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!

Way too beautiful not to share....Have an amazing evening everyone...
10/06/2026

Way too beautiful not to share....

Have an amazing evening everyone...

***Something a little more personal***Around a year ago, I found myself in hospital with pneumonia.When I was eventually...
08/06/2026

***Something a little more personal***

Around a year ago, I found myself in hospital with pneumonia.

When I was eventually discharged, I couldn't walk 50 to 100 metres without having to stop because I simply couldn't breathe properly.

Things got worse before they got better. I was depressed, didn't really know where my place in the world was, and the weight piled on. By December, I had reached 124kg.

That's when I decided enough was enough.

No miracle cure.
No magic formula.
Just a decision that I wanted my life to change.

Fast forward to today, and I'm running 5km three to four times a week.

I've lost 23kg (50.7lb or 3 stone 8.7lb) in just five months, but the weight loss isn't what I'm most proud of.

What I'm most proud of is proving to myself that change is possible—both physically and mentally.

The last year has completely changed the direction of my life. My health is better, my mindset is better, and for the first time in a long time I genuinely feel like I'm moving forward instead of standing still.

I've always known that when I truly set my mind to something, I can achieve it. This past year has reminded me of that.

Today I'm a proud narrowboat owner, healthier than I've been in years, and more confident in myself than I have been for a very long time.

There is still so much of this journey ahead of me, but for the first time in years I have complete confidence that I can achieve the things I set out to do.

The funny thing is, the biggest change wasn't losing the weight.

It was finding myself again.

Live Forever Forward.

07/06/2026

***Progress report from Siyabonga...*** _

Some good news for a change! Well, mostly...

After a bit of head-scratching, investigation, and the occasional choice word, I managed to get the solar system sorted and connected properly. I did have a little help from a local electrician who pointed me in the right direction and refused any form of payment, which was incredibly kind of him. Happy to report the solar is now working exactly as it should. Considering I was originally told it didn't work, I'll definitely take that as a win.

I also finally got rid of the absolutely minging mattress that came with the boat. Honestly, I think that thing qualified as a biological hazard.

The cooker has gone as well, although that turned into a job in itself. To get it out, I had to dismantle part of the surrounding cupboards before I could even move the thing. Still, it's now gone, along with the mattress, with both items collected by a licensed waste contractor and headed for a legal disposal site.

Then came today's biggest challenge...

I popped out to do some shopping, came back, and spent a full 20 minutes searching for the boat keys.

Checked pockets. Checked shopping bags. Checked the car. Retraced my steps. Walked back to the boat to see if I'd left them in the door lock.

By this point, mild panic had started setting in. Various scenarios were running through my head. Had I lost them? Had they somehow vanished into another dimension? Was I about to be pricing up a locksmith?

The keys were in my hand.

The entire flipping time. 😆😂

I'm not sure whether my brain is overloaded, whether there's too much going on, or whether boat ownership is already having an effect on me, but that was a stressful 20 minutes!

Still, progress is progress. The solar is working, rubbish is disappearing, and Siyabonga is slowly starting to feel more like home.

Today's score:

✅ Solar working
✅ Mattress gone
✅ Cooker gone
✅ Keys eventually located

One more day of progress.

Only another 847 jobs left on the list...follow along for more idiocy lol...

***First night in the bag***Morning all.First night aboard Siyabonga done.To be honest, it was better than I expected. I...
07/06/2026

***First night in the bag***

Morning all.

First night aboard Siyabonga done.

To be honest, it was better than I expected. I woke up a few times during the night, but I think that's just because I'm not used to the different sounds yet. Sleeping on a boat is definitely different to sleeping in a house or a van. And the ducks...damn noisy bastards..lol

One thing I did discover is that there's a bit of a draught coming through the bow doors near the bed. It's not a problem at the moment, but I can see that needing sorting before winter arrives.

Apart from that, all good.

This morning I was greeted by a beautiful sunrise over the marina, and I have to say it wasn't a bad view to wake up to.

I'm sure there will be plenty to learn over the coming weeks, but after spending my first night aboard, it finally feels like life on Siyabonga has begun.

Have a great Sunday everyone.

06/06/2026

***WELCOME TO NARROWBOAT SIYABONGA!!! ***

Before anyone says anything, yes, I know I sound half asleep in the video! I promise I'm actually really happy — I've literally just got back from a 5km run...lol

The handover didn't quite go to plan. We've got a faulty inverter, no gas to the stove, a shower pump that's not working, and a few things left on board that should have been removed before collection.

Never mind, it's all part of the journey and just a few more items to add to the project list.

SIYABONGA is an older boat, and I always knew there would be jobs to do. Today is about giving her a proper clean, taking stock, making a plan, and getting started.

The dream is no longer something I'm talking about.

SIYABONGA is finally mine baby!!!

Now it's time to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Please like, share, and follow along for the journey.

***Today is the day***After months of viewings, surveys, paperwork, planning, and a fair bit of stress, I finally get th...
05/06/2026

***Today is the day***

After months of viewings, surveys, paperwork, planning, and a fair bit of stress, I finally get the keys to my boat. To be honest, it still hasn't quite sunk in.

A short video will follow later today, or tomorrow morning, depending on how the day goes.

There is still plenty to do over the next few weeks. Moving aboard, getting settled, and tackling some of the bigger jobs on the boat, including blacking, repainting, and officially renaming her Siyabonga.

As always, thank you to everyone who has followed along, offered advice, support, encouragement, and occasionally a reality check when I've needed one.

If you'd like to continue following the journey, please like, share and follow the page.

One thing I can promise is that you'll get the real version of narrowboat life. The good, the bad, the successes, the mistakes, and everything in between. No pretending, no perfect picture—just the journey as it happens.

***Quick update on Siyabonga...***✅ All paperwork from my side is done✅ Full payment has been made✅ The boat name has be...
03/06/2026

***Quick update on Siyabonga...***

✅ All paperwork from my side is done
✅ Full payment has been made
✅ The boat name has been chosen – Siyabonga
✅ The paint design has been selected

Now the real work begins.

There are still plenty of jobs ahead before she's exactly how I want her, but it's great to finally be at the stage where things are moving from plans and ideas into reality.

A huge thank you again to everyone who got involved with the boat naming. There were some brilliant suggestions, but Siyabonga just felt right.

Just to clarify, the images I've been sharing are concept images created to show the vision for the project. The boat, the name and the overall design are real, but the South African flag paint scheme and finished appearance have been AI-generated to show what the completed project could look like. The actual transformation is still ahead of me and will be part of the journey I'll be sharing over the coming months.

One step at a time. Every step is earned.

Please remember to like share and follow along for updates, real life, not Instagram picture perfect.

***Week update and where I am***What a week this has been.The weather has been fantastic, the Helmsman's Course is done ...
30/05/2026

***Week update and where I am***

What a week this has been.
The weather has been fantastic, the Helmsman's Course is done and dusted, and I've got my RYA card.

The counter-offer on the boat has been agreed, we've settled on a price, and the sale agreement is signed and sent back.

The loan was approved and paid out, and the biggest stress of all was selling the van. That now looks sorted too, with the buyers due to collect it tomorrow. They offered a holding deposit, but I told them not to worry, we'll sort everything out when they collect.

A massive thank you to everyone who took part in the boat naming vote. There were some interesting suggestions along the way, but Siyabonga is the name I've settled on.For the first time in a long while, it feels like everything is coming together.

Not sure yet when I'll get the keys, but the next steps are the BSS and any work needed to get that passed. After that, the bottom gets blacked and then the painting begins.

Exciting times ahead.

Remember please to like share and if you don't already, please follow along to stay updated.


***And the Winning Name Is...***A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to vote on the boat name. Apart from one ...
29/05/2026

***And the Winning Name Is...***

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to vote on the boat name. Apart from one or two negative comments (one person commented, "This is England!" — I was tempted to reply, "That's a bit long to put on the side of the boat!" 😄), the response was brilliant.

There were also plenty of suggestions for completely different names. One that came up several times was Jabulani, meaning happiness, which I actually quite liked as well.

That said, the brief was simple: Siyabonga, Ubuntu, or Lady Valerie. To keep things fair, I only counted votes from people who used the correct emojis against the names.

The final results were:

Siyabonga. – 457 votes
Ubuntu. – 291 votes
Lady Valerie – 151 votes

So, by a clear margin, the winner is...

SIYABONGA!

Thank you to everyone who voted, commented, suggested names, and joined in the fun. Some of the suggestions were brilliant, and Coddy McWompleface definitely made me laugh. 😆 🤣

The amount of interaction, humour, and enthusiasm around something as simple as naming a boat was amazing to see.

For those who took the time to cast a vote, thank you. You helped choose the name that will now travel the canals with me on the next chapter of this adventure.

Ladies and gentlemen, please meet SIYABONGA.

Coming up next:

1️⃣ Final paperwork and sale agreement (Yes, we have agreed a renegotiated price post survey)
2️⃣ Prioritizing the work that needs doing on Siyabonga
3️⃣ The first braai *BBQ* on board 🔥
4️⃣ The actual work begins

As always, if you're enjoying following the journey, please like, follow, and share the page. It really does help.

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