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
Time out in Ely
Some places you are just glad to return to – Ely is one of them! In high summer the lesson to learn on the rivers...
Keeping ahead of the March Navy
Post festival on Monday there was much to be done – the packing away of a gazebo which despite its missing...
Spectacle at Bedford River Festival
So on Friday after six months of planning, seven weeks of travel, 141 locks negotiated and 310 miles of...
Rudyard for fun and frolics
After weeks of river cruising the Cleddau crew were back in canal-land last weekend. 17 months ago there had been...
Jumping ship
Great Barford to Bedford An early departure was agreed for Wednesday from Great Barford – there were three...
So whose water is it anyway?
Great Ouse: Godmanchester to Great Barford At 8pm on Sunday at Godmanchester litter was piled high by the park bins...
Great Ouse: St Ives to Godmanchester
“Have your camera ready” would be suitable advice for any first time traveller along the river between St Ives and...
Upstream to St Ives
From about a mile out of Ely you can look back and appreciate the immense size of Ely’s Cathedral. There will...
The Delights of Ely
Ely’s attractive waterfront is a draw for many – for those who come to stroll and eat and watch as well as those...
A look at the River Lark
A few bleak mid-winters ago when afternoons were short and time was slow wistful thoughts turned back...
Up - and down - to Denver
By 9am on Saturday morning the tide had come in. Come in from where? From the Wash. Look downstream and...
At and below sea level
Stanground Lock is about a mile from Peterborough’s Embankment along the Stanground Back River...
Peterborough – it’s all in the timing...
On Sunday morning it was an early departure from the pontoons in Ferry Meadows: across the lake, along the channel and...
Fotheringhay – Wansford - Ferry Meadows
Departure on Thursday morning was delayed when the Tentatrice Boat Dog decided he wanted to stay – for him it seemed...
River Nene: onwards to Fotheringhay, slowly...
Oundle to Fotheringhay is a mere 4 road miles but about 7 miles by river. It was a slow departure from Oundle...