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
Tied up in Oundle
The boat’s been having a holiday – no clocking up the miles, no banging about in locks, no sharp reverses to avoid bridges...
The River Nene: Thrapston – Oundle
The Middle Nene Sailing Club moorings just downstream from Thrapston (Sunday night’s mooring) have tall poles...
The Three Musketeers and the infamous bridge
On Sunday morning the Captain did a recce around the site behind the moorings at Irthlingborough. “There’s an event going on,”...
River Nene: Northampton - Irthlingborough
“Plans are merely formalised wish lists” had been the conclusion drawn a few days ago. This watery venture...
Downhill to the River Nene
A bit of observation from the towpath during Wednesday’s rain day at Blisworth suggested that boats would be able...
The GU Southbound - and an emergency evacuation
It was a peaceful mooring on Sunday evening just west of Norton Junction – sunlit until dusk, with only...
Phase 1 achieved
There was all the time in the world, wasn’t there, to get to Braunston on Saturday late afternoon, just about 3...
Convoys, countryside, a comms catastrophe
Every now and again, as if for the first ever time, the Captain makes an observation along the lines of “it’s only...
Postscript to Atherstone
Minds were set that a morning wander into Atherstone was to happen on Wednesday. Why let mud and puddles...
Leaks and how to deal with them
Sharp-eyed readers may have noticed a mismatch between location and map – Techno Son...
Cleddau cruise resumed
Friday saw a swifter than usual M6 transit up to Staffs from Beds and well before midday Cleddau was being checked out...
Dropping down from Stoke to Stone
Thanks to Techno Son-in-Law for posting the previous blog post. Boatwif’s laptop has taken a serious (terminal?) dislike...
D for Departure
Friday was D-Day, D for Departure Day. The 2014 Cleddau Cruise was at last under way. Months have been spent in planning...
Remember when...
Sightings again of the Cleddau Bridge… though on this occasion many were from the River Cleddau’s northern shore...
Mission accomplished
“Hello Houston, we have a problem…” What endless skill, knowledge and patience the staff at Houston must have had back...