for the Kiwis to get too much airspace.
"But I know, having good mates in New Zealand, they will put up a good claim for it."<<
Jessica Watson of Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, are you born in Australia, daughter of at least 1 Australian citizen mother or father) and are you an Australian citizen holding an Australian Passport ?
If you answer Yes, may I request the nation of New Zealand to hold and withdraw their claim, today and forever ?
Regards
Victor C. Pankouken
Amy Dunbar
.................................................................................................
@@@Rene Araos, .... **CC, Jessica** ........ Dear Rene, ..... You are a man after my own heart. I am like you, and my heart is thrilled with what you are doing. I also, at the age of 57, I year ago, bought a Motorcycle, and everyone looked at me like I was in a confused state. I had ridden motorcycles 25 tears earlier. What made this purchase so puzzling to others, was that the motorcycle weighs 6 times my own body weight. The bike weighs 4ookg with fuel. I also was concerned due to my own medical reasons , one being a weak wrist, if I was going to be able to handle the bike, especially on dirt roads where I live. ......................................... After buying the bike and riding 20 km from the shop, on country roads, I was standing on the pegs dancing with joy with my wife following behind me in the car, with that "you are going to cop it when you get home look on her face". The bike is now my therapy. I loved your comment to absolute pieces, You Rene are the Susan Boyle of the "Jessica Inspiring the World to Move out of their Comfort Zone Reality Show", and you deserve an AWARD for HAVING A GO. .............
I pray each time I get on the Bike, both for common-sense and His sense of presence to go with me. ..... Good on You Rene and God Bless you in your enjoyment of the pleasure of Motorcycling. .....
......................................................................................................
If at any time you should want to send me a Picture of you on your Postie Bike, I would be over the moon to receive such a treasure. I will be very happy to send you picture of my bike, and to encourage you to keep upright. ... If So, Please send to ConFuseUs, Po Box 90, Hyden, 6359, WA, AUSTRALIA.
Wishing you smooth sailing all the way home Jessica.
PS keep an eye out for the Elohim and wave G'day from me if you see , look up :)
All the very Best,
Nanna,Cairns Qld
I wish you safe travels into Sydney harbor & hope to pop down to watch you sail in through the heads. I know some young guys & girls which sailed with you in your 'junior days' here on the Sunshine Coast & they knew what you were capable of!
Well done and fair breezes
The kids are counting down to when you return and are planning a Welcome home Jess party in our class. Nearly home, so keep safe.
Fair sailing xx
Grandfather Unski from Finland
With an amazing feat like this being completed by you at such a young age, it makes me wonder just how high you will soar in the future! And what impossible things you will do.
You're an inspiration! Whether you know it or not, you're helping other people be better people.
Cheers,
Patrick.
Whew, you really have your work cut out for you right now! I have full faith in you though, you have certainly proved that to me and milliions of others!
Thinking of you always, getting pretty excited about your return :o)
Stay safe and have fun!
~Deidre NC, USA
Great job; so close to home now! If I can borrow the yacht I might see if I can get out of Hobart for a few days and sail with you up the coast a bit! Keep it up girl, you're a star :)
Karina