I’m away from York early and enjoy a smooth run for the first couple of hours, with few hills to impede my progress.

Thirsk is my first port of call, but it’s a place with few redeeming features and I stop only for lucozade and chocolate at a local garage. As hunger sets in late morning though I start looking for somewhere to pick up lunch and make a pit stop at Yarm. I stow my lunch and head out, stopping again to admire the viaduct on the way.

I stop at the village of Elton and find a bench in front of the church from which to eat my lunch. As I push on early afternoon, it strikes me how gloomy and dour the villages and towns are looking. Row upon row of concrete houses in seeimingly lifeless streets that even the sun doesn’t brighten up.

In the midst of this somewhat drab backdrop is the emerald of Durham where, despite a small head wind, I arrive by 1530. With it’s awesome cathedral and wealthy students, Durham gleams brightly, betraying it’s bleak surroundings.

So having freshened up I’m now sat in Cafe Rouge waiting for my beef bourguignon, sipping a large Sauvignon and getting funny looks as update my blog via the trusty i-phone.

My folks have made a trip up North and tomorrow I plan to meet up with them and some friends, as I hopefully complete my last full day in England!