From Chat May 2004

Dana O'Hare, of Luton writes about Canal boats in Wales with Black Prince Holidays

It was my 30th birthday and I wanted to do something a bit different. Sick of going to clubs or out for meals, I got a few mates together and we opted for a canal boat holiday In North wales through Black Prince Narrowboat Holidays.
     None of us had a clue what to do, so the travel firm suggested we take an easy route. They came up with Chirk to Ellesmere and then Llangollen.
     Steering the boat and working the locks was a bit daunting at first, but it became really good fun. We were pushing it along,     steering with the giant pole with ease by the end of our weekend. It really added to the whole adventure.
     The boat itself was very clean and had everything we needed on board. There was a cooker,  fridge and a tiny loo. Good job none of us had upset turns!

    We cruised the canal at about 5mph which gave us plenty of time to take in some of the beautiful scenery.
     I was really glad one of us remembered a camera. The Llangollen Canal is home to the world famous 'stream in the sky'—the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which spans across the Dee Valley. The views from it were so breathtaking, but it's a good idea to go easy if you don't like heights much!
     When we couldn't be bothered to cook, there were plenty of pubs to stop at along the canal. For my birthday itself, we moored overnight at the Sun Pub in Trevor and had some lovely slap-up nosh.
     Next morning, we cruised on to Llangollen, a picturesque riverside town with loads going on. You can do everything from canoeing to golfing.
     That was too much like hard work for us narrowboaters, so we parked ourselves at another pub by the river before heading back to the marina at Chirk.
     All in all, it was a great laugh and made it a birthday to remember. Also visit: Chirk Castle, Park Hall Farm, Wood Farm Nature Reserve.