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
‘On the buses’ and onward to trip’s end
Cleddau had squeezed through the narrow entrance of Kate Boats. One of the work force, James, had been summoned to...
3 colourful murals, 2 diary dates and a Stockton volunteer
Cleddau was moored up in the Arm at the Saltisford Canal Centre in Warwick for a couple of nights. For a small fee / donation boaters get a safe mooring with easy access to a water tap. Several of the boats in the Arm are residential......
Aqueducts and an embankment, lock flights and a coincidence
The Southern Stratford Canal (the 25½ miles of it) is pretty – but hard work…
Boats, buskers and the Bard
Tourists in their thousands arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon, many for just a good ol’ day out… Many of them will gravitate to the river. A good number will take a trip boat ride, either on wide beam Jennifer May from Bancroft Basin......
Only another 13 …
It was Plum Festival weekend in Pershore: there was a long peal of bells rung on the Saturday morning in celebration and signs of marquees and structures being set up in Abbey Park for the Sunday Family Fun Day......
From one river to another
Gloucester Lock had been closed to boat traffic for most of a day while underwater surveying was taking place. Spotted from a mooring beside Biddle Warehouse were 4 narrowboats arriving from the lock at about 6pm.....
Cleddau’s Catalogue of G&S Calamities and Unexpected Occurrences
This is a miscellany of recollections from past and recent cruises along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. (Normal service of recording the ongoing cruise trip will resume in the next post)......
Three cheers for the G and S
After two overnight moorings on the River Severn Cleddau and crew had arrived in Gloucester Docks. Once errands had been completed, a few key locations had to be checked on: the Beatrix Potter.....
Where to for Phase 2…
Is Stourport a Severn-side version of Blackpool…?
Stourport is definitely a place for fun-seekers. Who could miss the permanent funfair right beside the river and visible from the river, the boat basins and from Bridge Street? Lights flash....
Left hand down a bit
23 miles, 28 locks and 2 short tunnels lie between Compton (first lock down from the summit) and York Street Lock (the final lock into Stourport Basins).....
Up to the Staffs and Worcs summit
Cleddau approached Great Haywood Junction. The field opposite seems to attract tents and campervans. Are those portaloos over by the hedge?
Lock help and lock queues
Marston Junction to Great Haywood Junction Marston Junction provides access to the Ashby Canal. Beyond the Junction the Coventry Canal.....
Living in the moment…
Crick Marina to Marston Junction All winter the Captain had built this summer’s cruise plan around the weekend of July 20th /July 21st....
Sand, Sea and Castles
A trip back to ‘Cleddau-land’ is a reunion with the familiar: beaches galore, nowhere too far from the sea and numerous stone castles.....
The home run
Stoke Bruerne to Crick: 21¼ miles, 14 locks, 2 tunnels Though the return route to Crick was familiar some unexpected sightings.....