Official Jessica Watson Blog
Subscribe to Blog RSS feedTime Flying By and Heading North
Sorry I haven't updated you all in a while, the last few days have just flown by all of a sudden without my noticing. Time seems to be passing very strangely at the moment, flying by in great chunks at a time. But then occasionally dragging by minute by minute. But fast or slow, I'm still enjoying every minute of it all.
You've probably noticed on the tracker that Ella's Pink Lady has been headed north again over the last few days. As usual, we've headed to lower latitudes to avoid the worst of a weather system passing to the south. The wind is expected to rise a bit as it passes later today, but it shouldn't be too uncomfortable.
Right now it's perfect sailing, with 20 knots of wind and sunshine. Life on board is same old, same old with the little ins and outs keeping me happy. As much as I'm looking forward to it, getting back home is going to be quite a shock, as I've really worked myself into my own groove out here.
One exciting thing that happened lately (exciting in my books anyway!) is that we sailed on the Indian Ocean chart which shows Australia on the far side. It looks so far away, yet so close at the same time. We'll also be passing a surprising amount of little islands way down in the bottom of the Indian. I had no idea that there was anything down there other than endless waves.
Well I'm off to re-stow a few things and do a bit of tidying up. As always, after a quite few days sailing, the cabin has become a bit unruly. But a bouncy weather forecast is far more effective at forcing me to tidy up, then Mum ever was!
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)
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Comments
xx <3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Not to be confused with the Amsterdam Island in the Svalbard archipelago, near Spitsbergen; see Amsterdamøya.
New Amsterdam
Île Amsterdam
Motto: Liberté, égalité, fraternité
Anthem: La Marseillaise
Orthographic projection centred over île Amsterdam
New Amsterdam, Amsterdam Island, or (Fr.) Île Amsterdam (French pronunciation: [ilamstəʁˈdam]; named after Amsterdam, the Dutch capital) is a French island in the Indian Ocean located at 37°49′33″S 77°33′17″E / 37.82583°S 77.55472°E / -37.82583; 77.55472Coordinates: 37°49′33″S 77°33′17″E / 37.82583°S 77.55472°E / -37.82583; 77.55472. It is part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.
Contents [hide]
1 Description
2 Flora and fauna
2.1 Fauna
2.1.1 Birds
2.1.2 Mammals
3 History
4 See also
5 References
6 Further reading
7 External links
[edit] Description
The volcanic island is a potentially active volcano which last erupted in 1792. It has an area of 55 km² (21 mi²), measuring 21 km (13 mi) on its longest side, and reaches as high as 867 m (2844 ft) at the Mont de la Dives.
The island is part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Terres australes et antarctiques françaises; TAAF), and together with neighboring Île Saint-Paul (85 km to the South) forms one of the five districts of the territory. Its base, Martin-de-Viviès, formerly called La Roche Godon, is the capital of the territory.
Unlike most parts of TAAF, Île Amsterdam has a mild, oceanic climate, with a mean annual temperature of 13°C (55°F), rainfall of 1,100 mm, persistent westerly winds and high levels of humidity.[2]
Phylica arborea grove on Île Amsterdam.Île Amsterdam is one of only three islands which are land antipodes of the continental United States. It corresponds to an area near Lamar, Colorado. The other two antipodes are île Saint-Paul and Kerguelen Island.
The only human habitation is at the Martin de Viviès base with about 30 inhabitants related to the study of fauna, weather, the atmosphere and geomagnetism.
[edit] Flora and fauna
Further information: Amsterdam and Saint-Paul Islands temperate grasslands
The island has Phylica arborea trees, which are also found on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island.
[edit] Fauna
[edit] Birds
The island is home to the endemic Amsterdam Albatross, which breeds only on the Plateau des Tourbières. Other rare species are the great skua, Antarctic tern and Gentoo penguin. The Amsterdam Island duck is now extinct, as are the local breeding populations of several petrels.[1] The common waxbill has been introduced.[2]
[edit] Mammals
There are no native land mammals. Subantarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals breed on the island. Introduced mammals include the house mouse and brown rat. Feral cats are present.[2]
A herd of wild cattle also inhabits the island. They originate from the introduction of five animals by Heurtin after his stay on the island in 1871,[2] and by 1988 had increased to an estimated 2,000. Following recognition that the cattle were damaging the island ecosystems, a fence was built restricting them to a small area of the island.[1]
[edit] History
This island was discovered by the Spanish explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano on March 18, 1522, along his first world circumnavigation. Elcano did not name the island, however.
Having found the island unnamed, the Dutch captain Anthonie van Diemen named it Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch for New Amsterdam) after his ship in 1633.
Map of Île Amsterdam.French Captain Pierre François Péron (not to be confused with François Péron) was marooned three years on this island (from 1792 to 1795). Peron's Memoires, in which he describes his survival alone on New Amsterdam, were published in a limited edition and are now an expensive collectors' item.[3][4][5]
The islands of Île Amsterdam and Île Saint-Paul were attached to Madagascar in 1924 and hence became a French colony.
Though, Amsterdam island, along with Saint-Paul island, is considered by some Mauritian parts as a national territory. Question of Mauritian sovereignty over these two islands has been carried out by the leader of the opposition in 2007, Paul Raymond Berenger. This new claim could be put on discussion with France, in combination with claim over Tromelin island which has been officially held for a long time[6].
The first French base in New Amsterdam was erected in 1949, and was originally called Camp Heurtin. The Global Atmosphere Watch still has a research station on Île Amsterdam.
[edit] See also
List of volcanoes in French Southern and Antarctic Lands
French overseas departments and territories
Administrative divisions of France
Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans
Maybe you vacuum cleaner was trying to say to you "Get me out of here, we'll be home soon and I haven't been out of the cupboard since we left Sydney', mine says things very similar to me all the time.
Great piccys, happy sailing.
Love Aunty Chris, Tamworth, NSW, Oz
you are a good journalist and your information is descriptive and amusing. i keep following your progress with delight (and a little envy) keep up the good work and travel safely
Sincerely
Lawrie Cremin
Elliott Heads
jesse you can really say "I lived the Dream" you truly are an inspiration to all we will all be looking forward to your return
JimM I-HYPO--- Nedland Yacht club. WA.
Reality is being real
To I and thy
ConFuseUs, Hyden, WA, Australia
What a great inspiration you are going to be for Queenslanders in the next State of Origan
Queenslander
You are the number One!
Peder
Just out of interest, what have you had to do with customs? Have you stamped out of Australia??
Cheers,
Leeroy, BNE
Somebody is imitating me. I did not write those 2 comments regarding time usage. Stop using my name or I will trace you down to be responsible for this junk. Sorry blogfolks if this has annoyed you. Signing off
Regards
Victor C.Pankouken
Hi Jessica,
It’s good to hear from you again, the pictures are great, the first one is naturally the greatest. But I did love them all. I know that sometimes writing can be a pain, but you can always send pictures, and everybody loves them. Thank you!!!!
I still enjoy reading all the posts that you write and that you receive, there’s a lot of love and concern in them
It saddens me to see that this is slowly coming to an end, but I’m trying to make the most of it until it does. So keep them pics and post coming.
@Gayle Ann, Bluefin Annie: You’ve got to take better care of them fingers, just losing one (1) can cause a problem in trying to do something. I’m sure you’re aware of that. I have two (2) numb fingers on my left hand, and it is an inconvenience. But you can always get by…lol… I hope your fingers are doing better. 10 ½ inches, can be a lot of rain if there is no runoff. Good luck in all that.
@Janell in Oklahoma: Looks like you did a fine job to me. It’s not to bad when you get used to it. It‘s always nice to learn something new.
Jessica, I wish you all the wind you can handle so you can get home quicker, but safely. I’m sure Bob’s keeping you in the ‘good stuff’, it looks nasty south of you.
Take good care of yourself and all them Scallywags, do tell them I’m proud of them for being such good pals to you on this voyage. Looking forward to your next post.
Loads of love and hugs, your faithful friend, fan and follower.
May God be with you and watch over you and may the angels keep your sails full, and I, I will keep you in my prayers.
Michael (75) from Kingwood, WV
I know you still have a long way to go but- good grief how far you have already come.
You are an inspiration and a credit to the creativity, vision, determination and stamina of a whole emerging generation.
We will continue celebrating your journey and wish you God's blessing as you fulfill your dream!
John Sharpe
Your looking great + love seeing that positive attitude after all the months soloing. Yes, u probably will feel strange getting back to Australia, but happy to be reunited with your friends + family. It sounds like everything is holding up well with "Pink Lady" too. Can u imagine what it will be like when u put your feet on the ground, u will probably fall over. :-) Keep enjoying the sailing and stay safe.
Robert
If you are using Microsoft's Internet Explorer, press the Ctrl and Shift buttons simultaneously, then also press the + (plus sign button). This will magnify what is on your screen (press the - button to reduce it...)
pj