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
Last Flings
Tuesday was a damp and dismal day in Congleton. Down in the town a new sculpture, a 2017 installation...
Cliffhanging
Since Cleddau could not have reached Lock 11 before nightfall it’s back to thinking about alternatives...
What’s the alternative?
Back in the day… (What a tiresome phrase that is. Start again, Boatwif) Decades ago, indeed almost...
Moorings ‘with attitude’
Cleddau and crew had spent the better part of two days and a night tied up to the pontoon at...
Chance Timings
So here goes, about to descend 50 feet from the canal to the River Weaver… On arriving at Anderton...
Not kidding…
It’s 46½ miles (and 48 locks) between the home moorings at Higher Poynton and Anderton, the...
Creatures – and creature comforts…
“What would you like to do for your birthday?” Boatwif was asked. Her answer was emphatic, unswerving...
"Locked out…"
From Congleton the Macclesfield Canal weaves its way towards the Bosley lock flight...
Home is where you moor it...
HOME IS WHERE YOU MOOR IT are the cheesy words on a reusable shopping bag, another one of Techno Son-in-Law’s...
Right at the Junction
After a night at Aston Marina Cleddau crawled out of the marina, turned sharp left and headed south...
Numbers crunched…
Just as Cleddau was drawing away from one of her top favourite moorings between Trentham and Barlaston...
Names and coincidences
Slowly Cleddau and Tentatrice are making their way towards the Staffs and Worcs Canal. The plan had been...
Oh colourful world!
It was farewell to Chester on Tuesday morning. The first part of the route...