Horse
Drawn Holiday
Cruises 2008 |
(Thanks to our passengers including
Brian Monk for use of their fine photos!) |
Bywater
Break 5 Days (4 nights) |
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To cruise on a horse drawn boat is a totally unique experience as Sian
glides silently through the water. With boat horse Buddy clip clopping
in the distance you have effectively stepped back 200 years in time.
Small farm bridges, once busy village wharfs and the occasional aqueduct
mark Sian’s passage through the countryside.
Your journey is punctuated by the
occasional lock which allows Buddy time to rest and you to enjoy morning
coffee or afternoon tea.
Your Bywater Break begins when you
arrive at your hotel on the Monday afternoon and ends after breakfast on
the following Friday. |
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Weekend
on Water – 3 Nights |
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Our special Weekend on Water Breaks are designed for people who, for
whatever reason, are seeking a shorter relaxing holiday to escape the
pressures of the 21st Century.
Passengers enjoy two days travelling at the pace of life enjoyed by our
Great Grandparents when speed was not an essential part of life and
journey times were measured not in minutes, but in days.
Your Weekend on Water begins on Friday afternoon and ends after
breakfast on the following Monday. |
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Bygone
Times 7 Days (6 nights) |
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Join Bywater for a few nostalgic days to
enjoy two forms of transport more familiar to generations in times gone
by. Three days of your Bygone
Times break are spent with Buddy, Sian and crew cruising quietly through
the Welsh Marches. One afternoon you enjoy a ride on the delightfully
quaint Llanfair and Welshpool Steam Railway. Opened in 1903 this narrow
gauge railway passes through quiet countryside as it weaves its way
through the Banwy Valley.
On another day of your holiday you will
be driven to Llangollen for a return journey on the Llangollen Steam
Railway. To reach Llangollen we drive via the bustling market town of
Oswestry and then get off the beaten track along quiet country lanes
along the foothills of the Berwyn Mountains and the Ceiriog Valley. We
arrive in Llangollen in time for lunch and in the afternoon we board the
train for a return journey to Corwyn. This standard gauge railway, which
at one time formed an important part of the Cambrian railway system,
follows the turbulent waters of the River Dee. |
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Painting
Bywater 5 Days (4 nights) |
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What can be more relaxing than to combine the restful reflections of
water with the therapeutic opportunity to paint or draw? Painting
Bywater Holidays are designed for people who seek a relaxing and
informal holiday and the opportunity to practice their hobby in
interesting surroundings under the watchful eye of a professional
artist. The maximum number of people in the party will be limited to
ten.
To present these holidays Stephen Rees-Jones has teamed up with Sandra
Mead, BA(hons) Fine Art. One of the first contestants of “Watercolour
Challenge”, Sandra has been involved with Inland Waterways for over
thirty years. She has worked as an artist and designer and is an
experienced tutor. Her inspirational approach is guaranteed to make your
Painting Bywater a memorable holiday whatever your artistic ability.
Each day of your holiday you will be driven a short distance to a
suitable location chosen by Sandra for its interest and artistic merit.
Subjects may include the Llangollen Canal at Blakemere, St. Winifred’s
Well near Oswestry or perhaps the staircase locks at Frankton Junction
on the Montgomery Canal. Each day of your holiday will be divided into
two sessions with a picnic or pub lunch supplied each day. There will be
plenty of time to discuss colour theories, perspective and other
technical details with Sandra.
In the event of poor weather arrangements will be made to paint under
cover.
Good quality paper will be supplied, but guests are asked to bring their
own paints and brushes etc.
Painting Bywater holidays can be booked by groups of six people or more
at any time. |
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Canals
in Colour (4 Nights) |
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Bywater Cruises continue into the autumn when the beauty of the
Montgomery Canal is enhanced by the ever changing colours. In this
season of mist and mellow fruitfulness the trees that line the landscape
and canal compete to produce the most vibrant colours. If you are
looking for a break before the clocks fall back then join Sian and Buddy
and enjoy still waters and the reds, yellows and golds of autumn. Don’t
forget that for those cooler days Sian boasts full central heating and a
cosy log fire. We also have a secret recipe for Warm Punch! |
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Private
Charter £POA |
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Are you celebrating a special birthday,
anniversary or particular occasion? Perhaps you are one of a large
family or member of a club or organisation looking for something
different to do. Then why not consider a Private Charter Cruise aboard
Sian. Together with Buddy and crew she can be chartered at any time from
one to four days and you have the choice of full board accommodation,
bed and breakfast or self catering.
Judy Hill and ten friends from Cheshire
chartered Sian for a weekend break in June 2007 and wrote the following: |
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“Wet Feet and
Warm Hearts"
Are you stressed by
the thoughts of crowded grubby airports, late cramped trains and
motorway traffic jams? Have you decided that, next time, you will have a
different holiday nearer home?
I have the answer.
Travel with friends on a horse drawn canal boat.
On the last weekend
in June eleven of us, all over 60yrs journeyed to Welshpool in several
cars, although there was a possibility of travelling by train. We were
thrilled to find ourselves staying in a delightful 5 star B&B farmhouse,
once the farm for Powis Castle. Our friendly hosts, Mike and Henia made
us more than welcome in their beautiful home and converted barn and fed
us so well that we could not wait to get back for our evening meal.
Going away with
friends involves the inevitable breakfast discussion, ‘What shall we do
today?’ Not on this holiday. We knew exactly what the plans were. We
were collected by mini bus after breakfast and taken to our transport
for the day. A gaily painted narrow boat drawn by a lovely heavy horse
called ‘Buddy’.
Inside the boat
comfortable seats were arranged so that everybody got a good view of the
countryside and coffee, lunch and tea were served without having to move
from them. Had the weather been better we would have been sitting
outside and our refreshments served onboard or on the canal bank.
Ah yes, the weather!
It poured with rain on the first day and the greater part of the second,
but this did not dampen the spirits of the assembled company as, despite
the rain, there was so much to see. As soon as the clouds lifted most of
our group got out for a walk and when it rained they were more than
happy to climb back on board to allow the crew to get wet and do all the
work. Weather permitting there were delightful unspoilt villages to
explore when the boat was moored to give ‘Buddy’ a well earned rest.
With this sort of
holiday the stress rolls away with every leisurely mile travelled and
the peace and tranquillity is even more apparent without the sound of an
engine. If you have been on a canal boat holiday you will know that
accommodation is somewhat cramped. The great advantage of our holiday
was that each night we returned to a hot bath and very comfortable beds.
So, why don’t you
try something different? Beat the crowds and improve your carbon
footprint! Be cosseted in beautiful surroundings and let the world go
by! You won’t regret it!” |
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Friends
and Family (4 Nights) |
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Are you wondering what to do with the
children or grandchildren in August?
Perhaps we can help with our special
Friends and Family Cruises that run throughout August. These cruises are
designed very much with families in mind. Families can choose to stay
either in a Self Catering Cottage, Farm Guest House or Hotel. If you
have your own equipment why not consider a camping cruise and pitch your
tent beside the canal.
Please call for further details. |
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Horse
Handling Courses £POA |
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Interested in horses?
Want to know more about horse boats and
boat horses?
Then this is your opportunity to do
just that. Under they eye of a professional horseman you will learn how
to look after a boat horse and how to harness the horse ready for a days
work.
You will finally be allowed to try your
hand at horse boating.
Please call for further details. |
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