Friday, November 13, 2009

Squally Sailing

Sorry it's been a little while without an update.

I was told that this has become the most watched blog in Australia and stage fright has left me a bit speechless! No just kidding it's all good. Well actually it's pretty amazing and more than a little hard for me to comprehend out here all alone. Well, physically alone. It really is amazing to be able to share the voyage with so many wonderful people. To me, it is just sharing my journey with you, in what is sometimes a not very exciting life. Plodding along out here, taking whatever is thrown at us, just feels completely normal. I know I'm going to get a million cries of disagreement. But think about it. How strange would it feel to you to be describing to the world all the ins and outs of your everyday life? It is all a bit surreal. That said, thank you all for your support!

And talking of those little ins and outs, Ella's Pink Lady and I have been making good progress for the last few days. The latitude read out now puts us in the single digits - wow!

Conditions have mostly been lovely (steady breeze form the east or south east, sunshine and very gentle sea) but have also been frequently interrupted by squalls. Still nothing too severe but just enough to keep me working hard pulling a sail in and out and constantly keeping a lookout for any partially nasty black clouds. Last night a squall with a lot of lightning passed pretty close. Sitting there waiting for it to pass with all the electrics turned off got a little boring, so I made chocolate cookies in the torch light to pass the time. I suppose I should have been a little scared about all the lightning, but after doing everything I could, I figured there wasn't much point in worrying.

I'm finding it hard to believe how the days are flying. In between getting enough sleep, keeping up with the day to day maintenance and chores, checking that fishing line, feeding myself and keeping in touch with everyone back home, time just flies and I'm constantly wondering what happened to the day.

Even though Ella's Pink Lady is built and set up for strength, endurance and easy handling when the weather is nice, I've really been enjoying playing around, tweaking the sails for a little extra speed. Of course as soon the weather is up it's all about being totally conservative!

Lastly, I've only just heard the news from back home about the proposed Traveston Dam project being aborted. I just wanted to say congratulations to everyone on the Sunshine Coast who worked so hard to prevent the Mary Valley from being flooded. It is a good result for my local community.

600nm till the equator!

Jesse

298 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 298 of 298
bundy013 said...

Hi jessica good to see you are still in high spirts.Not long now till we all get to hear you tell us your turning south.Your next goal after crossing the equator well that be going around the bottom of south america.And if so do you have any idea long this may take.Take care and i love reading this adventure your on.
Your friend Glenn

Maravale shoolkidss 5 said...

Hi miss Jessica, Cool cookies cooking while sailing. We would rather practice tying knots. If you can hear thunder and see litning your'e ok

Anonymous said...

Good morning Jesse
I am a mature aged uni student and I have been following you religiously. I just wondered how you set up your education for the trip? I am doing my course through Open University Australia this works well for me as I am disabled and I work at my own speed.
Take care and enjoy the good sailing.
Cheers
Evie from Bendigo Victoria.

Anonymous said...

If you get stuck writing your blog. Just remember all of us love looking at your beautiful photo's... Take care and we all look forward for when you reach the equator.
Regards,
Karen
(Caloundra, Sunshine Coast)

Mal Kiely [Lancelots Pram] said...

Glad your days seem to be going fast for you... the miles are certainly ticking by. thanks for blogging... i'm really enjoying reading of your adventures.

sending supporting encouragement from Bathurst NSW.

Cyalayta
Mal :)

Emily said...

HI JESSICA,
Here is a joke to get u though the
day.
why did the horse go behind the
shed?

to change his jockey ha ha

enjoying and learning a lot from reading your blog
your enspiring me to live to my life to my full pertential.
Emily age 11 Port Pirie S.A

Anonymous said...

Jessica,

You do a great job with your blog writeups. I would love to hear comments from your other team members too. I hope you can encourage them to occasionally post on your blog as well.

Glad your doing so well. Take care.

Barry
Camarillo, California USA

Anonymous said...

Hello Jess:

It is supposed to be surreal !!!

How many people of any age have your tennacity to do what you are
doing??

Have the time of your life, you are earning it every day!

Best of Luck and Stay safe.

Bob and Family from Denver CO, USA

Anonymous said...

We are even following your adventure in Houston, Texas - Luck.

landlocked

Anonymous said...

James 4:6-8
6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you....


Hi, Jessica! Funny title to your post -- I just spent 2.5 days in the Tidewater area of Virginia at a conference where we had record-breaking "squally sailing" -- sitting in a room with a couple hundred people listening to experts while it howled rain and wind outside. Some kind of uncharacteristic nor'easter dumping record rains and winds on the whole region. Oh, well.

Thank you for sharing your journey and yourself with all of us through you posts, and yes the nuances or "ins and outs" of your everyday life out there are of extreme interest to all of us, as they are to your Maker!

Though I was away from the computer, I did not stop and will continue to pray daily for you, your spirit, your health, Ella's Pink Lady and all of her fine equipment, your continued good progress, and for your family back at home. You may count on it.

Unknown said...

Jessica, just checking back on you from Texas, this is Patricia ya know www.Nowwellness4life.com
I am so proud of you and I am so happy your journey has been safe. I live between Galveston and Freeport Texas in a country town called Alvin Texas. We are surround by the Gulf of Mexico. My email address is Nowwellness4life@aol.com if you ever want someone to talk to. I'm a mother of 5 and have 8 grandchildren so my Blesssings are with you. I'll be checking back from Texas!

Anonymous said...

Jeese,
I would like to suggest you keep a close watch on your lure, if you can,and can spare the time, as you cannot leave it out there after you get a strike. You have to get that smaller fish into your boat, otherwise, it will be snatched up by his or her big brother.
Very interesting stories and you are quite the writer. Nicely done.
Russ. Calgary.

Anonymous said...

Howdy Jess,
Good to see you're still soldiering on. Must be getting hotter, right?
The more I read your blog, the more enamoured I become with you and your plight. A shame you can't make detours, because I'd be thrilled to catch up. So if you feel like swinging by Perth at some stage on the way back, let me know :)
Keep up the good work, and stay safe.

MJ

Unknown said...

Hi Jessica,

Don't try and steal our thunder ! The reason this blog is popular is because of all the witty and incisive comments. It's got nothing to do with your posts, interesting and well written as they may be !

Just kidding !

It's wonderful that so many people are sharing a common interest in your voyage. You have brought some excitement into the lives of many people, and given them someone to care about, someone whose dreams they can share in. Of course that's not the reason you've embarked on your trip, but nevertheless it's a direct consequence.

I am reminded of the quotation from Shakespeare :
"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them".

It's fair to say that you fall into all three categories - you were born with a great attitude, determination and vision. You are achieving greatness by virtue of this adventure. And by keeping this blog, and being such a great communicator, you will have greatness thrust upon you.

So kudos, kiddo, and best of days !

All the best,

Brian in NY.

riveter said...

Jess, your blog updates are great. All of us here are enjoying watching your progress and reading about your daily events! Thanks for sharing your days with all of us...we can't wait to read the next blog...and the next, and next......
from Sidney BC

Helmut said...

As a further thought on my suggestion to mount a webcam so we can see what you are seeing, you could make it accessible by subscription or donation as some other attractions have done. Might raise a few dollars toward your costs. Of course, because you write so well, we can see without the cam.

Mac said...

Read your blog daily....Best of everything!!

Mac from Chattanooga Tennessee USA

Vijay T said...

Hi Jess
Thanks for the update - you are doing great - keep going girl -
proud to be a Queenslander.
travel safe - not long before you hit the equator - w o w

love

Vijay

Molly said...

Sailor Girlie,
I've read over most of your blog comments, and it seems you have a fairly large following from my neck of the woods...the Washington, DC/Maryland/Virginia area. I am a Maryland girl and loved reading the comment from the person who said that he sails on our Chesapeake Bay.
I was also glad that Kim gave me a heads up on The Washington Post blurb.
It was way too "oh, it's so dangerous"...so I was compelled to send my opinion about that to their Op/Ed page.
If what I sent gets published, I will post a link here.
Remember to have a stop in our area on your book tour.
We will all be there to say "hey".

Sweet dreams, safe travels and blessings,
Molly
Maryland, USA

Jeremy said...

Hey there Jessica.
You are one of those rare people who get to live their dream and make a difference. I think you are one of those people who will make a difference like Steve Irwin. Your voyage will continue even when you come home. I hope I hear your name throughout the years to come. Happy sailing. I will look forward to your next blog and photos.
Jeremy N.S.W.

Unknown said...

I do know what you mean, it must be quite disconcerting to have the world hanging on your every word. Personally, I find it so intriguing because of your age and the magnitude of what you are undertaking. Also, for people like myself who have never experienced sailing, even the most mundane happenings aboard ship are interesting. Not to mention how fantastic you make it all sound, you really have a way with words ! Just thought it may make it more understandable to have one persons perspective on why they are so fascinated by you and your journey. It's not at all like a blog about the average person's daily life, you my friend are not an average citizen of the world any longer ! I do hope you get to have a nice fish dinner soon ! Take care out there and I look forward to your next update !

Godspeed,
Sherll, Georgia, USA

Brian said...

Hi Jessica
Glad to see you are getting along so well on your voyage. Just to let you know we are thinking of you every day and praying for your safe passage. Hope to see a video of you at the equator on the 18th. That would be so cool. Stay safe Captain Jesse....

Brian
Lakeland Florida USA

Anonymous said...

Hey Jessica,
Thanks for the update.
You sound very relaxed and taking everything as it comes, that's the sprit, good on you.

Not too far until the Equator.
Saraya :-)

Anonymous said...

HI Jess are you sure about your calculation you mentioned 950 nm on Tuesday 11 and now you are saying 600 nm to the equator that's 350 nm in 72 hours with hardly any wind ???? I didn't know you can do that on S&S 34

Anonymous said...

My family (my husband and I along with our two girls, 10 and 7) have been following your blog off and on since you began and I must say, you seem like such an extraordinarily mature young lady...and so brave! You seem to have such a calmness and strong presence of mind and I commend you!
When I first heard of what you'd be setting out to accomplish, being a mother of girls my first thoughts were that a girl of only 16 should not be allowed such a dangerous task. But just reading your posts has almost completely changed my mind, because I have the feeling you are no ordinary 16 year old girl! :)
God bless as you continue on!

Mike D said...

RE: Darren Achim
November 13, 2009 11:59 PM

Great job on the song!

Mike D
Landlocked in Philadelphia, Pa, USA

Anonymous said...

Hi Jesse: I've been following your blog since you left Australia and it's not surprising you have lots of interested readers. It's been great to follow your progress and I wish you all the best on your journey. Thanks for letting us follow you through your posts. Take care and enjoy the ride.
Ed (Virginia)

Unknown said...

I tried to post this morning but was unable to have my message accepted. I was commenting on the numbers of places your correspondents come from. It's really quite amazing that you would generate such warm wishes from all over the world. Quite an entry on your cv if you ever go looking for a job. What amazing people your parents must be!

Ian from Brisbane

Anonymous said...

We are following your progress from Canada too. We wish you all the best as you strive to reach your goal. Salut et bon chance.

Unknown said...

Dear Jessica!
My name is Rosie and I am from Victoria.
I am in Grade 5 at the moment, and loving it! :)
My mum had me hooked on your blogs, so now i read them everyday!
You are a great role model to me, and I wish you all the luck the universe (and solar system) can handle.
Love Rosie.

June and Richard Thorn said...

Jesse,

It might seem quite the mundane to you; however, to those of us not brave enough to undertake the journey of a lifetime you are an incredible young lady.

Rest assured. While not physically out there with you, we are riding along with you in spirit.

Stay strong and keep the updates coming.

Safe winds young lady. Come home soon.

June and Richard Thorn

Debbie said...

Go girl, just reading your reports and I am very impressed with you. The detail you give makes me feel I am right there with you. Keep on keeping on
Debbie

Craig said...

What you describe about the ocean & how gentle it is today sounds so nice.all eyes are on your blog from day to day.Keep feeding us girl.I look for your blogs every morning to see if you catch a fish.Ready to sail away also

keith said...

keep up the good work jess,its interesting reading .keith & gill adelaide

GlenF said...

Go Jess,

I recommend your blog to everyone I meet. Keep it going. Now that Traveston is cancelled you'll have to go a little further for lake sailing (flat, hot, no cupcakes).

I just finished a solo circumnavigation around my swimming pool - time for a lie down.

GlenF.

Bea said...

Jessica, I am one of the millions who read your blog daily.
Your write beautiful, I feel I am their with you.
Keep up the good work and take extra care of yourself
Lots love from all of WA

Bea( Perth)

Anonymous said...

thanks for the update! following every post and have been trying to explain to my 3 yr old daughter just what you are doing and have already achieved... you are inspiring a generation!!
take care,
melanie of yenda nsw

Anonymous said...

hello
i have been following your blog since you left sydney and you are such an inspiration to me. I enjoy the sense of adventure you get and have been on great journeys with family including sailing on a tall ship, the soren larsen around vanuatu and climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa. I am 17, and have great ambitions in life, i can't decide between riding in the olympics or riding around australia; as you can tell i am a keen equestrian and your journey sailing around the world has inspired me to do what i want in life and don't let anything get in my way. You are very brave to give your dream a go.


Lismore, NSW.

slackjack said...

Hi Jessica,

Let hope you break another "blogging" record. Just wondering if you can tell us where you stand in relation to Michael Perham who, according to one website "embarks on a journey to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world."

Andrew said...

Jess,

I am wondering if you have the equivalent of a "wilson" on board? Something to talk to when you need to hear yourself think!

Good luck as always,

Vicki and Andy (Queens Park, NSW)

Anonymous said...

Jesse, not sure about this becoming the most popular blog in Australia, I think it it is becoming one of the most popular blogs in the world! Everyone is following you. Keep going and keep us informed. Tim

Greg said...

You are amazing Jessica
I enjoy checking out your blog, as you make the 'ordinary' so interesting. At 16 you have more courage and determination than most adults, including myself. You have a lot of Australians sailing with you.
Go girl!
Greg (Qld)

Anonymous said...

You are an amazing young lady. We in America are along for the ride also. Stay safe.

Unknown said...

Hi Jessica,

Thanks for letting us all come along for the ride. I have justed started sailing myself (Geographe Bay area - Busselton) and it's great!! Have been tempted a few times to keep going rather than head back home!

Wishing you the very best
David Tweddle

Unknown said...

hi jess how is it all gowing its
probley not speld rigt from zara
Awramenko age 7

magpie said...

Hi Jessica,
You are the busiest girl I know of.
When you stated that:"Stage fright has left me a bit speechless!" I thought that was a clever way to change an apology for lateness, lol.
It must be a full-time job keeping 'Ella's Pink Lady' humming along and checking everything every day as well as communicating at specific times to interested parties. Weather updates and future forecasts take me an hour to comprehend at the best of times!
I'm loving the fact that you get to salute King Neptune and gibe for the horn very soon. So long.

LHall said...

Jessica,

When you get a chance please do another video. It's so fun to see you and hear you talk about your voyage and see the scenery though it all be water!

USA

Brumbyy said...

Just another Jessica Poem

Melding Souls

Just ahead it beckons me
That maddening part of widest sea
Short storms abound amongst the calm
Then glistening sheen I hide with palm

So soon the mark of Neptune’s spot
Across above then a southerly plot
Again the calms the storms the sheen
This time it’s all, port aft-quarter beam

The boats now trimmed and set for thou
Those seas so different, her bow will plough
But let’s not get so way ahead
These calms i’ll enjoy and rest up instead

Ella Pink Lady has treated me well
Together we’re sorted right down to the bell
We’ve cleaned we’ve tightened we now even speak
My lovely pink lady, o’re oceans we’ll streak

Brumbyy 2009

Mary said...

Dear Jessica,

May you have abundant wind and following seas for your approach to Lady Equator.

May you feel calm, rested and strong today and always.

Mary, Maine, USA

Anonymous said...

Hi Jess!
My year 4 class in Perth are follwing your voyage with interest. Love reading you blogs. Keep up the great work . You are an inspiration to all of us!

Mrs W and Room 8

Anonymous said...

Any plan to provide accurate tracking, including date, time and co-ordinates, similar to what Zac Sunderland and Mike Perham provided.

Style Seduction said...

Great progress its a pleasure reading your blog! Huzzah your nearly at the equator! Awesomed!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica, you're amazing. I'm from America and enjoy reading your reports. Can't wait for you to cross over the equator!
Jeanie

Unknown said...

In my last message I told how I hope that my 3y/o girl (Tess) grows up with the courage and tenacity you so effortlessly display...well,.. we now read your blog at bed time and she listens intently, drifting off to sleep to the recitations of your adventures. Keep 'em coming and all the best!

hezakiah299 said...

11-13-09 @23:00
Hi Jessica,
Wow, lots of Mail. See how many people missed you, and were glad that you were back and OK. Have you had any luck fishing, it seems that is one of the major questions lately. Patience and perseverance, all good things come to she/he who waits. I noticed that there was a lot of information regarding the poison that some of the fish carry. To me, that’s scary, I wouldn’t know what to look for and then I’d find out to late. But I’m not much of a fish eater anyway.
I’m glad to see you are eating up the miles, that’s good, go get ’em. So now it’s just a hop, skip and a jump to the equator. It seems like just a short time ago we were talking about you reaching Lord Howe Island, as you have said, time is going by so fast.
I finally found Abby Sunderland’s Blog she mentioned you contacting and was genuinely thrilled. Her Mum as well.
I hope you girls will be able to get together someday.
I’ve got my desk set up with charts and maps to follow you and now I’m gonna’ set up an area to follow Abby. Wow, this is the busiest I’ve been in Boo Coo many years. LOL…I truly love it though. Man, here I am 74 years old and will be following two (2) young ladies all over the oceans. LOL
I also found Laura Dekker’s Blog but I don’t think that will be going into operation for awhile. It appears she is still having trouble with the government. Bummer.
Well Jessica, keep up the good work and stay safe. I’ll be thinking of you along with thousands of other well wishers.
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

Anonymous said...

Hi Jess! I just started reading your blog and i think that's awsome, and would take a lot of courage to go all around the world by yourself at sixteen!Keep going and you have all best best wishes with you.

Clint Jeffrey - VK3CSJ said...

Hi Jesse,
It was interesting to read that you turned off all the "electrics" and that being mainly all the Radio Comms stuff, a Lightning Strike would fry everything and a peice of equipment doen't just have to be turned off to protect it, a lightning strike can still cause enough damage to a Radio to disable it, in my Radio Shack I usually disconnect the Antenna as well, to be sure to be sure!....

I must admit, like others, if we don't hear from you after a day has gone we all start to get worried about you, not to put pressure on you to write of course, but...you know!

And it's not a problem about supporting you Jess, but its when you get down to Cape Horn and across to Cape Town, that region of water is very "iffy" there are rogue waves that to put it midly are very scary...that's where and when you'll have every one on Deck waiting everyday to know that you've made it through...

Peronally I'm looking forward to seeing how you go and how Ella's Pink Lady goes during that time as my heart will be with you all the way....

Cheers

Clint - Melbourne

John F said...

Hi Jessica,

Glad to hear that you avoided the worst of the squalls. I can imagine that protection of all your electronic equipment is one of your higher priorities when there is lightning around.

It was good news about the Traveston Dam. I have just driven back from Gympie today and most of the "No Dam" signs along the highway have disappeared. I will travel through Kandanga on the "Valley Rattler" tomorrow so it will be interesting to see if the No Dam headquarters there is still open for business.

Your "mate" Anna Bligh is in damage control mode at the moment over the stopping of the dam. I hope that she is still in the Premiers chair when you return. It will be good to see her eat some humble pie after casting doubts on your ability to circumnavigate the globe.

Keep up the good work and informative blogs.

Regards,
John F.
Brisbane.

Rubykk said...

Hi Jess,
My name is Ruby and I am 6 yrs old. My grandma and I read of all of your blogs and watch all your videos.
I love "attitude chick". Your blogs are wonderful.
Stay safe
Love Ruby.

Anonymous said...

I've been at our local library this morning. All 8 internet stations switched on, 3 on your blog = 37,5%, you could nearly win elections, if you decide for politics afterwards (considering the interest in local environment, etc.)

Thommo said...

Hi Jess,
What you are doing is just great and a fine example to other teens. Would it be possible for you to add your Longitude and Latitude to each report so we can track where you are?
Thanks,
Thommo

Anonymous said...

Wow Jess

Fortune does favour the brave

first read of the blog and i'm hooked

what a brilliant world we live in!

An epic at 16

Happy sailing
Brad Central Queensland

Anonymous said...

Hi jessica, Been following your adventure since day 1. Wishing you the most memorable time of your life. Is there any map of your trip that you can post online? Wish to know the route you are taking as it is hard to imagine it when we do not know the world/the islands so well. God bless !

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica, we are Sydney siders, but at the moment are in Hawaii on holidays!! We are still watching you on the internet. We will be leaving Hawaii tomorrow after 10 days and maybe might see you below on the way home!
Good luck on your trip and we will be watching your blog!
Regards Bruce and Kathy Watt Sydney Australia

Anonymous said...

jess,
i am glad you r getting along so nicely. i have been reading ur blog every day. i admire you although i would never be able to this my self because of fear and seasickness. u r very brave. i have a question: have you seen a shark yet? if not r u scared of seeing one? maybe if you have time you can rite back.keep sailing,
lena johnson, age 9 los angeles, california.

Anonymous said...

hi jess, yes we all love your blogs,u r an amazing girl enjoy your cookies pity it wasnt a fresh fish...lol... dont give up on the fish u will get one soon. save journies. we r all here behind u
take care we care
pandj

dogbait said...

Any chance of posting your GPS co-ordinates with each post and we can plot you on Google Earth?

Anonymous said...

Thanks for mentioning the Mary River Jessica - it was a hard fight but we won! You should have seen the tears of joy and heard the shouts of victory at Kandanga last Wednesday.

When you get home you must take a canoe ride along the river, now that it will still be flowing.

I'm so glad the weather is being kind to you on your trip. I'll keep praying for good sailing weather, it might be working lol.

Take care and stay safe.

bub said...

I cant believe how mature you are. Keep up the good work, stay safe and I look forward to your reports every evening.
bub x

Unknown said...

Hi Jessica

Sailing season here in the northeast of the USA is pretty much over. But thanks to you,reading your blog makes me feel that I'm still sailing.
You are an amazing fearless sailor. There aren't many like you. You are making history.

Wishing you the best,

Cap'n Carlos & The Hakuna Matata.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jesse
Glad to see your blog today. RichieParis says it all. Keep up the good work. Look forward to the next report. Best wishes.
Joy
Ballarat.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica,

Am loving your blog and following along with great interest! Some quick quezzies for you, if it's OK:

* When you're baking cookies while waiting for a storm to pass, what's happening to the boat?

* Ditto, what's happening to the boat while you're asleep?

Do you throw out an anchor, or does the boat keep going on auto-pilot?

Take care,

Edwina, Grays Point NSW

Brad Spence said...

Hi Jessica,
I can not wait to see the look on all those doubters when you sail into history....Hey Jess, take heaps of photos so the doubters can see the world is not flat!!
Big Fan, British Columbia Canada

Chris Akenfelds said...

Once again, another engaging blog from the amazing Jessica Watson, on board Ella's Pink Lady. Your tale of the electrical storm was fascinating... especially the bit about making chocolate cookies during the storm. I think I would have been to scared to do anything! All the best, and we're all waiting for the moment that you cross the Equator. I'm on the edge of my seat!!!

Chris Akenfelds
Brisbane, QLD
akenfelds @ lycos . com

Staffan said...

Keep up the god sailing, i am reading you every day.

Staffan from Sweden

Anonymous said...

Jesse, you should feel ok about not writing every day, you're out there for a long time after all - sometimes the 'oblogation' should be missed. Although I was kinda wondering what was up, like maybe a big school of fish and you being just too busy hauling in dinner. Uh oh, got you thinking now of fish and chips....

David

Mike said...

Hi Jessica,

We in the US are cheering for you also.

Mike

Unknown said...

Well Jessica...you try to finally got that fish even part of it isn't that bad.Keep going and lots of luck. I really enjoying yours updates...wonderful.We all (my whole family)love you and looking forward to next update.

Russell @ Sunny Coast said...

G'day Jess,

Great blog again, I'm certainly glad that you are up to sharing your everyday life with us, though can't really get my head around the 'everyday' bit, certainly not my everyday!!
Yes!! great news about the Traverston Dam project being scrapped, won't bore the world with that though.

Seems to be a much bigger 'family' following you than just Australia, you are certainly flying our flag high and we are all so proud of you.

You have caught the imaginations of so many people who are now cheering you on and are concerned for you welfare and rejoice in your triumphs. Bring on the crossing and the 'worldwide cupcake party'.

Jess, you take care, be safe and God bless.

Russell
Sunny Coast Qld

simon n.s.w said...

Hi jesse sailing and the sea are in my blood i grew up with stories of slocum chitchester. Named my daughter claire francis after brav e english singlehanded sailor i to read your blog every day.I would not miss it like many others i will follow you each step of the way safe passage simon north coast [n.s.w]

Anonymous said...

shiver me timbers! jessica, you are light years ahead of any 16 yr. old, we are all on the boat with you sweetie, GO GIRL!
lennie pittsburgh PA.

TheJourneyWithin said...

Your journey will be always with you, no matter how beautiful and daunting it may be, warm to hot days will cross your path, chopping and rough seas will pass under you, to see nothing more than the bluest oceans, to see birds that will pass over you, to feel the sun on your face, to feel the rain that will fall on you, of course you will see the best sunsets and of course sunrises, cloud formation that only your eyes will ever see, enjoy this once and a life time dream, I wish you well, where ever this admost amazing journey takes you...........GV

Unknown said...

We follow you trip too from PNG Jess. Yur such a talent.

jezz
png

Gabi said...

Hi Jesse,

Baking the cookies must have been hard!!

Cya Jesse,
Gabi

Attitude said...

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." -Lou Holtz

Mrs Williams' Literacy Class said...

Hi there Jesse,
We have been reading about your voyage and looking at your website with much interest. We can't wait for you to reach the equator and rest assured my Glen Innes literacy class will be ready to cheer the moment you do!!!!
Best of luck from everyone in Mrs Williams' literacy class

Bobby from South Carolina said...

Jessica:
Your very popular amongst my friends here in South Carolina!! We talk about you all the time... and we keep you and your family in our prayers... words cannot fully explain how much enjoyment reading your blog brings to my daily routine. Remember, we are all there with you... safe sails my friend... safe sails...

Bobby from South Carolina

Peter M said...

jessica as the dad of a boy who flew solo at 15 i am right behind your desire to complete this trip. to all those knockers i would ask, "what have they done in their lives that was a challenge other than sit in their lounges and endeavour to deflate the courage of someone like yourself".
i am watching your progress with interest and wish you well.

Anonymous said...

Jessica,

Just checking in. Glad to hear from you always...

Take care!

fr@ncis

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica..
Love your humour.."Checking that fishing line"

Keep Happy...elise..

Helmut said...

I don't want to hog this forum, but this comment from Jessica deserves a special mention:

"after doing everything I could, I figured there wasn't much point in worrying"

The ultimate philosophy!

Anonymous said...

Hey Jess,
Im am from a School from Sydney!!
You are just soo brave do get to do this!! Me & my family are soo proud of you!!

We wish you all the best of luck
and hope you can make it the whole was through!!!
When you come back it will be GREAT to see all your friends and family again. I can not believe that someone stole your fish for dinner how disapointing. I cant believe that you got up to the equator..THATS AMAZING!!!

Have fun ridding like a sliver girl!!
xoxoxox All of the best!!

JWcountryphoto said...

Hi Jess,
My first comment here; If this is the most watched blog in Australia, it may well be one of the most watched blogs around!! I've got it bookmarked and check it almost every day. One thing I can say, what you are undertaking takes more guts than most folks have! Keep the updates coming; you are in the thoughts and prayers of people worldwide!
Talk to you later,
Joel (Wisconsin, USA)

Dee said...

Hi Jessica, Keep it up, will be watching your progress. From Port Elizabeth, South Africa when you reach us you will have one lap to go across the Indian Ocean

Kissyfrott said...

@Brian & Bruce Watt
The Somali pirates are thousands of milles north of any possible route for Jessica, so thy won't be the danger...

@Captain Jesse
Well done once again. Sorry for the wind and currents, I guess the North Hemisphere wished to keep you on its lap as long as possible. Not wise, but understandable (who wouldn't?).
The buoy might be from fishermen, or for some WWII wrecks, the fightings having been ferocious in the Kiribati islands, notably Tarawa. I heard that Pt John Kennedy, then a US NAvy lieutenant, was in the area.
Take care and get the good winds and currents with you to fly smoothly southwards tomorrow!

Tony Ward said...

Jess you little ripper. I was sitting on the couch yesterday and for some reason you popped into my head and I had to get on the net to see where you were and how you were doing.
I'm a 50 yr old father of 3 who was dead against your voyage. I just could not let me daughter do this.
However reading your messages and daily reports has convinced me that you are a very capable and determined young lady. Keep Smiling girl.

Love Tony

Anonymous said...

go jess go you rock
your blog is such a good read and your videos are good to you are going really well so far keep it up you rock!!!!!!!!!!!

Adrienne McVerry said...

HI Jessica. After you congratulated the Save the Mary River team re the stopping of Traveston Dam, a mob of Save the Mary team were celebrating down on the Mary River. Victor made a sign GO JESS and we took photos to send to you. Did you get it? Today I nailed the sign GO JESS to a tree on our farm at Tuchekoi. I am to give it to you when you sail home. I hope Julie and Roger see it when they come to visit soon. Sounds like all is going really well for you. Simon made it to N.Z. safely. Adrienne McVerry

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