DAY 10  - Monday  18 September

Today's report from Bill comes from the lounge bar in the Royal Hotel Cumnock, a palatial and comfortable establishment where they have just enjoyed their evening meal to tackle the serious task of 'road testing' a pint of '70 Shillings Ale'.

 How these guys are roughing it!

They started their day in Brampton going down to breakfast accompanied by the sound of heavy rain. They knew this was going to be a good day for them when as they loaded their panniers and the sun came appeared and remained  with them throughout the day.

Although the morning was cool the sun soon warmed them and the crystal clear air afforded clarity of  view experienced in Cumbria and the lowlands of Scotland.

This was to be a quiet day in terms of demanding gradients and by 10.30 they  crossed the border and were in Gretna.

Chris at Gretna Green

Stopping at Annan for 'bacon butties' and 'acuppa' tea and then on to Safeways in Dumfries for soup and sandwich at lunch time.

After taking photographs of the famous semi-circular weir and also to celebrate the home of Kirkpatrick McMillan the inventor of the  pedal driven cycle machine in 1830.

Weir at Dumfries

Having dallied in Dumfries till 3.45 pm with 42 miles to travel to Cumnock they 'cracked on' taking the direct route on the A76 arriving at their hotel by 6.00 pm.

They felt reasonably fresh after completing 88 miles averaging 13 mph and despite the long distance had thoroughly enjoyed their ride and the glorious scenery.

To be continued....