The Pink Lady
I cannot speak at the moment – I am a bit choked up actually.
All because of a teenager. Not one of the vampires whose tales fill my head at the moment, but one whose face fills the television screens.
The one called Jessica.
(Photo by Ben Upton)
If you are an Aussie you will know exactly who I am referring to.
(photo from www.heraldsun.com.au)
A 16-year-old sailor called Jessica Watson, a girl who took this fabulous little pink yacht out for a sail …
AROUND THE WORLD…
NON-STOP…
UNASSISTED.
The mere thought of that leaves me gobsmacked. Do YOU know any teenagers who can take something like THAT on?
And not only is she an Aussie, she’s a Queenslander.
twitpic by Melissa Hoyer
A cheer squad of a gazillion Aussies have grabbed boats are are ‘welcoming’ her into Sydney Harbour as I type. There appear to be few rules being enforced about giving her some space… and I’d say it’s the most physical danger she has been in for most of the trip. And possibly fairly overwhelming for a girl who hasn’t had face-to-fact contact with anyone for 210 days!
Congratulations Jess.
You make us all proud!!
16 Comments
Barb
Yay for Jess. I could not resist trying to be the first to comment as she has done it on a special day and I have followed her, if not all the way, well a good bit of it. I also loved the way she handled the heads entry at Sydney, which looked so difficult, and then how she handled the massive welcome, and took over the comments at the end in such a mature and inspiring way for young people, all people in general and women and girls in particular, without being over the top. It was truly an emotional afternoon and I look forward to seeing the wrap up at 5.30 this afternoon. BB thanks for putting up those photos also – they say a lot.
Jess, you truly are an inspiration!
Bush Babe
I knew you’d like it Mum!! 🙂
debby
I think that when you see a kid that is this mature and has such a big vision of herself, it is a sign that she had remarkable parents. And I am not a remarkable parent, I imagine, because the idea of one of mine setting off in a boat (pink or otherwise) by themselves to encircle the globe at age 16 makes me a little green.
.-= debby´s last blog ..Friday Weigh In and Celebrations =-.
Amanda
She is so awesome 🙂
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Dear Darl, it’s May 14 =-.
Red Dirt Mummy
The kids and I watched it most of the day on the tv – 4yr-old girlchild loved that her boat was pink while 7yr-old boy child has declared he will attempt the record when he is 10. I was struck by her maturity, how articulate she was and how, even though she admitted to being blown away by the crowd, the fuss, etc, she totally handled it. I especially loved her very polite way of disagreeing with the PM – just gorgeous.
A Novel Woman
Oh, we’ve been following her progress here in Canada, and I just heard yesterday that she was almost home. Amazing. Inspiring. Awesome, in the truest sense of the word.
.-= A Novel Woman´s last blog ..Knitting up a frenzy =-.
Nancy in Iowa
A truly incredible young woman!!!
Kate
Haven’t heard of her until now and wow, that is incredible. Some stories are just so unbelievable, aren’t they? She is just so brave.
.-= Kate´s last blog ..My favorite catalog =-.
JENNY TALIA
I would totally do that BB
As long as you did it first!
You’re right, she’s amazing!
JT
x
Tracey
Like you I was pretty choked up and in awe of her achievements. She is exactly the same age as my eldest (ok, one week older!) – so the comparisons are inevitable.
I think she is an amazingly mature teenager – and, man, she could give the PM lessons on public speaking!
She obviously has parents with the ability (and money – the wherewithall to assemble sponsorship and the gear) to set her up to do this – as safely as possible.
But. I do have reservations – probably best expressed in this article
What would we be saying here had she died?
.-= Tracey´s last blog ..Images of an early start. =-.
Susan
What a fantastic story! My husband and I were just talking tonight about our many unrealized dreams and ventures. I’m so inspired by those who make it happen. Thank you for posting this story. Can’t wait to share it with my teenagers!
Kelly
I saw it on the news over the weekend and was very impressed. What an accomplishment…for anyone, let alone a 16 year old!!
Julie
Yeah, isn’t that incredible!I read Maiden Voyage by Tania Aebi, who made a similar journey and wrote a book about it. Imagine the experiences and memories this young lady will carry with her for the rest of her life. Plus, I have nothing but admiration for the parents who had the intestinal fortitude to help this young lady accomplish her goal.
dorothy
I sit on the high plains of Texas smack dab in the middle of the United States and even I have heard of her and the fact that now she can start trying to get her driver’s permit. What an accomplishment.
Bush Babe
Hello Dorothy!!! I too am a long way from the ocean… actually I almost got seasick watching Jessica bob up and down on Sydney Harbour! 🙂
jeanie
I had a 10 year old ask me this morning if she could sail around the world – I had to say no (the fact she can’t sail is a big factor in that decision).