Wish You Were Here: An unusual adventure on a narrowboat in Wales

"WALES: Willow Glen residents Allan and Maly Hughes say they had the loveliest time taking an unusual vacation. They traveled the canals of Wales in a 55-foot-long narrowboat that is less than 7 feet wide. Resembling a minnow near the surface of the water, these rental boats come with easy instructions for beginners who are unfamiliar with how to operate the canal's lock system along the way."

"We bought food at a local market before picking up the boat, mostly breakfast stuff and a few pre-packaged dinners, since there's both a microwave and an oven on the boat, Allan Hughes explained. Although the boat is long and narrow, it's surprisingly roomy for two people. Their boat had a full-size bedroom, bathroom and fireplace, Traveling at speeds of just 2-3 mph, the couple was able to enjoy the leisurely pace of their nautical adventures."

"They spent four nights on the Llangollen Canal, crossing the aqueduct outside the town of Llangollen in North Wales. They also used the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which crosses the Dee Valley on 19 cast-iron spans at a height of 126 feet, and it's recognized internationally as a masterpiece of canal architecture, Allan said. After four nights in North Wales, they took a train to South Wales and spent seven more nights on a narrowboat, this time traveling on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal."

Allan and Maly Hughes traveled Wales by renting 55-foot-long narrowboats under 7 feet wide and navigated canals at 2–3 mph, enjoying a leisurely pace. They shopped at a local market and used onboard appliances including a microwave and oven. The boats proved surprisingly roomy with a full-size bedroom, bathroom and fireplace for two people. They spent four nights on the Llangollen Canal, crossed the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, then took a train to South Wales for seven more nights on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. Travel logistics included a nonstop flight to Gatwick, a BritRail pass, train connections and a taxi to the rental.

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