Friday, October 23, 2009

Slowly




Still more slow progress out here, but past the 500nm mark which is a bit of a milestone. We spent last night completely becalmed next to Lord Howe Island drifting along at less than a knot. But when we finally did get a light breeze as the sun was coming up it made for a pretty amazing picture which I have included in this blog for you. . The water was completely glassed reflecting the rising sun, so as we started picking up a little wind it was as if we were gliding along a sheet of glass.
Today was more of the usual stuff for me, playing with cameras, catching up on a little sleep, keeping us moving, carefully monitoring my power ins and outs, feeding myself, the usual tiding up, lessening to music (there's noone to complain about my taste or volume I like to play it at!) and sending a few emails. It probably doesn't sound all that exciting but its keeping me happy and I still can't see myself ever getting bored, there's always something to do. Sailing around the world sure isn't all high action and excitement but quiet days reading are part of what I signed up for.

Not much wildlife around today, just Ella's Pink Lady, myself and lots and lots of blue, what more could anyone ask for?! We are not moving too badly again now, doing 6knots under full main, headsail and staysail.

Sorry I'll have to keep this short today because I better go and turn the HF on for a radio sked. As always, thanks to you all for all the support, I can't believe how many people are following the blog. It means a lot to me knowing you're all out there thinking of me!

Jesse

516 comments:

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Notzila said...

Nice pics

Chris Akenfelds said...

Great going, Jessica. You are still in the media here in Australia but the flavour is far less negative and far more supportive of you. I have noticed the Courier Mail newspaper are going to be publishing weather updates about your voyage every Saturday so people can have some idea of the kind of wind and weather conditions you are experiencing. As always, I am on the edge of my seat keeping track of your progress!

Cals said...

Hey Jesse. Your sense of adventure is inspiring. Great example of having a go and not letting life pass you by. All the best.

Unknown said...

Hey Jess hope this day finds you calm and happy like the weather I saw in your photos(very beautiful) don't worry if you haven't seen any wildlife you will, not to mention all the sunsets and sunrises you have and will see, I can only imagine the beauty and prosperity your experiencing it must be great. How are you and Ella holding up? Keep up with those photos you'll be able to make a fortune selling them by the time you get back the famous photos of Jessica Watson,s trip around the world. I'd buy em especially if there signed by the famous Jessica Watson youngest person to ever sail around the world.Sounds good doesn't it. hope to hear from you when you can your friend and fan Joshua Burgess
Port Stephens Australia
P.S. Don't worry about bloody pirates its not at all likely.
But if you do find yourself in bad weather don't be afraid to call for help if you feel you need to. Have fun Jess cya

Mat said...

Hey Jess, glad to see you are such great spirits, it sounds like you have sorted out a good routine that works for you. Good onya girl. Any chance of posting your position so we can track your progress.

Like the photos. :-)

Anonymous said...

All the best and thank you for reigniting the human spirit for courage & adventure.

Galen and Lori said...

Wow! I have been following your Journey as well!! You are truly an Inspiration for all young people to be positive and reach for their Dreams! I am wondering if you have
an amatuer radio on board?

Good Luck and GodSpeed to you!
From
Southern Illinois U.S.A.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica

I have been checking your blog daily. Best of luck with this incredible adventure. I'll certainly follow your progress over the coming weeks and months.

Shyguy8413 said...

Best wishes for clear sailing. Stay safe.

Plymouth, MA, USA

Anonymous said...

Just read your latest Blog, and loved the pictures. We can just picture you right now, quietly working away on the deck while the music is keeping you moving and providing you with the drive to get things done. Jessica we look forward to your next blog, and keep painting them pictures in our minds of how beautiful it all looks out there, so we can live it all with you from moment to moment. PS, the local news here is bragging how you have half a million hits a day on your web page! Our family is SOOOOOOOO proud of you, and I can't wait to see you return so all the critics can EAT THEIR WORDS!.. Go ahead Jessica! STICK IT TO THE MAN and prove to the world that you ALWAYS had it in you to be a champion, and didn’t take the easy way out like the critics did..Koulakis Family of Townsville.

Unknown said...

JESS, Your photos are being downloaded around the world keep them coming make some wind ...ha ha ....JOE..........

Muhammad Asim said...

Hi Jesse !
A new blog is good news today. I will not read it all at once. It is like a treasure for the whole day , so will read sentence by sentence. Glad to know that you are progressing safely. Thanks for sending the ocean pictures in todays blog , can you some day concider sending your smiling picture along with the blog.

Keep going. Cheers from Pakistan

PJ said...

Dear Jessica,

I enjoy reading your blog and I just wanted to say that I know nothing about sailing and I can count the hours I've spent at sea on one hand (well ok..two hands) but for a few years now I've had the dream of sailing solo around the world floating in the back of my head. You've become a real inspiration for me and I'm now slowly working towards my dream becoming a reality. Thank you so much :) You are in my prayers.

Safe travels,

PJ
(21, male, Buxton, Maine, USA)

Anonymous said...

hi, do you know one piece? you remind me of the character nami :). by the way i hope it doesent take you 3/4 of the day to read all the comments, lol.
good luck

outdoorcampfan

Lissy said...

Hi Jess,

Loved your photos....keep em coming! Look forward to reading your blog in the next eight months! So exciting. You go girl! Don't forget your sunscreen :)

Doug said...

Have fun Jess we're checking in from Bozeman Montana.. are you on the HF ham bands...?

infiniteblue said...

I wondered what that noise was. Can you turn the music down...PLEASE..I cant sleep!!

Clark said...

Jessica, we are following along with you faithfully. Take care and we are cheering you on. We so admire your courage and you are an inspiration to us all!

Clark

Grant Horner said...

Wonderful photos. Make's me feel like I'm there, too! I've been on ultra-calm open seas with the lightest little puffs ... it is always surreal.

As a Professor of Literature and guy who reads all kinds of things constantly, I'd love (along with everyone else, I bet!) to know what kinds of books you are reading out there!

Have a lovely day!

Grant

Unknown said...

Hi Jessica,
I'm admire your courage and ambition. I live in Berlin the capital of Germany an I could never fancy to sail allone across the ocean. Respect!
Every morning I look at your homepage to read your news.
Have a nice trip.
Christiane

sailing fan! said...

Hi Jessica, you wont remember but I am the 10yr old boy that you let have a look around your boat at the boatshow. You're really brave doing this so enjoy your time around the world. I will be looking at your blog every day


PLEASE STAY SAFE!!!


From Thomas. Brisbane Australia

Anonymous said...

Some advice I received from from Virgin Blue cabin crew:
If you need to use your lifejacket, don't blow the whistle that will attract the sharks.

Seriously though, the chances of being taken by pirates is slim. What sort of pirate would take a pink boat? They'd be the laughing stock of the whole pirate world.
You'll be fine.

Lillee said...

Jess - loved your photos - as I am a camera freak they were really interesting for me. Glad to hear that all is well with you.

Stay safe and keep the pics coming, the sunsets are amazing.

Go Aussie Go

Lillee

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica
I am one of the 'naysayers'..simply because if you were my daughter I would not let you do this for a few more years!

That said, here I am following your Blog! It is great to read each posts and I look forward to checking them out each day. Great photos btw!! Excellent.

So, I wish you all the best and I want you to prove me wrong! Looking forward to reading about your progress!

Take care out there

Annie B

Anonymous said...

Keep it up! We're all rooting for you! ;o)

bulletproof said...

again i'm last,well i completed the margret river cape to cape in under 15hrs fastest man did it in 9hrs but he aint 41 its been a week and im fully recovered it was hard but i'll do it next year..keep the pickys coming i'd buy a tickit to that ride and go fishin my god how do you sleep.dose it get warmer the direction your going looks it anywhoose leave you to the lapping.

Unknown said...

its nice to c u at that place jessica, you never imagine how much motivation u gave to world people.good luck

SteliosCy said...

hi jessie
have a good voyage and come back with the glory. regards from fan in cyprus!!! keep focusing on your dream!!
stelios

Emma said...

"Twenty years from now you will be more disppointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."- Mark Twain

From a girl who grew up on a boat - Good luck Jessica!

Emma Bust

Anonymous said...

Great pics....your doing great!!

Unknown said...

Love the pictures!! I hope the rest of the trip is just as easy. I enjoy reading your blogs, good luck Jessica!

Andrew said...

Jessica, Vicki and I are monitoring your progress. Thanks for the honest words and pictures in your blog. Good luck and sail safe. Andy (Queens Park, NSW).

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica,

not only is the success of your amazing journey a dream for you but also it is shared by all of your proud supporters.
regards James.

Christine said...

Good Luck Jessica, I can't wait ech day to read you blog and hear your days news. I am a mum and nanna and pray for you every day. Stay safe and be very proud of yourself.
Christine - Tura Beach

Anonymous said...

Hey Jess been away for a couple of days just caught up with your progress. Nice pictures stay safe and enjoy the ride. Gail and Lex Queensland

Anonymous said...

keep going mate. you have alot of support back here. as a young person I have total admiration for what you are trying to achieve. keep doing yourself proud.

tim

Unknown said...

Please be safe... following you in Honolulu

Unknown said...

Hi Jessica
Just found your website, absolutely amazing that we can follow your journey through it. Wishing you a safe journey but will continue to read your blog daily with interest.
Take care
Heulwen

tony milligan said...

Go forward and keep your eye on the top of the mountain (or around the world), despite the odds. Will be tracking with you. I know there will be days where you'll be so busy you won't have time to blog. But there's a lot of us tracking with your daily progress and want to know how you are doing. So I hope you can blog when you can
You're a inspiration to us all. I wish you well Jessica :)

From Tony

Adelaide

Anonymous said...

Go Girl It is amazing what you are doing. Fotoes are beautiful.
From Shona a kiwi in oz. Enjoy your kiwi sights lolxxx

Anonymous said...

Hello Jess...the blogs say it all..your fan base is overwhelming and I hope they all keep up the interest and support all through the good times and the not so easy ones for you. You have already succeeded Jess, just by the mere fact you took the risk and set sail to realise a dream!
Cheers Jess
Sue (Buderim)

Robert said...

What HF frequency are you using Jess as it would be good to tune into it and listen to your progress

Anonymous said...

This is really COOL!!!!!!! I have one question though why did you name your boat ella's Pink Lady

Unknown said...

Hi Jess,
I really enjoyed reading Kay Cottees book and the closer to home she got, the more I wanted her to do another lap. This time I can follow you day by day which I am really enjoying. You are an amazing young lady and I wish you all the best in the coming months. Stay positive and just know that Australia is with you every nm you sail.
Trudy & Jeff

Unknown said...

Hi Jess,
I really enjoyed reading Kay Cottees book many years ago and the closer she got to home, the more I wanted her to do another lap. At least this time I can follow you day by day, which so far I am really enjoying. I am looking forward to reading about all your adventures along the way. You are an amazing young lady, stay positive and just know that all of Australia is with you every nm you sail.
Trudy & Jeff

Christine said...

Hi Jess,
Love the pictures, love reading of your day, your parents must be so proud of you. Stay safe and God's spead.
Christine & Bob Tura Beach Australia

Anonymous said...

WOW! I love that photos! I miss being on ocean!

David, Adelaide

Anonymous said...

Hi Jess - I'll try again! Somehow I got transferred to Bable-fish - whatever that means.

I love reading your blogs, and it is really inspirational to see you fulfilling your dream.

Stay safe - keep sailing - we're with you all the way!

Love,
Joy
x

Brad01 said...

Congratulations Jessica on your amazing adventure! You are a wonderful Role Model for teengers everywhere - We wish you every success on your journey. We love the photos.

Anonymous said...

HEY IF YOU WATCH A PINK WHALE, TAKE A PICTURE! HAHAHA!
GOOD WINDS JESSI!
MAGELLAN

Narend Nath said...

Jessica, I am an Australian but of Indian decent and born in Fiji. I have beenbrought up in the belief both Fijian and Indian that the Sea/Ocean is both a God and Goddess. We respect the sea and offer simple prayers everytime we touch the water.

I am very proud of you because you have the blessing of the Lord to be in his domain the Ocean.

At every sunrise please say a simple thank you to the Sun and sprinkle a little sea water on your self as a purification ritual and seek the ocean's blessing for your protection and success.

God bless and make us proud of your success.

Narend Nath
Brisbane, Australia

Sitting Duck said...

Last night i was driving home and i happened to notice that the sunset was making the clouds pinks, it made me think of you and how brave you are.
I wish you the best of luck!
~ Emmie, Sydney

Anonymous said...

Hey Jessica good to hear your not bored just remember the whole world is supporting you. Me my wife Niki and our 16 weeks baby in her tummy are praying for you always and enjoy your blogs.

Queensland represent!!!

God bless Mike Niki and Tadpole

angc10 said...

Hey Jess,
I am so glad the conditions are picture perfect for you, the photos are Magic!! Take in every moment Jess, it will be over all to soon!!
Angela
Brisbane

Skagen said...

Hi Jesse
I'm 8 and I'm watching you sail around the world. I hope you beat the record. Sometimes I go on my grandpa's boat and help him work on it. Are you catching fish off the back of the boat?
Can you send messages back to me?
From Skagen (Gold Coast, Australia)

Unknown said...

good luck for the rest of your journey. i am in south africa and look forward to hearing about your adventures in our neck of the woods when you get down south!
cheers Mary SA

Jon said...

St. Christopher pray for Jessica.
St. Maria Goretti pray for Jessica.

Anonymous said...

Go Jess Dont listen to the knockers Go for your dream and enjoy.
May the wind be at your back and the sea be kind to you .
Steven A Melbourne

Wolfhound said...

Hello Jessica! thx for the updates. I hope the winds change to your favour. Greetings to you and the Pink Lady from the Netherlands. Michel

Jesse said...

Hey Jess,

Well done on having the courage to do this :) I wouldn't have the courage to do what you are doing!

Great pics too!

Jesse, New York, NY, USA

Peter Welly said...

Hi Jess, keep up with the blogs it is great reading about what you have been up to. Obviously things could get tedious for you when the wind is slow, but remember it is a big ocean out there and you no doubt know how things can change.

May mother nature care for you as much as I am sure your own mum is at home.

The Welly's in Brisbane

ps. are you going to have a "tracker" so that we can see where you are?

Bella said...

Hi Jessica,

GO GIRL! I am a big fan of you! You are awesome! Im so glad youre keeping a blog... i am going to keep up and have a look to see what you've been doing!!!

Love from a fan of yours,
bella

Bella said...

Hi Jessica,

GO GIRL! I am a big fan of you! You are awesome! Im so glad youre keeping a blog... i am going to keep up and have a look to see what you've been doing!!!

Love from a fan of yours,
bella

Anonymous said...

Great Pictures Jess.
I look forward to reading your blogs. And I am looking forward to when you sail back into Mooloolaba:-) You go girl.
Caryn

Anonymous said...

wow jessica you are amazingly brave! dont think I could ever do that in my hole entire life


keep sailing!

from zali age 9

rehteah said...

All the best Jess, I pray you will achieve your dreams.

jayne said...

Congratulations Jessica on your efforts so far. As a mother of a young girl, I applaud your courage to dream and believe in yourself.
You Go Girl. My 9 yr old and I are enjoying your challenge and blowing lots of wishes and good winds your way.
You Go Girl.
Jayne

Topi said...

Hi Jess !
Maybe from here nobody wrote about Hungary to you yet.we are not a maritime nation but there are some land roundabouts for us our sailing boat (Méder Ákos,Fa Nándor)
Let us be watching your road with big interest. Take care! Good slice !
Topi

Topi said...

Hi Jess !
Maybe from here nobody wrote about Hungary to you yet.we are not a maritime nation but there are some land roundabouts for us our sailing boat (Méder Ákos,Fa Nándor)
Let us be watching your road with big interest. Take care! Good slice !
Topi

courtstar said...

Hi Jess!

I think you are an amazing influence on us and you are teaching us a lesson to belive in ourselfs and stick to our dreams, even if we think it might be impossible! (I mean you don't get a 16 year old to have the courage to say she whants to travel around the world in her little boat everyday!) Keep your hopes high and you'll reach your dreams for sure!

great wishs,courtstar

Anonymous said...

still reading your daily updates and thinking of you often how you are going out there. Stay safe

Unknown said...

Beautifull sunsrise. Enjoy this smooth sailing and put the music ful;l blast!

Cheers

JF

Sandra Chetwynd said...

Awe I would love to be out there taking photo's!!! Love catching up with your blog.. so inspiring!

Kensei said...

Until the tracker is ready, could you include your coordinates at the top of each blog post?

Kensei
Tokyo

Harley - Australia said...

Jess,

Always remember when all the knockers and do gooders are gone "You lived the dream"

Looking foward to sharing that adventure

Anonymous said...

You know what they say, sailing is 90% boredom and 10% terror. I think about often you and hope all goes well.

Lily Boot said...

What gorgeous photos Jesse! Your writing is so evocative, we can just picture where you are. We look forward to reading your blog every evening and are so impressed with your tenacity! Go girl!

Jo said...

We are praying for you Jess. We believe in you and know you can do it. Stay safe and remember God is with you.

Anonymous said...

Hello Jess- I just wanted to say " You Go Girl!" I think it is great what you are doing. I will be looking forward to reading your blog. Enjoy the adventure of a life time!

Tale care! June- Kingaroy

Justin Lees said...

Wish I was there!! What an amazing place to be!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Jess, wow you are an inspiration, and so brave. This is so huge, you have a ginormous spirit. Good to do things like this when you are young, you get wussier with age :o)

I love reading your blogs, so keep them coming. Say hi to the dolphins! Wishing you an awesome adventure? What next? You can't really get any bigger than this.

Hugs to you and the Pink Lady xx Sofia, Balmoral Beach, Sydney

Jorden x said...

im actually jealous of you! wish i could be out doing that. keep living it up :) jorden.

DeWitt said...

Beautiful photo's Jess. We'll pray for more wind so you cam make better time.

GerryMarshall said...

You are an example to all of our aussie youth. A brave and wonderful young person on a quest for fulfilment. I wish you well, god speed and I pray you succeed in good time, good health, and good spirit. cheers Jessica

Paul said...

Awesome pictures Jessica, Hope you have a safe rest of journey

Paul from Sydney

Jason said...

Hi jesse,

was it a good day out on the sea today, and nice boat look's cool, i have a boat to it's name is seabreaker. (weirjason@ymail.com)

Shane said...

Go girl Go, your journey has totally captivated me. You are having the time of your life, enjoy every split second of it. Bite off more than you can chew and chew like hell. You only get one go and your giving it all. May the winds blow hard and the swell stay modest.
PS i'm jealous

Ian said...

Hi Jess,

Thanks for taking the time to keep us up to date. You are an inspiration and will smash all the challenges that come your way!

Ian in Wollongong.

Anonymous said...

ess,

You are our hero! Just enjoy the adventure, and certainly enjoy the freedom that only someone in this situation could ever come to know.
Thoughts with you,
Lou

Unknown said...

awesome picture. keep going.

LC Brunei Darussalam, Borneo

nanna said...

Hey Jess,with you all the way,stay safe,look forward to your blog,in our thoughts everyday.All the best Nanna Val

Anonymous said...

"The Eyes of TEXAS are Upon You" My lake is 15 miles long and it is a full days expedition to get to the end of it and back in one day in my 19 footer. It is awsome to even imagine your great undertaking. Will be following you every day. Fair winds, Cap'n Bob

Anderson Andreotti said...

Hey, very good luck in this fantastic trip! I'm glad for you, Jéssica:)may you add me ? abraço!!!anderson_andreotti@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Yes we are with you and praying for you Jesse.

Anonymous said...

I am so interested in your sailing and can't wait to hear your next day comments.

I wish you all the luck.

Nadine

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica, Good sailing and don"t forget the chocolate

Unknown said...

You Rock girlfriend..your courage is flawless.

THE CARTER FAMILY said...

Well the number of comments just gets longer and longer. It takes me close to an hour now to read them all. I wonder how many more people will write the quote from Mark Twain? The one's I like the best are those written by the young children. At 63 it warms my heart to see so many new people joining your blog. By the time you finish your voyage the whole world will be there to greet you. I know I am already thinking of how I can travel to Sydney to see you come home. We shall see. Certainly if you can travel around the whole world I could certainly come half way to cheer you in.
My female black lab sleeps in my bed with my wife and I. Everytime she gets up and spins around to get more comfortable I wake up. I can't help but think of you and your catnaps. You must have a big cat to wake you up...(the alarm) lol"~~~.
Good night from the North Carolina side of the world.

shanemaru said...

Hi Jess

You are a amazing person, enjoyed the blog. Keep up the adventure. Your mum and dad are great people to support your dreams.

Jill Beverly said...

Hi Jessica
I never thought I would be interested in sailing but I have found your updates very interesing, and respect you enormously for what you are achieving, can't wait to see how the next few weeks go,
Go you good thing!!
Jill Beverly, Wollongong NSW

jas said...

go jess go !!!!!

Freddo said...

I must say that they are some interesting photos you have taken and posted for your blog. Hope to see some more when you have some spare time out there, Stay safe and Enjoy the trip. Enjoy reading your daily blogs.

Freddo said...

Thank you for posting your interesting and eventful postings. Nice to hear that you have sailed past NZ.

Anonymous said...

hey hey jess wow have u got some balls i would just like to say i cant waitfor u to get back so all of those stuck up politiitans can see how wrong they are as some one the same age as you ur a great insperation and i think awsome is a realy great word to describe you like every one else i would love to hear about ur music taste pump out those tunes and letts hear them on some of ur videos show us wat ellas pink lady has got in the noise department good luck not that yull need it ur a ledgend.
ps no fride but a stereo girl after me own heart. lush ya jess
ps can u ask ur team to perhaps post a bit on ur site of when ur on telly next

Anonymous said...

Dear Sailor Jessica Watson,

On ya girl. You are doing us proud.

Vietnam Veteran Blue

Unknown said...

Go for it Jessie. You are doing Australia proud.
Duke

Roy said...

Hi Jess,
Enjoy the trip and stay safe
Roy from WA,

Thought for the day....
If you believe you can or believe you can't, either way you'll be right"

Anonymous said...

Dear Jessica,
Thanks for including the pictures on this post.They were so pretty that I even had my mom come in and look at them. I will be sure to keep checking your blog and see how it's going.
CYA

Naomi's Emerging from Darkness said...

Thanks for the photos! It looks sooo nice and peaceful out there (not like being in a class of 22 students-from the teacher). It sounds like you are keeping busy and not letting yourself get bored.

5/6W

Anonymous said...

Slow progress EH, Well keep going and don't give up.

Ryan Baines said...

Jessica,

I am a school teacher in western QLD- the other day I needed to address the issue of National Identity- I used your story to inspire our young people to continue to chase their dreams and challenge an often dull and unadventurous world! Australia must have pioneers for future generations to aspire to.

All the best,
Ryan Baines

Samantha said...

JESSICA!

Love stalking your amazing adventure!

Your crazy girl! Everyone is so proud back in Aussie!!

Love Sammy
From the sunny coast baby yewww!
Buderim!
xx

Chloe Mo said...

WOW!!!! Those pics look awesome. Keep following your dream. We all believe in you.

André Feital (Brasil) said...

Olá... primeiramente gostaria de parabenizá-la, desde que soube de sua partida tenho a acompanhado pelo blog. Além de linda você é bem corajosa! Espero que tenha sucesso! Sou do Brasil e torçemos por você( eu, André e meu amigo Tiago)
Imagino que deve s sentir sozinha, há alguma forma de manter conversação e contato conosco?
Um abraço, e mais uma vez, boa sorte!

Unknown said...

Hi jesse
It would be great if everytime you wrote a blog you pressed your GPS and give us your position so we can follow you on the map . You are going great . keep it up
Cheers
Geoff Roberts

coolkid lol said...

your so so cool jesse it would be cool to be you .sailin round da world . i mhope your enjoyin ya self .hope its fun and your pic are just awsome i hope ya stay happy bye jesse plz type back when ya can

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