Jessica Watson on course for Queen St Mall

ANYONE keen for a spot of K Rudd-style back-slapping of solo sailor Jessica Watson should get themselves along to the Queen Street Mall on Wednesday.

Sponsor Ella Bache is whipping her north for her first public appearance after her return home from her round-the-world voyage. She'll meet fans and talk about the perils of her 210-day adventure on the main stage in the mall on Wednesday at 1pm.

There'll be a question and answer session led by Channel 10 newsreader Georgie Lewis, but don't expect Jess to be too forthcoming about her new romance with Brit Mike Perham.

The teen confirmed the pair had become an item at the weekend even though her manager earlier described them as "buddies".

We now hear the gutsy teen is reluctant to discuss their relation-ship further.



The Courier-Mail