The courtyard at Caer Rhun played host to an eclectic collection of cars - everything from the oldest to the youngest in the rally crowded into one or other of the car parks.
Not too many hotels can boast their own Roman fort in the grounds but Care Rhun can, even if there is little to remark on today save some evidence of ancient earthworks. Canovium was the largest Roman military installation in the area, constructed of timber but rebuilt in stone sometime in the second century. A milestone dedicated to Emperor Hadrian discovered nearby can be seen in the British museum…the English stole it…of course.
After lunch it is southwards again along the Conwy valley, the river on the left until crossing the river over the splendid bridge at Llanrwst. Uphill through the bustling little market town with a reputation for wool, clocks and harp making - the connection not being obvious these days. Leaving the town on the A548 the rally headed north west before turning southwards once again on the B5113 and the start of the fifth regularity the day. Just outside Nebo the course changed and another narrow ribbon of tarmac promoted the rally’s southerly progress across open moorland again until rejoining the B road just north of Pentrefoelas, which linked on to the A5. The rally’s immediate destination was the FIA kart circuit at Glan y Gors, a Three Castles favourite. Without the benefit of a refreshment break, the two tests were of a broadly similar layout but one run with lights off and one with lights on.
When the dust and occasional dislodged cone had settled, it was on to the A5, travelling south west to Cerrigydrudion. Here, Three Castles cars turned northwards again on another welcome B road, a section linking the rally to the tenth test of the day at Llyn Brenig. With no scheduled stop here either there was little chance to spot Ospreys over the water before it was back to the B road to reach the A543, en route to regularity six, starting at Llyn Aled. Set in open moorland the landscape softened a little into rolling fields as the cars headed north, the landscape becoming greener and more obviously managed as the route turned westward. It was the longest regularity of the day at almost eighteen miles so the road section northwards on the A470 gave crews a chance to relax a little even if, on this occasion, there was to be no comforting stop at Bodnant to end the day.