by lucysoff, aged 20, for everyone

Brecon and Monmouth canal

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Lucysoff's experience was in Abergavenny, United Kingdom. She went on 10 of April 2005 for 5 days. She went for peace & quiet, get closer to nature. Lucysoff went with an adult family. She got there and around by car or van, boat or ferry. lucysoff's verdict is: you must go here.

A barge holiday is the most perfect antidote I’ve ever come across for any work or play related stress. If you’ve been burning the candle at both ends and can’t seem to stop then wend your way to the Brecon and Monmouth canal for some guaranteed down-time.

The pace of life literally halves in speed and I remember sitting for hours just watching the world slowly slide by. And what a world. This canal winds its way through the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park and is actually quite high up (for a canal anyway). A little anecdote: it’s quite near some army/ RAF training place and, one day, three fighter jets whizzed past at eye level further down the valley!

One of many locks

Ems effortlessly achieving 'narrowboat chic'

I’ve been there a few times now, always in spring, when the wee lambs are frolicking in the fields and primroses pop up everywhere. There are lots of walks, brilliant fishing, fantastic riverside pubs and pony trekking. Some of the scenery is very Lord of the Rings and it’s quite fun, when you’re in charge of the steering and everyone else is relaxing down the other end of the boat, to suddenly yell ‘Orcs’ and dive for cover.

Ems, once agan, showing us how it's done

A word to the wise- go with people you’re sure you’ll get along with. There’s not a lot of space and tempers can start to fray if someone uses up all the hot water! Also, take LOTS of jumpers- it can get very chilly on board but it’s perfectly acceptable barge etiquette to wear all of your clothes at once.

Lucy! There's a duck on your head!

I’d highly recommend this company: http://www.beaconparkboats.com/index.html. They’re incredibly friendly, will give you a quick but comprehensive lesson on the art of narrow-boating and have a seemingly unending supply of homemade flapjacks.

Comments

marisabella says...

These pictures give a great sense of the countryside ... it looks totally refreshing. Thanks for the tip on the company.

Posted 432 days ago.
Hugo says...

Love the duck on the head!

What a quintissential (spelling?) countryside experience. I'd like to try it out.

Posted 423 days ago.
langers says...

Yipeeeeee, embrace British weather!

Posted 414 days ago.
Thriller says...

What happened to your camera? Did it fall in the water or were they actually taken in 1978 on a 110? Canals are great though. Thanks for sharing.

Posted 375 days ago.
lucysoff says...

It's a long story Thriller, but since you asked.... when the ducks found out we were taking pictures of them in jest they stole the camera and dunked it in the river. Since this didn't seem to bother us too much they then took me hostage (see last pic) until we promised not to show the photos to anyone. I just hope they never find out about Here or There?...

Posted 374 days ago.
Ollisoff says...

The sheep are very dodgy round there too. They stole my phone and ran up a fortune making prank calls to my nearest and dearest. Forewarned is fore-armed.

Posted 355 days ago.