Progress had been a little on and off over the last few days. When we have a little wind, Ella's Pink Lady flies along the flat water amazingly. But there's also been a few times with not any wind. This afternoon particularly was a little un-exciting, just rolling around not going anywhere in the heat. I started on a bit of school work this morning, thinking that if I couldn't be achieving forward progress, at least I could be achieving something. But I can't say I stuck with it for very long.
Instead, between dunkings of cool salt water and prodding the tiller to at least keep Ella's Pink Lady pointed in the right direction, I ended up giving the little Yanmar engine a full polish up and scrubbed out the bilges. As the sun set I was able to stand back hot and greasy but happy that I'd at least achieved something for the day. I'm sure that after another few months at sea, poor old Ella's Pink Lady wont quite be looking as great as she did sailing out of Sydney, but I'm a least going to do everything possible to try. And its like I'm constantly being told 'look after the boat and she'll look after you'.
When people talk about all the things needed to sail around the world they never seem to mention patience, but I'm fast learning that it's as important as anything.
This afternoon was pretty cool, a pod of dolphins spent a couple of hours hanging around and I had a great time sitting in the shade of the sails on the bow, feet dangling over the side (and yes clipped on!!) watching them play in clear water. I'm not sure what kind they were (small and completly grey) but they hung around for ages, so they can't have thought my music was too bad! I loved the way the dolphins would play around riding and shooting along the swell and can only imagine how much fun they must have in a big sea.
I'm really getting down to the dregs of the latest food bag so have been eating a bit randomly lately (dinner tonight was mince, tinned fruit and noodles!) Funnily enough I'm really looking forward to pulling out the new bag.
I've only just released how late it is. So that's going to have to be it for the night.
Jesse
PS: Thanks to Dad and Bruce over the last few days for being so patient with me over the phone and for understanding that sometimes a girl just doesn't feel like chatting!
PPS: Even with all the slow progress, now only about 370nm until we cross the equator!
Monday, November 16, 2009
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256 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 256 of 256Wow you didn't blog for 2 days and I was wondering what was going on -how does your mother cope, but then again she has your phone number!! Good to hear from you, life can be at it's most boring when it is quiet but I guess when you hit more southern areas you will only have thoughts of lazy afternoons and watching dolphins when you are kept busier by the seas. And Yum new food bag. regards
Mary
Jessica:
I can only imagine how incredibly cool it is to listen to your music on the open sea & play it as loud as you want....and to have the dolphins enjoying it with you... awesome!!! Here in South Carolina it's getting colder each day as we get deeper into Fall & close in on Winter... just reading your posts warms the spirit... I'm really loving following you along on your adventure... safe sails my friend...safe sails!!!
Praying for you.... always
Bobby from South Carolina
"Cherish your visions and you dreams, as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievements." Napoleon Hill.
Jess,
Its great to hear you taking in all the beauty around you, the stars, the dolphins, the amazing sunsets. I can only dream of how it must be. But enjoy it for everything it is, because your going to miss all those amazing things when you get into the nasty southern ocean. So keep taking time out for yourself and take in those magical moments
Ben Turner - Melbourne
Let's hear the story about how you took your last celestial shot, used your tables, and cross referenced your results with your gps to find out how well you can do. bab
Jess
Keep it going! Maybe those dolphins are following you cause you have the best bait hangin around lol .
Where are you going to put the Christmas tree at??
Keep up the blog.
Rob
San Diego CA
Way to go Jess! You're moving along famously!! Hope you do something special and keep some sea water maybe from your equator crossing! Best of luck !!! :)
Interesting, informative and exciting, as usual. It's understandable that you experience some impatience when the winds don't cooperate, especially when you are so close to a major milestone. Your decision to clean the engine was a good one - - -it's good to keep busy. As one wiser than me once said: "The best cure for low spirits is a good swift kick in the a**". Keep up the good work. I'm really enjoying your posts. Stay safe and God bless you.
Dave from Minnesota
Hi Jess,
Just read your blog and basically you are going to have days like that. It is all part of the magic of what people call LIFE!
All strength to you!
Ash
Hi Jessica, bad luck about burning yourself, we were hoping you had taken some pictures of the dolfins that came to visit you,we just love all your pictures that you post. We will bake some cup cakes and celebrate when you cross the equator. Best wishes Alex and brother Michael
Jessica,
Great to hear you are making good progress.
Just thought I'd mention that tonight is the peak of the Leonid Meteor shower. If you are up and about in the pre-dawn hours. You could see 100-300 meteors per hour. Any reports of counts from your would be appreciated (as you are a long way from land and have a pretty unique view). This year because of the new moon you will have very dark skies out there and it could be a great show. I'm not sure how you are on the constellations but the radiant is in the constellation Leo, normally the shower is only visible in the northern hemisphere, as you are nearly there......in any case you may see some earth grazers that come in a low altitude from over the horizon.
Many astronomers would be interested in your count. Just count them over a 10 minute period and then we multiply by 6 to get an hourly rate.
Some astronomers are predicting a good show of 300-500 per hour, you won't see this many as you will be to the south. If you see any post the results and I'll write a feature on your observations in my blog.
Cheers
Peter
Best wishes.
It's great hearing about your progress and how close you're getting to the equator. I've been wondering, since you get to enjoy all the super clear dark skies at night, did you pack a telescope to help you enjoy the stars, planets, and other great night time sights?
My family and I will keep you in our prayers and wish you the best. Take care.
Paul, Fort Worth, Texas
I bet the meteor shower will look beautiful out there!
Hey Jess
Well done on staying motivated and doing something constructive when times are slow. Smile
Not long till you reach the equator now.....maybe that will coincide with a new food bag and you can have something special to celebrate...
Off to work i go... :)
Have a good day, stay safe, have fun
Deb and the Guineas
Hmmm. Wonder what dolphins taste like?
HAWKEYE
Hi Jesse you appear a little frustrated but your self-awareness is sharp and when you talk of patience it is a reflection of good self knowledge. Jesse you are only 16 darl and at a stage in life where a lot is happening neurobiologically and as a result some behavioural and emotional characteristics can be heightened - such as impulsiveness (patience), mood swings, etc - so use the family and friends as support I'm sure they expect that and they do understand your needs; don't be too hard on yourself. This project would be a major psychological undertaking for a person much older than you. Good on you for getting the cleaning done - its helps soak up the excess emotional energy and at the end of the day, as you say, you feel something worthwhile has been achieved.
When you cross the Equator you will experience something 'unique'; something you have been working so hard for - it will be a great moment for you. You are not that far away now and you are doing very very very very well and speaking for myself I am immensely proud of you.
The new tucker box will have a lot of goodies for you to ponder over. I get very tense when I read you are dangling part of your body over the side despite being clipped on. I think I suffer 'over-worry' but please look out for your physical well being.
While I'm blogging away you are getting closer to the Equator and that's marvelous.
'til next time Jess get as much rest as possible, keep the mind active, speak to the family, do the chores, cook cakes, bread and whatever but please don't catch a fish before the Equator - my immediate financial status depends on you doing the right thing. Stay buckled up darl and be happy.
HAWKEYE
Hi, Jessica,
Patience, certainly -- but to me the quality you need most is the ability to tolerate isolation, which is not something people your age usually have much experience with. You live with your family; you go to school; you hang out with friends; most of your early sailing experience was probably not solo. What can really prepare you for, effectively, 8 months in solitary confinement -- more solitary than any prisoner is nowadays allowed to endure? You can hear other people's voices and see moving pictures of them, but they aren't actually there. And -- as you blogged recently -- you can't walk more than a few meters without turning around. Your cell is moving -- your purpose is to move it around the world -- but it's still very like a cell. Thank goodness for modern communications that allow you as much human contact as you do get. If anyone (before the days of satellites) ever did this without at least a short wave radio, I wonder if they didn't go a bit dotty just from lack of contact.
On a more cheerful note, the way your progress tracking map is set up, if I click once on Zoom Out, the map shows the equator and the Date Line (I discovered that soon after I wrote my post speculating when you'd crossed the Date Line; now I know for sure). Today, for the first time, the box that shows your position overlaps the equator. I realize you have to get the MIDDLE of the box over that hypothetical line, but still, you're SO CLOSE. Do a loop around an island just to be indisputably sure, and then you can head south, recross the equator, and never have to leave the Southern Hemisphere again.
Isn't there some hazing ritual that's supposed to be performed the first time a sailor crosses the equator? Will you have to do it to yourself?
Your progress the past few days looks better on the map than you describe it, but it's possible some days don't have a marker (the distance between some markers may represent two days). Still, you are SO CLOSE. Almost to your first big milestone.
Best wishes,
Michael from Texas, USA
wow go jessica your doing great keep the work up hope you are having fun hope you also like the food and you can do it i believe in you go jessica hope i can hear about you soon good luck on the rest of your long journey to come
You r soo cool going around the world! Good to hear you well.
Hey Captain Jesse. You continue to demonstrate extraordinary maturity and intelligence. I know no other 16 year old that would openly admit to the world that patience “is as important as anything” You found yourself in a situation where boredom could get the better of you…….. but you did not let it do this. You found ways to make your day fulfilling.
These are the very attributes that have gotten you this far. These are just some of the attributes you continue to demonstrate that will ultimately see you succeed in this challenge and many future challenges.
Someone once said “a job just begun is half done” You are well on your way. Some of the blogs I read in the first week of your journey (a few negative blogs) indicated a severe lack of depth in the writers’ minds. I wonder if it has dawned on these persons yet how much hard work you and your team (especially Mum and Dad) have put into planning and preparing for this voyage. I have the benefit of considerable experience in management (40 years) and would suggest the collective hours of preparation time will be many thousands of man hours. Enough said.
We will not blog you every day but we certainly look for your blogs every day. As we and others have previously said, there should be no pressure on you to blog until you are ready to blog. Even if this means we have to learn a little patience ourselves.
Kind regards James (Greybeard) and family
Hi Jesse,
not sure if my last comment to you went through. It's afternoon over here and i find myself looking outside to see what the conditions would be like if i were in a sail boat as opposed to my lounge room and I can tell you i it is so still i wouldn't be moving any faster than my sofa i write from!
Good winds, safe sailing Jesse,
jo
Jesse.
Whimsey's Fishing tips..
Change your lure and change your luck..
Tips for catching pelagics offshore while sailing relatively slowly. Whimsey averages 5 knots and she catches Mahi Mahi, Tuna and occasional Wahu. Secrets for catching fish, collected from many cruisers on our journey from Ireland to Mooloolaba...
1. Make sure your hook is shiny and sharp, rust will spook the fish.
2. Position lure 4-5 boatlengths behind Parker.
3. Adjust line length so that lure skips off wave tops occasionally.
4. Add a slither of red or yellow cloth to the lure.
5. If using a hand reel, make sure you put a loop in the line and connect it to a bungy connected to Pink Lady so that when the fish strike there is a bit of give in the line.
6. Dry out a a few strips of the colourful belly skin of your first fish to catch your next, this is the best lure you will ever find.
7. Best time early morning or late afternoon.
Won't be long now...
Sean :-)
Hi Jesse,
You're learning more than any school books could ever teach you. You can always catch up on study in the future. There are bigger lessons for you to learn on this journey and in the process you are teaching all your followers a thing or three.
Patience is something I battle with every day, and it's not always easy to be patient. Some days we just don't want to go there. That's when we hope wisdom will rule.
New food bag sounds great - back to choosing your favourites. Sailing with the dolphins and paddling your feet sounds fun.
Not long now to the Equator. A few big puffs of wind and you'll be there!
Enjoying journeying with you.
I wish the map showed a little more accurately than the blob of the sailing boat. It would be good to have a line or a series of dots that approximated where the boat is. Today the blob looks like Jess has reached the equator which she has not. I liked the way the guys who crossed the ditch from Australia to NZ in a kayak had a map with a line. Maybe you could cross thinking caps with them to see how to better approximate where Jess is up to.
Thanks, Jessica.
"In quietness and confidence
shall be your strength."
Just keep doing what you are doing.
Bye
Richard (QLD)
Jesse, what a warrier you truely are, your such a hero to be out there alone!!!! Many prayers to you and your safety!!!!
Michelle
you know when you start googling jessica, one of the suggestions is jessica simpsons shoes. i mean ia sk you given the choice of jessica watsons sailing or someones shoes its not hard to pick the latter.
all the best
simon t
caves beach Oz
G'day Jesse,
I laughed when I heard you gave away school work to clean the engine and scrub the bilge. My kids' rooms were always at their cleanest when there was schoolwork to do that didn't interest them. This was normally done with the music cranked and I bet your boat was rocking along nicely.
Pity about the lack of wind. At least it gives you a chance to catch up on some sleep.
Glad to hear you were clipped in while on deck.
Stay safe and happy
All the best
John
Hey Jess :)
Sounds like you're doing well.
Keep up the good work!
Hey Jess, thats great you had time to sit on the bow and enjoy the dolphins. Its great to have days like that to rest up - shame about being at the dreg end of the food bag LOL - once you open the new one it will be like Christmas !!!! Good gal for cleaning out the bilges and keeping Ellas pink lady happy. I think they call it karma points in the bank, everything you do builds up a credit for you to use some other time so keep caring for Ellas pink lady, keep checking your shackles etc, lines for wear etc. Dont forget to post some more photos when u get a chance - Love the photos. You seem to take a pride in your surroundings, bet you have your home there nice and cosy and clean. When it is calm you could bake some bread or more cakes for a treat ! Great stuff you are getting closer to the equator. We will have a wine to celebrate your milestone - another one to tick off. Great stuff Jess. Take care - fair winds :)
Carole (Mackay)
Hey Jesse,
Good to hear you had fun watching the dolphins. You said that they were small and grey - perhaps they were porpoises? Anyway, between your music and Ella's bow bobbing up and down on the waves, I am sure that the dolphins were having a good time as you were.
My son had 3 porpoises surfing with him on the same wave 2 summers ago, they were within about 5 metres of him.
It is good to hear that you continue a regime of maintenance, I am sure if you keep looking after Ella, then she will look after you in return. And the better shape that Ella is in when you get to the tougher latitudes, the better.
So you have one of the typical "16yo girl moods", not wanting to talk to anyone. I can just imagine your parents continually checking up on you, probably even nagging you at times, and sometimes you just need to switch off.
I wouldn't worry about the school work, it would be a pretty harsh system to penalise you for not doing homework during this adventure of your life!
Sorry I didn't respond yesterday, but Christmas being Christmas, I was very busy packing orders for my customers, apart from doing about 7 hours golf practice as well!
Anyway, must go again, gotta play the role as slave for my 14yo boy and do dinner etc.
Take care gorgeous girl, and keep smiling!
Seeya
Andrew
Caves Beach, Newcastle
hey Jesse your doing so good i wish i could do it one day I'm a big sailor as well i sail a 14 foot paper tiger catamaran i tipped it for the first time last night lol .
but your so lucki ur liveing ma dream have fun and best of luck
dylan
New Zealand
Hey Jesse,
It's great to hear that you're well and enjoying yourself. I hope the wind picks up for you and you cross the Equator with ease.
Enjoy the rest of the trip.
Bye
Bailey (VIC)
Hi Jess,
Well done so far, your doing great. Try a little more fishing when it's calm, want to see you holding up a monster.
In process of swopping my motor boat for sail. I live on Shetland Islands, were sailor Andrew Halcrow lives (he built his boat Elsi Arub, suffered ruptured appendix on non-stop circumnavigation going past Austrialia, I think he's going to try again).
All the best, Ian
Stavanger, Norway
Hi Jessica
Lesson 7 Luke 46-49
The Apostles were promised a spiritual gift if they ___ in Jerusalem.
Hi Jess, am so enjoying following along with your blog, I am so happy you are achieving your dream, you are one very spunky landy, Monica
Good Job Jess when u cross the line look out for the king of the sea PS be careful with ur little pink toes over the side remember that big fish that got away take care
What a beautiful picture , you described, with the dolfins!
Keep going Jess - you are doing an amazing journey and we are with you all the way
Stay safe
Go Aussie Go
In such a fast world, its amazing the things you see when one walks to work instead of driving. If you was travelling at 20 kts you may have missed the dolphins.....patience is rewarding. Steady as she goes, gives you more time to experience each area of the ocean as you pass it. Its amazing how fast a week then a month then a few months flies.
This year you will be separated from friends and family for xmas and New Year. But its a very very unique and special reason.
Keep going, steady wins the race.
Fabulous that you are going so well. You can be very very proud of your achievements so far. Two more nights until the equator - will be thinking of you and wishing you all the best. Look after your health and your gear and take each wave as it comes!!!!!
Peter H.
I hope you took some pics of the Dolphins???
Your one brave young lady Jess. I spent 12 years in the Navy, mostly at sea as a marine tech. But even I wouldn't have the guts to undertake the voyage you've embarked on.
Well done mate. See ya on the wharf ok? :-)
Russ.
Hi Jess,
Thanks for the posts... I have dreamed like many others of a trip around the world... after reading the Dove many years ago a young many took about 5 years to complete his trip... glad you have modern sat phone and radio. I'm a ham, N6BOB, and hope to hear you some day on HF...
Hope you post another video for us...
Your friend, Bob N6BOB , Yuba City, California, USA
"Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can. Seldom found in women and never found in man":... just a trivial piece of wisdom I picked up from somewhere.
Hi Jessica,
Thank you for the inspiration you are providing to thousands of people around the world.
Peter.
Hi Jessica,
It's so good to read your story each evening. You are having the most exciting adventure of your life but you won't fully realise it until you look back at it I suppose.
Northern Hemisphere soon, that's a biggie out of they way. I hope the rest of the milestones are not too eventful.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
Wow Jessica those Dolphins sound amazing. I'm really enjoying your blog and imagining I'm out there too. My dad is an old yachty and my grandfather too (Harold Vaughan, he was the commodore of the RPAYC and world champ in the 1960s)so I think you are so very inspiring. Usually quiet times are there to prepare you for less quiet ones. Good luck!
Tarnee Jacobson, North Curl Curl
Hi
Are you not concerned that a little shark might take a fancy to your cute pink toes ?
How humbling an experience. Onya Jess.
Dear Mrs. Jess,
Excuse for ask. What is eqator ?
Greet
Igor
Jesse, I look forward to your blog entries daily. You do inspire courage to sail your own path through life in such a wonderful way. I also watch the world 'cloud cover' and see that you may have an excellent opportunity for fair seas once you head south. We all cheer you on to the next leg. Go Girl! You may be able to catch the latest cloud pics here: http://xplanet.explore-the-world.net/clouds_2048.jpg
(11-17-09 18:12 EST)
Bruce, MI, USA
Hi Jesse,
I would have liked to have seen the dolphins, maybe next time you see some pics!
Cya Jesse,
Gabi
to all the sailors out there.
And this one goes out you.
you are living what we would like too.
And for that "you are a star from way back."
so keep going star.
Go Jess Go, my hero, heroi, no my he ok Jess how about I just say "YOU GO GIRL" Rod (Rudest)
Hallo Jessica, Great to see you've re-crossed the line, without tripping over it, and making good progress south. Don't change the voyage page. We don't need your exact position. It's safer this way.
God's speed, Vic.Wellington, new Zealand.
We USA sailers are pulling for you, Jesse.
Keep clear of Starbuck island. Looks like lots of nasty reefs in the area. However, you really seem to know your stuff, as well as having a great support team back home, so I'm sure you'll be fine.
Jim & Becky
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