Measured is a word often used to indicate a pace or an action as being slow and steady, unhurried and thoughtful. Cleddau, now 35 years old, underwent an out-of-water survey in December. All was well with her hull and steerage. Just a few actions to internal systems were advised…The list was short and straightforward but yet completion took an age. The details were: Recommendation Careful consideration should be given to the continued future maintenance of the hull. It is recommended that the hull should be well coated with a proprietary hull coating system at the earliest opportunity, and re ..read more

In recent weeks Boatwif has been more of a ‘Housewif’ than a narrowboat crew member. There’s been no windlass wielding, no tiller-gripping, no rope throwing… Minds have been focused on the Great Redistribution. The garage, stacked high with the stuff of decades of family life, had been started on. Locally, several small brothers had often said how they loved going fishing with their dad. A donation to them of a couple of fishing rods and tackle, a child’s tent and camp bed, several racquets, a rugby ball and a cricket bat brought big smiles all round. There was even a small red chair just righ ..read more

In the six weeks or so since New Year there have been but few boat sightings. Early in January a plot was uncovered – the Captain had conspired to take Boatwif on a secret short-notice trip to Stratford-upon-Avon.    The plot was discovered, but the plan went ahead. Remember the floods? The River Avon was swollen well beyond its usual limits as it made its way downstream to surround Tewkesbury Abbey.    (Photo from The Guardian, January 24). The bandstand in the park opposite Stratford’s theatre stood as an island;    any pedestrians wishing to take a rest on a ..read more

After the hugely successful November visit to family in Southern California (note: no Covid or other bugs either imported or exported) time rolled on towards midwinter… Short days and long nights require illuminations – and the Captain spent the best part of three days following his plan, mounting seasonal decorations, stringing out Christmas lights.    When you live in a community of Christmas lights devotees and right next door to neighbours who put on a dazzling display,  a credible effort has to be made.   The annual St Paul’s Church Christmas Tree Festival is always h ..read more

“Thank you for the adventure,” Cal Guy Jnr said after a walk in a wild place one day.  Was that before or after the accidental chocolate cake lunch…? An exact memory eludes… First though, to record events and experiences in a chronological order. Schools are out during Thanksgiving Week and a deal was struck: for a trip out to the Carlsbad Outlet Center the Captain would drive, Cal Gal would navigate the route and be a shopping guide, Cal Guy Jnr would keep the Captain company – and a lunch for four would be bought at Ruby’s Diner.  (This was on Tuesday 21st November.) By no means wa ..read more

Rather like going into a different supermarket and being surprised by unfamiliar items, this area of Southern California is presenting familiar views – along with a few unexpected sightings. Out at Oceanside it was good to see the pier again The bridge connecting the pier to the road level is due for closure and a rebuild next year. . Who wouldn’t smile at the resident pelicans, or peer down at the surfers, or look out for the anglers, or pause to listen to a busker? Down at the beach level you might spot sand raked clean by the municipal teams,    sand dippers at the tide’s e ..read more

It had been a long day, one which took 22 hours to get from a bed at A (Beds) to a bed in B (San Diego), via taxi, aircraft and shuttle bus… For months Boatwif and the Captain had been craving a face-to-face reunion with the full Californian family. Once news of booked flights percolated through certain Cal Clan members pressed their own cravings for a Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate delivery… There was a 90 minute delay in take-off from Heathrow (a ground equipment issue) but the flight was smooth and uneventful.   Time was made up and as the sun was setting local time the aircraft ..read more

If there was a thread of any kind through the Cleddau crew’s October maybe it was breakdowns, deliveries and one short list growing ever longer.. The month hasn’t been entirely boat-free. Squeezed between various appointments and domestic crises (more, later) there was a three night meander from Crick to Welford Junction and back. Carefully  (October 8th) Cleddau was inched out past her pontoon neighbour,  out onto the main line and past nbTrafalgar.   In the warmth a butterfly posed on the gangplank  while parent swans glided past with their pride and joy cygnets… The ..read more

              Market Bosworth (Ashby Canal) to Newbold-on-Avon (North Oxford Canal)                                                    25¼ miles, 1 lock, 0 tunnel transits, 1 swing bridge   When departing a mooring there’s a lot to do before ropes are untied and the boat is pushed off from the bank. Mobile phones are moved to the back deck, likewise the pink covered tablet with the digital memory map and a Pearson’s guide ..read more

Ambion Wood – Market Bosworth – Snarestone – Market Bosworth 16 miles, 2 tunnel transits, 0 locks Mid-afternoon (Bank Holiday Monday) the mission to reach the top /the end of the Ashby Canal was continued. Under the disused railway bridge    (paths from here through the woods to the Battle of Bosworth Exhibition and Shenton Railway Station) and past King Richard’s Field… Donkeys,   an aqueduct     and an offside skeleton     all caught the eye… It’s this central Ashby Canal section of about six or so miles that is particularly shallow. There ..read more