She's home

I am blogging this story, mainly for my friends and family in the Northern Hemisphere, however I must say this young one is quite amazing in my eyes. When Jessica Watson was 11 years old, she had decided she wanted to sail around the world, alone, and without touching land, and of course without any help. That was her dream! Apparently she had read the book "Lionheart" by an Australian 17 year old "solo around the world sailor" - Jesse Martin. From this time on the planning started, far more detail and training than any of us could have imagined. The start was not great, on Jessica's way from Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, she hit a Coal Carrier Cargo ship at night - yep, it was her fault they said, how was she going to travel the world, if she couldn't get a couple of hours down the coast. The Media attacked, as did many critics, but there were an amazing number of supporters as well.

A big deal was made as she limped into the Broadwater at Southport on the Gold Coast to sort out the Ella's damages. However, there were many in the "sailing world" who really knew her, the family and her supporters, advisors and sponsors in Southport, they decided to assist and help her repair the "ELLA'S PINK LADY', most of the time and work was donated. Jessica also received support from different New Zealanders - one set of her grandparents live in Christchurch, and the meteorologist who donated his time and knowledge is a Kiwi, and there were others from across the Tasman as well. But for another month during the repairs she put up with more media speculation and criticism. Most 16 year olds wouldn't have coped with this as well as she did!. I think back on last September and how I felt, thought she was crazy, but oh so brave and so determined and I just couldn't even imagine how her parents really felt deep down, but until today I did not know the planning, the studying and training that had taken place - this kid/woman is something else, as are her family and supporters and sponsors. With so much media negativity, she carried on, and sailed out of Sydney Harbour in late October - think the look on her determined little face says it all in front of the Opera House..

I WILL SAIL AROUND THE WORLD BY MYSELF!

She had a good farewell out of Sydney Harbour, but the critics and media were still out there in front.

Farewell, see you in 7 months!

During her trip she wrote the best "blog" for someone so young considering she is only 16 - turning 17 in 2 days time. Blog address is http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/

Celebrating with a bucket of water as she crosses the Equator!!

So she travels around the world - takes 210 days, 23,000 miles, with I think 7 knockdowns, but a lot of THE bad weather was coming home up the east coast of OZ.

WELCOME BACK TO SYDNEY

Think she is happy to meet up with some humans!

Inside the "Pink Lady" across the finishing line!!

Jesse Martin - another lone sailor, and the author of the "Lionheart", which kicked off this whole idea, joined her today, and via email through the whole trip.. When Jesse joined the female Jessica, he had gifts of fresh fruits, chocolates, and orange juice.

Her other mate who joined today, and via email throughout the whole trip was the young 17 (he now might be 18) English "around the world lone sailor" - Mike Perham, he flew out to welcome her today, and joined her on board the Pink Lady to lead her to the Sydney Opera House. In this photo she has just gorged a lovely chocolate coated aussie "tim tam" biscuit!.

One of the supporters waiting for Jessica on the Pink Carpet today, probably an old sailor himself!. Touching her parents for the first time in 7 months! Being guided by her parents with those "boaty" legs! The joy from the young ones was incredible.

The crowds were huge

Even the Prime Minister turned up!

She listened, but still had the final say - thank goodness!!

Next goal is the "car drivers license" after she gets back to our state - Mooloolaba in Queensland on June 6th - we may just drive up to the Sunshine Coast for a couple of days.

A "Barbie" at Burleigh

Yesterday morning a group of us met at Burleigh Heads beach to celebrate Mother's Day with a breakfast barbie. Ash, Sue and kids got there early to hold their special spot, think we arrived around 7.30 am and the rest before 8 a.m. There were 5 couples, Auntie Beryl and 6 teenagers in total. Weather was a little suss to start with, few spots of rain etc., however we still took on a walk along the beach.

Frank, Sue, Maddie and Lachy.

Then the boys hit the barbeque, and the end result was bacon, eggs, mushrooms and tomatoe with OJ - really delicious!.

Sue barbequed the croissants

And the clouds departed, and the sun started to shine,

We then did a bit more walking or talking, the kids went for a swim, the sea was really warm, and then some of us finished back at our place for coffee - lovely morning for all.

A year later!!

Well, it is exactly one year since we packed up and left the Bay, we were not sure how this area would work for us, but as Mum had died, we decided we could give the Gold Coast a chance. To be totally honest, we are so thrilled to have moved here, yes there have been some small problems, but we are working on overcoming these few with more assistance than we would've been able to get in the Bay. We love it here. Anyway. last night we had a group of neighbours around, some new ones, to welcome them !! This morning we took off to the Farmers Markets at Mudgeeraba, and purchased good stuff for tomorrow morning's Mothers's Day Breakfast with my family at Burleigh, and will meet Keith flying in from Victoria tomorrow arvo , and then this afternoon we went over to Gail and Steve's to check out their new work on the house.

"Mothers Day" tomorrow!

Tomorrow is my second Mothers Day without Mum, doesn't make it easy, but then I have had time to contemplate how she did things, and succeeded, bringing up 2 kids, basically without any financial and emotional support from our father. BUT, I guess what is incredible are her successes, she was one of 11 kids, when times were tough with my Dad , she just got on with it. She worked 2 jobs, travelled all over Australia and the World, - judging Dance (the planes weren't flash in those days - 'specially in the Outback) , she was awarded a British Empire Medal in the mid 70's, and apart from the World and British Championships her pupils won over the years, they danced at the Sydney Opera House in her name, she also supplied and trained over 100 dancers for the first British Military Tattoo in the 1960's in Australia -( I was one of those dancers). She received her last award when she was 81 in Las Vegas - again for her Contribution to Dance. She was a clever and creative little duck as all who knew her realised. I do miss her, and that's okay!.

Mum, many years ago with Miss (Ruth) Burnie from British Ballet in England. Mum and Miss Burnie with the Scottish kids.

Mum with the "Dorothy Kerr Highland Dancers" - They travelled the world performing Mum's choreography!

In flower

Our Camelia Sasanquas are in flower, though after 7 heavy inches of rain yesterday it is a wonder they are still standing. Hopefully this time next year they will have grown and bushed enough to hedge along, and hide our fences.

Nalda and Ross flew up here yesterday for a couple of days - caught up on a lot of chat last night. It looks like they have sold their house at Batemans Bay as well, they were also our neighbours down there.

This morning we went for a walk down to the Golf Club - all the ponds were full from yesterday's downpour and there was a black swan proudly showing off her cygnets to us.

The Coral Sea

Last Saturday morning we went to the Cavill Memorial Park in Surfers Paradise to attend the Commemoration Service for the "Battle of the Coral Sea". This particular service was organised by the Australian-American Association - Gold Coast Division which we are members of. ..It was truly an excellent memorial. The Battle of the Coral Sea took place from 3rd to 8th May, 1942. This battle was a turning point for us in World War II - it stopped the advance of the Japanese Imperial Navy and kept the lines of supply and communication open between the United States and Australia during the War. This was the first time aircraft carriers were used, the United States and Australia did quite a bit of damage to the Japanese Fleet, in fact this damage assisted in the Battle of Midway one month later - the Japanese had been weakened. The aim was to stop them taking the air bases in Port Moresby, New Guinea - where many Australians were serving against the Japanese, including my father and some of my uncles. Our combined forces with the USA lost 543 Servicemen and the Japanese lost 1,074 in this battle The map below shows how far down the Japanese had moved, the red shows Japan and its Empire in December 1941, and the pink where Japan had occupied between December 1941 and May 1942. Very close to Australia!! The speakers were excellent - a Rear Admiral from the US Amphibious Force attended (he is actually based in Japan now) and a female Commander from the Australian navy, they layed their wreaths together. There were excellent presentations by 3 elderly veterans who served in Battle of the Coral Sea 68 years ago. One was from the USA and the other 2 were Australian, ages 89 and 90. Here the 3 lay their wreaths.

There were members from the US Consulate - a message from President Obama was read, and of course the Australian politician who also read a message from our Prime Minister. The ceremonial detail was provided by Cadets of TS Southport.

and the music came from the "Clearwater Wind Orchestra" from Benowa High School.

Both flags were flown

Both Anthems were sung A very fitting Memorial to both the USA and Australian forces who gave so much to stop the Japanese moving fully into our country and halting all communication and supplies across the Pacific Ocean.

OBE !!!

Auntie Beryl's 85th birthday went on for three days, Gail (her daughter) and Steve held a party last night to celebrate, with eldest son, Wayne and his wife Ann, flying up from Sydney on Thursday night, and of course her younger son, Ashley and his wife Sue, live on the Gold Coast.

Steve had the honour of presenting his Mother in Law with an OBE, (which normally means - Order of the British Empire) He awarded her the medal and the letter from the Queen - HOWEVER, this "OBE" was for those "OVER BL..DY EIGHTY" instead. In fact he then added a "W" to it, announcing she was "WELL OVER BL..DY EIGHTY". Auntie wore her medal with a huge grin ALL NIGHT.

Auntie's 3 kids (L to R) Wayne, Gail and Ashley - receiving a little help from his daughter, Maddie.!!!

Below - The "Outlaws",

Auntie certainly lucked out with these 3 and note her OBE medal.

And with her closest friend - her sister Auntie Nalda, the Brig and me!

Super party - 'specially as Gail and Steve only moved into this house on the Gold Coast on 8th April - Gail's two sister-in-laws were right into the party preparations as well.