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
Ferry duty
The thing about the unexpected is that there is no warning of when it may occur… Take Sunday for example. A prompt...
Quick Peeks
There was nothing quick about the start on Wednesday morning… Cleddau and Tentatrice had spent the previous...
Tight squeezes on the Llangollen
The last five miles from Trevor to Llangollen are spectacularly beautiful. The canal runs on a contour along...
Pronunciation
And so to Llangollen… In all the time Cleddau and crew were heading north west to Liverpool and back earlier this...
Lurking along on the Llangollen
There’s been a fair bit of lurking in recent days: there were hours huddled inside the boat below Hurleston Locks...
Downhill to Middlewich, then a sharp left turn
The boat trip to Llangollen continues. Boating is great but occasionally, just occasionally, it’s good to go ‘off piste’...
A HALOUS Experience...
Cleddau’s late summer cruise is under way. A leisurely cruise to Llangollen (92 canal miles, 69 locks, 12 movable...
Bottoms up!
The Cleddau crew have spent some time in the home land. In far west Wales the Cleddau Bridge that strides...
Bedford River Festival
“Are you going to the River Festival?” friends and neighbours had asked all last week. “Will you be on your boat?” Yes...
The final stretch
Thursday 16th June. Back on the Macc – and there was a homecoming feeling about the cruise. The rounded bridge holes...
Volunteers!
Canal and River Trust welcome volunteers to fill a host of roles. Most visible of course are those who fulfil lock...
SAL EST VITA
Down to the Weaver via the Anderton Lift on Wednesday afternoon – and back onto the deep waters of a river...
It’s all in the timing
Dunham Massey, near Altrincham, is just a five minute walk from the Bridgewater Canal. It was 1976 when the...
Back on the watery road – and a few extraordinary things...
Hull care… you need to protect your hull if you want your boat to last. That’s an understatement for all boat owners...