A fairly new CS that I found whilst looking for local sites. I had discovered it last year, but with the A1 Western Bypass works in full operation I decided to give it a wide berth, as I didn’t want to spend the weekend queuing in it. Now that the roadworks are complete I though we’d give it a try for this weekend. A fairly wet and miserable morning saw us collect the van and noticing the almighty queue on the A1 Western Bypass. Not exactly going to plan, so I decided to use the A19 and avoid the A1 altogether. Not such a great idea as a nice queue had now built up by the Silverlink roundabout where a great deal of work on upgrading the roundabout had just started. Alas, we finally found ourselves on the A69 and on the way to Wylam.
Driving through Wylam, we soon arrived at the site and pulled in through a rather tight opening on the driveway and awaited someone to greet us. Nothing, so a few knocks on the door and a few rings of the doorbell, nothing. So I had a quick look around to see if the pitching was obvious. There were a couple of ‘vans already there, so I spied the EHU point which had various extension cables running off it. I found one further down the field that we could use, next to a motorhome reserved sign. So we pitched up and relaxed into our sandwich and drink. Saturday soon went by and Sunday morning was upon us.
We headed out for church, weather improving I’m pleased to say. Upon return we posted the money through the door to pay our dues. We then headed out for a walk to see George Stephenson’s cottage. And also a trip to Wylam station to do a little ‘spotting’. We saw the Carlisle train that Cath would be catching on Friday so that was good. I think she is settling into the idea of the train journey now! Upon returning to the site, we finally saw the owner, who at first wondered who we were trespassing on his land! Introductions done we were left to our own devices again. Had a couple of chats with the motorhome lady who was up from Brighton, they were visiting a friend in Wylam. Tea, TV, books, snacks, Sunday went and Monday morning came.
Usual pack up routine and we were ready to head off. Weather very nice now, as usual! Leaving the site was even worse than getting in. It is very tight if you have a long outfit. It took a couple of goes to get the positioning just right. Even then ‘van was pretty much grounding on the incline, but we got out unscathed, although the clutch worked hard! Return journey to storage was fine and we put the ‘van in our bay, ready to collect her again in a few days. Haltwhistle, here we come, yippee.
The site has the usual basic facilities. CDP, fresh water tap. A small outbuilding hosts a toilet and sink. Grey water was a hedge job. All perfectly fine, shame the access is not easy for large outfits.
- Date: 3rd September 2016
- Nights: 2
- Pitch #: 54.977855, -1.814370
- GPS: 54.977713, -1.813829
- A69 > B6528 > Holeyn Hall Road > Church Road > Main Road