The first part of our Scottish C2C adventures involved the journey to the start, and that meant boarding a train from Stockport to Carlisle, followed by a cycle ride to Annan.

It was an overcast, but fine day as we left the house late morning.

  

It was lunchtime when we arrived in Carlisle. So we popped over the road to a cafe.

Then it was time to head back to the rail station to meet the two other Andy’s.

  

Soon we were on our way. There are two approaches to crossing the busy Castle Way. We decided on the more adventurous approach – using the lifts.

  

Before long we were heading out in to the suburbs

We had cycled this section of NCN Route 10 in the opposite direction recently as part of the Reivers Route.

It took us towards Rockcliffe.

The next section Sarah and I had also cycled before. This had been on our End-to-End (LEJOG) a few years back.

It began by crossing the channel of the River Esk using the Old Carlisle to Gretna road.

Just after this point, we entered Scotland.

A little further along we stopped for coffee at the Gretna Gateway Outlet Village.

Suitably satiated, we set off for our overnight stop. It was becoming a fine but now rather cool evening as the sun began to dip.

We followed the B721. On our way we passed through Eastrigg.

NCN Route 7 briefly took us off the B721 to Dornock.

Before eventually delivering us in Annan.

For our first evenings stop we were staying at the Rowanbank Guesthouse – a fine little place just off the main road.

We got changed and then went in search of somewhere to eat. Porters Steakhouse and Eatery is on the Annan high street. The service was a bit slow, but the staff were attentive and the food itself excellent.

Finally, we headed back to the Guesthouse. Tomorrow our Scottish C2C truly begins.

You can view our Scottish C2C Day 0 route below: