All the coming week's Mike was put through his paces, he learned to march properly, to salute, they even gave him a rifle and taught him rifle drill, and Mike loved every minute of it. He was given two sets of number 8s to wear, one on and one in the wash, and he was told he had to wash his own kit and iron it as well, not let mother do it, however, she did wash it for him, and his father taught him how to iron it. He was also given the loan of boots and a cap so that on Manoel Island he looked like one of the lads. As the weeks progressed he was taken on board some of the ships moored in Sliema creek, he was shown how to set up the rig for a jackstay transfer at sea, he was shown around the gun turret, the gun director and the 275 sight above the bridge, this was Mike's favourite, this was a pair of binoculars housed in its own unit, it was used to look for enemy targets, aircraft and shipping when spotted, you pressed a trigger and both director and gun swung round on that bearing, then the director took over and the guns were fired at whatever was seen. As Mike looked through the 275 sight, he realised that looking on the Sliema side, he could see through the windows of all of the buildings at his level, including some of the flats, and by pulling a lever on the sight, he was able to bring the vision even closed which almost made his eyes pop with some of the things he saw that morning. Every day was different, every day the buffer was teaching and testing, and Mike was learning more and more.

And at the weekend, Mike and Nann spent their time together, and both sets of parents seemed to let them get on with there young lives. If the weather was nice, then the canoe would come out and the pair would go off to there beach or tie up at there ringbolt and bob about. If the weather was not so good, then they would catch a bus to either Mosta or Rabat, and once there they would walk and talk, mainly about there future together, there worries and misgivings, but mainly, the idea that they were a team, a strong team that would be able to go out into the world and together do what was right. They liked Rabat, there they could walk into Mdina, better known as the silent city. Mike and Nann would walk through the narrow streets heading for the battlements, and there would sit and look out towards Mosta and the whole northern side of the Island. Nann and Mike would sit on the wall of the bastion for hours holding hands and talking. The weather was getting cooler now, October was a time of winds from the north, and cloudy skies, so that once again winter woollies were the order of the day. Nann had a winter coat she would wear on these trips, and if it did rain, then there was a hood on the coat to keep her dry. Also, Nann felt safe with Mike, since working with chief William's, Mike had filled out, not fat, just good solid muscle, and this meant, that when they were together, she felt that her man, who's arm was around her, could and would look after himself and protect her if needed, and this gave her the confidence to feel safe and secure in his presents, which made her very happy.

As the weeks passed and Mike's training went deeper into things within the seamans branch, and he was passing all the tests put in front of him with flying colours, the chief buffer felt, that some practical skills might help, so he arranged for Mike to go to sea for a day with one of the minesweepers. For Mike, this was a dream come true, so early on a Tuesday morning, his father took him to Manoel Island where Mike joined H.M.S. Bossington for a day. In his blue shirt and trousers called number 8 uniform Mike joined the sailors on the forecastle for leaving harbour, at exactly 08-00 they slipped there moorings and headed out into the open sea. As soon as they were away from the land, they were in quite heavy seas, and the ship was being buffeted about quite badly, however, Ken had had a word with the ships doctor and had given Mike a couple of seasick tablets to take, so that Mike was perfectly alright, all he did need to do was get used to the role of the ship so that he could walk around with some normality At sea, they did a jackstay transfer, in which Mike also went across between Bossington and a destroyer, and then back again, they did a live shoot at a target pulled by an R.A.F aircraft, and when she came round for her third run, they put Mike into the aimers seat, and he got to fire the 40/60 boffers gun. Mike got on very well with the crew, and at lunchtime in the Seamans mess up in the bows of the ship he had pot mess. This was a sort of stew where all the meat and veg were put into a large pot and cooked, then at lunchtime, the crew helped themselves to a plateful, with a doorstep of bread to soak up the gravy. At the table the crew were given a tot of rum, this was a mixture of rum and water, one part rum, and two parts water. As they drank there rum down in, in most cases one go, the leading hand in charge was the last to drink, at this particular ceremony he was always called the rum boson, as he went to drink, he handed Mike the glass. "Come on peddler," he said, "your one of the lads now, have a wet." Mike took a sip from the glass, but as it went down, he got a coughing fit. Everyone laughed, and the rum boson had to pat his back. As Mike felt the rum enter his stomach, it gave him a warm feeling starting from the pit of his stomach and working its way outwards. "Mmmm, not bad, I could get used to that." "Well," said the leading hand, "when you get to that certain age, like the rest of us, you'll get a full tot daily, won't he lads," he said looking at his messmates.

After lunch, Mike was shown how to steer the ship and some of the seaman's watchkeeping skills. By 16-00 Mike was just about all in and the movement of the ship didn't help, he found he had to be on his guard at all times, and if it hadn't been for the cup of tea placed into his hand, Mike would have dropped off to sleep. Now having had a few sips of the golden nectar, he was his old self again and able to do his duty on the wheel with more confidence. As Mike was asked by the bridge to alter coarse, to the opposite coarse he had been steering, he did wonder what was going on. then he heard the pipe, special sea duty men to your stations. The leading hand who had been looking after Mike all day came into the wheelhouse to take over, Mike was told to join the rest of the seamen under the bridge port side. Bossington entered harbour at 16-00 and tied up to the pontoon on Manoel Island. Mike was called to the bridge. On the bridge the captain was smiling at Mike, "Well Palmer, have you enjoyed your day at sea with us." Mike saluted the captain saying, "very much so sir, thank you for the experience, I can't wait to do it for real after my training at H.M.S. Raleigh. The captain shook his hand, saying, "A small memento of your visit," he then handed Mike a small plaque of the ship's crest on a wooden shield. As Mike took it, he again thanked the captain, saluted again and walked out of the bridge and across the gangway.

On the road leading to the pontoon was Mikes father, with him was the buffer. "How did it go," they asked. "Great," Mike said, showing off the plaque. "Well in that case," the buffer said, "I will see you in the morning, 09-00 sharp, oh and by the way young peddler, I think for the moment, you should leave the plaque in the classroom, don't forget, your mother is not on the list, and awkward questions could be asked." "Thanks, chief," Mike said handing the plaque to the buffer for safekeeping, then getting into the car with his father they both drove home

In the car Mike was telling his father the things they had done at sea, even the fact he had had some rum, not a full tot, but a sip. His dad listened and nodded his head, but said very little. he realised that his oldest son was soon to be a naval rating and earn his own money doing a job, he seemed to enjoy. At home Dorothy said nothing, she was still mad that she was not on the list, but she was happy that her son was home, of course, she had no idea her son had been to sea, she was under the impression that he had gone to Manoel Island with his father early so that he could get on with his studies.

Had she realised that her son had just come back from a trip on a minesweeper, things might have been different. They had their evening meal, and Mike said he was feeling tired and was going to lay on his bed for an hour. When Mike woke up and looked at his watch, it was 06-00, he had slept through the night, from about 7 pm. He got up and went to the bathroom to wash, then it was back into his bedroom to get into his number 8s and have breakfast. Ken was at the table, and Mike's mother called. "Michael is that you." Yes mum," Mike said, "Do you want bacon and egg," " Yes please, and some toast and marmalade." The two men talked, mostly small talk, and Ken asked his son if he wanted a lift to Manoel Island. "Yes please," Mike said, so both men finished there breakfast together, said their goodbyes and left the flat. In the small classroom Mike was writing in his notebook, the things he remembered from the day before onboard Bossington. At 09-00, the buffer came into the classroom and sat next to Mike. "Well peddler," the buffer said, "seems you had a good day yesterday, the captain and crew were very impressed with the way you handled yourself, and the tasks you were given. Seems that the captain is going to write a report on you, and a good report at that. Well done. Right today I want you to write a two page scenario about what you did yesterday, don't go into too much detail, just the basics." At 10-00, there was a knock at the door, it was the able seaman with a cup of coffee. "Hi peddler," he said, "how're tricks, I understand you went to sea yesterday on one of the minesweepers." "Yes," Mike said, "and I had a great time," "Well not long before you join up for real."  "No," Mike said, "10 weeks, and I will be a fully paid up member of the grey funnelled line". They both laughed and the able seaman left, as he got to the door, he pointed to the cup. "Don't let it get cold," he said and closed the door behind himself.

That night, the whole family were sat having their evening meal, when Ken suddenly came out with the sentence, "I think we will sale the canoe." Mike looked at his dad. "When, and to whom," he asked. "Does it matter," Ken said? "Yes," Mike said, "It matters to me, we have had that canoe for a long time, and I love that canoe almost as much as I love Maureen." "Ok Michael," Ken said, "what would you do," Mike thought. "How much are you going to sale it for," Mike asked. "I don't know," Ken said. "£20, it didn't cost much to build her, yes, £20," Ken said. Mike then asked, "and who gets the money, because we all helped to build her." "Ok," Ken said, "if I can sale her for £20, we all get a fiver each, is that fair." Mike looked at his mum and Kelvin, they all nodded in agreement. Mike got up from the table and went to his bedroom, he came back to the table and handed out three five pound notes, one to his mum, dad and brother. "Right," he said, "I believe the canoe is now mine." "And what pray are you going to do with a canoe, that you can't use because you will be in England." "I," Mike said, "can give it to someone, who will look after it, and love it as much as I do." Both Dorothy and Ken said it in unison, "you're going to give the canoe to Maureen." Mike nodded, "yes," he said, "I am."