Due to an unexpected turn of events, we ended up actually having another holiday for 4 nights at the end of this year, bonus! I chose this time to try a fairly new CS site along the A69, namely Brockalee Farm.
This was strange, leaving on a Monday and returning on Friday, never done that before. We had a relaxed start to Monday, with Tesco delivering ‘the goods’ first thing. We then packed and headed off on our ‘very cheeky’ week break. We picked up the ‘van as normal, but along the way we noticed the A1 was choked badly heading North, just where we needed to go, see we diverted up the A19 instead, a much better journey with no delays, unlike the poor folk stuck on the A1. We then picked up the A69 and headed towards our ‘resort’!
The site is located directly off the A69, so access is easy, even with fairly poor weather, it would be a site worth considering. We pulled up to the gates and entered the code which was given to us by Jeff prior to arrival. The site was empty, simply select any one of the 5 plots available and begin the ‘set-up’. We soon chose pitch #2 and quickly pitched, levelled and set the ‘van up for the week. The pitch is hard-standing for the ‘van but leaves no room for walking or water works on either side of the ‘van. Something I mentioned to Jeff, as it would improve situations in the winter, when it rains and blows and becomes a little muddy, as it was upon our arrival.
Monday came and went quickly as our first day always does. Tuesday brought some high winds be we survived. You can hear a bit of traffic noise from the A69, but it doesn’t really bother us. I had to work today, so I spent a good part of the afternoon away from the site. Upon arrival back, we had tea and settled in for the night. Jeff arrived and brought some fresh eggs, which was very kind and unexpected.
The site has 5 hard-standing pitches along with a very nicely constructed toilet/shower block. As far as CS sites go it is up there with the best. Fresh water point, grey water and CDP disposal all fine. Access as mentioned is via a padlocked gate, simple but effective. EHU is 16A so very useful in the winter. Simply a great site!
Tuesday evening through until Wednesday morning the winds continue to howl, probably the worst we’ve experienced in the ‘van so far. Although what do you expect up on a hill at the top of the Pennines! With the poor weather we decided to stay indoors, so TV and refreshments it was. This time of year, the nights draw in early and doing the utilities proves a little more interesting in the dark. Time to deploy the head-torch, although this brings with it the inherit dangers of moths outside 🙁 . The wind has died down at least!
Thursday, I was working most of the morning/early afternoon, but soon returned to some more wet weather back at then ‘van. Tea and TV soon followed. The rain persisted all night as we retired for another evening.
Friday and time to leave. The winds were picking up again so we didn’t hang around, even though we had all day essentially. Can’t see a late departure being a problem as we were the only ones here! Super little site, just make the hard-standings a little bigger and it’s perfect for winter outings.
- Date: 30th November 2015
- Nights: 4
- Pitch #2
- GPS: 54.977169, -2.355969
