Cast away on a Welsh canal

The narrow boat Bronwen goes under another small bridge on the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal, with Sharon Fowler (foreground), Peter Thomas (left) and Raewyn Lippert enjoying the ride.

Six people on that 15m-long, 2m-wide vessel.

What had the potential to be a challenging ride turned out to be a fun, relaxing and yet active family holiday in south Wales.

Two dogs barked a welcome as my family arrived at Cambrian Cruisers' marina near the village of Pencelli.

Our bright green narrow boat, Bronwen, was moored at the picturesque wooden marina, surrounded by other colourfully decorated boats.

Autumn leaves were just starting to turn yellow and in the distance, hedgerows bisected rolling green hills.

The friendly co-owner of the family-run canal boat holiday hire business, Jonathan Griffiths, showed us what we needed to know.

The vessel where we three married couples were to spend our six nights had two double beds plus a dining-living-space sofa which could become a bed, much as in a caravan.

It also had a small kitchen and a bathroom with a toilet and shower.

Jonathan explained the basic principles of going through locks and under bridges and showed us the boat's engine, heating system and water storage tank, also how to operate the tiller.

He warned us to be careful going under bridges, and there was some talk of decapitation.

We left Pencelli on a sunny Tuesday.

Jonathan piloted us initially, then, after allowing my father to steer, left us with his boat, plenty of maps and information, and cellphone number, should we need it.

We were on our own with Bronwen, on the 53km Brecon and Abergavenny Canal, much of which nestles into the mountainside above the valley of the River Usk.

Coal, coke, lime, limestone, iron and agricultural products were transported on the canal in the 1800s.

Apparently, a narrow boat is a vessel less than 2.13m wide, built to ply canal systems.

Each of us took turns at piloting the craft, with varying degrees of success.