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
Know your junctions...
After 89¼ miles northwards from the Thames at Brentford (or so the Norton Junction sign says) the Grand Union main...
Waiting at Weedon
There’s been a hiccup in the Cleddau Final Leg Cruise. Three days out from Milton Keynes the domestic alternator...
The Final Leg: northbound from Milton Keynes
Cleddau had been tied up in Milton Keynes Marina for two weeks, recovering, as it were, from her summer adventures on the...
Twos – and a downward Three
It’s Numbers Time – end of Phase 6 of the Summer Cruise. When Phase 7 starts it will be a solo operation as Cleddau...
Up, up and over the top...
Up the Grand Union – on a mission. 2nd September: “0830 start then.” With so many locks and so many miles (27 of the...
From the Thames to the M25
The rubbish in the Thames Lock at Brentford on Friday afternoon (28th August) wasn’t such a shock second time round...
Look - there’s the Gherkin...
“Any advice?” the Tentatrice First Mate asked the lock keeper on Thursday afternoon. “Well, wear life jackets, have your...
Paddington Arm and the Regent’s Canal
Timing was crucial on Wednesday: arrive at the London Canal Museum between 3.45 pm and 4 o’clock was the...
Have you got a licence? Doing the London Ring
Doing the London Ring suggests a Circle – but the Cleddau crew’s Ring is more like a letter P with some wiggly bits…
Splashes and surprises along the Thames
Dorney Lake to Teddington Weird… wonderful…wacky… When cruising on the Thames or walking nearby keep...
Thames titbits
The Thames: river wide, water plentiful, riverside property fascinating. That’s it, isn’t it, the same judgement every time...
More musings from the River Wey
Monday 10th – Saturday 15th August There’s a different view on a return journey – or you notice things you missed...
Along the Wey
When not on boating duties there’s sometimes chance to jump ship and explore the local area. At the furthest navigable...
Slowly through Surrey
Just round the corner from Runnymede the county boundary changes from the Royal County of Berkshire to...
Pause for thought at Runnymede
“There’s been a lot going on at Runnymede over the summer,” said Senior Niece. She’s a relative local, so she knows...