Episode 1 "In Search of Shangri-La" (5-Part Mini-Series)

[TK42138]

The countryside in the UK is just stunning. As a nation I think we're blessed with the most varied and pretty landscapes anywhere on the planet.

We may all moan about the weather, fuel prices, crime etc but we still have the freedom to drive down to the end of our road and turn left or right. We still have all this on our door step and since the government haven't got round to taxing stunning views, we should make the most of it.

[1975Minn]

Great! How do film this while driving with so little shake in the video?

[TK42138]

Brilliant.

Sounds like you need some quality 'you time'

[BrikDivit]

This is great. I enjoyed it quite a lot.

[EYEReive]

very cool i have to try this sometime

[rickvanman]

Go for it - it'll make a great day out!

[MrJimb3am]

Those mountains(

4:25 ) are the seven sisters inc pen-y-fan which has an old Roman Road on it

[rickvanman]

Cool - i didn't know that :o)

[TheMusicMark]

Cool start to the series Rick!!!

[rickvanman]

Cheers Mark :o)

[rickvanman]

Hi Glen, Hope life's treating you well.

Sounds like you'll be needing to do a runner of your own soon working with those kids!

It never occured to me at the time of filming, but I guess it is a good way of helping others in far-away lands to see what Britain is like.

Yes that was Enya, along with a load of other similar chill-out stuff playing in the background - helps in the unwind process.

Have fun!

Rick

[rickvanman]

Thanks :o)

[bradspad]

Really nice vid Rick well done.

[rickvanman]

Thanks :o)

[TheAverageEuropean]

Really nice !!!! Lovely countryside. J

[rickvanman]

Thanks - yes, Wales is beautiful on a nice day!

[VegasHelper1]

Very nice place!

[rickvanman]

Indeed - would love to spend more time there if i could.

[johnny102marvin]

The land you are traveling on really has a lot of history. Just think of all the knights, Romans, Celtics, Druids, that once trod over those mountains. It would be interesting if we could see their images floating across the landscape.

[rickvanman]

Hi John, yes you are right the castles there are numerous and full of character. If you want to see Druids, go to stonehenge at the solstice!

[javajini]

Thank you so much for that beautiful peek at your part of the planet. I am impressed. Can't wait for part 2.

[rickvanman]

No probs - pretty aint it? New episode released each day :o)

[silverpizza100]

you are on an island , how far can you get? I can drive the whole island in a day. hit the canyons on your harley. live american,,,

[rickvanman]

The longest road journey between the most northerly to the most southerly locations in Great Britain is Land's End to John o' Groats. The distance by road is 874 miles (1,407 km).

Takes about 2 days to do.

[FilmCrab]

If you ever get the chance the London to Edinburgh route on the A1 is a jolly jaunt. Nearest we have to route 66. :-)

[rickvanman]

Sounds like one for the summer!

[PatrickGibney]

fantastic stuff rick!

I loved the way the music was incorporated.

(longtime viewer btw, I'm just on another one of my channels at the moment!)

[rickvanman]

Thanks Patrick. i think the music really helps, otherwise it might be less interesting.

[finddestiny]

A break from reality. Loved the river sounds and the amazing view you had on the way up the mountain. Should get into the castles more. ^^ Nice job, can't wait for episode 2. :]

[rickvanman]

Thanks - yes, was a good unwind :o) Maybe I'll do a castle series one day? hmm....

[Munjij]

Yep we all need to stand outside the system for a bit, now and again. You didn't happen to encounter the long lost Mark (the artist previously known as Nuggetsoftruth / SelfSufficientEire) up there,did you? It seems he dissapeared off the face of the net, without warning. Perhaps he's taken one of these "need to get away from it all" a bit too far? Btw, I love the Brecons. I used to hike there a lot as a child, with my family. They are quite unique.

[rickvanman]

Indeed :o)

Yes I love the Brecons - camped on there many times.

Yes, still in touch with Mark, I'll let him know you're looking for him.

[Munjij]

Hi. He didn't know me as such, but I used to watch his videos on those various channels. I just was a little surprised when the 'coming soon' videos suddenly gave way to a closed account .

[FilmCrab]

Here i am.

[Munjij]

Aha. I saw your channel yesterday, and the comment - "How's the studio coming along?" on there made me wonder (along with 'mark'), but I wasn't sure. :)

[mathew8009]

Great Video Rick. It looks alot like the scenery we have here in New Zealand, very relaxing to watch. :-)

Looking forward to the next one.

[rickvanman]

Thanks Mathew, appreciate the comment.

NZ is 1000% better looking than Wales! (I think its the blue water that does it) but it's all we've got, so I have to make the most of it :o)

[chrisw443]

great video. beautiful country you got there rick, just as pretty as oregon out here =)

[rickvanman]

Thanks Chris :o)

[goodagofilms]

Rick you need to focus your energy.

Target specifics for maximum market penetration. I Know someone else who needed to go for a runner, and write.

Guess who?. I WANDERED lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

[rickvanman]

Indeed. Focus is good, I spent most of last year being highly focused and achieved a great deal. But everybody needs a re-charge now and then. Some days, you really truly just can't do what you are supposed to be doing.

I think recognising and embracing that as a fact of life is an accelerator to the healing process.

Ah the old William Wordsworth poem, I rekon we were related!

[nkey01]

It looks really beautiful there.

[rickvanman]

indeed :o)

[tlk40us]

My word man...you're driving on the wrong side of the road! Ha Ha!

[rickvanman]

We are one of the few countries who drive on the correct side of the road, but hey, let's not open that can of worms! LOL!

[FilmCrab]

Here Here!

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

At the start of the video you looked troubled. By the time you arrived by the stream you were already smiling, good for you. Personally I enjoyed the scenery and music. I can't wait to see more.

[rickvanman]

Hi Paul. You know, I didn't notice it until you pointed it out, but yes, I definitely looked a bit haggard at the start! Just goes to show what wonders a trip to the mountains can provide.

Glad you are enjoying the series so far, I was worried that it would all be a bit 'samey' but I think it will be OK.

Am putting up 1 new episode a day.

Cheers

Rick

[jmessy007]

Nice!

[rickvanman]

Thanks :o)

[outithewoods]

nice place to bivvi up Rick ..lol..

:o)

[rickvanman]

Indeed - did that many times on the Brecons in my mis-spent youth!

[j3pfilms]

Amazing Rick! An absolutely perfect YouTube video, helped me unwind!

[rickvanman]

Thanks Jack, glad you liked it. Maybe I should make an 'unwind' therapy DVD!

[mujawooja]

Well done Rick I new this would be good,looking forward to the next episode.

best wishes

bernie

[rickvanman]

Thanks Bernie, glad you like.

Am putting up a new episode every day.

Cheers

Rick

[MrSmallButBrave]

the more vids you make, the more i like you!

[rickvanman]

Aw thanks :o)

[larnem]

Great scenery & music!!!

[rickvanman]

Indeed - glad you like :o)

[larnem]

I saw some water along the way

Good fishing?

Trout & Pike?

[clatterowls]

Nice Video!  Loving the music!

[rickvanman]

Cheers - yes the music makes it I think.

[ngvgnDOTcom]

Say hi to the Hobbits for me Rick!

[rickvanman]

LOL! I will next time I'm passing Mordor (otherwise known as Merthyr Tydfil)

Just kidding!

[CrzayZakster]

Wales has lush scenery great to do a fantasy film :P

[moekanz]

@CrzayZakster

dam right

[rickvanman]

I second that!

[FilmCrab]

You've driven to Wales now, that's it , no excuses for not making the ferry to Ireland !

[rickvanman]

True I'll have to get a passport sorted out at some point.

[FilmCrab]

You don't need one for Ireland. Just ID will do, but they rarely ask for that. You're drivers licence will do. We once came to Wales on the boat and my friend only had a library card :-)

[8thumbs2fingers]

Really enjoyed this Rik , I carnt wait for the other episodes :)) ....

[rickvanman]

Thanks - theres a new episode going up every day

[stschmalhaus]

Beautiful scenery which is perfectly matched by the wonderful folk music. Thanks for sharing, Rick!

[rickvanman]

Thanks - glad you like :o)

[justjoemusic]

The Breacon Beacons look really nice and calming! a great start to a mini documentary, already looking forward to watching the rest.

[rickvanman]

Cheers Joe, yes the Brecons are just fab on a bright sunny day. (not so much on a dull day though). glad you are liking the series. new episode going up every day.

cheers

Rick.

[ELIPTIS]

Nice one mate...I look forward to the other videos

[rickvanman]

cheers, glad you like.

[garryentropy]

zen and the art of making videos

[rickvanman]

funny you should mention zen - I mention it in a later episode!