The Roaming Coddiwompler

The Roaming Coddiwompler Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. From Campervan to Narrowboat life. Embracing these changes with open arms is essential to grow.

I'm ready for the next adventure, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Let's keep exploring and discovering!

03/09/2026

Absolutely beautiful evening...

30/08/2026

Hey guys,

Two days into the bank holiday weekend and, well… it hasn’t exactly gone to plan. 😂

Yesterday was completely rained out, so I couldn’t really get anything done on the boat.

Then I woke up this morning with some sort of stomach bug and I’ve been absolutely wiped out. Haven’t been able to eat, haven’t really been able to move from the couch, and generally just feeling bloody awful.

So I’m really hoping I feel better tomorrow and can at least get one full day of working on Siyabonga before the weekend disappears!

Sorry I’ve been a bit quiet — genuinely just haven’t been feeling great.

Fingers crossed tomorrow is a better day!

Stay curious, keep Coddy wompling.

If you’re enjoying following the journey, don’t forget to like, share and follow along. 👍

How much has my narrowboat actually cost so far? 💰⛵A few people have been asking what Siyabonga has cost me so far. I wa...
26/08/2026

How much has my narrowboat actually cost so far? 💰⛵

A few people have been asking what Siyabonga has cost me so far. I want to be totally transparent for anyone thinking about taking the leap, so here is the full breakdown of everything I've spent up to this point:

The Big Stuff:
• Boat purchase — £33,250
• Survey — £750
• First haul out — £600

Maintenance & Hull Care:
• Second haul out, hardstanding & anodes — £1,150
• Blacking paint — £250
• BSS (Boat Safety Scheme) — £350
• Engine service kit — £150

Upgrades & Repairs:
• Odd electrical jobs — ±£600
• Paint & accessories — £600
• Gulper shower unit — £300
• Induction cooker — £70
• Fridge — £40
• Removal of old mattress/cooker — £70

Training & Logistics:
• Helmsman's training — £350
• Accommodation — £250

Miscellaneous:
• £1,000 — just in case I've forgotten one or two things along the way.

Annual Bills:
• CRT Licence — £1,200 per annum
• Insurance — £200 per annum

🔴 TOTAL SO FAR — £41,180 🔴

I'm sure I've forgotten a few small things, but that is the honest figure!

It's a lot of work and money, but making Siyabonga a home is worth every penny.

If you're enjoying following the journey, please like, share and follow along! There is plenty more to come. 👇

Right guys, just wanted to say a quick thank you.We’re now at about 2,245 followers, which is pretty amazing really. It’...
24/08/2026

Right guys, just wanted to say a quick thank you.

We’re now at about 2,245 followers, which is pretty amazing really. It’s slowed down a bit, but there’s still the odd new follower popping up, so thank you to everyone who’s stuck around.

I know there’s been a lot of boat maintenance lately. Painting, sanding, cleaning, rust, fixing things… basically everything except actually going anywhere! 😂

But unfortunately, it all needs doing.

The next big job is the haul out on 6th October, weather and water levels permitting, to get Siyabonga blacked underneath. There are still a few bits and pieces to finish before then, but we’re getting there.

And once all that’s done, I can finally start getting out there properly.

Different canals, different places, different history, more exploring and hopefully a lot more interesting stuff to photograph and share with you.

So yes… thank you for putting up with the maintenance posts. 😂

I promise there are travels coming.

And hopefully, before too long, I’ll be posting pictures of where I’ve been rather than what I’ve been painting.

Thanks for being here. It really is appreciated.

If you're enjoying the journey, please like, share and follow along. It really does help the page grow.

A bit more work done on Siyabonga today.Nothing too exciting, but it's all stuff that needs doing.I've been getting stuc...
23/08/2026

A bit more work done on Siyabonga today.

Nothing too exciting, but it's all stuff that needs doing.

I've been getting stuck into the rust proofing, gave the front of the bow another coat, and carried on with the engine hatch.

The hatch has had a good clean-up, all the rusty bits have been treated and protected, and I've given it another coat.

It's amazing what a bit of cleaning, scraping and paint can do. It was looking pretty bloody rough when I started!

Still plenty to do, obviously, but slowly getting there and making her look a bit more loved.

One job at a time...

If you're enjoying following the journey, give it a like, share it and follow along. There's plenty more to come.

23/08/2026

Love this...

One of those days on Siyabonga…I had a long conversation with myself this morning and decided it was time to remove the ...
22/08/2026

One of those days on Siyabonga…

I had a long conversation with myself this morning and decided it was time to remove the old cratch cover and see what was actually going on underneath it.

The wooden frame was rotten. Properly rotten. So that came out, along with all the old rusty bits, and I've started cleaning everything back and getting it ready for some proper rust protection.

It's going to take a fair bit of work to either repair the existing setup or replace the rotten wood completely, but we'll see where we end up.

I also decided to put some artificial grass down in the cratch area. Nothing too fancy, but I think it'll make it a much nicer and more usable space once it's all finished.

And then…

While cutting the grass to fit, I managed to put a Stanley knife straight through my finger, through the nail and into the nail bed.

So that's the end of today's boat work.

Typical me. 😂

I reckon I've got to bleed at least once a day when I'm working on this boat.

Anyway, that's enough excitement for one day. The rest can wait until tomorrow.

If you're enjoying the journey, give it a like, share it and follow along. There's always something going on with Siyabonga!

I came back to my boat to find an amazing gift today attached to my boat...a fridge magnet....Thank you so much...
21/08/2026

I came back to my boat to find an amazing gift today attached to my boat...a fridge magnet....

Thank you so much...

Yes! There's a wardrobe in my lounge!I desperately needed some extra hanging space, so I improvised. 😂I know it’s not pe...
21/08/2026

Yes! There's a wardrobe in my lounge!

I desperately needed some extra hanging space, so I improvised. 😂

I know it’s not perfect, but it works — and at least my shirts are no longer crimped up together and getting creased before I’ve even worn them!

There’s still a bit of tidying to do. I’ll trim and paint the board, neaten everything up and find something to cover the little cupboard.

And yes… I know I’ve basically put a wardrobe in my lounge.

But hey-ho… this is boat life.

You make the most of every bit of space you’ve got!

If you’re enjoying following along, don’t forget to like, share and follow along.

Sunday afternoon chills...cup of coffee, Bob Dylan playing in the background...This is the why!!
16/08/2026

Sunday afternoon chills...cup of coffee, Bob Dylan playing in the background...

This is the why!!

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