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The original is at http://www.therockalltimes.co.uk/2005/05/02/documentary-heroine.html.
Queen honours sailing documentary heroine
'Unimaginable hardship' a lesson to us all, sobs Liz 2
by Jon Heal
Here at The Rockall Times, nothing much impresses us. Reporting fantastic feats of courage, endurance and skill each and every day may have dulled our appreciation of the greatest achievements of Britons — from Kelly Brook wearing a dress that stays on to Prince Edward making the beast with two backs with a lady. But one person's amazing feat has both humbled us all and made us want to shout "this is what makes Britain great" at passing Frenchmen.
Sarah Jameson has finally finished a marathon documentary on Ellen MacArthur for the BBC. Isolated, scared and up against the clock, her job was to create a one-hour programme that portrays a whingeing, self-obsessed shortarse from Derbyshire not only as an interesting human being, but a heroic and likeable one to boot. The award of a dameship for such a feat is the very least her country can give back.
Amazingly, Sarah's hardships might never have been recognised. Luckily for the nation, a chance viewing of her website's video diary by her MP led to palace officials being alerted to her extraordinary story. "I just don't think I can do it anymore," sobbed Jameson to her webcam on day 15 as she struggled with acres of footage in her cramped quarters. "I've still got so far to go, the computers keep crashing, the coffee machine's broken again and the unrelenting sound of Midlander mithering is driving me nuts."
Presenting her Damehood at Buck House last week, the Queen appeared visibly moved by her subject's trials. "This should be a lesson to us all — a lesson in courage, dedication and quiet resolve," said Liz, blinking back tears. "So many of us, myself included, would have given up after a few days and hurled an ashtray at that snivelling munchkin on the screen."
Ellen — My Struggle around the Globe is scheduled to be shown on BBC1 in July. A making-of special: Sarah's Story — Turd Polishing the Hard Way will be shown shortly afterwards.
Previously
From The Rockall Times Monday 2nd May 2005
http://www.therockalltimes.co.uk/.