So we were up relatively early - Rain was forecast and we got ourselves attired in the Hiking Uniform I mentioned earlier. We decided to head to the Deeside Cafe Bistro, a very nice place next to the Corn Mill. Forgot to mention that last night as we were watching The River Dee flow by outside the Corn Mill, just as it was getting dark, a few adrenaline junkie Kayakers came flying down the rapids. These guys knew what they were doing and what looked like instant death was quickly dealt with. They would ride the rapids for a mile down the river and then carry their Kayaks up the road and do it all over again. They were even doing it in pitch darkness at 10.30pm and not using any head torches either. I told them they were crazy, they laughed but it was a great spectator sport and was highly entertaining.

So anyways, back to the Deeside Cafe, the service and food was good and also they are a Cash Only place, fantastic, so this caught a few City Folk out. But they do have a cash machine by the door. Good on them - Long Live Cash I say. So with the old gutty wutty filled up, it was time to head over the bridge and head up the mountain to Dinas Bran.

So what's the deal with Dinas Bran? Well it was originally a Hilltop Fort built by a Celtic Tribe called the Ordovices around 600BC...so a bit of History there then. Eventually this place got tarted up over the years and by 1260 "There was no finer castle in England or Wales" - so cue Edward the 1st in 1277 - 10,000 men were sent to capture the castle - there were only 200 defenders - so no surprises that the place got torn apart. Set on a mountain at a height of 1024 feet - I've hiked bigger ones but this was very steep. Grant's internet guide had said.."takes about 30 minutes and is a moderate walk". Well if that was their idea of "Moderate", I'd hate to try a "difficult" one. The forecast rain didnt show up, so the lightweight wet gear got all sweaty in the now hot sunlight, which made it even more fun. But eventaully we reached the summit.

Dinas Bran in English means Crows Castle or City of Crows and the Crows and Ravens are still up there and it adds a bit of eerieness as they perch on the towers above and watch you. Bet their ancestors must have had some rich pickings with the dead bodies from 1277. Perhaps they are waiting for it to happen again. The views up here are fantastic and what with the good weather you could see for miles. I think if you're visiting the area, this is a must visit despite the challenging ascent.

Getting down was almost as much fun as getting up as you pass fellow walkers puffing away. It wasnt long before we'd reached the bottom and were in the gravitational pull of the Bridge End Hotel...and before long we had pints in our hands sitting on the bench outside. There a was a big clap of thunder and down came the rain....order was restored and Wales was once again as it should be ....cold and soaking wet. We'd been lucky to avoid that.