Mike is now sailing up the Australian coast to Mooloolaba with Jessica Watson on board Ella's Pink Lady. They sailed out of Sydney under cover of darkness with a third unidentified sailor aboard to share the workload...well that's what the papers are saying.
They will stop a couple of times along the way to say thank you to people who have helped Jess.
Mike has had an amazing time in Sydney and been made so very welcome he says it would be a great place to live.
Apologies for not keeping everyone in tune with what Mike has been doing...He says there has been no internet connection where he has been staying...and I checked his personal hotmail which has also been pretty dormant...so it must be true! ...but still a weak excuse.
Ella's Pink Lady is planned to arrive in Mooloolaba next Sunday for a scaled down Sydney reception, then Mike will fly home a week later as he will be sailing on the ProstateUK Cancer entry in the Round the Island Race which he is really looking forward to...and I would also take part if anyone has a spare place?
Peter
Monday, 31 May 2010
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Fun in Australia
Hi All,
It's been crazily fun here in Sydney over the last couple of weeks. I flew out a few days before Jessica Watson's arrival to get used to the jet lag and to also do a full run through of Jessica's arrival on the water with the guys co-ordinating it all. Jesse Martin (previous youngest person to sail single-handed around the world) and I had been given the fun task of helming Ella's Pink Lady from the Sydney Heads all the way up the Opera House, which was a pretty exciting prospect. We were also reporting live for Channel 10 and One HD right off Jessica's yacht which was certainly going to be a laugh.
The day before Jessica arrived, everything in Sydney was really hotting up. Signs were put up all over the city telling everyone to expect a major 'class 1' event on Saturday. The city was really welcoming Jessica home! The news was packed with items about Jessica too.
I met up with Jesse Martin outside his hotel in Manly on the morning of Jessica's arrival and we walked down to the ferry to grab one over to Circular Quay in the heart of Sydney. After arriving and picking up a bite to eat, we were briefed about our role in the reporting and then we headed out in a chase boat with a full camera crew to go and find Jess. And she was late! Jess crossed the line two hours after her 'scheduled arrival time' but I wasn't surprised in the slightest. I think it's somewhat a tradition for solo sailors to be late.
The flotilla around Jessica was totally huge with reports of up to 1500 boats in the area which is pretty mad. The buzz in the flotilla was amazing though and I sure couldn't take the grin off my face. I was very lucky to be on one of the official chase boats as we were allowed inside her 'official cordon'. With all the spectator boats, there were about 8 police boats marking off the area around her so that no spectators boats could come close enough to risk a collision. Jesse Martin and I then jumped into a rib and we motored over to Jessica and boarded Ella's Pink Lady to help Jessica guide her up the harbour with such a huge armada of boats around her. It was fantastic to jump aboard and hand Jessica some FRESH FOOD! She immediately found the fresh cream!
We motored up the harbour, did a load of live crosses off the boat on TV and about half an hour later, we safely berthed at the Sydney Opera House. Jessica was greeted by thousands of cheering fans on the shore. The atmosphere was just so electric it sent shivers up my spine. Jessica jumped off into the waiting arms of her parents and family and it was fantastic to see them all reunited again. Jesse Martin and I then finished berthing Ella's Pink Lady and then followed Jessica up the pink carpet into the area right in front of the stage reserved for her close family and friends. Her speech was pretty awesome and I was pretty darn proud of her.
Jessica was then whisked off to her press conference and after that was finished Jesse Martin and I sailed Ella's Pink Lady around to the Maritime Museum where she was due to be quarantined. We later caught up with Jessica at a small but brilliant get together at a hotel in Manly where all her close family and team were. Amazingly, there was Jesse Martin, David Dicks, Brian Caldwell, and Jon Sanders there too. Six people who had sailed solo around the world before in the same room and four of us who had once been the 'youngest'. It was brilliant to meet these guys and we all had a great laugh together.
Since Jessica arrived back it's been a brilliantly fun week. I've been surfing with Layne Beachley (7 times world champion), diving with sharks, helicopter flying, bridge climbing, and even spent a bit of time out on the water but to name a few of the things that I've been up too. It's been non stop fun here in Manly.
Jess, I, and a couple of others are going to sail Ella's Pink Lady up the coast next week which should be good fun and I'm looking forward to getting into some warmer climes.
Mike
It's been crazily fun here in Sydney over the last couple of weeks. I flew out a few days before Jessica Watson's arrival to get used to the jet lag and to also do a full run through of Jessica's arrival on the water with the guys co-ordinating it all. Jesse Martin (previous youngest person to sail single-handed around the world) and I had been given the fun task of helming Ella's Pink Lady from the Sydney Heads all the way up the Opera House, which was a pretty exciting prospect. We were also reporting live for Channel 10 and One HD right off Jessica's yacht which was certainly going to be a laugh.
The day before Jessica arrived, everything in Sydney was really hotting up. Signs were put up all over the city telling everyone to expect a major 'class 1' event on Saturday. The city was really welcoming Jessica home! The news was packed with items about Jessica too.
I met up with Jesse Martin outside his hotel in Manly on the morning of Jessica's arrival and we walked down to the ferry to grab one over to Circular Quay in the heart of Sydney. After arriving and picking up a bite to eat, we were briefed about our role in the reporting and then we headed out in a chase boat with a full camera crew to go and find Jess. And she was late! Jess crossed the line two hours after her 'scheduled arrival time' but I wasn't surprised in the slightest. I think it's somewhat a tradition for solo sailors to be late.
The flotilla around Jessica was totally huge with reports of up to 1500 boats in the area which is pretty mad. The buzz in the flotilla was amazing though and I sure couldn't take the grin off my face. I was very lucky to be on one of the official chase boats as we were allowed inside her 'official cordon'. With all the spectator boats, there were about 8 police boats marking off the area around her so that no spectators boats could come close enough to risk a collision. Jesse Martin and I then jumped into a rib and we motored over to Jessica and boarded Ella's Pink Lady to help Jessica guide her up the harbour with such a huge armada of boats around her. It was fantastic to jump aboard and hand Jessica some FRESH FOOD! She immediately found the fresh cream!
We motored up the harbour, did a load of live crosses off the boat on TV and about half an hour later, we safely berthed at the Sydney Opera House. Jessica was greeted by thousands of cheering fans on the shore. The atmosphere was just so electric it sent shivers up my spine. Jessica jumped off into the waiting arms of her parents and family and it was fantastic to see them all reunited again. Jesse Martin and I then finished berthing Ella's Pink Lady and then followed Jessica up the pink carpet into the area right in front of the stage reserved for her close family and friends. Her speech was pretty awesome and I was pretty darn proud of her.
Jessica was then whisked off to her press conference and after that was finished Jesse Martin and I sailed Ella's Pink Lady around to the Maritime Museum where she was due to be quarantined. We later caught up with Jessica at a small but brilliant get together at a hotel in Manly where all her close family and team were. Amazingly, there was Jesse Martin, David Dicks, Brian Caldwell, and Jon Sanders there too. Six people who had sailed solo around the world before in the same room and four of us who had once been the 'youngest'. It was brilliant to meet these guys and we all had a great laugh together.
Since Jessica arrived back it's been a brilliantly fun week. I've been surfing with Layne Beachley (7 times world champion), diving with sharks, helicopter flying, bridge climbing, and even spent a bit of time out on the water but to name a few of the things that I've been up too. It's been non stop fun here in Manly.
Jess, I, and a couple of others are going to sail Ella's Pink Lady up the coast next week which should be good fun and I'm looking forward to getting into some warmer climes.
Mike
Saturday, 15 May 2010
To Jesse - Heartfelt congratulations
It would be very easy to just say congrats but I don’t think that really is enough to be honest. I’m writing this from my warm, dry, and comfortable apartment in Sydney. The fridge downstairs is full, the toilet works and I have a whole nights sleep ahead of me. Everything you haven’t had for over 200 days. Welcome back home and relish it!
I met you just over a year ago when you had just got hold of Ella’s Pink Lady from Don McIntyre and it was a pleasure to fly up from Tasmania whilst on my own world trip and meet you up in Mooloolaba.
I was struck when I first met you quite simply by your attitude and how passionate you were about your trip. I’ve always thought that was your best attribute, as with enough passion I believe anything is possible.
It was fantastic to really get to know you then and chat about all the different aspects of what was to come ahead; from the loneliness, to the food, to the way the media can act. I remember vividly how much your eyes opened as we spoke about the southern ocean and just how much fun it is down there!
It’s been really great fun speaking on the phone to you whilst you’ve been out there and it’s always brought a smile to my face hearing about what’s happening out on the ocean. You brought back so many memories of the time I spent out there.
Over the last year, it has been an absolute pleasure to be in the thick of things communicating regularly with yourself, your family and your team and really living the adventure with you. It’s been so much fun to be a part of it all.
Not many people will ever come close to understanding just how much of an accomplishment yours is, and I really do offer my heartfelt congratulations.
Best wishes,
Mike
I met you just over a year ago when you had just got hold of Ella’s Pink Lady from Don McIntyre and it was a pleasure to fly up from Tasmania whilst on my own world trip and meet you up in Mooloolaba.
I was struck when I first met you quite simply by your attitude and how passionate you were about your trip. I’ve always thought that was your best attribute, as with enough passion I believe anything is possible.
It was fantastic to really get to know you then and chat about all the different aspects of what was to come ahead; from the loneliness, to the food, to the way the media can act. I remember vividly how much your eyes opened as we spoke about the southern ocean and just how much fun it is down there!
It’s been really great fun speaking on the phone to you whilst you’ve been out there and it’s always brought a smile to my face hearing about what’s happening out on the ocean. You brought back so many memories of the time I spent out there.
Over the last year, it has been an absolute pleasure to be in the thick of things communicating regularly with yourself, your family and your team and really living the adventure with you. It’s been so much fun to be a part of it all.
Not many people will ever come close to understanding just how much of an accomplishment yours is, and I really do offer my heartfelt congratulations.
Best wishes,
Mike
Monday, 10 May 2010
Off to meet Jess
Hi all,
Excitingly, I'm jumping on a plane on tuesday to fly out to Australia
to see Jessica Watson return home into Sydney. To say I'm excited
about this would definitely be a understatement. Jesse will have been
away from home for over 200 days on her own which is a pretty darn
long time and it's going to be great fun to be in the thick of things
in Sydney.
Today I went and did a talk to a group of scouts who are now hoping to
raise funds to go to an international jamboree. It was great fun
talking to them and I really hope that their fundraising goes well.
Yesterday I did a small book signing at a local Waterstones book shop
in St Albans which was really nice as I was able to chat to some of
the people there and share my story.
When I get back from Australia I'll tell you all about it.
Mike
Excitingly, I'm jumping on a plane on tuesday to fly out to Australia
to see Jessica Watson return home into Sydney. To say I'm excited
about this would definitely be a understatement. Jesse will have been
away from home for over 200 days on her own which is a pretty darn
long time and it's going to be great fun to be in the thick of things
in Sydney.
Today I went and did a talk to a group of scouts who are now hoping to
raise funds to go to an international jamboree. It was great fun
talking to them and I really hope that their fundraising goes well.
Yesterday I did a small book signing at a local Waterstones book shop
in St Albans which was really nice as I was able to chat to some of
the people there and share my story.
When I get back from Australia I'll tell you all about it.
Mike
Monday, 26 April 2010
The parents came home
Hi all,
My week of no parents ended unfortunately when they somehow got the
train all the way home from Italy thanks to the good old volcano
popping up in iceland. It's good to have them back though as the house
is now back to it's usual state.
I was very lucky to be invited on board the TS Jack Petchey for a sail
down the Thames with a group of cadets from all the 10 cadet
organisations out there last week which was great fun! It was great to
meet Jack himself and we had a good chat about all sorts of random
things which was a laugh. It is a real honour to be working with an
organisation such as the Jack Petchey Foundation and it's fantastic to
see that though the hard work they're doing loads of young people are
being inspired to go that extra step.
I've been cracking on and still catching up with loads of college work
recently which I'm pleased to see is really progressing nicely. Also
what I'm totally dead chuffed about is how hot it is these days, it
feels like summer and I'm totally and madly excited about it! I was
out cutting the lawn this morning and it was brilliant to be able to
do so in bright sunshine and just a t-shirt.
I had a meeting with a large production company this week to talk
about some of my other future ideas which was really interesting and
we'll be seeing where that leads us...
I've been eagerly following everything happening with the Talisker
BountyBoat Expedition and I'm very excited for the guys out there who
are about to set off on the 28th. I'm a little nervous for them of
course, but gee, I really really wish I could be there participating
too! Just a shame that I fell ill at the time that I did. Good luck to
you guys, and I know you'll be having the adventure of a lifetime!
Mike
My week of no parents ended unfortunately when they somehow got the
train all the way home from Italy thanks to the good old volcano
popping up in iceland. It's good to have them back though as the house
is now back to it's usual state.
I was very lucky to be invited on board the TS Jack Petchey for a sail
down the Thames with a group of cadets from all the 10 cadet
organisations out there last week which was great fun! It was great to
meet Jack himself and we had a good chat about all sorts of random
things which was a laugh. It is a real honour to be working with an
organisation such as the Jack Petchey Foundation and it's fantastic to
see that though the hard work they're doing loads of young people are
being inspired to go that extra step.
I've been cracking on and still catching up with loads of college work
recently which I'm pleased to see is really progressing nicely. Also
what I'm totally dead chuffed about is how hot it is these days, it
feels like summer and I'm totally and madly excited about it! I was
out cutting the lawn this morning and it was brilliant to be able to
do so in bright sunshine and just a t-shirt.
I had a meeting with a large production company this week to talk
about some of my other future ideas which was really interesting and
we'll be seeing where that leads us...
I've been eagerly following everything happening with the Talisker
BountyBoat Expedition and I'm very excited for the guys out there who
are about to set off on the 28th. I'm a little nervous for them of
course, but gee, I really really wish I could be there participating
too! Just a shame that I fell ill at the time that I did. Good luck to
you guys, and I know you'll be having the adventure of a lifetime!
Mike
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Good week to be a teenager
Hi Everybody
Since sending out a press release saying I won't be going on the Talisker Bounty Boat I've been overwhelmed by the messages of support and encouragement. Thanks so much if you sent one.
BIG Thanks for all the lovely comments I've received from people who have read my book. I still can't believe I'm offically an 'author'. One thing that might help my book sales is adding some reviews on Amazon if you don't mind.
Over the last week or so life has actually been a bit quiet for me, mostly enforced by having to take it easy when my tonsils flared up, but now feeling much better.
This week has been a dream week for any teenager – my parents have been away leaving me to eat, sleep and party as much as I wanted.
Tomorrow, I am going on board the TS Jack Petchey, which has been donated by the man himself to allow young people to experience life afloat. Should be fun! It will be good to meet the young people on board who I understand have all won Achievement Awards. www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk
Mike
Since sending out a press release saying I won't be going on the Talisker Bounty Boat I've been overwhelmed by the messages of support and encouragement. Thanks so much if you sent one.
BIG Thanks for all the lovely comments I've received from people who have read my book. I still can't believe I'm offically an 'author'. One thing that might help my book sales is adding some reviews on Amazon if you don't mind.
Over the last week or so life has actually been a bit quiet for me, mostly enforced by having to take it easy when my tonsils flared up, but now feeling much better.
This week has been a dream week for any teenager – my parents have been away leaving me to eat, sleep and party as much as I wanted.
Tomorrow, I am going on board the TS Jack Petchey, which has been donated by the man himself to allow young people to experience life afloat. Should be fun! It will be good to meet the young people on board who I understand have all won Achievement Awards. www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk
Mike
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Happy Easter
Happy Easter everyone.
Since anouncing that I will not be going on the Talisker Bounty Boat voyage, loads of people have said it is probablly for the best and now that I have come to terms with the idea, I am already planning another adventure.
This week I visited a couple more schools near Leeds which were very different. One with high security and one very relaxed which seemed to reflect the mood of the kids. The feed back from my visit was really encouraging.
Radio stations and newspapers still want to talk to me about the Bounty Boat, so I am using the opportunity to talk about my book. I also appeared on the This Morning Show and as my mum was with me, she got interviewed at the same time.
Mike
Since anouncing that I will not be going on the Talisker Bounty Boat voyage, loads of people have said it is probablly for the best and now that I have come to terms with the idea, I am already planning another adventure.
This week I visited a couple more schools near Leeds which were very different. One with high security and one very relaxed which seemed to reflect the mood of the kids. The feed back from my visit was really encouraging.
Radio stations and newspapers still want to talk to me about the Bounty Boat, so I am using the opportunity to talk about my book. I also appeared on the This Morning Show and as my mum was with me, she got interviewed at the same time.
Mike
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