Darlington to Northallerton

Hello. Yet another posh hotel stopover, when I've walked 20 miles which I have done today it's a matter of collapsing at the first hotel I see. Coming into Northallerton on the right hand side is the Allerton Court Hotel, look no further I thought, that will do me nicely.

I am finding that there are not a lot of footpaths where I would like them to be, quite a few going across but not many going up and down. So I have had to be using roads again. I try and use B roads, but as the day went on today, time was running out and I have to estimate how long it will take me to get to my destination. I chose to come down the A167 joining it at Great Smeaton, this being the most direct route. It meant walking along the grass verge for a few miles, but if I had gone in a more roundabout route I would have done more miles and it would have taken longer. I checked in here at 5.30pm,  

My stopover last night was a few miles north of Darlington so I spent the first couple of hours walking through it, and out the other side. A typical brown tourist information sign. 

Oh wow, this building is a bit bright, bet the kids love it though.

 This is just across the road from the children's nursery. Don't know what it is, but isn't the architecture beautiful.

I went round the inner ring road, past the railway station, and out of Darlington on the road to Neasham, passing the football ground.

I had to be careful choosing a route on the minor roads because I needed to cross the River Tees as it twists and turns, and there aren't many bridges. The footpath does a left turn at High Sockburn over this rickety bridge to Girsby on the other side. 

I came down the track at the top of the picture, over the bridge and up the hill on the other side. I was relieved to find the bridge, it would have been a disaster if it wasn't there.

Mile after mile I trekked, watching the coundown signs to Northallerton. I hit this sign at 5pm. Passing an industrial area I found a hotel on my right, it was 5.30pm. Time to stop.

I was lucky with the weather today. It didn't look very promising at the start, misty and claggy, but at least it didn't rain, and it brightened up this afternoon. I haven't seen Northallerton yet, I'll walk through it in the morning. I think I ought to mention that this trip is more about testing my stamina, a challenge to see if I can do the whole distance. I'm sorry there aren't more pictures, I only snap what I see when passing through. It's not very comfortable to combine sightseeing with carrying a big backpack, with sore feet. All I want to do at the end of the day is to get into a room and get my boots off. I don't carry any other footwear with me.

Now I'm going to check the maps and work out which direction I will be going in tomorrow, to give me the best chance to find the next bed.

Saturday night telly is worse than in the week, why are all those people jumping up and down in their seats, clapping and cheering at two silly men acting daft? Bloomin nuts if you ask me.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon. Have a nice Sunday.
Toodle pip