David inside the boat.
The lads enjoying a Welsh morning coffee.
David and Lochie tour the Welsh countryside with an amazing difference. You're in your very own narrow boat on the Llangollen Canal. It is said to be the most beautiful waterway in Britain and it's hard to argue with that.
Building of the Llagollen Canal began in 1805 but when rail transport came to prominence, construction stopped, leaving this section for pleasure craft.
It is said to be the most beautiful waterway in Britain and takes its name from the church of St Gollen on Bridge Street. The Canal Boat Museum at the wharf shows the canal boat construction at the end of the 18th century.
Anglo-Welsh Waterway Holidays was established 30 years ago and their boats are of the highest quality — modern, warm and comfortable with excellent furniture and fittings, fully equipped galley, toilet, hot and cold water and roomy sleeping compartments.
They provide bedding, towels, kitchen equipment, diesel, car parking, grocery service, hairdryer, radio, floats and a set of waterproof clothing. They even give you a phone card for a 24-hour call-out service if you get stuck, and there's enough water and fuel to last a good couple of days.
It is easy to get the hang of handling the boats but it does take a lot of concentration. You can moor anywhere on the towpath side of the river away from the bridges and locks simply by hammering in a few stakes and tying a couple of half hitches. The water is only about waist-deep.
There are several sizes and styles of boat to choose from, and they travel up to six kilometres an hour.
Along the way you will see permanent boats complete with television aerials, roof gardens roof and pets. There are also plenty of pubs where you can pull in and enjoy a meal and lager.
There are several types of hire — a Midweeker, a Weekender, a One Night Break and a One Way Short Break from Trevor to Bunbury, or vice versa. A Weekly holiday can begin on Friday, Saturday or Monday or a Circular Trip for one, two or three weeks. There are Out and Back Cruises and One Way Trips involving Llangollen Great Haywood, High Peak or Bunbury — you make the choice.
Llangollen has things other than boating to offer. Their international music festival was first held in 1947 and these days about 120,000 visitors attend the six-day event to see about 12,000 performers.
It is a good base for outdoor activities — horse drawn canal boat trips, canoeing on the River Dee and walks — two of the best are to Horseshoe Falls and Castle Dinas Bran.
