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
End of the fifth leg
On a gloriously sunny morning the monotonous high-pitched sound of contractors strimming grass along...
Two Statues, four miles apart
Uphill through Stone this morning – slowly. Pride in the town is widespread: flower displays frame a local information...
Stone’s throw from Stone
How the sun sparkled on the waters this morning; how lucky the crews of two day boats...
Slow boat to Tixall Wide
What is a very short distance took a long time this morning – but in delightful surroundings, with good-tempered...
Need an elephant ornament?
Deployed Google and maps late last night. It had come to mind that a dear boating friend had recommended...
Curiosities en route to Fradley
So which was the pub of choice in Hopwas last night? A waterways guide book (admittedly quite an old edition)...
Hindrances to passage
The boat rounded a long corner this morning to reach Alvecote: it’s a busy place with...
An abbey, a coalfield and a slagheap
Boat traffic was busy on the remaining 6 of the 11 lock Atherstone flight this morning. At every lock there was an...
Aided at Atherstone
Moved onto the Coventry Canal this morning – though not cruising to Coventry, did that in 2010. : Hawkesbury...
Snapped Gear Cable
Once untied this morning Cleddau dived into a long wooded cutting. A serious tree collapse...
Tickover on the North Oxford
“So where’s Brinklow?” you may ask. In canal terms this sunny evening mooring is midway between the western...
Company on board
Godmanchester Friend came to call today. There had been a late evening phone call last night...
Can ignorance be bliss?
It was a quiet morning’s cruise, due to be punctuated by a stop at Stowe Wharf for diesel (“No way mate, got...
Conversations (and a massive Monkton Moment*)
It’s not reaching the destination that makes boating such a joy but who you meet and what you see en route – take today...
North – and west and north again (plus a MM*)
At 1120 today Cleddau drew out of the Milton Keynes Marina, turned left and started Phase 5 of the summer cruise...