One of the things I do as a hobby/part time job is take guided tours of Cardiff Castle. It is one of the hidden wonders of Britain. 2000 years of history but lavishly overhauled in the 19th century by Britain's richest man, the Third Marquess of Bute.On a different website people have been enjoying a periodic "blog" by me about my experiences of learning about the castle, learning to be a tour guide, and the occasional experience.So I thought I would try it here too! Here goes. This from Friday September 11th:Had a banquet tour tonight at 6.30pm.Arrived at 6.15 to find that the route was changed and I was to do the Clock Tower. Yikes and a half! I have never done a tour in the clock tower, and been there so infrequently myself that I have only a fleeting knowledge of the detail of the rooms - for much of my time in the castle it has been closed for restoration, and not open for regular tours because it is so impractical to take a group through - there are 101 spiral steps (no lift!), and the bachelor apartments of the Marquess are placed at different points up the tower.It's not just taking people into the rooms and telling them. It is about timing - the other banquet tour group are on your tail and you have to get the group down to the banquet hall in time.Bless him, Dean, the most enthusiastic member of staff, was there and came to the rescue - took me under his wing and as the tour group were assembling at the gate ready to enter the castle he was giving me a lightning briefing on the details to point out about the rooms in brilliant ways to make the details stick in my mind! This is a man who has had no formal education, started off at the castle as a gate man, and his enthusiasm has spoken for itself - he is a born teacher.He rescued me tonight, the tour went like a dream, even the timing with the other group coming up the stairs and entering the room below at the right time for us to descend without clashing!What really made it was that as we entered the Summer Smoking Room at the top of the tower the evening sun was pouring through the windows and making the gold and glass features in the room really sparkle. I was thrilled at the wows and gasps (while saying a few silent prayers of thanks for the good weather!).On the way down, several of the group (on a Globus tour of Britain and Ireland which is coming to an end this weekend) said that this was a real highlight and were gutted that they leave tomorrow morning at 8am so can't come back for a full tour. Ah well, job done from my point of view.One bit of unfinished business. I owe Dean a major vote of thanks and a pint (at least). The success of the tour tonight is not only down to his knowledge, but his sheer enthusiasm.Above is the room that made them wow!