Hi Tracy and thanks very much! Well, I have done the Llangollen canal last April - on a hire boat and you can see that here on my channel. I am hoping to visit the canals around Swansea area at some time, although they are only very short now, and not very navigable. The Mon & Brec is certainly worth a visit, if you are able!
Thanks Angela! Yes, I'm usually lucky with the weather when I do these walks and rides, but it turned out to be very changeable this time. Really bright sunshine when I got there - soon followed by heavy rain - and then sunny again. And not at all warm. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a fine day on Monday when I travel up to Liverpool to see Gladys 😊🤞
Yes indeed, you've cycled it yourself as I've seen👍 I'm glad I was on foot and not on the bike though - I can't stand getting it wet... and splattered!
Morning Jeff, that was a lovely video, cracking start to my Saturday. That lift bridge at the beginning looks very scary & doesn't lift as high as I'd expect it to, I imagine it'd be a problem for some people who have things on the roof. Seeing the muddy water makes you appreciate the massive job CRT have trying to care for the waterways & I'm amazed how well they do considering how difficult it is regarding it's funding nationwide. They're widely criticised & I think unfairly not least because a lot of the work is done by volunteers. Can't wait to see you cruising this canal on Gladys.
Good morning Annie! Thanks for the lovely comment - I'm very glad your day has started well! Yes, lift bridges are often a very tight squeeze on the one side and some of the boats you see on canals would definitely have a problem with that one. Similarly, the Ashcroft Tunnel, which they go through a mile before the lift bridge, is also very, very low - you'd need to take stuff off the roof. CRT does a great job indeed, and yes, relies a lot on volunteers. if I wasn't going to be boating, I would have liked to be a lock-volunteer on this canal - but I understand they need people who can commit to regular duty. As for Gladys - I won't have her launched on this canal, because its only a 35 mile stretch and doesn't connect with the rest of the system. But in the future, it's quite likely I will have her lifted out and moved back here 👍
Hi Jeff, Thanks for this great upload. I watched it today from a gloomy rainy Birmingham (as always) and really enjoyed watching it. That stretch of canal is so picturesque and the surrounding areas are beautiful. That view of those houses at 12:50 into the video is just spectacular. I always envy people who live in areas like that and wonder if they fully appreciate how lucky they are to be surrounded by the best nature can offer, however I'm sure most of them do. Gilwern too looks beautiful. As you know I'm not a graffiti fan so no graffiti to be seen was much appreciated. I can't wait to see Gladys cruising along that stretch and you are correct when you say your subscriber list will grow quickly when you start uploading Gladys's adventures. Mind you, Gladys will have her work cut out for her when she tries to compete with your Holzhausen videos. Take care Jeff and enjoy your visit to Aintree. See you on the next video 👍
Hi Dave! Thanks - glad you liked it. Yes, this canal is very pretty indeed and that house has the most wonderful view 😊Yes, its odd how some canals get lots of graffiti and others don't, but there's fewer large concrete areas on this one I guess. Well, I've not long got home from Liverpool Dave, and I think I can say that Gladys is going to be a real star once we get onto the water - she has her finished paintwork now and looks simply stunning... I don't think I'll need to do any commentary on the videos then - she'll do all the talking for me! I'll start editing my footage tomorrow and am sure you'll be impressed when you see next Saturday's video! Thanks for the nice comment about my Holzhausens Dave - I have started building yet another one (well, what else can I do with all these bloody logs?!) I'm not filming this one but may post some photos of it as I make progress. Cheers - PS I hope you've had a chance to get out on that bike of yours!
@@Gladysthenarrowboat Hi Jeff, still not christened the bike yet. A combination of illness, unlimited overtime and bloody rain have hampered my efforts. Really looking forward to the photos of Gladys Jeff. Sounds like she's coming on a treat 👍
I remember cycling by that lift-bridge and leaving it open, if we’d passed a car on the way down. At the time, it was still a counterbalance bridge with a rope I think and you could open/close it a bit quicker than the present day electric assist. Also remember taking turns to dangle from the weight, while friends would lower the bridge. And as soon as they let go, the extra weight of one kid, would raise the bridge. It didn’t fly open but it was a little brisk. I know only too well how shallow the edges are. Too many times, having partially loaded the boat with a fallen tree or a day’s removal of invasive species. It’s taken 4-6 polers to push-off, in order to make way for the return journey. Not far from the PO, is a small car park, primarily for the village hall. But there’s also a couple of EV slow chargers. You’ll need to purchase tokens at the PO and have your own Type-2 cable. The pink bluebells are Hispanic Hyacinthoides, commonly called Spanish Bluebells and are an invasive species in the wilds of the UK. Commonly planted in gardens but their vigorous growth, can out compete, even eradicate native UK Bluebells. I hope you plucked them and dug out the bulbs. I’ll report the location to CRT. For those who wish to know more: www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/how-identify/spanish-or-native-bluebell
Ah yes - there are still some lift bridges like that on the Oxford Canal. I remember when we did that one a few years ago, on a very windy day, the bridges were nodding up and down in the wind - so someone had to sit on the weighted end in order for the boat to pass safely through. As you say though DC - much quicker to operate than an electric one!
Thanks for the extra info DC. No I didn't pluck out the pink flowers - actually I was very taken with them and it never occurred to me that they might overrun the normal blue Bluebells, of which there was a lot more. It'd be against my nature to pull them out even if I'd known. ☹️
Hi Jeff, Getting closer to Pontypool Beautiful neck of the woods. i'm loving these vlogs of yours, such crisp shots along the Canals. I remember this part of the Canal Not this far but about 2 miles out from Pontypool. I also saw the photo's of Gladys, she's looking so Good and the paint job looks Amazing! Is that Candy apple red or another shade of red? Whatever the shade She's looking GOOD! l'm using my Daughter's Chromebook as mine is playing up and is in for repair. I tried my Android but not allowing that ACTION? for reasons not known?!? Anyway Jeff take care out there and Stay Safe. 🥰
Hi John! Thanks so much for the nice comment about my videos! Yes, a very pretty area - in fact all along the Mon & Brec is quite beautiful. No its not Candy Apple - although I have a guitar which is! I cant remember the name of this shade - but its very like my car which is Ford's 'Race Red'. Hope you get your IT sorted soon. You tube seems to behave differently on different devices! 👍
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for the video! Cheers 👍 😀 🍻
Hi Scott - very glad you enjoyed it! 👍
Lovely I would love to see all the canals around wales thanks
Hi Tracy and thanks very much!
Well, I have done the Llangollen canal last April - on a hire boat and you can see that here on my channel. I am hoping to visit the canals around Swansea area at some time, although they are only very short now, and not very navigable. The Mon & Brec is certainly worth a visit, if you are able!
Oh and thank you for subscribing!! 👍
Great video Jeff, lovely countryside and canal 👍
Thanks Iain! Yes, its a beautiful canal and most of the time the weather was great. Fabulous countryside, as you say 👍
Thanks so much for enduring the rainy weather so we can have a view of the canal sights today! 😅And good luck drying out out back at home 🏡
Thanks Angela! Yes, I'm usually lucky with the weather when I do these walks and rides, but it turned out to be very changeable this time. Really bright sunshine when I got there - soon followed by heavy rain - and then sunny again. And not at all warm. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a fine day on Monday when I travel up to Liverpool to see Gladys 😊🤞
A beautiful canal trail. Shame about the rain but sometimes that can be exhilarating.
Yes indeed, you've cycled it yourself as I've seen👍 I'm glad I was on foot and not on the bike though - I can't stand getting it wet... and splattered!
Morning Jeff, that was a lovely video, cracking start to my Saturday.
That lift bridge at the beginning looks very scary & doesn't lift as high as I'd expect it to, I imagine it'd be a problem for some people who have things on the roof.
Seeing the muddy water makes you appreciate the massive job CRT have trying to care for the waterways & I'm amazed how well they do considering how difficult it is regarding it's funding nationwide. They're widely criticised & I think unfairly not least because a lot of the work is done by volunteers.
Can't wait to see you cruising this canal on Gladys.
Good morning Annie! Thanks for the lovely comment - I'm very glad your day has started well!
Yes, lift bridges are often a very tight squeeze on the one side and some of the boats you see on canals would definitely have a problem with that one. Similarly, the Ashcroft Tunnel, which they go through a mile before the lift bridge, is also very, very low - you'd need to take stuff off the roof.
CRT does a great job indeed, and yes, relies a lot on volunteers. if I wasn't going to be boating, I would have liked to be a lock-volunteer on this canal - but I understand they need people who can commit to regular duty. As for Gladys - I won't have her launched on this canal, because its only a 35 mile stretch and doesn't connect with the rest of the system. But in the future, it's quite likely I will have her lifted out and moved back here 👍
Hi Jeff, Thanks for this great upload. I watched it today from a gloomy rainy Birmingham (as always) and really enjoyed watching it. That stretch of canal is so picturesque and the surrounding areas are beautiful. That view of those houses at 12:50 into the video is just spectacular. I always envy people who live in areas like that and wonder if they fully appreciate how lucky they are to be surrounded by the best nature can offer, however I'm sure most of them do. Gilwern too looks beautiful. As you know I'm not a graffiti fan so no graffiti to be seen was much appreciated. I can't wait to see Gladys cruising along that stretch and you are correct when you say your subscriber list will grow quickly when you start uploading Gladys's adventures. Mind you, Gladys will have her work cut out for her when she tries to compete with your Holzhausen videos. Take care Jeff and enjoy your visit to Aintree. See you on the next video 👍
Hi Dave! Thanks - glad you liked it. Yes, this canal is very pretty indeed and that house has the most wonderful view 😊Yes, its odd how some canals get lots of graffiti and others don't, but there's fewer large concrete areas on this one I guess.
Well, I've not long got home from Liverpool Dave, and I think I can say that Gladys is going to be a real star once we get onto the water - she has her finished paintwork now and looks simply stunning... I don't think I'll need to do any commentary on the videos then - she'll do all the talking for me! I'll start editing my footage tomorrow and am sure you'll be impressed when you see next Saturday's video!
Thanks for the nice comment about my Holzhausens Dave - I have started building yet another one (well, what else can I do with all these bloody logs?!) I'm not filming this one but may post some photos of it as I make progress.
Cheers - PS I hope you've had a chance to get out on that bike of yours!
@@Gladysthenarrowboat Hi Jeff, still not christened the bike yet. A combination of illness, unlimited overtime and bloody rain have hampered my efforts. Really looking forward to the photos of Gladys Jeff. Sounds like she's coming on a treat 👍
Aw, shame about the bike Dave. Hope you get out on it soon. I'll post a few photos on here before Saturday for you to have a look! 👍
I remember cycling by that lift-bridge and leaving it open, if we’d passed a car on the way down. At the time, it was still a counterbalance bridge with a rope I think and you could open/close it a bit quicker than the present day electric assist.
Also remember taking turns to dangle from the weight, while friends would lower the bridge. And as soon as they let go, the extra weight of one kid, would raise the bridge. It didn’t fly open but it was a little brisk.
I know only too well how shallow the edges are. Too many times, having partially loaded the boat with a fallen tree or a day’s removal of invasive species. It’s taken 4-6 polers to push-off, in order to make way for the return journey.
Not far from the PO, is a small car park, primarily for the village hall. But there’s also a couple of EV slow chargers. You’ll need to purchase tokens at the PO and have your own Type-2 cable.
The pink bluebells are Hispanic Hyacinthoides, commonly called Spanish Bluebells and are an invasive species in the wilds of the UK. Commonly planted in gardens but their vigorous growth, can out compete, even eradicate native UK Bluebells. I hope you plucked them and dug out the bulbs. I’ll report the location to CRT.
For those who wish to know more: www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/how-identify/spanish-or-native-bluebell
Ah yes - there are still some lift bridges like that on the Oxford Canal. I remember when we did that one a few years ago, on a very windy day, the bridges were nodding up and down in the wind - so someone had to sit on the weighted end in order for the boat to pass safely through. As you say though DC - much quicker to operate than an electric one!
Thanks for the extra info DC. No I didn't pluck out the pink flowers - actually I was very taken with them and it never occurred to me that they might overrun the normal blue Bluebells, of which there was a lot more. It'd be against my nature to pull them out even if I'd known. ☹️
@@Gladysthenarrowboat- I’ve got a spare trowel if you change your mind.
You're very kind to offer DC... here's a thought - you leave those pink flowers alone until I call around for the trowel! 😉
Hi Jeff, Getting closer to Pontypool Beautiful neck of the woods.
i'm loving these vlogs of yours, such crisp shots along the Canals. I remember this part of the Canal
Not this far but about 2 miles out from Pontypool.
I also saw the photo's of Gladys, she's looking so Good and the paint job looks Amazing!
Is that Candy apple red or another shade of red?
Whatever the shade She's looking GOOD!
l'm using my Daughter's Chromebook as mine is playing up and is in for repair.
I tried my Android but not allowing that ACTION? for reasons not known?!?
Anyway Jeff take care out there and Stay Safe.
🥰
Hi John! Thanks so much for the nice comment about my videos! Yes, a very pretty area - in fact all along the Mon & Brec is quite beautiful.
No its not Candy Apple - although I have a guitar which is! I cant remember the name of this shade - but its very like my car which is Ford's 'Race Red'. Hope you get your IT sorted soon. You tube seems to behave differently on different devices! 👍
Interesting but you need a 1080p camera.
Thanks - glad you found it interesting 🙂