Prologue A Warm Welcome
Wednesday 2nd June 2010
We gathered in Llandudno. This elegant seaside town was, as always, our home for four days and nights. There was action all day and entrants met the whole Three Castles team, with a morning briefing and an instruction session for first timers, followed by a thirty mile Practice Day touring route to blow away the cobwebs and to help beginners get used to working with a tulip road book (supplied). This included an example regularity section and a new example driving test. Scrutineering (this year, with allocated times for a smoother experience) and Documentation take place in the afternoon on the Promenade and in Rally HQ, the Imperial Hotel. In the evening a Gala Welcome Dinner helped everyone get to know new faces, or catch up with friends again.
Day One Historic Houses
Thursday 3rd June 2010
Concours d’Elegance and Start from Llandudno Promenade, then east, with six driving tests and two regularity sections to enjoy. Morning visits to C19th Bodelwyddan Castle, C17th Bodrhyddan Hall and C16th Mostyn Hall, where we took coffee in glorious susnshine. A regularity section came next , over wild Esclusham Mountain, then we crossed the Horseshoe Pass to reach lunch at imposing C13th/19th Ruthin Castle, with its peacocks and romantic ruins. A regularity section around Clocaenog and a further visit to Kinmel Park led to tea nearby at the stylish C19th Kinmel Arms, with a test through Kinmel Park and a further test rounding off the day at Bodelwyddan Castle. This evening there was a choice of four pre-booked dinners, with two favourites included and two new options – details can still be downloaded (Newsletter, right).
Day Two Magical Mountains
Friday 4th June 2010
An earlier start, as the pace quickened. Five road regularity sections in great scenery. Great tests too, as the Orme Toll Road, exciting Glan y Gors kart circuit and spectacular Stwlan Dam. Lunch was serene, taken at two highly-regarded C19th country house hotels near Dolgellau, Penmaenuchaf Hall and Dolserau Hall. After this there were regularity sections amid the long, high mountain views of mid Wales, including renowned Bwlch y Groes. Time for tea and a second visit to Glan y Gors, then a further regularity. We finished this second day with an ice cream on Conwy quayside, enjoying the setting and with the opportunity to visit C13th Conwy Castle. At about 200 miles this is the longest day, so entrants were free this evening to explore, dine with friends, or enjoy an early night!
Day Three Spectacular Scenery
Saturday 5th June 2010
Another early star, heading west to tackle a new test and take coffee amid beautiful parkland at C19th Penrhyn Castle (NT) before heading over to fabled Marchlyn Dam for another exciting hillclimb. Along the Lleyn Peninsula, we visited another kart circuit at Glasfryn Parc, then tackled a series of regularity sections interspersed with a fine road run before lunch at C16th Groes Inn, The Good Pub Guide’s 2009 British Inn of the Year. A final regularity was followed by two new mile-long closed road tests over the Great Orme back in Llandudno, and the Grand Finish on Llandudno Promenade, welcomed by special guests, Tony Mason and TV’s Sian Lloyd. In the evening, results were promptly announced at the Black Tie Gala Awards Dinner, from eight ’til late, with entertainment.
And that's it. Five hundred miles. High mountains, historic houses, open roads, good hotels, and real hospitality at every turn. Entrants tell us that the Three Castles mix remains unbeatable. We're keen to prove it yet again in 2011.