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 Perfick
What a glorious morning to take a short cruise of about two hours duration along this stunning canal...
Sharing waters
When setting off on a Cleddau cruise it is usual for there to be a detailed plan: Canal Planner AC and...
A flower bedecked boat...
“You’ve got to photograph it – you know you collect weddings!” called Relief First Mate. She...
Visual feasts beside the sea
“There! Now you’ve seen the Irish Ferry you’ll have to write a Boatwif blog,” announced the Captain...
Bells, blooms - and the Olympic Torch
Even though the rain was beating hard what better could a boatless boatwif want on a summer Sunday...
Naked without waterproofs
Boating neighbours from last night were keen to demonstrate their cross-bed arrangement...
16 – 4 - 30
No, the title isn’t some obscure date from the last or this century, just some vital statistics: 16 locks up the Marple Flight...
Clogs and cobbles, cotton and canals
Success this morning in gaining entry to the Portland Basin Museum. Exhibits in the lower galleries...
Too soon, too short...
Too soon into Uppermill this morning, on the doorstep of the Post Office before 9am,waiting for it to open…
Silver linings
Uppermill (no miles or locks) Sometimes even grey and blustery days can bring reward. Uppermill is a pretty village with a fair...
Downhill to busier places
Cleddau has cruised nowhere else quite like the Upper Tame Valley: the land folds around in a great bowl shape so the eye...
Rest day at Marsden
Sometimes it’s not what you say – it’s what you can hear… Tuesday was a rest day at Marsden, awaiting Wednesday’s...