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
To London, to London...
There was a boat trip – so Boatwif apparently is duty bound to report on it… Way back in August the Tentatrice...
Musings from a broken-wristed Boatwif
There’s a different perspective when one has a disability, albeit a temporary one. Life assumes a far slower pace...
How far’ve you come?
“How far’ve you come?” someone called out from the bottom of his garden on Sunday afternoon. “Just from Poynton...
The unexpected (part 2)
To come across unexpected things can be a joy; to have unexpected things happen to you can be, well, a nuisance…
The unexpected
Cleddau returned from the River Weaver to canal level last Saturday morning. Into the Anderton Lift at the bottom...
Weaver reflections - and a bat in the boat
Cruising the Weaver Navigation is one long visual and mental treat – there’s active industry, industrial heritage...
The Anderton Boat Lift
Message to the Cheshire Three: “Fancy a ride on the Anderton Lift? We’re going down onto the Weaver.” There was an...
To Northwich
Into Northwich – twice. What comes to mind when you think of Cheshire? The Cheshire Plain and Jodrell Bank?...
Playing your cards right
There’s been a dash back home, just for three days and four nights, enough time for haircuts, grass cuts and...
Broken bits and boats in queues
Cruising along the Shropshire Union: 10½ miles, 25 locks No, Cleddau isn’t broken, nor any of the crew. But somehow broken...
The big, the bizarre and the beautiful
Calf Heath to Goldstone Wharf Within a couple of hours of leaving the Calf’s Heath mooring on Saturday the...
Hurrah for Staffordshire
Though Staffordshire doesn’t always get a good press its canals deserve a rousing cheer. It’s not been new...
Memories along the T and M
Is your mind startled by a location trigger? Back in Cleddau-land in far West Wales there’s always a smile brought...
Transitions
River, city, canal, suburbia, river, marina, completion of another phase, river, canal… The story of the last three days is one...
White water
Congratulations to the sharp-eyed readers who picked up on the afterthought (the Llareggub boat name*) in...