Official Jessica Watson Blog
Subscribe to Blog RSS feedSunshine, Stars and Sunsets
First off, a huge thanks for all the book title ideas. That was a pretty amazing response and certainly gave us plenty to think about, as well as a lot of laughs! So thanks again.
Ella's Pink Lady hasn't been breaking any speed records lately but we are sailing along steadily. Yesterday was pretty slow but today's been better. The sunshine and calm seas continue, so we're not exactly doing it too hard.But when the speedo drops below 3 knots it becomes a bit of a test of my patience. It's not that I'm in any terrible rush, because I'm having such a good time still, it's just that it feels so much more purposeful to be going somewhere. The warm sunshine, amazing starry nights and lovely pink sunsets put in me in a great mood, but add speed as well and I'm one happy girl!
Another great thing about the quiet conditions is that I've been able to leave the front hatch open, which is doing wonders at giving the cabin a nice freshen up. It is really helping my efforts to keep the mould and damp at bay. You wouldn't believe some of the places I'm finding little patches of mould. The damp works its way in everywhere, for example all the zips on my jeans have corroded into place which is a little annoying!
Finally, I'm relieved and pleased to be able to report that the dunny is back in action, the problem was some tiny bits of grit stuck in the pressure relief/air valve.
Jesse
Pic 1: With the Code 0 sail pulling us along nicely at 6 knots.
Pic 2: On the bow in front of the Code 0
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
This is my first comment but I have been following your journey since you left. I admire the thoroughness of the preparation you and your team have put into the boat, its equipment and all aspects of your trip. You are displaying outstanding mental and physical stamina which will stand you in good stead through life.
As one who blogged a journey last year, I am appreciating your updates and descriptions of sights I will never see.
Wishing you continued safe sailing to Sydney - God bless -Elaine (Brisbane)
What I have heard is that the water rotation changes direction as nearing the equator. Did u ever notice or is it in the way the boat rocks?
That bobble-head picture of Jess on the Ella Bache,
win tickets section....
is DISTURBING. : )
Molly
Maryland USA
Dear Jesse,
So great to read your posting! Thank you. You paint a terrific picture of your excited anticipation of the ship catching up to you. I imagine it must be a letdown to not be able to see anyone up close, pilots of any kind, but I guess it's a whole lot safer, yes?!
I wrote two other blogs in the last 24 hours but walked away in a hissy because the verifier called my letters "error". Oh, well, thank you to Queenslander for your suggestion to write in Word or Notepad. I had two theories working, until they both were disproved by my own discovery. One, that the verifier works better in the morning when the Jessaholics aren't as busy on the site and two, that if I type the verifier letters LAST, I'll beat the Mystery Clock or Weird Brain that's reading my letters and judging them! Although typing in the morning did work once, I've written numbers of posts that didn't "take".
The moral of the story is suck it up, walk away for a while, be grateful for what I have and for all good people in my world, and keep the faith. There are reasons for everything.
Dear Jess, may you sail with heaven and earth shining on you always. You're a star!
Safe sailing! Hope you're visited by sea and birdlife, creativity and a clear imagination, as always.
Mary, Maine, USA
Hi Jess,
Great blog again, you must be missing seeing other people. I laughed when picturing you running around the deck collecting all of your "delicates" that are hanging all over Ella. Don't worry Jess it will only take a few weeks of everyone demanding your attention that you will be thinking of the wonderful sunsets, the clear crisp nights when the stars light up the sky and the moon sends rays dancing across the waves. You will crave solitude and look for other ways to feed that adventurous spirit that hides within. So young lady make sure you have good people around you and insist they factor in Jess time when you get back.
@ All South East QLD fans, I am trying to organise a get together for us at Mooloolaba on either Sat 12Apr or Sat 19Apr. You can contact me via my blog or my email: timathos@bigpond.net.au if you would like more information.
Ok Jess I have to go,
Stay safe and hooked on (even when running around the deck collecting all you’re washing)
Tim and Rosie
Caboolture
why are you stuck again in them dollydrums?
Like your pictures.
keep up them dodgers!
Jony the Pony
Thanks for your update,sorry to read your ''going'' is slow at the moment,great time to enjoy the ride,even if you have to get out that ''paddle'' HA,HA.
My name will only appear in pink if I link my blogger.com site.
Interesting.
Molly
Maryland USA
Take care and I cant wait to see you in Sydney love Josephine and Koby
Thought that I would drop a quick email to let you know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Stay safe young lady. Come home soon.
June and Richard Thorn
I have another book suggestion. What about Over The Blue Horizon? the recent pic of you in the Indian Ocean would be great on the front cover. the subtitle could be whatever, a description including your name and EPL. I also like the suggestion to write the book first and see what comes up. How long do you estimate before reaching the western tip of Australia? You are one lucky girl, god speed.
John in Ashland OR, USA
Congratulations on a phenomenal effort. You have really done an amazing job and I wish you best of luck for the remainder of your trip. I look forward to reading your book eventually.
You certainly opened a can of worms asking for suggested book titles and I hope it has made the choice easy. Many were appropriate and very clever too.
Of all of them - yes it took me a long while - my favourite was the title and last line of a poem written by Brumbyy very early in your journey and again in response to your 'Smooth Sailing' blog,
"SETTING OUT FOR HERE"
To me it says it all so very simply.
Anyway sail on daring girl and watch out for those islands scattered across the southern ocean - they were landmarks for the clipper ships bringing our ancestors here in the 19th century.
@Brumbyy I have tried to write poetry once or twice in my life with no success at all. You have been the laureate as far as I'm concerned. Wonderful contributions all.
Bob from 25 minutes due west of Noosa
I look for your blog every day, and worry when it is not there....
Sail on SuperGirl
Dearest Sweet, Kind, Extraordinary Blogging Family and Jess, Our Queen of the World Sea,
I can't thank you enough for remembering me as you write your thoughts and prayers to Jess, one remarkable and inspiring human being.
I did, indeed, wear a soft rose pink shirt today and a lacy pink wool scarf, as I met with friends for lunch and play. I favored champagne and wine today and tonight, with more friends, switching to wearing ruby red and not drinking Fosters, yet, mate.
But I will, and in honor of Jess and her achievements, I'll also make another batch of cuppies, with raspberry cream cheese frosting. Do you want to taste THE BEST CUPCAKE ICING EVER?? Let me know and I'll send on the recipe.
With oceans of good thoughts and lots of love swimming out to you all.
Good tidings, Jess! Safe sailing and sweet dreams always.
Mary, Maine, USA
http://www.tradeaboat.com.au/news-and-reviews/article/articleid/58540.aspx