Back to the Dock to Find Ella’s Pink Lady
After rainy and cold Sydney, I was happy to get back to sunny Mooloolaba yesterday. We walked onto our dock to find Australia’s favorite sailboat, Ella’s Pink Lady. No sign of Jessica Watson yet, but plenty of lookie-loos. The dock is behind a security gate, and in the last two days, I have personally stopped at least 10 people from following me in. It’s annoying me.
Ella's Pink Lady is a Sparkman and Stephens 34 sailed by Australian 16-year-old Jessica Watson during her solo circumnavigation.
First of all, Jessica’s boat is in the first slip closest to the shore … it’s totally visible with an unobstructed view for the perfect kodak moment. It’s obvious she’s not there (no activity, companion way door is padlocked from the outside) so you won’t get a glance of her if you get closer. Second, the “dock” is not a park or public property … it’s private property where we pay a fee to park our “home.” I know people are fascinated with boats and our adventure (especially when we’re flying the American flag), but interest isn’t a free pass to come peek in our windows and try to get past security.