Same! I can't wait to do this myself. I didn't know you could drive them yourself just like renting a car, which is so cool. I'm definitely adding to my bucket list.
@@brookeg5979 My mum and dad's honeymoon was spent narrow boating around the midlands and my grandad now lives on one! I can do nothing else but give them my heartiest reccomendation.
This is, by far, the most relaxing series you've made to date and is a balm for frazzled nerves. As others have said, you and Nicole are the definition of couple's goals.
I have been watching this channel for a few years. I love living vicariously through your travels, but this video has really lifted my spirits. I moved to live full-time on a narrowboat on the UK Canal system in August this year. Seeing how much you loved being in the Welsh Countryside. Scenery that I have taken for granted, I saw anew through your eyes. The fact that you, who have seen some of the most awe inspiring scenery and places in the world, and think the canals gave you some of the most memorable scenery really blows my mind. Thank you for this video. I really loved it. And it’s the first one of yours, shows a trip that I can experience in reality myself.
Glad your enjoying Wales, I'm Welsh but the only memories I have of canals is DofE canyoning through brecon and my oar gets stuck on smt then a dead sheep floats up crawling with rats and my mate slides head first into it 🤢
I'm from Wales and I couldn't be more delighted you enjoyed my home. I wish I saw more of Wales on RU-vid. I really hope you'll come back and travel Wales more 😍 Diolch yn fawr
I'm a Londoner turned Welsh fanatic in my young days - North Wales camping for many summers at Dinas Dille beach on the North West peninsula south of Bangor - and I adore your countryside, altho now aged 83 & long living in the US my Welsh days are like this video - looking in from the outside ! Love you Wales, love your fascinating history & your great people, the actual real Britons ! A piece of my heart will always be there. What a lovely video - enjoyed every minute of it - thank you so much !
I am Australian but my son, DIL and granddaughters live in Wales just north of Cardiff. I wanted to do a Canal boat trip one trip over to the UK and this certainly makes it even more attractive.
You know it's love when your significant other will remove a spider from your collar, even though it's freaking them out at the time. Nicely handled Nicole!
What beauty surrounds you! It is so lovely and serene! Meeting others is a bonus, how wonderful that you were able to participate in the Queens Jubilee. A truly historic event, memories will abound! Loved watching every minute!
@@DownieLive I've wondered if there is ever a moldy or bad smell from the water as it looks a bit dirty, or is it well circulated, and somehow cleaned? Ducks have often been seen swimming along in the canals. There is a certain narrow boat designer & manufacturer that has absolutely super excellent design. Far better than other companies. I'll look for it & post later. 😉
Jim: Go for it! I spent 10- days in October cruising the beautiful Mon and Brec Canal and the 20th was my 87th birthday. See studio.ru-vid.comFoof_R3-SNw/edit.
I grew up within a mile of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. As a child I used to fish in it, go wildlife spotting and canoe on it. I moved away many years ago and had forgotten just how beautiful it is. I’ve travelled by narrowboat on most of the British canal system and it really is an incredible way to spend a holiday. I’m really envious of you and Nicole. Maybe it’s time I hired a narrowboat once again.
You made me want to go on a train trip. Now you made me want to go on a narrow boat. Your enthusiasm is incredibly infectious! Thank you for your travels and taking me with you!
I am struggling to find a content creator who better exemplifies what the intended purpose of RU-vid was when it was conceived. Sure there’s editing but that’s a necessity, sure there’s sponsors but they’re good companies. Take all that out and it’s just the most positive guy in the world experiencing a slice of life and sharing it so others can enjoy it, and maybe do it.
My mom and her friend, both in their 70s, travelled from Canada to do a canal trip a few years ago. She ran the boat in the locks while her friend opened the locks. They both loved it. I will be sharing this series with her. Glad to see Nicole is comfortable being part of the adventure. She is a wonderful addition to the series combined with your infectious personality. The boat parade looked like a lot of fun too. Can’t wait for the next edition.
One of your best videos ever Mike. The story telling and editing is outstanding! This channel has come so far. This is better than any travel show on tv.
seeing someone else is nice, Mike is of course fantastic, but the comfortable back and forth adds so much and Nicole acts wonderfully as the "straight man" against the optimistic style of Michael. makes the video really cozy.
@@korek8173soon as the instructor hopped off the boat I thought 😯😏🫣 mikes comments like “[being out here] just the two of you”, “other COUPLEs staying here” made it apparent as well as the kissing shots obviously
@@ahnessa Ha, ok, no - the confusion wasn't on the girlfriend part, it was on the new part. So when I asked "Is she a new girlfriend?" - the part in doubt was the word "new", not "girlfriend". Have they been a longtime couple or have they recently met?
@@korek8173 ohh I did some digging on instagram and they posted each other in June of 2015 (I believe) for the first time so longtime couple!! I’d love to see more videos with her; the style of edit was nice.
I live in Australia but am obsessed with the UK countryside. Visiting the UK and travelling on a canal boat would be up there on my holiday wishlist along with with seeing Canada, Alaska and Japan. So beautiful.
As a Brit getting to see your reaction to glorious British countryside is marvellous. It's easy to take it for granted living and growing up here, but to see it through a stranger's eyes fresh was a great feeling! Very glad you enjoyed your trip to the UK - come back soon!
Let me say you are one unique person who appreciates and enjoys everything life has to offer. Nicole is adorable. Love watching your videos, they put me in a great mood, thanks! 😊
First time watching your channel and I love your attitude! I'm Welsh born and bread. I live in the North East of Wales and I'm really happy you're enjoying our country. It truly is beautiful. Thanks for reminding me of that.
It's such a good feeling watching two people enjoy the UK, as much as I've enjoyed walking and cycling the canals through my home town Stoke on Trent. Watching you two enjoy it so much makes me feel even more lucky I can do it any day want.... Great video
I started following your channel because, as a railfan, I love your travels by train. Now you pop up touring Welsh canals, something I didn't even know existed. Can't wait for your next water adventure.
I think you & Nicole were a little surprised with the excitement of all the people that were equally excited to see you both. I loved this! It was beautiful. Just love how you both enjoyed lunch on a patio looking out over a field of sheep. The rainbow was beautiful! Looking forward to next week. Wales is a beautiful place.
We just took a 3-night trip on a rented boat up the Shannon River in Ireland. It's not narrow-boating, but there are many similarities: you set your own pace, manage all aspects of the boat, go thru incredibly peaceful and beautiful scenery, and feel like you have a community with other boaters. I must say I agree with Nicole -- although often it feels relaxing, there is a lot of stress in piloting the boat, going thru locks, and pulling into the moorings. But, we loved it. I really enjoyed this video so much, and look forward to more.
I knew narrow boats existed but had no idea that 1) you could rent (hire) them, and 2) you operated them, and 3) the environment of Wales was so peaceful and relaxing!
Mike, this is one of your best. I follow another Gentleman who does the narrow boats. Looks like a fun thing to do. The scenery is wonderful. Thanks for posting.
There are so many reasons to love your videos but this week's video really encapsulates ALL the reasons. I watch a lot of travel vlogs, its my alternative to actually being able to travel, but there is something incredibly special about yours....you have an innate ability to make me feel like Im there experiencing the journey with you. It is lovely to see that Nichole is travelling with you this trip and I literally cant wait for next week's video.
I used to live along this canal in Cwmbran and walked it regularly towards Abergavenny. It really is a beautiful area. I even had a works night out at the Horseshoe Inn back in 2017! Brilliant video with so many recognisable areas that I will be walking again in the summer! I might have to look into renting a boat.
We lived near the Lake District in Cumbria for 2 1/2 years. The English countryside was just breathtaking. We have been back in the states for 3 years. We couldn’t wait to return to the UK . We went back for a month in August. We rented a narrow boat and toured part the Oxford Canal and Thames for 4 days. Your video is a true reflection of what a wonderful experience it is. We are going back in May to explore another area. Glad we found your channel.
I LOVE that you went on the canals! This is a goal for me myself to do some day. There is an entire side of the UK people do not get to see unless they take them, so glad you are sharing the experience. I kept smiling and laughing with you at all the joy the trip brought you. :)
This is wonderful! Your childlike awe and wonder is so lovely and refreshing. You always have so much gratitude in your travels and It's a joy to watch. Can't wait to see what the rest of Wales holds!
I really appreciate Nicole’s reviews - I too can get very hangry, and i would be mighty miffed if i got to our planned pub and they weren’t serving food anymore!! Lesson learned: go shopping before you even get to the boat so you have supplies from the start.😊 xoxo I can’t wait for next week.
I have to say, while I have loved all your other series I was totally captivated by this journey!! 😍 It was so different and so so interesting. I felt for you all when the food shops were closed, but it allowed for some lovely alternatives. And Nicole is a great trooper! 🌟Thanks for all you do! Safe travels! 🙏🏾
I live around canals and use them often - but i really appreciated watching it from your point of view! I obviously appreciate how beautiful they can be, but you tend to just take things for granted. But the fact you were amazed by how green it is makes me take a step back and appreciate how ace it actually is. The scenery, the history, british canals are ace. Great video mate.
Thanks, both. I was born and raised in South Wales, I still live here now. This has made me consider a canal boat as a home for me and my family (my fiance disagrees, but there's time yet!). Glad you had such a blast. Always lovely to see people reacting so kindly to this country that I take so for granted.
I have dreamt about a canal boat trip since I was about 20y old. For the last few years, I have followed a bunch of RU-vidrs that have done what you do now and some that actually live on their boats. Maby I should level. up my dream in a few years. :-D Thanks for bringing us along!
Loving your vlog, we spent a week on a canal in Wales in 2014, it was one of the best experiences of my life, we traveled with another couple from NZ, they had done a lot of canal boat trips while living in England , encouraged us to go back for a trip with them. Loved every minute of it and you are right, it is another beautiful world. I think about it often, my happy place
All I can say is this was brilliant. The lush, richness of the countryside took my breath away. I’m so happy you are adding this series to your channel. Just delightful!❤❤❤❤
Happy to see this content and narrowboating getting exposure outside the UK, I blame narrowboating on getting me hooked on subscribing to YT channels, The very first channel I subscribed to is Cruising The Cut. Sadly many of the OG narrowboat YT’ers have retired from continual cruising. Some great YT narrowboat channels are Cruising The Cut, Minimal List, Foxes Afloat, Cruising Alba, Narrowboat Experience and London Boat Girl.
Yep. They are all good YTber channels. Yes, Cruising The Cut is a great gateway channel to get in to BoatTubers. I agree that it sucks that so many channels have retired from continual cruising but I think that is to be expected as it looks like it is a lot of work and you can end up running out of new areas to cruise and explore. The good thing about YT is that there are so many interesting and good channels to check out so you will not ever be bored.
Thank you for visiting my home country; Americans know England, they know Scotland, they know Ireland, but you ask many about Wales they reply "Where is that?" or "Is that in England!" I'm so glad you bring my beautiful country to a wider audience.
I agree! I am so fed up with being asked "What part of England are you from?" in the US and Canada . BUT to refer to a Canadian as American is just as bad!
I’m so happy you enjoyed Wales. I’m Canadian born but very proud to have a Welsh Mother. It is a beautiful country with the most amazing people. Sadly most Canadians never heard of Wales. You’d be shocked if you knew how many times I’ve been asked “your family was born in a whale?!”. So happy to see this gorgeous country getting featured on your channel.
Mike! Nicole! WOW! I had no idea the UK had so many canals. Wales looks absolutely gorgeous. I cannot wait to see the next three episodes. As always, thank you for bringing us along, on these adventures!
For a long time, I have dreamed of this particular vacation, I will do so soon and of all the canal trips, you have convinced us that our first should rightly be this very canal to allow us the same wisdom of less traffic to hone some narrow boat skills first. Thank you for this video
For the non-Brits in this comment section, 'Cymru' is Welsh for 'Wales' and 'Cymru am byth' means 'Wales forever' ☺️ From your friendly English neighbour! ☺️
Michael, this trip is truly remarkable. Your words are how I would describe it; such a gorgeous landscape with beauty all around. However, the timing seems to be important when searching for a dinner house . . . or simply bring along enough groceries. Thx, Jimbo
Welcome to Wales, Mike and Nicole. It is a beautiful country. As you can see, there is more to Britain than just London and I am sure that you will love the rest of your journey.
I think this is the definition of serenity. I could watch this for hours on end. In France, there's a very famous canal, the Canal du Midi, if one day you want to navigate it :) Can't wait for the other episodes!
I stumbled upon this video on my front page and I'm soooo glad I watched it. I love Wales already and this is an absolute pleasure to watch and reminds me why I love this country and its countryside! You two seem to be so nice and loveable and I can't wait to check the next episodes out :3
"Hi guys, we're Canadian too!" while talking to the geese 😂They are feisty! It's like the reason Canadians are so friendly is because they shoved all their anger into their geese! Canada geese were first introduced to the UK back in the late 17th century when King James II had them as part of his collection of waterfowl in St James's Park. The Welsh landscape is great and all but the most epic part about Wales is their flag. I mean it has a frickin' *RED DRAGON* on it! Welsh kings of Aberffraw first adopted the dragon in the early fifth century in order to symbolize their power and authority after the Romans withdrew from Britain
Growing up in Northern England i never really appreciated how special our canal system is, it was just something i took for granted as if it was a common thing all over the world, in my recent years i've come to really appreciate the beauty and hope one day i can get the confidence to rent a boat and go for a tour too!
This was a relaxing episode to watch, unique method of travel with its own challenges but you guys made the most of it! Thanks for sharing this with us!
I started watching narrow boating adventures when the pandemic hit. I'm (cough) hooked. You're doing my dream trip! Wales looked absolutely stunning! Wow.
Being a Welshman, it really warms my heart to see non-natives such as yourselves say the things we do, that we live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world❤️💯
Wales is truly a beautiful part of the United Kingdom. It was wonderful traveling with you canal boat newbies. You two worked together great as a team. I can't wait for the next canal boat adventure.
I am a 🇨🇦 and have been watching Narrowboat vlogs for over three years. Thank you for allowing us along with your adventure. When I was in England, I had the chance to have a day trip on a narrow boat but my daughters wanted to visit Stratford...next time.
2 years ago we did a holiday on the Mon and Brec and now we're in the market for one of our very own! I'm obsessed with this lifestyle! Thanks for the smile
Hope this new series does well; some lighthearted information; 6/7 RU-vid channels have had dedicated channels (Foxes Alfort typical channel model) over the last 8 years that have covered this subject thoroughly. Background to viewership- hoping your international followers prop things up! Thanks for all your wonderful journeys and super family. Sending many Blessings from deepest southern England 🎉 🇬🇧
Missed opportunity to fly some Canadian Flags 🇨🇦 or garb from your lovely narrow boat @ the jubilee flotilla. What a fun few days on what looks to be a great new adventure.
Im so glad you loved my homeland the beauty of which is often underrated. It's a shame you didn't get to Brecon but you can't do it all! As always your enthusiasm is uplifting! Keep on going "Live" Mike Downie.
We are also from Vancouver and hired an ABC narrow boat this summer, Banbury and return trip. I totally agree with everything they say. Even though we were in a different area, the peaceful lush scenery and experiences were similar. We were also surprised at this difficulty finding pub food at times. I can’t wait to do another one.
About 15 years ago, my wife and I along with her sister and husband spent a week on a rented narrowboat on the Caldon Canal and thoroughly loved it. Thank you for helping me relive those memories and spreading the word about how great a narrowboat “holiday” (“vacation” for us Yanks in the USA).
My partner and I lived on the canal system for a year and for the most part it was fun. We did find it hard work, but it kept us fit we had a 50ft n/b .
I was so tickled to see you doing a series on narrowboat cruising! I got hooked on watching narrowboat liveaboard RU-vidrs over the last few years, in no small part because the scenery is so lovely. Thank you or taking us along on your adventures!
I've been watching your videos since you started your videos of Vancouver and am very surprised to see you come to Wales out of all places. This canal system in particular was one of my fond memories growing up. Thanks for visiting!
love this kind of adventure, very slow pace and relaxing. always in awe watching how you always spent some time talking with the locals getting to know them and also local histories. super interesting video! cant wait for next eps!
I am usually disappointed when there is no train involved! Not this time! The boats look like a great way to see the real UK. So often trains run through industrial areas. This looks like pure countryside. Nicole looks like a keeper. She is the ying to your yang. If you haven't already, get a ring on her finger!
Well.... I have to say this was a treat, my partner just sent me this video when he realised you were travelling along my canal!!! in fact you see my house on the left hand side at 18:43. have lived in that house for over 20 years with the lovely canal as my back garden and have walked to and from school and two generations of dogs along that canal, was exciting to see it being seen from a new persons perspective! if you think its lovely now with all the greenery I hope you get to see it when it (finally) snows, its truly quite fantastical.
Wales is gorgeous! I wonder how hard it would be to travel alone? I've been using Tru Earth products, Dizolve laundry strips, and Usolve as well for YEARS. Good products. I highly recommend them.
Wow! Who knew? Love canal boats so thank you for taking us along. Always wanted to take these trips. Enjoying the lovely countryside from the comfort of my armchair, four inches of snow outside. And of course the bathroom tour included.
Canal boat holidays are the best and we always had them growing up as a family. 3 weeks a year on a narrow boat. If you are thinking of doing this you need to stock up your food, and take enough for cooking your main meals on the boat, you can’t rely on countryside pubs to either be open or serving food… even in 2023! You normally get enough pan etc to cook properly on board. Then you can also just eat when you get hungry.
I just have to say that I am so glad RU-vid recommended your channel during your US "Travel by Train" series. This has to be some of the best travel content on YT - can't wait for the next video in the series!
Just discovered this channel from one of the later parts in your Wales journey. I've come back to part 1 to enjoy it all the way through! I'm 5 minutes in and really impressed so far. Editing is brilliant - I know this must've taken ages!!
Your enthusiasm for this trip is infectious inspiring!!! I have traveled to the UK a few times and done the tourist thing and enjoyed my time exploring on my own. I've ofen wondered about the canals and traveling on them so thank you for this wonderful informative. Your wide eyed wonderment of the beauty of Wales is better than any tourist brochure! Thank you!
Can’t wait to watch these Vlogs. Welcome to the UK. I adore the canals and regularly walk around the Kinver/Stourbridge area. If anyone particularly loves the canal history and scenery try watching Foxes Afloat. Loads of history and superb videography too. I’m grinning listening to you talk about Wales so positively. I live in England but love Wales, it’s so beautiful
I’m glad you enjoyed the British countryside, Britain gets a lot of stick for not being pretty, but there is truly nothing better than taking a stroll through rolling fields, walking along a canal, and ending the day at a local pub!
