Day 16 - Thirsk to Dalton on Tees

I set off in bright sunshine - always a good start and walked up the main darlington road.  The road was pretty busy but i managed to keep up a fairly good pace.  i've got into a routine now where I walk on the road if it's straight with no corners and then nip up on the verge as soon as i see a car.  It's pretty tiring too and there's no way you can plug into an Ipod or daydream as you've got to keep your eyes open for traffic all the time.  It also gets pretty monotonous hearing the constant traffic but my fault - I was determined to do the most direct route possible to Edinburgh and that means the main roads.  Still, I congratulated myself on finding a cross country route eventually and walked through beautiful scenery.  The other danger is tiredness as it slows down your reactions.  It's a bit like feeling permanently jet lagged - or drunk.  I stopped in a village and met a really nice woman who had spotted me walking miles back when she passed me in her car. She asked me if I'd walked far to which i'd replied "from London" which always gets a reaction and is really satisfying!  I explained what i was doing and why and she told me about her friend who was recovering from cancer.  She then sent me off in the right direction (amazing - i didn't get lost today).  Later that afernoon, just as i was slowing down and wondering about digging into my emergency food supplies, I saw a car parked along the road from me.  It was the nice lady with, can you believe it, a wicker basket full of scones and a flask of tea!  I couldn't get over it.  The kindness I've experienced from complete strangers on this journey has been overwhelming - and very reassuring.  It was just the boost i needed and I actually ended up going past Dalton on Tees and on to Croft on Tees (limping but never mind- I was still moving forwards)and  took great pleasure at walking over the little bridge that crosses the border from Richmondshire to Durham.  Thank you to Bill and Belinda Goyder for collecting me and looking after me so beautifully.  I am now nursing some sore muscles and very sleepy but tomorrow is another day as they say...