We are getting used to doing some nifty steering as the canal is very narrow and has lots of bends as it contours round the mountains.  When the canal was built the horses did not worry about tight bends but powered boats who steer from the back are less nimble especially in the hands of rooky drivers like ourselves. 

All the other canals in the UK insist you close all the gates when you leave and make sure all the paddles are closed, this is to save water.  Here they insist you empty the lock, even when you have just filled it to go through, and then leave the lower gates wide open.  Perhaps they have so much water in Wales they want to show off.

I mentioned at the start of this blog that this canal has a reputation for some of the best scenery in the canal network.  It is very good, we started with the Brecon Beacons behind us and today the views across the Usk Valley towards the Black Mountains were spectacular.  It was helped by some very warm sunshine, it might not look so good in the rain.  Tomorrow we will walk from our mooring to a town called Crickhowell which apparently has a castle and a fine church, a full report will be posted in due course.