This was my second visit to White Water, but the first was over 8 years ago when I found that the serviced pitch that I had was “tired” and “short” and had an odd strip of grass at the front, latticed in some hard material, which was muddy. Thankfully all that has gone and the pitches have been much improved and are absolutely huge – I am almost sure the biggest pitches I have enjoyed. These serviced pitches also had neat hedges dividing them up. I always appreciate this; not because I wish to be entirely private – I like a chat with neighbours – but because it helps to avoid the nuisance from those who are hard of understanding about how to pitch and/or who encroach as far as possible onto the surrounding grass strips. There’s none of that here, thank goodness.
It is, of course, an urban site, located in potentially unattractive environs; but, in fact, I found this a good place to be, and I like it here very much. I enjoy the walk into Stockton, along the riverside, which I took most mornings to enjoy a coffee at Costa. When I was here before Stockton was undergoing a major remodelling. Now complete, I saw displays for yet another proposed redevelopment of the town. It is a friendly place with big aspirations and all the better for that. Without a car you need a bus for Middlesbrough. I am still avoiding buses, so I did not go into Middlesbrough on this occasion. I remember last time catching the bus near the ASDA supermarket and I could see that these still operate along this busy road between Stockton and Middlesbrough. The ASDA is five minutes’ walk from the site. You can enjoy a walk on the Portrack Nature Reserve adjacent to the site. You can, of course, walk along the river, in both directions. It is not far to walk to the Teesside Retail park which has a very good selection of shops.
I found there was no issue from traffic noise; last time I came here, I reported an odd rumbling noise distinctly audible in the still of night. Was it just my imagination or could I hear it still? I am sure I could, distant but present – like a permanently running engine but far off. My irritation with this was more frustration at wanting to know the source, rather than feeling disturbed by its presence. Perhaps I should not even mention it, because it wasn’t a problem. I was just intrigued as to the cause.
I rarely comment on site managers; most often I find that I meet one when booking in, usually female and nearly always smiling and welcoming, and then none thereafter. This time, I enjoyed a brief conversation with a friendly, smiling, male warden, whilst, in sharp contrast, the only female warden I encountered was cold, unsmiling and inhospitable. I could not help wondering if they were partners or opposite halves of two sets of managers. They were the only two I saw on site during my stay.
I enjoyed my stay here 8 years ago, but this time I enjoyed it even more. A lovely site and truly smashing, second to none, pitches.
