>After seven months at sea Jessica Watson is scheduled to arrive back home on May 15th after having circumnavigated the globe on a small boat with no outside assistance. This is a major feat for anyone and especially for someone so young. Jessica is only 16 years old. There has been considerable controversy about someone so young making such a voyage. I, for one, am really impressed with how she has handled herself and with her crew for making sure that she had a boat that was easy on her, as easy as ocean sailing can be.
Jess’s trip has been widely followed in Australia with regular television interviews and even a call from the Prime Minister on “Australia Day” a while back. Because of a desire to bring her in to port at a predictable time, she has made a point of timing her arrival for May 15th, tomorrow.
I, for one, will miss following her voyage and will surely have a bit of withdrawal when she stops posting. Today’s post, Thursday, is a particularly good one and worth reading. While I know that she has been well coached to always put her best foot forward, it surely comes through that she has had a life changing experience. In some ways she has changed things for many who have followed her for this last seven months.
Brenda and I surely wish that we could be there to welcome her home. It’s been fun to follow along.
A video of a discussion with Jessica, her Mother as well as port officials was posted today and it certainly provides evidence of how her trip has captured the imagination of Australia. I can only imagine how excited she, and her mother, must be.
Here’s to one tough, determined lady, Jessica Watson on Ella’s Pink Lady about to complete a successful circumnavigation of the globe…alone.