JesseMartin.Net
29th June 1999
WELL, it's another good friend's birthday. Happy birthday, Andrew.
Next birthday will be mine - another sign that I'm getting closer to home.
It was on a quiet night this week that I got out of bed to see if the wind had picked up.
I stuck my head out of the companionway and surveyed the horizon for any shipping.
As I faced towards the bow of the boat I met my hitch-hiking friend for the first time.
Only centimetres away from my face was a bird perched on the companionway slide and he wasn't the least bit scared of my big ugly face gawking at him.
I couldn't help but test how tame he was, so I tapped softly under where he was roosting.
He didn't care one bit and so it wasn't until I reached out and touched his wing that he leaped a couple of feet away, only to resume the same, perched sleeping position.
I went back to bed and it was nice knowing I had some company - even if he wasn't much for a conversation.
I have received a question from Ben Curtis at Ballam Park Primary School. He wanted to know if I have found any messages in a bottle.
No, I haven't, but I've been thinking of sending one myself.
Firstly, I have to wait until the barbecue sauce is finished, though.
Chris, from Eastbourne Primary School, asked what the temperature was at the equator.
During the day it hovered between 20-28 deg. and at night it dropped only one or two degrees.
I had to use a fan above my bunk or else I couldn't get to sleep.
Thanks to everyone who sends me questions but I have been getting 200-300 a week and obviously I can't answer them all.
I try to answer the questions that haven't been asked before.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of the mum of one of my good mates.
I can't even start to comprehend what it must be like, but I'd like to tell Dan and his family that I am praying for them.
My Web site is www.venturebeyond.com.au
MELBOURNE Boat Show visitors can ask Jesse questions during live satellite link-ups at 11.15am and 6.15pm this Saturday and Sunday.