From sailing to sea-coaling, Neil Hunter takes a trip down memory lane in Northumberland

REMARKABLY, the sun was out throughout a visit to Sandy Bay - and the only thing that shone brighter were the people.

The North-East has a reputation for its friendliness, and having spent the best part of my life there, perhaps it's taken for granted. But the staff at the holiday park, on the coast near Ashington, and those from Teesside Caravans, in Thornaby, near Stockton, were second to none throughout.

It's perhaps too early in this review to hail the work of newly-installed touring worker Jimmy at Sandy Bay, or Mark and Jo from the caravan company, but they were exceptional - help was at hand at every turn.

Within minutes of hitching the Swift Challenger 635 on the seafront site, Jimmy was there, saying: "Anything you need, I'll be around" - and he was.

His helpfulness and attitude were mirrored by those in the restaurant, the reception, the bar and the swimming centre at the recently-revamped Park Resorts site.

Four of us - me and three boys - made the most of a three-night stay, and it gave me the chance to show the young 'uns how holidays used to be when I was a lad. The park is in the next bay to where I sailed as a teenager, and a further bay along from where my grandparents had a (very basic) static caravan in the 1970s.

Things have changed so much since then. We had a shower block - with running cold water! - and a tiny shop, selling milk and bread. It's probably typical of modern-day sites, but Sandy Bay boasts a store selling most things you'd need, a fish and chip shop, an amusement arcade, which is new for this year, heated indoor swimming pool, bar and restaurant, entertainment centre, adventure playground and an outdoor sports court.

Yet, the trip back in time - and the chance to visit old haunts - was a wonderful experience.

The cliff-top site has direct access to the beach and is a great base to explore the nearby historical attractions - with the castles of Northumberland within easy reach – Warkworth just 14 miles away; Alnwick, where scenes in the Harry Potter films were shot, 23 miles; and Bamburgh, where there's a small museum in honour of Grace Darling, who saved stricken fishermen during a storm in 1838 less than an hour away.

The border town of Berwick is an hour away, and a car journey to Edinburgh should take less than two hours - either along the beautiful coastal route, or up the A1.

Back to the Northumberland coast, and visits to Druridge Bay and Cresswell brought the memories flooding back.

Druridge Bay - the scene of protests throughout the 1980s and 90s, against proposals to build a nuclear power station there - is just how it was. The opposition to the plans was successful – a story I covered as a newly-qualified journalist on my local weekly paper – and it is as unspoilt as it ever was. Cresswell is also just as it was all those years ago, but now also attracts visitors to The Drift tea rooms, and many to the nearby ponds where birdwatching is a big attraction.

From here we travelled to Newbiggin - passing the beach where I spent many mornings with my father collecting coal from the shoreline for the household fire.

Newbiggin is where I'd sailed with my uncle, and many improvements have been made to the town since I last visited - including a much-derided piece of public art in the bay, called The Couple. Back to the park, and the boys played football on the outside sports court along with a number of others, while I enjoyed a coffee in the restaurant which overlooks it.

Entertainment on the evenings - usually a kids' disco followed by family fun events and a singer - was well appreciated by the throngs of visitors, but one of the highlights for the boys was a visit from animal-lover and rescuer, Steve Lucock

It was a surprise as we walked into the Show Bar to see Steve produce a young barn owl, and then a skunk, which he had saved from almost certain death. Jacob and Joshua had their photographs taken with Zante the red fox during the Animalgique show, and still maintain that was one of the best parts of their holiday.

One of them - I really can't remember which - described our temporary home as "the poshest caravan they'd even been in". Considering it is the only caravan they've ever stayed in, it wasn't such an endorsement - but as a veteran of such things, I can safely and confidently agree. The four-berth caravan boasts a double bedroom, shower, fridge-freezer, gas and electric hob oven, and microwave - pretty much a mobile home from home.

Back "home", I showed the boys around Northumberland when I could drag them from the pool and the sports court, and a definite highlight was a visit to Warkworth Castle.

Back at the site, the food was expensive and a little disappointing, but, perhaps, we just made some wrong choices - chilli con carne, and a Mexican chicken enchilada - as others on nearby tables seemed to enjoy their meals. The Boathouse bar and restaurant - clean and looked after by the team of first-class staff - also serves breakfasts until 11.30am.

TRAVEL FACTS

Swift Group based in Hull, is the UK’s leading touring caravan, motorhome and holiday home manufacturer – www.swiftgroup.co.uk

Caravan and motorhome hire is offered by many hire companies around the UK. Readers can find a list of hire companies around the UK here - www.freedomtogo.co.uk/hirerent

Teesside Caravans - the North-East's premier specialists sell new and used caravans and motorhomes, and has a fully-stocked shop with a range of parts for the first-timer through to the DIY enthusiast. There is an awning centre, and an on-site service and repair shop - www.teessidecaravans.co.uk

Teesside Caravans are finding an increasing number of young families and new entrants to the market who are looking for a flexible holiday investment which keeps the children happy and occupied. "There has been a definite trend towards larger caravans with fixed beds, especially for older couples who want the option to have a luxury hotel room suite with closed bedroom area but may also on occasion wish to take grandchildren along for a holiday without compromising on space," says a spokesperson.

Sandy Bay – operated by Parkdean Resorts, the site, at Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9YD offers, among other things, a heated indoor pool, adventure playground, multi-sports court, supervised pony rides, Boathouse Bar & Restaurant, fish ‘n’ chip shop, Showbar with live family entertainment, and a convenience store. Touring facilities are 6m x 6m pitches with electric hook-up points, awning space, chemical and waste water disposal, dishwashing area, drinking water taps, shower and toilet block, launderette and wi-fi.May half-term: £23 per night; summer break: £30 per night - www.parkdeanresorts.co.uk or call 0330-1234850