For the last few days we've had a dark and slightly eerie sky and a building sea. The wind picked up for a while and was expected to hit about 40 knots and I have been waiting for some action. But it looks like we've missed out this time as we've just sailed clear of the squash zone (an area where two weather systems come together). Oh well, there's always next time. I can't see there being any shortage of strong winds further south. Call this one a practice run!
My favorite pastime lately has become standing in the companionway, under the dodger, sheltered from the wind, watching the world go by. You could say that I'm entertained by small things but I still find watching each wave roll under Ella's Pink Lady, with the occasional one dumping over us, just fascinating.
The weather really hasn't been anything special with the heavy overcast skies and occasional rain giving us pretty poor visibility, but in its own way it is just as spectacular as some of the stunning cloudless days.
Climbing into my cozy sleeping bag is already becoming something I look forward to. The getting out again part is more of a challenge though. I even pulled on a set of thermals today, probably over-reacting really, as the temperature is only down to 20c, but for now the cooler weather is still a bit of a novelty.
As always I'm good spirits but couldn't help thinking this morning of how nice it would be to be able to take a few days off, to think of something other than sailing and to be able to let down my guard for a while - just wishful thinking really and after all, its just part of the challenge!
I discovered something this morning that I can see becoming a favorite, hot custard for breakfast! And talking of food, in an effort to get rid of some of the banana chips that Mum must have packed for me (on the off chance that I actually might start liking them!) I had a go at making banana muffins this afternoon. Everyone present voted that they turned out perfect! They must have been pretty good as I'm eating the last one now!
As you've probably noticed on the tracking map on the website, we've finally been able to make a little progress to the east lately and the outlook for the next while is for conditions to calm down a little more.
And for everyone asking where they can send letters to, the best snail-mail address to reach me on is via my management company in Sydney;
Jessica Watson
c/o 5 Oceans Media
220 West Street
Crows Nest NSW 2065, Australia
All that mail waiting for me when I get back to Australia will be another thing to look forward to!
As always, thanks for all the support!
Jesse
Friday, December 11, 2009
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234 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 234 of 234hey jesse,
looks like things are starting to go your way, and that way is east!!
I'll tell you a bit of what I've been up to. today i went for a run. a solid 10 Km. It was a bit cold, 4C. really had to bundle up. I kind of wish i had thicker gloves on but it was a good run overall. the big news is my puppy comes home soon!
I can't believe you don't like banana chips! I have to side with your mother on this, they are so good! however the muffins sound delicious.
I still can't get over how incredible this adventure is that you are on. It is such a pleasure to be along for the ride. try and get some more pictures of the view.
Rob
Columbia, Missouri, USA
Hi Jessica,
Never lose being entertained by the small things - it's what gets you through the big hard times that hit.
For instance: My 4 yr old loves to crawl under the Christmas tree and curl up - he says - I pretending to be a present Mum. Then jumps up like a Jack in the box and yells - Happy Christmas I's a present - lol
Never fails to amuse me and I thought he'd be too old to remember doing that last year.
Take care and enjoy those Banana Muffins - hope you're Mum packed the tinsel and Santa Hat for you - remember you won't be on your own half of Australia will be with you and a lot of the world.
Take care - You're an inspiration to many all over the world. MWAH from Melbourne
Hi Jessica
Every time we hear a Xmas bell
We'll think of Jesse on the EPL
Sailing on her own so far away
Making her own fun on Xmas Day
Ding dong merrily we say to you
We'll be with you if the skies aren't blue
Our wish for you in the angel's light
Is comfort and joy each day and night
An early Xmas blog from Mike (Canberra)
Hi Jess,
Its gusting 25knts in Sydney Harbour just now - sunny 27c and we are all thinking about you - wishing you well as you head south to the cold and breeze - go the banana chip muffins!!!! Have a fun few days.
Cheers Crowie, Lu, Max, Zoe and Sam
hai jess,
great show,
for the first time, all the sundars
got together to read your blog. now all of them are addicted.
keep it up
sundar
radhu
smriti
mahati
G'day Jesse Girl...
I'm finally catching up with your latest here on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I mean I read your blog as it came out Friday but just getting around to say hi again now....hope things are going well, it looks like a few days of calmer weather for you..oh well, the "nasty bad" weather is on its way its lurking just around that corner on the horizon!
There was a post from "Grant Fjermedal" on the last blog from you, he covered a number really interesting points, I found it all totally tantalizing stuff, and I'm sure you know all about it, the references to Jesse Martin were very good and well timed....
I'd like to have a taste of your Banana Muffins they sound a treat!
I hope you have set the camera to record what you are seeing from the Companionway, I'd love to share what you are seeing with the waves...but by the same token I can understand your desire to take time off, I know what I'll do, I have this matter transfer machine I've been working on, I set the coordinates to you and try and beam you ashore for one of my mums roast dinners and then I'll beam you back!....how's that sound? *ahem*....
We can tell your Queenslander, if you think 20 degrees is getting chilly!...hehehe
I'm a member of the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV) we had our annual "Star B Que" yesterday, the Skies where 100 percent perfect for viewing, I can tell you that while studying the Stars you name came up and we all wondered what the Sky was like for you last night, see saw many Geminids Meteors entering the atmosphere last night, so keep a look out Jess you may see a few shooting Stars over the next couple of days.
That's it...I've got things to be doin....
Cheers - young whipper snapper!
Clint - Melbourne/Dandenong town
Hi Jessica, as a father of 2 young girls I fully support your determination and bravery. Best of luck for the coming wind and waves, and remember that there are plenty of ordinary folk like me and my family who are thinking of you and wishing you well.
You go girl!
Dan (and family), Brisbane
Sunny coast girl sail 'round the world
Sunny coast girl sail big seas
Sunny coast girl make big voyage inside herself
--skippah crazy?
--nah mate, world crazy, skippah smart!
Sunny coast girl leave big island
Sunny coast woman return
Hi, Jessica,
Your blog is very entertaining and probably the best among all the ocean-going sailors I've known with candid writings, frequent videos, and many other good things to read about.
Often others just stop writing after a month or so, or write very little infrequently. (Understandably it's very difficult to keep it up.)
A big thank-you! You're almost 1/3 around? Wow!!!
Hi Jesse,
First time reading your blog - I thought you were on your own but when making the banana muffins you said all present liked them etc., does that mean you have a crew with you?
Safe and happy travel..
Hi Jessica. Hope you are aware that you have alot of very jealous followers stuck in our dull concrete offices reading your blogs daily in the morning drinking our morning coffees & eating our muffins (of course) for breakfast. And we would so rather be where you are looking at what you are seeing. THE WORLD. Keep up your fantastic voyage Jess and just keep sailing safe & smiling large.
Angelo & Angela (Melb)
Always great to read your posts with a coffee, its really become part of my daily routine as i dream of adventure whilst sitting at my desk at work. Keep up the good work, stay safe, stay brave and enjoy every second. Your an inspiration.
Tom (Adelaide).
Hi Jess
You missed out on the rough stuff, probably cos i took it away from you...lol...things have been pretty rough here....Passing a kidney stone as ive done over the last few days is not something ide wish on anyone...im doing better now and was glad to see two blogs from you to cheer me up.
You know....its the small and simple things in life that make life constantly suprising and entertaining and enjoyable. Im glad that your taking the time to stop and watch the waves roll under Ella, glad you take the time to watch the ever changing colours of the sky and glad you took the time to include banana chips in your muffins...LOL...( oh and if you have any banana chips left over...give them to hannah for her guinea pigs...they love them...smile)
Im kind of glad you didnt get the rough seas and strong winds, and got the chance to look at this as a trial run....kind of like a fire drill...they never go astray
Anyway...ill leave some space for others....lol
Keep enjoying the simple things, enjoy your banana chips ( LOL) and im glad you have christmas pressies cant wait to hear what you got.
Stay safe and have lots of fun
Deb and the Guineas
Hi Jess
Like some of the other comments posted, I too look forward to your daily blog and get a bit worried when I don't see one, I guess you have other important tasks to see too. So glad that so far it has been smooth sailing.
An update from Brisbane: The shoppers are going crazy and the tills are rather happy. Christmas carols everywhere and people are mostly in the Christmas spirit.
You are fortunate to get cooler weather - it has been scorchers the last few days in the 30's+. We have just one week-end to go before Christmas and so looking forward to that. So that's it from my desk Jess.
Keep up the updates on EPL, travel safe & take care.
love
Vijay
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
go girl!!
Hi Jess,
Great work out there get plenty of sleep, lots of good food, keep safe and enjoy the trip.
Sail on Jess you are a champion
Michael in Melbourne
G'day Jess
glad to hear your encounter with the slop wasn't to bad but hey Kiddo careful what you wish for, sometimes wishes come true & then some. It will all happen when you least expect it so stay alert, prepared & confident. You WILL conquer all before you.
Safe passage
Brian
Hi Jess,
I have posted a few responses now (have never blogged before!) - just so delighted to be able to share your journey and wish I could do something similar.
Very impressed and proud of you - keep up the great work. You inspire me every day to follow my heart.
Hi Jess,I can recommend thermal underwear. I am from Melbourne and working in Ukraine for 9 months. Couldn't live without them at -13 to -17 degrees!! Just started to read your blog & its great! I am also writing a blog of my time in Ukraine. Its good therapy and at the end of the assignment or in your case trip around the world, you will have fantastic memories.
Stay safe
Merrin
I am in the middle of making my Christmas cakes & you came to mind, then I said to myself that "I MUST go & see how Jessica is getting on" I am thinking of you a lot & think what a brave girl you are. I am a Grandma & want to know that you are safe & well. I HOPE someone gave you a Christmas cake before you left Aussie. Happy Christmas & all the BEST for 2010 Grandma Viv New Zealand
hi jesse keep on keeping on take it easy but take it keep safe tom from the isa qld
Hi Jessica
I actually got a laught out of this post, just the thought of getting a few days off! I have to say its all about you so nobody can take any blame or any credit you stand or fall on your own and thats scary. Its seeems to me though that youhave allready proved to be up to that challege.
So well done so far and keep your sprits up
Lave Banna Chips
Don
Adelaide
Hi Jessica, I see I am behind 225 other comments so perhaps this one won't make the reading list for some time. It is fine. Your adventure is indeed an inspiration for the rest of us with merely dreams of sailing out of or normal waters (Chesapeake Bay, USA).
I have been following for some time and wish you a safe and Merry Christmas. S/V Yellow Bird
truely inspirational jessica
Hi Jessica,our first visit, now we are hooked, we could taste the Banana Muffins, we will be with you all the way, yor adventure is ours, I am sure every one in Australia thinks the same way, loved the photograph from the mast
Bernadette and Michael
My grandpa told me about you and i'm sure he left a comment somewhere. His name is Wayne J.
You rock!!!
Hi I just wanted to tell you that
your awesome, amazing the sea will not be too bad for you.
Dear Jess,
Merry Christmas to you.
I am sitting here with my family reading your blog.
You go girl.
You are an inspiration to all of us.
I pray you stay safe and return home achieving your goal.
When you have time plan a trip to Hawaii so we can meet you.
God bless
The Bartletts
Merry Christmas, Jessica! Enjoy reading your blog here in West Virginia, USA! Wishing you fair winds and calm seas (but fast sailing :-) )
H S White
(former US Navy Destroyer sailor)
Hello Jessica, Grandma Viv here again, from New Zealand,I just want to say my thoughts are still with you & thinking of you everyday, wondering how your doing. Love looking at you video, it is like looking at someone I know really well, but I don't know you at all, but I still want to wish you all the best. Love Grandma Viv. Go Jess.
Today, New Years Day & thinking of you. Happy New Year Jessica. From Grandma Viv. New Zealand
Hello Jessica. Grandma Viv from Auckland New Zealand here. Well done & Congrats for all you have done so far, & the biggest Congrats for rounding Cape Horn WOW WOW WOW WOW & again I say, WOW. Take care. I will still be watching & keeping an eye on you as you continue on your way back to Aussie. Love From Grandma Viv, Auckland New Zealand. xo
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