Official Jessica Watson Blog
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Monday, October 26, 2009
Pic: Jessica at Ella Bache media launch in Sydney.
When it got light this morning I did my usual check around Ella's Pink Lady to find a whole lot of little squid lying on the deck where they'd clearly got stuck after jumping on board during the night. One of them was a good 25cm long and as I worked on the deck during the day I kept finding more little ones tucked into all sorts of unusual places. Hopefully I found them all or I'm going to know about it when they start smelling in a few days!
Conditions are still pretty quiet, we've had about 14knots of wind right behind us all day so we're rolling along at a steady 5knots.
After all the usual chores, I spent the morning catching up on a few emails and reading. I've been re-reading Kay Cottee's book about her non-stop trip around the world and of course Jesse Martins book Lionheart. l love comparing my trip so far with their voyages. After reading how organized Kay was with the housework side of things I've made a new resolve to do better myself!
This afternoon I kept busy on deck working out the easiest way to pole the headsail (using the spinnaker pole to hold the headsail right out) to make sailing downwind (with the wind right behind us) more comfortable.
The water was still a little chilly when I had another salt water scrub down today and a quick rain squall came through so even Ella's Pink Lady had a nice wash down. So now we're both as fresh as roses! It's nice to have non-salty decks for a while and the rain was a bit of a novelty because it's the first I've had so far.
I've finally started getting a little more imaginative with cooking. Last night was cheese scones and very creamy soup (thanks to me adding maybe a little too much cream!). This morning was porridge with some of the last of my fresh fruit. Lunch was pasta again and I'm thinking Easy Foods chilli bean and chips (fried tinned potatoes) for dinner tonight.
Jesse
Conditions are still pretty quiet, we've had about 14knots of wind right behind us all day so we're rolling along at a steady 5knots.
After all the usual chores, I spent the morning catching up on a few emails and reading. I've been re-reading Kay Cottee's book about her non-stop trip around the world and of course Jesse Martins book Lionheart. l love comparing my trip so far with their voyages. After reading how organized Kay was with the housework side of things I've made a new resolve to do better myself!
This afternoon I kept busy on deck working out the easiest way to pole the headsail (using the spinnaker pole to hold the headsail right out) to make sailing downwind (with the wind right behind us) more comfortable.
The water was still a little chilly when I had another salt water scrub down today and a quick rain squall came through so even Ella's Pink Lady had a nice wash down. So now we're both as fresh as roses! It's nice to have non-salty decks for a while and the rain was a bit of a novelty because it's the first I've had so far.
I've finally started getting a little more imaginative with cooking. Last night was cheese scones and very creamy soup (thanks to me adding maybe a little too much cream!). This morning was porridge with some of the last of my fresh fruit. Lunch was pasta again and I'm thinking Easy Foods chilli bean and chips (fried tinned potatoes) for dinner tonight.
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
Thank you for taking us along on your adventure. I love reading your comments, you made me laugh today! Also a Great photo! You remain in our prayers for a safe journey.
Best regards,
John - From San Francisco
Cant wait till the tracker is up and running on the site.
I went on google earth and was in awe at the route your taking. Its fantastic, challenging and awe inspiring.
Keep those blogs coming & im sure we'll keep posting comments.
Keep on keeping on Jess!
Ally (sth Oz)
ps: hiya Andrew :p
cheers 'different drum'
David Brinkley said – “A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her”.
There is no doubt that many will have said this young “kid” will never even get this adventure off the ground…..but you have. They will have said after you minor scrape with the floating fortress that you will now be so disillusioned you will not depart on your epic voyage……but you have. They now say but she is ill prepared……you are not, you are incredibly well prepared. I have read all the information readily available and am convinced that you could not be any better prepared or equipped. That in itself is an absolute credit to you, your Mum, Dad and all those other good persons and sponsors who have helped you. So Jesse the foundations you have built thus far will outlive any short sighted comments that may come your way. The foundations you will have built on your return will go down in history, quite literally.
By now some of the smarter journo’s and others have worked out the collateral benefits of your efforts, courage and determination are actually changing the lives of so many persons on shore. This is occurring in a subtle and very positive way. You are giving them hope. (had to think about making that comment – I do not want to put any sort of social or moral pressure on you. It is simply my view as seen through what I am reading). Understanding the huge amount of blogs and emails you are receiving, you will not have had the luxury of the time that I and others have had in being able to read these.
GO JESSE.
Kind regards, James and family (alias Greybeard).
I have wondered if you were Christopher Columbus in a previous life!!
YOU CAN DO THIS!!
from Graeme and Annabelle
Squid surprise! What a surprise!
Great to hear you are trying to keep up with the housework!!
And great that you are enjoying reading Jessie Martin's and Kay Cottee's books....lots of inspiration and ideas there!
Jill (Newcastle)
After having no update yesterday, haveing two today was a real treat.
Thank you
and keep safe
Tim and Rosie Caboolture
Cheryl, Jon, Sam, Liam and Maggie
I just love reading your blog. You are really talented at sailing and also at writing! You make it so easy to capture what's happening in your world. Well done. All your food talk is making me hungry, better go make some dinner. Look forward to tomorrow's blog!
Take care!
Lissy
Gold Coast
John (Macedon, Vic)
Thanks for the mention of Easy Food. I looked them up on the web and emailed them.
I plan to go sailing one day and the Easy Food sounds fantastic.
I love reading your blog - it is fantastic.
Cheers
Tez
PS There is a saying "Too many times I sat to string and re-string my instrument when still the song remains unsung."
Jess you are singing the song. Well done.
thanks for tellin us about the shore team good work to all u guys!
did you eat the squid? squid rings
yum yum :) lovein the pics cant wait to see more =P
what do you do for water did you just bring 100 000 bottles????
thanks.
I went sailing myself yesterday. I haven't been in a while (4 months). Following along with your blog made me realize how much I miss it. We were blessed with a spectacular late fall day, and it was truely a pleasure to be back on the water! Sailing along looking at all the beauty around, you just can't help thinking you are in the presence of God. Thanks for reminding me of how much I enjoy being out there. Be safe and stay alert. Thanks for allowing us to share in your adventure!
God bless! I am praying for you daily!
Mike.
Grace Fellowship Church.
North Stonington, CT. USA
Squid is one of the best baits to troll out the back.
Not much effort for a lot of dinner, draging a squid on a hook would could very easy food.
Wishing you well out there.
Kummer
Those damn squid! :P
What is the next milestone?
I am in the process of puting together a photo album online of the sunny coast so when you feel far away you can jump online and see some of the things that are familar to you. Going to Mooloolaba in the morning to get a few images from there before work, thats if it doesn't rain!! As soon as I have enough uploaded to make it worthwhile looking at I will put in the url so you can view it.
Still praying for you, keep safe.
Russell
Sunny Coast Qld
Alice Walker said “No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow”. I agree completely with your parents’ decision to let you go on this magnificent and challenging sojourn. I find the support they have and are giving you to be truly commendable.
Many have already said this and I will say it, you do write really well and when you return you will no doubt consider writing a book. Kind regards, Greybeard – Berowra Heights, Sydney NSW, Australia.
What's cooking good looking? Something tells me that answer should be squid! :)
Can you tell us what you do for most of the day? Sorry if this is a silly question but this is from someone who doesn't sail...
Hope all is good for you...thinking of you often!
Kylie & Ash
Brisbane