Jess meets Kay

Young Jessica Watson is cruising north to reach her home of Mooloolaba tomorrow morning. Whilst on route she made an unexpected pit stop in Yamba on the Clarence River on the far north NSW coast on Thursday, to refuel. By coincidence the world's first woman to sail solo and non stop around the world - Kay Cottee - was working on her boat at that Marina when Jessica berthed and the two met for the first time. I have just done a check up on Kay, she had cruised solo (189 days) on her 11.2 meter First Lady - in 1988 "around the World", she was aged 34 . On her return she wrote a couple of books, and spent some time as a motivational speaker, in fact Frank recruited her as a speaker for his Management Team. Now 22 Years later, she has a 14 year old son, she and her husband co-own the Yamba Marina, and are presently renovating an old cruiser. Kay is also passionate about her painting and skulpting, she has her own fine art gallery in Yamba. Her yacht "First Lady" is now in the National Maritime Museum in Sydney - see below.

Yesterday, Jessica along with 2 crew (her brother and Mike Perham - the young English "around the world lone sailor") headed in through the Gold Coast Seaway to the Broadwater, after they hit the sand bar (Mike was at the wheel) It was good opportunity to show her first mate where she spent some time 8 months ago - when the team from the Australian Marine Enterprises and Gold Coast City Marina worked around the clock to get her damaged Ella's Pink Lady back into ship shape for her trip around the world, after she collided with a 63,000 tonne bulk carrier in the dead of night. This team helped her keep her dream alive.

Ella in the Seaway - check out the 2 fishermen in the water on the left side of this photo!!!!

This was an unexpected visit - maybe so her "first mate" could get a good look at the Broadwater without a crowd around them. They are being accompanied by Jessica's Manager in his large Catamaran - Big Wave Rider.

Jessica had indicated that she would like a quiet arrival back in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, however that just won't happen. This lovely beach town are so proud of her, they will be there in the thousands - we opted to stay home. Lovely day here today, did our shopping at the Farmer's Market, had a long coffee with Gail and Steve and checked out what else they have done to the house, a good walk, with a very late barbeque lunch, and tonight we will watch the Gold Coast girl play in the French Open Tennis final - come on Samantha!!!!!.