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
Blooms, bathers and blustery winds
St Ives – what’s not to be missed in St Ives? The Quay-side and the St Ives Bridge...
Slow boat to St Ives
The College Bumps were over – but on Sunday mornings rowers of all levels of ability are...
Bumbling and Bumping along the Cam
From Ely to Pope’s Corner (from where a left junction takes boaters onto the River Cam) is...
Sailing towards the Ship of the Fens
Maybe this map will help explain the various waterways mentioned in recent posts…
The Drains, the Great Ouse and the would-be record breakers...
Cleddau left March on Tuesday morning, ahead of the weed killer boat that had been lurking under the bridge...
Passing through Peterborough
Three nights were spent moored at the Embankment at Peterborough. There are far more...
Much waving...
The River Nene passes Oundle in a wide loop. It took 1 hour and 25 minutes from leaving Oundle...
Notes from the Nene
From Northampton Cleddau was on the River Nene, pronounced Nen to rhyme with hen...
Crossing off the junctions...
At Norton Junction there was a swing south onto the Grand Union main line. In this area...
Familiar names in unexpected places
Up Foxton Locks, the coal removed from the front deck and the chimney swept...
For the sake of a loaf of bread…
Sunday morning. With the boat serviced and ready to go from Kilby Bridge, 8 miles south...
Since Sawley…
It was in April 1994 that the 60 foot Sir William Pennyman left Sawley to head south...
Meanwhile…
With Cleddau safely moored at Sawley Marina Boatwif was free to join a very special gathering. Cruelly designated...
Slowly to Sawley...
Boating was resumed on Sunday after the previous day’s visit to the National Memorial Arboretum...