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
Sightings along the 300 foot contour
Some 2½ miles on from Hillmorton is Rugby, a magnet for boaters along the North Oxford Canal.....
Careful at the locks
Back to the boat – would it be fit for another little voyage? Well, yes – the bilges were empty of excess water.....
Recent Eye Catchers
So what’s caught the eye in recent weeks? Cal Guy Jnr has flown back to California....
Learning the ropes…
Cal Guy Jnr (now 13) had waged a campaign to spend his long school summer break in the UK.....
Three Latter-Day Musketeers
Stratford-upon-Avon, again – but by car this time. There is a history to certain gatherings: twenty years ago a first sisters-and-cousin....
Not far now
Onward on Sunday – the only way was forward and the way forward is through Braunston Tunnel.....
Uphill – and uphill some more…
Regarding boat journey plans the Captain runs several spreadsheet options: currently he examines his “slow” and....
Downhill to Radford Bottom
After the climb up from Stratford-upon-Avon Cleddau was turned right at Kingswood Junction onto the Grand Union...
A fire eater, an obstruction and 36 uphill locks
Stratford is not all about thespians and high culture – or funfairs. Do buskers have to book their pitch – who knows?....
Stratford worlds...
Tickets and liaisons – on 31st May the time had come to do the final four locks down into Stratford and...
Confetti Boat
Cleddau left Wootton Wawen to continue her southbound cruise to Stratford. First there was the squeeze across...
Curiosities along the South Stratford Canal
Curious about “the wedged boat, the tartare sauce and the mushroom box” ? Read on…
Hallo Avon, hallo Hatton...
From the Grand Union Canal Regency Leamington remains out of sight. Though the chimney pots...
The cat’s whiskers
It was ten years ago, in 2013, that Cleddau last travelled this stretch of waterway, albeit from the opposite direction…
Turning left and heading downhill
Getting ready for “Off” takes some effort: haircuts arranged, garden grass cut, clothes sorted for all (or nearly all)...