Official Jessica Watson Blog

How good is this.

"wind and spray in my face watching us blast along. I can't see myself ever getting bored of that one!"

Now, that's a quote, I love it.

You've said it in one there Jess, you ain't ever going to forget any of these moments.
Living life to the fullest, yeah... your definitely taking that one head on !

I'm loving your blog posts and videos, especially as quite a few days can sneak past between check ins on my behalf at this time of year.

I have to say how much your "wake up" shot of the wave punching over the boat, totally rocks... way good that one. What camera are you using out there....maybe a Lumix ?.

Anyway, stay focused and stay safe, and hell......enjoy the ride as I know you are definitely doing. Your already in the history books girl and way up there with Australia's young achievers.

Kudos.

Mal (Wendy and Samara) both in bed !

Hi Jess what a mature young lady you are. Your parents must be so proud of you. Go girl we enjoy reading all your blogs!!

Hey jess. Great pic ! you did well. Seems you are getting quite a few odd squalls - to be expected I guess, but as usual you handle it with that Jess 'can do' style. Never mind bout the cooking, as long as you eat as healthy as you possibly can do. Get as much sleep as you can too. You are amazing. Keep up the good work. I had a couple of contractors at my business today and the conversation got to you, these guys said they check your blog every night too - wow you are a phenomona or is it phenomomen .... Anyway you are doing great gal. Keep up the good work. Enjoy standing behind the dodger getting the occasional spray to cool you down. Have a great day tomorrow.

fair winds to fill your sails, nice seas and Jess always clipped on!

Carole (Mackay)

Hey Jess,
WOAH !!! that's some pretty strong wind, hope EPL is not to uncomfortable down below, I remeber when we used to head into the wind on our boat we were basically living upside down.

Stay positive
Saraya :-)

Hey Jess, after the hot day we have had here in Sth E QLD I would much rather a nice cool spray in the face that you had, then the hot stinky sweaty weather here, great to see your doing well, love reading your blogs, you are a true inspiration to young and old, take care,

Mel, Gold Coast QLD

Great to keep up with thr trip
All the best
Felix

nice pic jessica...keep up the swatting, the better prepared you are the easier it will be..remember to eat some veges as well with your meals, have to keep your strength up..your doing so well!

Hey Jesse,
By the time I had finished my last comment, you had another post! I should write more quickly.
Great photo again and description of the days activity. At least if you get through the Easyfood, eventually you'll end up with the good stuff! Study those charts.
Sail on,
Nick
Sydney

Hi Jess,

I would trade that wake up call anytime for a quiet coffee and WORK!!!! I really enjoy reading your blogs! Be safe girl!
Deborah in Wilmington NC USA

Jess you are an inspiration, love reading your blogs, I can almost taste the salt water.
We were thinking of you while we crossed choppy Moreton Bay on Sunday afternoon with a storm approaching......how brave you are! just you and Ella's Pink Lady....keep writing.

You are made of hearty stuff girlie.
Me, I'm just starting my day with a quiet coffee here. :)
What a great picture.
It conveys the sea spray so well.
I can almost smell the salt.
Hey, you know if you post about how you've gotten lazy about eating, you are going to get a "Mom Call" about boosting your fruits and vegetables. :)

Blessings and safe travels to you,
Molly
Maryland USA

Hi Jessica,

It was a wake up not many of us reading your blog have. I guess that you have got good sea legs by now. I have been on a cruise once for 10 days, and after 4 hours I had to put a plaster behind my ear.
It helped me to stay fit.
Nice to hear that you can relax reading and doing other things between all the work on the boat.
I love to read your blog. It's like a friend pops in for a visit. Despite the bad weather, enjoy it.
Sail on safe.
Regards,
Ingrid, Tyreso, Sweden

11-30-09 @05:20
Hi Jessica,
Just finished watching your Day 41 Video. That was excellent. You look very colorful (like a sailor) and relaxed. I’m glad to hear you got things worked out with your inner-self (I was wondering if you were having a moment). Lots of excitement can do that sometimes. Not to worry, you handled it well, as you have done before and you will do again. Maintaining a nice casual cruising speed, nice for just kicking back and enjoying yourself. This speed, (5-7 knots) according to qualified fishermen, should be good for fishing. Go Fish.
I heard some background noises, aside from the squeak, but they seemed to be consistent with the rise and fall of the water. Were there any other ships nearby at this time? Or is that just normal sounds of the wind whistling through EPL’s sails and rigging? You’re so used to it you probably don’t even hear it. LOL…..
I’m off to breakfast, so I’ll talk to you later. How’s the thumb??
I look forward to your next post, so until then;
Take good care of yourself and Ella, stay clipped on, safe and alert, and keep up the good work. Also make sure you enjoy yourself!!! Always proud of you and always thinking of you.
May God be with you and watch over you and may the angels keep your sails full. I will keep you in my prayers.
Michael (74) from Kingwood, WV

Hi Jess

Wow! Love the photo of you 'surfing' along. Makes the 'Surfrider' at Wet n Wild look tame!

God bless & Stay Safe

Mel, Colin, Kieran, Talia & Justin

Good night Captain Jesse, and many thanks for the blog, the picture and the video too! You are spoiling us!

The progress is good news, but the way you feel a little down, though logical after hopping upon the Line again, isn't as good. You look less smiling and joking than usual on the video, and it seems you might need a good hug. You're lucky being alone and far away, or you would be hugged 200,000 times within a few hours! (another kind of challenge, hey Sailor?)

The islands dodging game is coming up soon and will sparkle new mental energy in you, I guess.

Go, wonderful girl, go! You're doing so well!
Your family, your country, your friends, the world love you and think of you all the time!!!

Hey Jess.
What has the weather been like in terms of being hot or cold..?
Back in Australia (in NSW at least) it has been boiling one day and freezing and rainy the next!
Keep up the good work :) x

http://stockingsneededmending.blogspot.com

Hi Jesse,

What an exciting start to the day. I'm a morning person so I would have enjoyed this excitement at the beginning of my day, although not being a sailor I would probably have been seasick by breakfast.
It's okay to get lazy every now and again when it comes to cooking. Sometimes rainy weather makes for easy food.
Take care.

Hi jess,

Well done so far, keep it up your bravery and determination are truly inspiring.

I have a question about your refuse sounds like in your journey you are going to go through a lot of packaging, tins etc.

What do you do with it all?

Good luck,
Cheers
Terry

Good on ya Jess. You're a real trooper keeping the Blogs up to date. Even those of us who don't have the obligation to keep sailing non-stop everyday can't keep our own Blogs maintained! I finally uploaded the pic of you and I at the Sydney Boat Show on my site: (http://timstackpool.com/gallery.htm) and am really looking forward to talking about your trip at next year's show when you get back. Woo-hoo, talking about getting back already!

nice wake up drenching, i on the other hand amon the tram going home for the evening, , thanks for the update and photo, you certainly ended my day oa good note, enjoy every mibute as you will soon be back with your remote shipmates, regards Odysseus and family

Looks pretty different from the deck of EPL--compared to Google Earth. I'm doing it the easy way. Need to get someone to throw a bucket of water over me every now and then.
Have been studying the Polynesian islands wondering what your course would be.
Good going Jessica.

dugie
caloundra

Jesse

I can just manage to cook 2 minute noodles; and I'm on dry land. I boiled a kettle once, now that's an accomplishment by itself!
You really do not have anything to worry about.

I seem to remember that when the salt spray dries on your skin, you get the "sea salt itches". Just a rub down with a dry towel fixes that really quickly.

Your body will tell you what to eat and when. Just give your body a chance to tell you. It always worked for me; but I must admit, some meals were quite 'unusual'.

Watch out for those French people around French Polynesia. Nice people but they speak funny and allow dogs into restaurants !! I suppose to the French, it's us that are the 'Weird Lot' !!

Sail safe

Allen, Hervey bay, Qld, AU

Jessica I'm sure you do your own blogs! I think because you express yourself so well that people can't believe some one your age could do that. WELL you are not the average teenager, hello, look what you are doing! Have fun... Fiona, Dangar Island.

Hi Jessica,
While I followed your track on the map I came close to Tahiti and I started to dig in the drawer with some old postcards. I found a postcard from NZ with the date of 13.06.1961. (born 11.06.1936)
I started out of Amsterdam via the Panama channel and to Tahiti. Of course with a passenger ship. At that time, Tahiti was the Ultimate we could think about regarding south sea adventures. Unfortunately we stayed only 36 hours time enough to rent a motorbike and end up in a field of Banana trees with it. But what I want to tell you: some time you should definitely visit this area: Tahiti, Bora Bora a.s.o. If you have a Google earth on board look up Papete to get an Idea as how lovely those Islands are. Well anyhow I was on the way to Australia via Wellington, Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne. I stayed for 3 years as an emigrant traveling a lot in Australia. For instance – Christmas 61 we spent at the Uluru the 2 of us alone, can you imagine? (A school friend of mine and myself) and an Abbofamilie of 5. We exchanged 2 pullover for a Killing stick and a Bumerang.
On your way towards Chile, as I gather you like warm weather and water, I had a look on some travel information. Water Temp. Approx. 8 Degree. C Air temp. max.13 DegrC. min. 6 Degr. C.
As some other readers suggest: time to search for warm cloth.
We are already prepared we had our first snowfall in Switzerland although the temperature was at minus 2.5 DegrC only.
Looking forward to read your next blog

Best regards willi from Switzerland

Windy Thoughts

So come what may the spray shall fly
The damp will cause a chill
The seagulls soar and screech their cry
And point down with their bill

I’m not alone as I plough south
Above those birds attest
Still those waves, the deck they douse
As Pink Lady hits each crest

The charts I’ve searched with careful eye
The future path is known
Now beneath my dodger’s shade
I’m protected from winds blowin

I think on future legs to come
Of miles that passed below
16 years is my life’s sum
Another 84 to go

Brumbyy