Boatwif
The occasional adventures of the Cleddau crew
About Us
We are ‘The Captain’ and ‘Boatwif’, owners of nb Cleddau.
Cleddau was a five year old youngster when we took her on in 1994. She was built for cruising on the River Trent. Over time Cleddau has had internal and external adjustments but she retains her original hull, propeller, anchor and portholes.
When asked (frequently) “What does Cleddau mean?” our response is usually “In Welsh it means swords but Cleddau is the name of the river that flows into the Milford Haven deep water estuary in Pembrokeshire…”
We both grew up in Pembrokeshire; for some years we have kept a record of what we call ‘Monkton Moments’, those exchanges with boaters and non-boaters who recognise our Pembrokeshire connections.
This blog below is a record of our mainly boating adventures.
RECENT KEN & SUE LOCATION
Just moving slowly
Cleddau continues her slow creep up the Stratford Canal. The sun’s hot rays define actions and activity...
Tight squeeze
No great distance covered today – but time allowed to make observations. Cleddau began her...
River festival, Stratford-style
Phase 3 of the Summer Cruise has begun: this time “summer” is an appropriate word to use! There was never...
Completists?
Not an original thought but surely to be bored in Stratford is to be bored of life. It is no surprise to hear a multiplicity...
Bells, brides and buskers
First to the brides referred to yesterday. Above the cacophony yesterday afternoon of laughter and...
Trains and boats and locks - and brides
Boatwif’s childcare mission was accomplished just after midday on Friday when she was the sole passenger to leave...
Downhill on the Stratford Canal
“Yes please!” was the reply to two separate canal volunteers today when help was offered. There were...
Four-tunnel day
First Mate delivered the Cleddau crew back from Bromsgrove to the boat at Tardebigge New...
Boatdog on board - the cruise resumed
This is the Droitwich Spa to Stratford-upon-Avon leg. (Is “leg” the right word?). The six nights at home?...
Exploring new waters
The stats say it all: 28 lock miles is a lot and the crew is fatigued! Stourport was distinctly damp this...
Babe on board
Young Aisha was on board today – she’s less than forty days old and in her entourage were mum (the A&E doctor)...
Shadowing the Stour
When you walk from the canal into Kinver village you cross a little river. Ah – yes, you realise...
The rock houses of Holy Austin
Did an Augustine hermit ever live in a cave on Kinver Edge? Might that be why now the rock...