A float on Miracle - 20ft narrowboat

Day 3 - Tom teaches me to be gentle with the tiller and I learn to check my petrol gage the hard way.

So, Tom, to whom I owe a HUGE THANK YOU to came out bright and early to help me on my first real day of navigation. We went from St Margarets all the way to Watham Common, 6 locks in style. My goal for the day had been Enfield Lock but I failed to check the fuel so after the second lock the engine stalled and wouldn't start. No petrol will do this. Happily it was a lovely day and their was a gigantic Sainsbury about a 20 minute walk away. Tom, did well to remain positive thought out the ordeal and didn't complain about my EPIC FAIL.

**Lesson 1 of the day: **Check your fuel prior to going out, dumbass.

Sainsbury's also provided us with a rotisserie chicken, two bottles of suffolk cider and crisps. We had a much deserved lunch on-board and that makes Tom my very first lunch guest!

On the plus side, and in the spirit of making the best of my mistakes I learned exactly how easy it is to tow a 3 tonne boat. It's basically like walking a very placid but blind dog. Tom has a great deal of experience with boats which was what I needed on day 3. He impressively jumped on and off the boat at the locks and seeing his ease at this inspired me greatly. He also knows a fair bit about knots - which was brilliant.

I've gotten into the habit of boxing Duckie when we get to locks or any place where he may jump off and then allowing him free reign while the boat is travelling. He seems surprisingly at home, at one point a lock "snuck up" on us much faster than anticipated and Duckie remained free. The lock was a deep one and about half way down he ventured out whilst being the only one onboard and began howling for me. I think he was a bit surprised and confused about his sinking situation while we were on land. His CATERWALLING was enough to stop more than one concerned passerby one of which asked if he was drowning! Erm, no he's grand..just new to boating!

Lesson 2 of the day - Duckie is fine. He's loud and boxing at locks is preferred but if not its not like he's going anyplace, is he?

We got through Watham Common just at dusk and noticed several boats moored just to the towpath but without any visible big white "visitor mooring posts" it took me some time to realise that they were finding gaps between the land and a big steel baring that was secured to the cement edges. (I'm sure there is a correct term for this but I have no clue what it would be.)

Night three saw me with the lights on for about 2hrs which seemed ok... then the heater went out. It wouldn't restart so I turned off the gas and made a note to swap over my tanks in the a.m. I have no idea how much was in the calor tank when I bought it so with the new one I am tracking consumption.

My "to do list" for day 4 included:

• swap calor tanks over
  -have hot shower
  
• get a car charger for my blackberry which had died
  
• get a shaver adapter to charge my laptop whilst boat is running
  
• meet Tim in the a.m. and get as close to Springfield as possible
  
  

Watham Abbey was only a 15min walk, easy.