Beautiful scenery, but then much of the South Wales Valleys is like that. I presume the title must be a reference to the 1980s darts champion, Bob Anderson!?
The title is a reference to the classic Glen Campbell song "Rhinestone Cowboy" (ua-cam.com/video/8kAU3B9Pi_U/v-deo.html) and I would presume your darts chap was making a similar play on words from that song as I did.
I love the witty titles you give the videos both here, and on Crusing the Cut. One that stands out in memory was Stormy Denials. You sir, are what my father would have referred to as a clever lad. Cheers from Canada.
I can't be the first one to notice that the Welsh names sound like Klingon. Fantastic views. I agree with your assessment of the roads (which also brought a laugh)--butt clenching. Yes, indeed. From the shores of Little Bay de Noc on Lake Michigan in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (where we also have pasties).
Hello, I’m an American from the Midwest. My wife and I drive a class C Winnebago down to Tucson AZ every fall and back to Illinois every spring. 1741 miles unless we zig zag for something special to see or do. I really liked the Cruising the Cut VBlog and when finished with those bing watched all the Vblogs about your van. You stated in several of your videos that you were not anything but a nerd with no skills at several of the things on both the narrow boat and the van that in my opinion belies those statements. It seems to me you accomplished everything you started and that says a lot. Very entertaining videos from both your channels and Hope there are many more to come. Thanks for your efforts. Howard
If people are staying in the UK for a holiday again this year, it would not be such a hardship with stunning scenery like this. Even on a typically wet Welsh day, the vistas were beautiful!
Wales is beautiful, even if it rains all of the time. Lovely viewing, stumps me why anybody would want to watch 'normal tele' with content like your good self provides on YT - many thanks
Thank you David, for this wonderful video that saved my day. After a lot of stress, these were just the pictures I needed to get back on the ground and find some rest. Thanks again.
I was out they last night about 10:00 on my bike in the wind and rain only 12 miles from my home love your videos especially the ones travelling around the Brecon Beacons
Cheers for this. I grew up in Llangattock and miss it terribly. A lot of time spent walking that canal and those roads up the mountain. I hear the green green grass of home calling for me...
Oh that brought back some memories - glad you got to go to the Mon and Brec. I have lots of photos of the escarpment though we didn't actually get up to it, just looked from the canal. Blimey though - I thought the canal was narrow and twisty but those roads are "squeeky" . Glad I now know how to pronounce Llangattock - I've been calling it "Lang-a-tock" for 6 years !
Another lovely video David. I love the fact that the UK appreciates heritage enough to keep an 18th century bridge in good repair. Here in the US the politicians and beaurocrats would have replaced it three times over by now with ever less attractive eyesores to keep us all safe.
I find those explorations really nice. They can be an inspiration even for people living near those places that didn't know such details. (And if course they could be inspirational for any tourist not living nearby) The UK, but likely every country, surely has a near infinite supply of such interesting places. Hopefully such explorations will continue.
Such beautiful country! Enjoyed the driving view along the narrow roads. After those roads, the canals must have seemed like modern highways. I have always found that the rain on a metal roof and the wind howling outside while snuggled into a warm bed was very comforting and reason enough to just stay in bed for the day. You sir are much more adventurous than me. Take care and have a good week.
Always a pleasure to watch your videos, both of your channels are very informative and entertaining. I do think you are living the perfect life!! Please keep them coming
Thank you David for posting this. Until I saw your vlog, I had no idea this existed, in spite of living just 25 miles away for the last 40 years. Paid it a visit on Saturday (10th August 24) and, yes, the road up from Llangattock is very steep - parts of it put me in mind of the notorious Hardknot Pass in the Lake District. I'm glad that you overshot the turning to the car park on first approach - leaves me not feeling quite so bad about making that mistake myself! Heading home via the Blackrock gorge (A465) made for a much more easily-graded road.
Thank you David from Maroochydore Queensland. That was really good. It reminds me of all those neat little towns and interesting places we have visited in the UK.
Once lived in the Appalachian mountains of Eastern United States so I will know those narrow twisty steep icy roads. What I fear is your driving on the left side on a busy highway and traffic buzzing by on the right. That makes me queasy, I'll never get used to that.
Wow! what a beautiful place, I did enjoy the drive up, but coming down seemed a bit hairier. Here in Massachusetts, we have a Sugarloaf Mountain, and obviously, it looks the same. Thanks, David I enjoyed coming along for the ride.
The steep hills that you drove up and down in your campervan reminds me of "The Last of the Summer Wine." The episode called "Nowhere Particular." I can feel the tension of the narrow road and the steep hill. Just watching was fun but scary.
I'm one of your waterborne followers ordinarily, David, but the name Llangattock caught my eye. The very first time I went caving (potholing if you must) was to that precise area. I didn't recognise exactly where you were, but you must have been very close to the place we stayed. Old Daren Sunday School (next to the row of cottages owned by the South Wales Caving Club) and although the road there did curve tightly round and go, vertiginously, downhill to Crickhowell and Llangattock, we got at it from Brynmawr - sort of 'coming round the mountain' so to speak. There are a number of potholes/caves along the tramway, but my first and I believe the largest in Britain, is called Ogof Agen Alwedd. This was fifty or more years ago - mid sixties, I think - and the 'survey' then said there was fifteen miles of surveyed passage. I think we only ventured a mile or so, which was quite far enough. For such a vast cave, the (gated) entrance was about the size of crawling under a dining room chair! Much further in, the "Main Chamber" was big enough to drive three London buses, side by side, for a mile! Brought back some memories there though.
Darn David those are some seriously narrow roads. I don't think my 1 ton Ford dually (dual rear wheels) would fit on them. But some more great video I love the scenery.
Very interesting and..as you said ....rather splendid views. Another amusing play on words for your vlog title...... they are also rather splendid. Imagine quarrying on the mountain...it was a hard life.with no health and safety concerns
With little... no sleep last night watching your narrowboat channel... how can I stay awake catching up on this channel! I was all day looking for that small narrowboat again! Here is only 35 videos... and will catch up quicker! My tour car is under major repairs for a planned end of April tour to Namibia! I need to work on my commentary and video skills! Where you filmed this video... it seems like there are no people around! Somewhat unexpected for England and Wales! Awesome video and channel!
Love South Wales in 2018 David, we went to Portmadog and visited Portmerrion and then to Betswy Coed then down through the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia...such beautiful scenery and amazing weather....really enjoyed your videos and seeing places we have travelled through....thank you for sharing...take care and stay safe 😊xxx
The narrow roads are really scary.......especially when you are driving on the wrong side of the road! LOL Seriously, the scenery was gorgeous. Thanks for taking us along!!
Thanks for another great video. I really enjoyed it. The tightness of the roads there is claustrophobic, but, the countryside is spectacular. Seeing Victorian Era industrialization is quite interesting from where we sit here, one-hundred and fifty years later. Happy Camping
Just popping in to say I just heard about Vandemonium after watching your visit with the RV Geeks. I have seen half of Cruising the Cut, can't wait till my next day off to view your RV diy creation. Gerry in NC USA.
Driving shots are a fixed view straight ahead which is not a problem to speed up. Panning, side to side, when done quickly is far less pleasant to watch hence doing it slowly.
Fifty years ago we used to do car rallies over that part of the world, and over those roads. 5: 05 - 5:37 Interesting shots of limestone pavement from the side when some of it has been hacked away. As far as Sugarloaf mountains go, that one is a little pathetic, you should go to the one in western Scotland where there is one that is really sugarloaf-shaped.
Mmm...limey limestone. You missed out by not going to the summit of the Sugarloaf - it really is a great place - next time perhaps ? (there are shorter routes from the other side - should you go there again :o))
Hi David, I can see you love the van and your expeditions! It would be great to hear from you via a "post build vlog." What you liked about it what you would change if you did it again, things you fitted and never used, any problems etc, and above all keep travelling!
Slow would be in everybody's head if we would have to drive those narrow roads. Oh my, oh my. Suck it in Betty where going over & threw the woods to grandmas house... lol... Be safe David, Chris from Missouri P.S. Nice views!!
Very good video...take care of your voice cords...they are your moneymakers! I played the Abbagavenny-song, just because you pointed out the town. Take care! It's a long and windy road.
It sure looks beautiful there, or at least your photography makes it appear so. You got your NB tie in with the Mon & Brec, and you located the place where the lime came from, in other words you located your 'quarry'. Love the vlogs., don't stop them.
I've driven up a road that steep and narrow in Sussex, but very much shorter. Oh wait, I'm thinking of a through route amongst a network of tiny lanes, but there's a "road" which ends in a South Downs beauty spot near the village of Storrington which is nearly that long. One time, a large group of cars were following a girl on a moped because she knew the way, so when she drove into the tiny industrial estate near the bottom in order to get a run-up, so did they! :) I loved the high-speed replay. Such drives are usually invigorating! XD Hahaha "Most energizing" indeed! I love the calm tone. :D I have to say that Sussex roads *very rarely* have a drop to one side. Some footpaths do, though; they're *interesting* cycle. :) Ahh that view over the misty valley! I'm trying to keep my comments on one topic these days, but I just had to say something. Wow! Not somethng you ever see in Sussex, that I know of. There are points where you can see the North Downs from the South and they look blue in the distance, but the Weald in between is just this vast expanse of flatness.
Beautiful scenery, but then much of the South Wales Valleys is like that. I presume the title must be a reference to the 1980s darts champion, Bob Anderson!?
Errrr no
No!?*!? Damn. I thought for a moment I had found a fellow darter. Here's "The Limestone Cowboy" in action: ua-cam.com/video/kLqwPJERzTk/v-deo.html
The title is a reference to the classic Glen Campbell song "Rhinestone Cowboy" (ua-cam.com/video/8kAU3B9Pi_U/v-deo.html) and I would presume your darts chap was making a similar play on words from that song as I did.
@@Vandemonium
When you have to explain a joke...
:-p
I got it. Another great pun from your pun generator.
@@Vandemonium I think David Hasselhoff sung it also
I love the witty titles you give the videos both here, and on Crusing the Cut. One that stands out in memory was Stormy Denials. You sir, are what my father would have referred to as a clever lad. Cheers from Canada.
I'm Welsh David and I remember a day when I was very young, when it rained. People still talk about it.
I can't be the first one to notice that the Welsh names sound like Klingon. Fantastic views. I agree with your assessment of the roads (which also brought a laugh)--butt clenching. Yes, indeed. From the shores of Little Bay de Noc on Lake Michigan in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (where we also have pasties).
Hello, I’m an American from the Midwest. My wife and I drive a class C Winnebago down to Tucson AZ every fall and back to Illinois every spring. 1741 miles unless we zig zag for something special to see or do.
I really liked the Cruising the Cut VBlog and when finished with those bing watched all the Vblogs about your van. You stated in several of your videos that you were not anything but a nerd with no skills at several of the things on both the narrow boat and the van that in my opinion belies those statements. It seems to me you accomplished everything you started and that says a lot. Very entertaining videos from both your channels and Hope there are many more to come. Thanks for your efforts. Howard
Thanks Howard, much appreciated.
If people are staying in the UK for a holiday again this year, it would not be such a hardship with stunning scenery like this. Even on a typically wet Welsh day, the vistas were beautiful!
The shot with the rainbow was gorgeous.
Recently discovered this Channel and binged all the videos. Same Quality and awesomeness as Cruising the Cut.
Wales is beautiful, even if it rains all of the time. Lovely viewing, stumps me why anybody would want to watch 'normal tele' with content like your good self provides on YT - many thanks
I gave up normal tv long ago with no regrets. In fact I suggest it to everyone, it does wonders for the mind and body.
Your comments about drop etc about 9.20 had me in fits of laughter
Finally narrowboats and canals. Thanks to the soundtrack in your videos I've been waiting for them for a while now ;)
The scenery is absolutely gorgeous but that drive! I was screaming inside!
I was screaming outside!
Thank you David, for this wonderful video that saved my day. After a lot of stress, these were just the pictures I needed to get back on the ground and find some rest.
Thanks again.
Glad it helped! :-)
I was out they last night about 10:00 on my bike in the wind and rain only 12 miles from my home love your videos especially the ones travelling around the Brecon Beacons
Cheers for this. I grew up in Llangattock and miss it terribly. A lot of time spent walking that canal and those roads up the mountain. I hear the green green grass of home calling for me...
After driving a narrow boat all summer you must feel like a formula one driver in that van.
Your little van coped admirably with the hills......and I hope you have a hot water bottle! X
I like the comment about the steepness of the drive up toward Sugarloaf being "invigorating". Steeper'n 'ell I would have called it.
That is some quality narrow vanning.
:-)
Oh that brought back some memories - glad you got to go to the Mon and Brec. I have lots of photos of the escarpment though we didn't actually get up to it, just looked from the canal. Blimey though - I thought the canal was narrow and twisty but those roads are "squeeky" . Glad I now know how to pronounce Llangattock - I've been calling it "Lang-a-tock" for 6 years !
Another lovely video David. I love the fact that the UK appreciates heritage enough to keep an 18th century bridge in good repair. Here in the US the politicians and beaurocrats would have replaced it three times over by now with ever less attractive eyesores to keep us all safe.
Very interesting to see how the industry of the day connected to the narrowboats. Would've been something to see those trams working too.
YOU MUST BE THE LUCKIEST MAN ALIVE.. almost every time you film. while out . you get to see a BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW.. LONG MY IT CONTINUE..
I find those explorations really nice. They can be an inspiration even for people living near those places that didn't know such details.
(And if course they could be inspirational for any tourist not living nearby)
The UK, but likely every country, surely has a near infinite supply of such interesting places. Hopefully such explorations will continue.
Such beautiful country! Enjoyed the driving view along the narrow roads. After those roads, the canals must have seemed like modern highways. I have always found that the rain on a metal roof and the wind howling outside while snuggled into a warm bed was very comforting and reason enough to just stay in bed for the day. You sir are much more adventurous than me. Take care and have a good week.
Always a pleasure to watch your videos, both of your channels are very informative and entertaining. I do think you are living the perfect life!! Please keep them coming
I can't even imagine having such a leisurely lifestyle, but wouldn't it magnificent?
I vote for a road trip to the north coast of Scotland this summer David. Take us along :)
Thank you David for posting this. Until I saw your vlog, I had no idea this existed, in spite of living just 25 miles away for the last 40 years. Paid it a visit on Saturday (10th August 24) and, yes, the road up from Llangattock is very steep - parts of it put me in mind of the notorious Hardknot Pass in the Lake District. I'm glad that you overshot the turning to the car park on first approach - leaves me not feeling quite so bad about making that mistake myself! Heading home via the Blackrock gorge (A465) made for a much more easily-graded road.
Splendid!
And on the winding, narrow Welsh roads, my whole life flashed before my eyes! The terrain is Llewdychressly steep and the roads equally narrow.
I always enjoy hearing motorists comment on how steep the hill is while they pass a cyclist 😄
I'm glad you were doing the driving! We have some steep roads here in Pennsylvania but that is over the top. The view was just beautiful. Thank you.
Very interesting.. nice drive too
Thank you for sharing your journeys!
Thank you for watching
I was thinking more Mario than Lemmings when I saw the cavers. 😃
When in Wales you should treat the "ARAF" signs with respect. They really do mean it!
Those roads are epic! Wearing that hoodie gives you automatic right-of-way as well as guaranteed no-accident driving ability. Great video.
PASTIES? Dear Lord! Fire up a plate my way. 🥰😋 Love them!
😀
turned into lime 😂 so good! I don't know I'm not a historian! such a good line.
It was delivered very well.
My favourite sort of journey - beautiful scenery with loads of historical points added in. Fabulous video David - thank you
You could add some stabilization jacks under the van to stop sway when your parked at night.
Well done , you've passed the test , next stop the North West Highlands and islands of Scotland 👍
@Jim ReyMon , me too. I was thinking of Assynt and in particular the Drumbeg road which is quite a challenge. Worthwhile, I'm sure you would agree. 🙄
Stunningly beautiful scenery... but those narrow country lanes are terrifying!
Thank you David from Maroochydore Queensland. That was really good. It reminds me of all those neat little towns and interesting places we have visited in the UK.
It does look very bleak there but nevertheless quite fascinating. Glad I can see it from my sofa. Thanks
Dude. You are the King of Puns. The tabloids should be hiring you to write their headlines. They are soooo good!
Thank you
These are far too short. Such wonderful country.
I love the roads and buildings. They all look so ancient...
Once lived in the Appalachian mountains of Eastern United States so I will know those narrow twisty steep icy roads. What I fear is your driving on the left side on a busy highway and traffic buzzing by on the right. That makes me queasy, I'll never get used to that.
Wow! what a beautiful place, I did enjoy the drive up, but coming down seemed a bit hairier. Here in Massachusetts, we have a Sugarloaf Mountain, and obviously, it looks the same. Thanks, David I enjoyed coming along for the ride.
Beautiful and rugged country. That's a brave soul biking that path!
The steep hills that you drove up and down in your campervan reminds me of "The Last of the Summer Wine." The episode called "Nowhere Particular." I can feel the tension of the narrow road and the steep hill. Just watching was fun but scary.
Oh good.......! now I have the song in my head. Hahahaha!!!. Love the way you come up with these creative titles!
Oh my word! You must have nerves of steel to drive those roads! But what a reward....gorgeous scenery.
nice informative video, love brecon, makes you realise what a tough time they had back in the day when you look at all the old mines etc
I cant believe it, the sun finally came out in one of your van tour videos! ☺
Great views and quiet spots amongst spectacular history.
I'm one of your waterborne followers ordinarily, David, but the name Llangattock caught my eye. The very first time I went caving (potholing if you must) was to that precise area. I didn't recognise exactly where you were, but you must have been very close to the place we stayed. Old Daren Sunday School (next to the row of cottages owned by the South Wales Caving Club) and although the road there did curve tightly round and go, vertiginously, downhill to Crickhowell and Llangattock, we got at it from Brynmawr - sort of 'coming round the mountain' so to speak.
There are a number of potholes/caves along the tramway, but my first and I believe the largest in Britain, is called Ogof Agen Alwedd. This was fifty or more years ago - mid sixties, I think - and the 'survey' then said there was fifteen miles of surveyed passage. I think we only ventured a mile or so, which was quite far enough. For such a vast cave, the (gated) entrance was about the size of crawling under a dining room chair! Much further in, the "Main Chamber" was big enough to drive three London buses, side by side, for a mile!
Brought back some memories there though.
Wow! The views were fantastic but the narrows road would have freaked me out. Good vlog. Thank you.
Darn David those are some seriously narrow roads. I don't think my 1 ton Ford dually (dual rear wheels) would fit on them. But some more great video I love the scenery.
Very entertaining ! That van can surely go fast up hill with the video assistance engaged ;-)
I liked the fast speed. Appleton, Wisconsin, USA
The lime kilns in/near Whaley Bridge/Bugsworth on the Peak Forest canal are impressive.
Very interesting and..as you said ....rather splendid views. Another amusing play on words for your vlog title...... they are also rather splendid. Imagine quarrying on the mountain...it was a hard life.with no health and safety concerns
Top trip David. Hope there will be plenty more this year. Thanks.
Hauntingly beautiful and the videography makes it even more so. Thank you so much David!
With little... no sleep last night watching your narrowboat channel... how can I stay awake catching up on this channel! I was all day looking for that small narrowboat again! Here is only 35 videos... and will catch up quicker! My tour car is under major repairs for a planned end of April tour to Namibia! I need to work on my commentary and video skills! Where you filmed this video... it seems like there are no people around! Somewhat unexpected for England and Wales! Awesome video and channel!
David, the tongue-in-cheek titles of your vlogs are hilarious.
Thank you!
Love South Wales in 2018 David, we went to Portmadog and visited Portmerrion and then to Betswy Coed then down through the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia...such beautiful scenery and amazing weather....really enjoyed your videos and seeing places we have travelled through....thank you for sharing...take care and stay safe 😊xxx
North Wales is prettier ;)
The narrow roads are really scary.......especially when you are driving on the wrong side of the road! LOL Seriously, the scenery was gorgeous. Thanks for taking us along!!
Thanks for another great video. I really enjoyed it.
The tightness of the roads there is claustrophobic, but, the countryside is spectacular.
Seeing Victorian Era industrialization is quite interesting from where we sit here, one-hundred and fifty years later.
Happy Camping
Sure enjoyed that.
As did the last one.
The drive, music, views, chuckles.
can't imagine the comfort of a warm house right there after a cold hike, even space for a solid nap vs. driving down to nearest restaurant for food
Great vid. The speeded up section reminded me of when I had an old Mini Cooper S, just without the steamed up windscreen and the smell of burning oil.
David, thank you so very much for sharing your wonderful experiences and stunning scenery.
Love your reperts, your humour and all the information you give. Thank you. x
David, you have just won me over to your van blogs. Just Awesome 👍👍🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
Definitely will only enjoy this vicariously through you. Driving that would give me angina. Aaack! 😉🙃
Spectacular scenery and great narrative as usual. Thank you for this installment. Was the navigator with you?
Yes, she was, camera shy as ever :-)
Just found this UA-cam one lol love watching your videos
Great itinerary for a next visit. Thanks.
WOW! WOW! and SUPER WOW! This may just be my most favorite blog yet!! Great job, David!!!
Thank you :-)
Just popping in to say I just heard about Vandemonium after watching your visit with the RV Geeks. I have seen half of Cruising the Cut, can't wait till my next day off to view your RV diy creation. Gerry in NC USA.
Hello! Thanks for watching :-)
You do a lovely slow pan for your panoramic shots (thank you) and then put us through a fast drive edit. Need a brown paper bag, quick!
Driving shots are a fixed view straight ahead which is not a problem to speed up. Panning, side to side, when done quickly is far less pleasant to watch hence doing it slowly.
Extraordinary video sir! As always I love your commentary!
Fifty years ago we used to do car rallies over that part of the world, and over those roads.
5: 05 - 5:37 Interesting shots of limestone pavement from the side when some of it has been hacked away. As far as Sugarloaf mountains go, that one is a little pathetic, you should go to the one in western Scotland where there is one that is really sugarloaf-shaped.
Fantastic views!
Mmm...limey limestone. You missed out by not going to the summit of the Sugarloaf - it really is a great place - next time perhaps ? (there are shorter routes from the other side - should you go there again :o))
Hi David, I can see you love the van and your expeditions! It would be great to hear from you via a "post build vlog."
What you liked about it what you would change if you did it again, things you fitted and never used, any problems etc, and above all keep travelling!
Good idea, I may try to do something like that this coming winter. Cheers
Slow would be in everybody's head if we would have to drive those narrow roads. Oh my, oh my. Suck it in Betty where going over & threw the woods to grandmas house... lol...
Be safe David,
Chris from Missouri
P.S. Nice views!!
Hey, loved to follow you on the trip. Miss my (now sold) motorhome when watching this. :)
Very good video...take care of your voice cords...they are your moneymakers! I played the Abbagavenny-song, just because you pointed out the town. Take care! It's a long and windy road.
WOW! Maybe instead of Scotland next year maybe I should visit Wales. Oh, love the music.
Great Vlog Dave, fantastic views. Pasties, scones and a mug of tea. Delicious.
Like the great roads fun driving. Who is the “we” you mention?
A friend
Stunning sceneries and great driving!
It sure looks beautiful there, or at least your photography makes it appear so. You got your NB tie in with the Mon & Brec, and you located the place where the lime came from, in other words you located your 'quarry'. Love the vlogs., don't stop them.
You do great videos they are both interesting and informative.
That part of Wales Crickhowell/Brecon is absolutely beautiful any time of the year.
I've driven up a road that steep and narrow in Sussex, but very much shorter. Oh wait, I'm thinking of a through route amongst a network of tiny lanes, but there's a "road" which ends in a South Downs beauty spot near the village of Storrington which is nearly that long. One time, a large group of cars were following a girl on a moped because she knew the way, so when she drove into the tiny industrial estate near the bottom in order to get a run-up, so did they! :)
I loved the high-speed replay. Such drives are usually invigorating! XD
Hahaha "Most energizing" indeed! I love the calm tone. :D I have to say that Sussex roads *very rarely* have a drop to one side. Some footpaths do, though; they're *interesting* cycle. :)
Ahh that view over the misty valley! I'm trying to keep my comments on one topic these days, but I just had to say something. Wow! Not somethng you ever see in Sussex, that I know of. There are points where you can see the North Downs from the South and they look blue in the distance, but the Weald in between is just this vast expanse of flatness.
when driving up the hills it actually said.. THE ROAD TO CAERPHILLY... LOL
Would make a beautiful road