It's been a bit of a slow day with only a little wind and drizzly rain. You wouldn't guess that this is the Southern Ocean! Well, that is apart from the long swell and Albrotross, oh and of course the cold.
I've been finding the light winds and slow progress a little frustrating, but I shouldn't complain because life is so much more comfortable in the light conditions and the wind chill is going to be quite something when it does eventually pick up. Thank goodness for all my warm Musto gear and the protection of the dodger!
One thing that's really cool (that wasn't meant to be a joke!) about being so far south is how few hours of dark there are.
Lately I've been keeping in touch with another solo sailor Dilip Donde who is from India (http://sagarparikrama.blogspot.com/) and part way through his own circumnavigation. It's been great to talk to him and compare conditions as he's not far to the west of us and also heading for Cape Horn. Dilip's boat Mhadei is quite a bit bigger than Ella's Pink Lady at 47ft so he's catching us up pretty fast!
That's all for today.
Jessica
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
252 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 252 of 252Hello Jessica,
checked out Cdr Dilbi's website. Very impressive!
But, Jessica, you are in a league of your own,
imagine, of all the people on the face of this planet,
you are even more unique, because you have made your individuality and your spirit, visible for All to see and even though we don't know each other, I have a heart connection with you!
Sail on in safety, fun and wellbeing,
Trudy, Austria/Mackay
www.naturaleyesight.com
Hi Jessica,
This has become part of my daily routine here in the US,reading your updates and enjoying the blogs from your ''world family'',great idea for a Flag with blogger's names on them,that really makes me feel like a close world family.hope I can be included,it would mean allot since being so far away and unable to get their in person,although I might...
Jessica who said the big oceans where lonely,now you have a buddy sailor with you,thanks for his website,lets send him some words of cheer too.
SO,''Alfa'' won the SH race,surprised''Wild Oats'' put up a better fight,maybe next year.
I pulled up my ''Sydney Morning Herald'' site and printed your past articles,love the picture of you on the bowsprit in front of the Opera House,it reminded me of the day I was on my father's 37ft. Ketch watching that place get christened,boy has time flown by.
What kind of presses did you get from Santa?I am sure your world family would be interested,hope your first mate the Kiwi has been put to work!!!!
Anyway keep your updates coming,we are waiting with baited breath as to your goings on,hope you are staying warm.
To the blogger who asked about the''Dodger'',I believe it is covering you have above as you step out from below,it keeps the spray off you doing inclement weather,correct me if I am wrong please.
To the ''Flag blogger''could you include a ''crab'' for the gang who are blogging from Maryland,USA.,those are very dear to us during our summers here.
In closing young lady once again we in the world family are so so proud of you and I know I say for allot of us out here you are in our prayers daily for a safe return to your family very soon.
Wont say Happy New Year,even though I am a day behind you,stay safe and God Speed and better winds to you and your Pink Lady crew,we all love you and cherish you through your adventure.
Take care,stay warm,hugs to all.
Stephen M.
Transplanted ''Aussie'',
Maryland USA.
Go Jess!
Billy
Hi Jesse,
Really happy to hear your making such great progress and that you got some great prezzies from Santa. Haha, we laughed at your blow up Kiwi!! What books are you reading??
Don't worry, it has been miserable weather in QLD so your not missing out on anything! Anyone who planned a BBQ for Xmas was sorely dissapointed :(
Thanks for the link to Dilip! What have you got planned for New Years??
Thanks,
Stacey.
Hi Jess,
Thanks for the latest update and Dilip Donde's link. Within a few hours he already has in excess of 30 people following his progress - mainly from Oz !
Isn't it weird - the long days? The closest I came was in Scotland many years ago in their summer when the sun set a little after 10PM ! Just you wait ! Its going to get even better as you track further south ! You may not even have a night for a while !
What amazing experiences !
Rest well young lady.
Jonathan
Melbourne
Hey jesse
Hi Captain Jesse,
Thinking of you, as Passageweather shows strong winds coming on your stern. Maybe you will sail faster, but there might be some hard moments. We are of course with you on the deck. Be brave as ever, but safety first!
Maybe (too) the gale winds will just avoid your route!
Have a good sailing day!! Neptune will be on your side, of course, and we are all admiring you.
And a very merry Christmas to you, Jessica. From Whyalla Jack and Duchess at Esk, Queensland.
Hi Jess
Well the other day I had a little sail alone myself from Warneet to Cowes (Western Port Bay VIC) and return.
As I was sailing my thoughts were with you and thinking how amazing and brave and inspirational you are!
So today, for the first time ever, I have been reading of your travels and catching up on your blog from September to today.
Well done you.!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Andrew, Melb, VIC
Hi Jesse.
I was at the beach (Evans Head) yesterday, thinking "Wow, there's so much water out there" - and I could see land for about 220 of the 360 degrees! It's really hard to get a grasp on the magnitude of what you're doing - just sensational.
Saw one of the big super-maxis in the Sydney-Hobart totally becalmed for a while yesterday - you're making better progress than some of those who are racing.
Look forward to every post.
Neil (Casino)
hi jess
did you get a decent fish feed yet? Must be a challenge to clean and cook whilst sailing. Its finally raining in central qld, Heron copped a beuty. All holiday makers are getting wet. Looks like a wet new year too. Hope yo have a good one. Its interesting to see the dates on the blogs and the times from the different countries. Some yesterday some today some tomorrow...
Wondered why you didnt take along a pet or bird for company...
read yo soon
angie, Gladstone
Good luck from Spain.
Merche.
Today's Inspirational Quote:
"Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition,
there are still untapped possibilities within us and new
beauty waiting to be born."
-- Dr. Dale Turner
Hi again lil Jesse,
We keep up with your post every day.
And it must be real nice to have company via radio on your trip.
as he is solo now you dont feel all alone out there Jesse.
Keep going lil one you are all most 1/2 way home.I still cant beleve you are doing it,,its still so cool.
now i know you can do it.
just get a lot of rest for cape horn.once you get past cape horn its a breeze, when your done i am going to try cape horn,its my dreams.
Take are lil Jesse
your friends from USA
we all love you,be good and take care.
Robert,Ellen,Autum ad Alison
By the way my sailing school starts April 19, four more months then you have my mind set for me to start my dream,,,,,,thanks a bunch.if a 16 year old GIRL can do it then a fifty one old guy like me can do it too.....ty,,,your so cool, I have you on my skype too you sent me a smile face thank you so much Jesse
My lil girls 13 and 17 want to sail around the world with me,,,it all is comming true, becaue of you our dreams will be tru, again thanks
Hi Jessica
May you have fair sky's and favourable winds keep up the great work we are both thinking of you each and every day have a ball doing what you are doing.
Take Care TB & LB
Hiya, Jess,
What a wonderful group of writers accompanying your journey! Very kind and accurate specifics from Grant and Steve re: the dodgah! (love saying it with a British accent, as in "The Artful Dodgah" in Oliver Twist.)
I love the discussion of "sharing" Capt.Jess with Cdr Donde.....just makes me smile so...
....ah, yes, it is very comfortable in my armchair....
Blogger Flag Names Unite! Thanks to the McGraths in Nowra, those of us from distant places may be present via our blogger names on a
BIG McGrath family flag at Sydney headlands for Jessica's return. Whoop whoop!!
Samurai, thanks for translating our Chilean friend's message.
I'll be making some chocolate cupcakes with raspberry butter cream frosting for New Year's Eve, Jess. I will toast you with some pomegranite bubbly, no doubt.
Thrilled for you and your excellent progress to date. Here's wishing you favorable winds, clearing skies and manageable waves.
With love and deep respect,
Mary, Maine, USA
Go You Good Girl
happy New Year
Jessica,
Happy New Year, tracking you every day. Just 5 months to go.
Well done
www.astroglideaustralia.com
Hi Jesse,
Check daily for updates to your blog.
I think that Dilip has received a considerable increase in the number of hits on his website since your last post.
It's seems a pity that he doesn't have HF radio on board, perhaps he has a Sat phone?
Stay safe and may the weather be favorable.
Bell family
Brisbane
Hi Jesse
Thanks for the link to Dilip's blog. I'm having an armchair sailing holiday here in Tas, with two blogs to follow now, and Lionheart and First Lady to read. The Sydney-Hobart yachts are coming in and I'll wander down to see them later today, along with a visit to the yacht club. We have blue skies; hope it's the same for you - along with a brisk little breeze.
Thanks for the nod, Grant. From one of your earlier posts I've discovered that you and I both worked the pointy end of boats...that gives a whole 'nother perspective. While racing around SF Bay my mast man and I used to periodically refer to the crew in groups...up front you had Frontier Land, the workiing slobs in the middle of the boat were in Tomorrow Land (as in "maybe tomorrow they'll let me do someting other than tail this &^%$@ halyard", while the folks in the back....well, they we always in Fantasy Land!
Keep up your own observations. All the support poured on Jessica is a GOOD thing but, as you rememeber from Zac's blog, the details that were filled in by sailors helped the others who were follwoing the adventure flesh out the wider picture.
(still) Steve in California
Dear Jessica, well I walked knee deep into Spencers Gulf here in South Australia yesterday and sent to you, via the waves, speedy well wishes to you for your great New Year and a speedy return to our shores. YGG
Jesse
Keep strong there is a lot of people here that wish you well and hope you get home safely.
Gods speed
Colin
12-28-09 @ 20:53
Hi Jessica,
How are you doing, is there enough action out there for you yet???
Patience my dear, patience.
I hope everything is going well for you, and you’re getting lots of R&R time in.
There’s so much action going on here I just might have to hire a secretary. Ha,..Ha,..Ha, Yeah, right!!! Just like my maid.
Read Dilips blog and he mentioned that his posts have increased in comments and questions.
Interesting info on his boat “Mhadei” which is the old name of the river Mandovi that it was built on. There’s more info on his blog worth checking out.
Looks like Dilip is having a little trouble with the winds. He’s fighting a strong Easterly wind and it’s pushing him South. May not catch up with you at that rate. Not insinuating a race, don’t need that right now. (My opinion)
For RichieParis:
In the story “THE LEGEND OF JESSICA” you described the crew as those who handled EPL while the skipper was up the mast playing some remote control game, I almost fell out of my chair laughing. That was good, keep it up!!!
For Grant Fjermedal, Seattle, WA USA
What a great time for Armchair Sailors: 3 solo circumnavigators out there at one time.
I wholeheartedly agree, I had just started following Jessica and was really enjoying it, then Abby came aboard, and now Dilip joined us. I haven’t given up hope on Laura, maybe she’ll join us sometime after the New Year. I think it would be a shame to hold her back. I just hope I can keep up with them all . LOL…..
You know Jessica, with all due respect to all the other young ladies that are sailing or will be sailing, it won’t matter if someone younger than you circumnavigates the world, or someone does it faster, I don’t think that anyone will match the impact that you have had on the World. Every once in a while a star is born, Hello Jessica. God Bless You.
Loads of love and hugs, your faithful fan and follower,
May God be with you and watch over you and may the angels keep your sails full, and I will keep you in my prayers.
Michael (74) from Kingwood, WV
12-28-09 @ 21:18
Hello Shore Crew,
THE UNSUNG HEROES.
No problems so you don’t get any mail, that’s not fair. I think it’s time for some kudo’s, thanks, bravo’s, well done and a few West Virginia Yahoooo’s thrown in and whatever other kind of praise that can be heaped on you. There, I’ve got it all out of my system and I feel better. LOL……
Definitely, thanks for the fine job you guys in the background are doing. You are definitely not forgotten!!!!!!!
Take care and keep up the good work.
Michael (74) from Kingwood, WV
Hi Jess,
Great job out there, Im totally jealous of your adventure! Hang in there and enjoy the ride!
Blair
Hi Jessica,
Good to see your progress, and how well you are doing!
All the best!
Andreas
Hi Jessica
We have been armchair sailors the last few days,my armchair took line honours in the Sydney-Hobart,we made the same calls and did ok,,it was good to see "Shortwave" doing well,a meaningfull trip for the 2 families on board,an incredible interview with Murray Short prior to the start.
It is starting to become crowded down where you are,now the population of the Southern Ocean has just double to 2,!!
You are truely being blessed with gentle weather,must be the karma of so many 'well wishes' thinking of you.
Happy sailing from all of us,which night will you celebrate New Year,??
Cheers,,tony,Aya and Crest,freo
Hi Jesse,
Hope everything is fine with you, I have a request, put some fotos on regular basis like Captain Dilip Donde does and if possible some VIDEOs.
How are you planning to have ur new year eve.....
You guys r really rocking......I am so happy to know that you are in touch with another fighter......hope next few months will be terrific for you and Captain Dilip....
merry Xmas Jess! you give us all insiration with your feats! keeps safe and enjoy everyday of this jouirney!
From The BOYLE clan
Wollongong. NSW
Hey Jess!
Just went and saw the boats who competed in the Sydney to Hobart and listened to their tales of fighting Bass Strait. But your tale is going to be better than that!
We're all rooting for you here in Hobart. Make sure you remember every moment because this is absolutley fantastic what you are doing.
Keep smiling!
Catherine (19) Hobart
Hi Jessica. Keep up the great work. Watching your voyage and wishing you safe passage.
Colleen and Ray AU
Hey Jess,
Keep your chin up and your coat on !
"One kind word can warm three winter months"
You're a Legend
Mick
MNC NSW
jess girl,
are u experiencing the "easterlies" as dilip is talking about?
bob from seattle
hiya Jess good to hesr you are on track and have enjoyed all your pressies Must have been fun searching for them. we in NZ are getting different weather sun one day cool the next but hey we are all with you in your travels Enjoy the time and your pressies We really enjoyed the xmas video and you are looking great! Take care little traveller
Kiwi Gal
hi Jess'
I can tell your more then likly having to deal with a lot of wind and waves that it can be hard to try and let others know what's happing to you all the time.. but we still come and look and see if you made it back to us ... just the same. Our Prayer's are out there for you every night and day.. our minds a keeping you in our thoughts and prayers ... thinking of you makes our day's seem a little better just knowning your ok... Yet we know it has to be far more worse at times for you... one being your there to deal with it every day and night. many a nights you will go with out sleep or eating... so we come and sit and read what others have said to you and wonder just how things are... when we don't fine you on line each day... hopping only for the best and that maybe you just forgot to write to us on your blog...
Well either way... GOD IS WITH YOU ALL THE WAY...
GOD SPEED YOU BACK HOME AND KEEP YOU SAFE...
TAKE CARE MY GIRL... WE ARE ALL WATCHING YOU...
JOHN GLENN SHEPPARD USA
Enjoy reading about your progress Jessica.
Best wishes from the Gold Coast
Happy New Year
Hi Jesse!
Merry Christmas, I'm sure this is one you will never ever forget! Congratulations for a great job and thank you for following your dreams... its people like you who give me strength to believe in mine! Even though you might be alone on the boat, thousands of people are thinking of you every day. I've now found your blog so will be checking in to see how you're going... keep up the good work, you are an inspiration!
Cheers,
Kasia :-)
Paradise Point, Gold Coast
A message for the McGraths of Nowra...
I'm all for the flag idea you suggest. Just tell me what you'd like me to do.
I can be contacted at lipke1@bigpond.com
Ian from Brisbane
Hi Jessica
What a fantastic adventure you're on. Love to hear any reports of wildlife sightings you might make.
Pat
hey jess
Hope you had a wonderful christmas, you are really a person to look up to, you are doing great! keep safe and take care jesse
GO JESS
Cooper, Brisbane
Hi Jesse,
Thought that I would stop by to say hello.
I think that, after hearing of the stories coming out of the Sydney to Hobart race, people are beginning to understand what you are going through.
Those of us who have followed you so far understand, to some extent, what you are going through.
Stay strong brave girl. We are all proud of you.
June and Richard Thorn
Hi Jessica
One of your blog readers – Dreamsailor, Miami, Florida, USA, -wrote that he was ‘wondering if you could explain what the large white round thing is on your mast near the top’. I hope you will not mind if I give an explanation of this.
The higher white object is a radar reflector, and the lower round white box is the radar. A radar system works by sending a signal outwards in a 360° arc, ie. full circle around the signal source, which is located inside the lower round white box. If that signal hits something like a ship, which may be thought of as a large steel object, it is reflected by the steel surface of the ship and that reflected signal is then received by the radar unit – the lower round white box - and the object shows up as a blob on the radar screen inside the cabin of Ella’s Pink Lady, and alarm bells may ring to alert Jessica to the presence of the object.
Ella’s Pink Lady is not made of steel so the boat itself is a very poor reflector of a radar signal, and Jessica, despite her glowing personality, does not emit radar signals, so to compensate for this the upper white box contains a radar reflector designed to reflect the reception of a radar signal sent out by a ship so the radar system on board the ship receives a signal which shows up on the ship’s radar system to alert those on board the ship of the presence of Ella’s Pink Lady. I hope that is understandable.
There has also been some mention of the dodger on Ella’s Pink Lady. Many cruising yachts are fitted with a fold down, or collapsible, dodger made of heavy sail-cloth like material, usually white or blue, which provides shelter as described by other writers, including Grant Fjermedal.
Both Jessica’s Australian predecessors, Kay Cottee and Jesse Martin fitted their boats with this sort of dodger, and photos in their books show that they were collapsible dodgers. Jesse began sailing with a dodger and returned without it after it became wrecked in a storm. Kay’s dodger was rather short and low, and she added a bedsheet strung up between it and the frame holding her solar panels to provide extra protection from the sun in the tropics.
The major problem with a collapsible dodger is the risk of it becoming torn away in a storm, and this type of dodger can become a hazard to anyone near it if it begins to rip apart.
Jessica’s team fitted Ella’s Pink Lady with a very strong, probably fiberglass, dodger. Photos of the boat taken before it was painted pink and fitted out for Jessica’s voyage show that it was fitted with a collapsible dodger. The installation of the solid dodger is just one example from many of the wisdom, forethought, and preparation that went into planning Jessica’s voyage.
Jessica, I hope you are now sailing in better conditions, and I hope you don’t mind me answering a couple of questions.
Tony L (Mt Martha VIC)
Hi Jessica (again) Beverly in Tassie. Just read ALL your blogger comments from "The Not So Fearsome 50's!" YOU ARE SOOOO LOVED BY SO MANY PEOPLE!!! You can't help but feel the vibrations. I could even feel the love from everyone to you. God has Blessed you so very much and He will continue doing so!
Love from Beverly & Andrew Penney, Bridgewater, Tasmania (just n. of Hobart)
Hi,Jessica;
Thanks for your update,as I blog I am having hot chocolate thinking of you,we have turned real cold here in Maryland,USA, with very strong winds in the last 24 hour's and possible snow for the new year.
Love the pudding,hope the''crew'' worked it off.
Pulled up the ABC site today,they did a nice article on you with a picture of your ''xmas wishes'',hope they do more.
Sounds like your daily activity is picking up as do your winds,remember the stronger the winds the quicker you make you destination.
Young lady you don't have a BIRD FEEDER with you,try some bread crumbs on the bow deck,you will be surprised how good a birds eye sit is,just an idea.
Seems your gear is all self acting,I agree with our family member make sure all is looked down,like I said in a past blog I lost a wench handle over in Sydney Harbor off Shark Island coming out of Rose Bay back in the late seventies while sailing with my beloved father,I can still see the look on his face to this day.
To the McGraths,Nowra,N.S.W.,hope you can include the ''Transplanted Aussie'' from Maryland,USA,on your flag,would mean allot to me to be included with the ''world family'' along with the rest of the USA family.Feel free to throw out some ideas to us all.
Jessica,keep the winds strong and your ''crew'' on their furry toes,I hope your new ''first mate'' is pulling his or her weight too/Kiwi.
Still waiting to here what Santa brought,he sent me an email with his Bill on his landing to you ,Rudolph wanted more frequent flier miles man he has gotten tough in his old age.
Anyway that's it from a cold.windy Maryland,USA,keep on keeping on,we cherish and love you daily.
God speed and may your winds stay true.
Lots of hugs to you and your crew.
Stephen M.,
Transplanted ''Aussie'',
Maryland,USA.
The sea looks great Jesse, whilst I am sure there will be some very taxing moments in your voyage I hope that you will not find them overly so.
Have you given much thought to what you might do after this ? - I'm sure you have. The world's your lobster and this one's big enough to grasp with both hands.
Beautiful focus, keep it going
David
Wow Jess!
Stormy weather, 5 meter swells, Gusts of 44 knots and Ella's Pink Lady's pushing 10!
I guess now she's Galloping!
So proud of you!
Go Jesse, GO!!!
Be ever so safe! Your everyone's hero!
Some people thought that you are ordinary!
But you knew all along! You are extraordinary!
You drive the boat kiddo! We're watching your back!
Billy!
Just want to say that I'm enjoying following your blog and wish you all the best for a safe and successful voyage! And a Happy New Year!
One question...does Ella's Pink Lady have a wheel or tiller? The S&S drawings show a tiller, but your pic on the website show you behind a wheel?!
Thank you and good luck!
Btw, anyone with actual knowledge may answer my question above! ;)
Jessica its a Pride to see you sailing solo nonstop around the world.Hope you have a fantastic New Year 2010 also do wish your
fellow sailor friend Dilip whenever you folks touch base and Thanks for the website about Dilip Donde's round the world voyage, how wonderfull is technology that you both can be in touch with each other in a open ocean, that would be great for mutual support.
Hi Jessica,
I have been following your progress,with your circumnavigation of the world,sounds like your progress is going well,plus the Cape is the next big challenge till you reach the Atlantic,good sailing your half way home.
cheers David D
Adelaide South Australia.
Hello Jessica
I'm an old sailor from Switzerland with a motorboat now.
The "Murtensee" is at about
5 miles long and two miles wide...
Congratulation Congratulation!!
Chris
Post a Comment