For the first time in over two weeks I saw something man made other than Ella's Pink Lady (drum roll please!). It was a small white piece of plastic that floated by this morning while we were becalmed for a short while. Not all that exciting, but it made me think about just how completely in the middle of nowhere I really am and about how every mile is taking us further into a pretty much empty stretch of ocean. It's still strange to think that I'm probably hundreds of miles from the nearest person, in fact it's now almost two months since I've seen anyone. Sure I've seen other boats but none of them have come close enough toactually make out the crew.
Maybe stranger still, I can honestly say that I've not once felt lonely out here. Homesick sure and I've missed everyone since the moment I sailed outof Sydney, but not lonely. Lonely is the word for a Friday night with nowhere to go, sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself. The difference is that I choose to be out here. For some crazy reason I chose to be on a little boat in the middle of the ocean. Maybe the dictionary puts it better than I do (yup, I'm actually quoting a dictionary!). 'Lonely; a depressed feeling of being alone'. I might be about as physically alone as you can get, but I'm not depressed about it at all. How can I feel lonely with people all over the world thinking of me, talking about me (my nose just doesn't stop itching!), some probably still hotly debating whether or not I should be out here. And with my family and friends waiting for me back home. Lonely no, that's not the word. Actually. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!
Another first for today was a little blue sky, it's been 4 days since I've had any sunshine and I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it. Living on the Sunshine Coast with its often endless stretches of perfect weather, I used to love a rainy or overcast day just to break up the monotony, but out here nothing makes me smile faster than a little sunshine. I've even got a fewstars tonight. How spoiled am I?
So other than that patch of practically no wind this morning that left Ella'sPink Lady rolling uncomfortably in the swell, we've been able to make goodground to the east, just plodding along one day at a time!
Jessica
Sunday, December 13, 2009
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I just discovered that if you have got google earth on your laptop/computer you get the google earth version. The other day I was using my friends laptop and I discovered he had the google maps version. I kept trying find out how to get it on my laptop, I deleted all history etc etc, and still google earth version. I even removed this site as my home page. Well I suddenly thought if I get google earth off my laptop I will have to get the google maps version. So done that and golt what I wanted.
The google maps version I like better as I can work out her last know (approx) co ordinantes much better, and the angle is always right. Where as on google earth you have to keep South Pole at the bottom.
I can also see the route she is taking much better, as I can see the start and finish line all at one go without moving the map.
I will put google earth back on if I need it, or when Jessica has completed her goal.
Am I right in presuming that Jessica is taking 30th parallel south route, other than when she had to go over the equator and when she is skirting around South America and South Affrica.
Please excuse my spelling - I'm a maths person.
Christine Merrall (Melbourne)
You go Cap'n Jess! Anyone who says you shouldn't be
doing this needs only to read your blogs to see how
perfectly suited you are to this adventure! You are
very mature, clear minded,and focused in a waye
that many people never achieve! This takes true grit
and spirited determination that you seem to posses
in spades! Happy advent to you and your "Mates"from
frigid New England!
Cap'n Moxie
Hi Jess, I've been checking on your progress every few days and love to read your comments. You're very articulate and you describe so beautifully the conditions you're in at the time. As a mother of 2 teenage girls I applaud you for having the courage to live your dream, and for being an inspiration to young girls all over the world. Forget Britney Spears and Paris Hilton ! Jessica Watson should be the new poster girl! And don't worry about missing the weather at home. It's been stinking hot here. Take care Jess. Love to see your photos, especially your cooking efforts.
Hi Jesse
You are an inspiration to everyone not only boaties.
Talk of you is back on our local radio so you certainly aren't alone in spirit at least.
Thank you for taking the time to share your adventures.
Happy sailing
Maureen and Neville Christie
Lochinvar NSW Australia.
A friend linked me to this blog, and Jessica... wow. I've spent the past two hours just reading about your entire journey and I am in awe. I'm twenty-three and I have to say that you are an absolute inspiration.
Not only are you doing an incredible thing, but your attitude toward it all is incredible. You're extremely positive even when things aren't perfect, and it's something I admire. I hope I get to do something half as amazing as what you're doing at some point in my life.
Will be following this blog from now on. You're AWESOME.
Lauren
Hi Jess,
Glad to hear you enjoying your adventure still. See your Mum & Dad every now & then when we pop down to Mooloolaba to see Streetcar & they fill us in on how you're going.
Jeff & Pete who sailed Streetcar over from Antigua for us, did a lot of cleaning when there was little to no wind & I guess that's what you would be doing too.
Christmas is coming all to soon & I still have the floor covered in decorations. I have realised that I need another tree to put them all on, I will have to put it on my wish list. I guess that your blog will be jammed packed soon with wishes for Christmas, so we are going to get in early & wish you a merry Christmas & a happy new year.
Cheers
Sharon, Philip, Olivia, Clay & Pierce
Hey Jess,
You go girl... prove those tall poppy syndromers wrong.
Sah (Sunshine Coast)
Hi Jess,
You show a maturity beyond your years. You are truly inspirational and a wonderful teacher. This is a favourite blog for me.
You are 16 and at your peak of physical fitness and agility. Pay no mind to those 'debaters'. You are an experienced sailor. Nothing beats youth. Otherwise there would be alot of 40 year old sporting Olympians ...and there's not. Youth wins, hands down.
Also if you could bottle your attitude and sell it...well..... the world would be a much better place.
Everyone really needs to read this blog today. It is uplifting and thought provoking. I am sure all readers are pondering "on a little boat in the middle of the ocean". I choose to be with ya, all the way. Cheers.
Hey there Lucky but Not Lonely!
We are also lucky to be granted the privilege of accompanying you on your voyage of adventure! Thank you again for sharing all the little details so freely and so eloquently, transporting us by your words right onto the decks of Ella's Pink Lady!!
Go Jess! We are all proud of you!
Jill (Newcastle)
Hi Jess,
Glad to hear you enjoying your adventure still. See your Mum & Dad every now & then when we pop down to Mooloolaba to see Streetcar & they fill us in on how you're going.
Jeff & Pete who sailed Streetcar over from Antigua for us, did a lot of cleaning when there was little to no wind & I guess that's what you would be doing too.
Christmas is coming all to soon & I still have the floor covered in decorations. I have realised that I need another tree to put them all on, I will have to put it on my wish list. I guess that your blog will be jammed packed soon with wishes for Christmas, so we are going to get in early & wish you a merry Christmas & a happy new year.
Cheers
Sharon, Philip, Olivia, Clay & Pierce
For Grant Fjermedal, Seattle
I am not really sure what you are meaning when you say Jessica's position has not been updated for almost a week.
Here position was updated through Sunday, December, 13th as of a few moments ago.
And what difference does it make to you if you don't know within 200 miles accuracy where she might be at any particular moment?
She's in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean for crying out loud.
Jesse,
A wise man once told me, "just because you are alone, doesn't mean you need to be lonely." And i'd say you are exactly right. You have people all over the world with you. I check in on you probably 6 days out of 7 and I know somebody is picking up the slack on that 7th day I might miss. you are having a conversation with hundreds if not thousands of people. Granted it is kind of one sided but with all you have to do it would be pretty hard to listen to hundreds of people at the same time! We are all with you in spirit, and it is a good thing, I doubt we could all fit on Ella's Pink Lady!!
Rob
Columbia, Missouri, USA
Hey Jessica,
Sounds like a beautiful time out there. Some of the best times of my life have been sailing my Viking 34. There's nothing like a sunset over the water, or sailing under a full moon.
Your persistence and determination are showing the world. Keep up the great sailing!
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do
- Walter Bagehot -
Cat Stevens had a song - back in the day, called, "Sitting". One of the lines was. Sitting on my own not by myself, everybody here with me.
- That's the way it is Jessica. No reason to be the lonely girl - EVERYONE is with you ! (And jealous of the amazing adventure you're on.)
- All the best!
Allen in Atlanta
I have been following you since day 1. Just left you 1 comment since cause I see you have plenty of, anyway. But today you left me teary. Partly because I envy you being on that journey, partly because I admire you doing it at a so youg age, partly because of the way the world reacts to it. I doN,t say that often but God Bless you!!!!
How have you been sleeping lately? Have you had enough down time to get a lot of rest?
Scott, Denver, Colorado, USA
Very eloquent Jessica. Completely captures the essence af being chossing to do something alone. In the end you only justify to yourself, but it's great to be able to articulate it as well.
it's amazing to know you continue to put up such an amazing persona as you strode along in the open sea. Just wanna say again that you're an amazing person Jess, and I continue to keep ya in prayer. God bless!! :D
Dear Jessica, what a truly remarkable woman you are. I used to sail at your age and miss it now. Writing from the Southern Highlands in NSW I shall be cheering you on back through Sydney heads in about 6mths time. What an extraordinary adventure you are having - enjoy every minute of it and thank you for taking us all along for the ride.
smooth sailing to you and Ella,
Fiona
(Bowral)
Today's Inspirational Quote:
"Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better. Don't wish
for fewer problems, wish for more skills. Don't wish for less
challenges, wish for more wisdom."
-- Earl Shoaf
Wonderful blog Jess. I always log on first thing when I get out of bed in the morning. Like hundreds of others, I worry when there's no news but am privileged when there is. Phil, Perth, W.A.
Hey, Jessica, you made the tuesdays Adelaide Adveriser with your discovery of 20th/21st centry litter you seen on the ocean! Its was a great Photo of your smiling face that caught my attention as I was speed reading through the paper in the local Salisbury shops having a drink with my dearest wife who was doing the crossword. We are also the luckiest too; to be able to read your bloggs and share the voyage with you. Wind in ya sails and YGG!
Hello Captain Jesse, you continue to amaze me with your insight and wisdom. It appears to me that I am extremely fortunate to have stumbled on this blog and have gotten to share this adventure with you because without this medium we would have never met and I certainly am grateful! Continued fair skies and seas to rest up for the trip around the Cape. Godspeed, Mike
Hi Jesse,
I read with pleasure your post where you say not to feel alone, even if you are far hundred of miles from anyone.
Your way of thinking is very mautre, much more than a 16 years old girl.
Great to read that you CHOSE to be outside of this world and sailing around the world by yourself, but not being alone.
It is much worse feeling alone when you are in a mess of people, rather than be by your self when you do something you really like, in this case sailing.
Enjoy your trip and your great sunset, I follow you closely and probably if not an adopted parent, I could be an adopted brother! :-)
Cheers from Italy,
Andy
Jessica,
I just know that the sunset pics were of one that, on many occasions, have a certain iridescence that just can't be captured by a camera, but gorgeous nevertheless.
I've been reading Storm Passage, mentioned by another poster a couple of days ago, what a story! I highly recommend that other armchair sailors of your blog read it too to get an idea of what it's like out in the open ocean. The trials and tribulations of that solo sailor are something else hope you don't encounter any of them but know that you are capable of dealing with them.
'Storm Passage': http://inthepresentsea.com/the_actual_site/books_files/STORM_PASSAGE.pdf
Wishing you and EPL fair winds,
Steve in California
Today's Inspirational Quote:
"I attribute my success to this - I never gave or took any
excuse."
-- Florence Nightingale
Hey Jess,
Been reading your Blogs & remarks & watching your journey for the last 12mths. I have to say it... I have been very nervous for you, but.. in saying this, I'm also very excited for you as well. You are one of my inspirations, You go girl.
Its not the Destination, but the journey...
Enjoy every moment.
Deb X
your description of isolation differing from loneliness made the hairs on my arm stand on end. i envy you and the experience you are enjoying. it will no doubt be very very difficult at times, but the amount of knowledge you will gain from this - mostly about yourself - is absolutely priceless.
Jake
Jessica the Lionheart
Yes, we were talking about you Sunday night at my Book Club meeting. So you are definitely on our mind and in our prayers.
Awesome post.
Hi there Jessica,
You are doing amazingly well. you should very proud of yourself for all you have achieved up to now and for all you are about to achieve. It takes great determination and confidence to do what your doing and to have those qualities at your age is even more astounding. I am planning to row the Indian Ocean next year and so I have been following your trip closely to see how you are coping with the solitude and it seems you are doing brilliantly.
Safe onward journey.You are most certainly an inspiration to not only people your own age but to anyone of any age.
Take care.
Keith (Ireland)
Well said! You are truly an inspiration! <3 <3 <3
Good on yah!
Tim
I've so far resisted the urge to comment.
Well done on your avhievement and your progress.
Your story brings a different aspect to the lifw we injoy in Australia's capital City.
We have a water front at Jervis Bay, and several lakes, lots of us regularly travel to the coast, but travelling as far as you do, is a different aspect altogether.
Jessica, you are a wonderful inspiration to us all! :)
What is less inspiring is how far human pollution extends into the oceans :(
may the love of god be with you always. love from turquia.
hey Jess .. that is so amazing what your doing. I would have loved to did that back when i was 14 thats been forever ago. Keep going and be safe out there. I will be keeping an eye on you through this map tracker. Take care.
Hi Jess
Someone from the Pacific sends greetings to you.You are a legend of modern day sailors.What a model of determination and commitment. You are and the Christmas light for the world as you move from the south to north.Wish you a most unforgetable xmas & a joyous new year at sea.Trupla Meri.PNG/PACIFIC
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