There was a chill in the air as I cycled down to the River Eden to have a look at Carlisle and start the day’s riding.
At 11am, 275 miles into my trip, I crossed the England Scotland border and stopped in Gretna for a break to eat the ginger cake my host had given me as I left this morning. 
The sun was out, the views were glorious and the wind was with me. I stopped at the Devil’s Porridge Museum (go, it’s great) and motored on to Annan.
Route 7 stopped and started. I saw several “END OF ROUTE” signs as the country lanes joined a designated B Road. One warned me that the road was busy. It was long and straight and some of the drivers were in a hurry. It wasn’t busy.
Route 7 hugged the coast and Caerlaverlock Castle arrived 300 miles into my journey. I stopped for a look round and a stretch on the grass in the sunshine.
Dumfries came late in he day, still bathed in glorious sunshine. I had had no lunch, so I found a cafe for a snack, then crossed river on the Old Bridge. I’ve long wanted to see it up close. (I know, bridge geek).
Leaving Dumfries at 5pm, I chose to avoid A roads and followed Route 7 westwards. That meant hills and inland views.
All the climbing in the day was in this bit. I didn’t look at how far I had to go. I didn’t look at the elevation profile. I just kept pedalling. Mostly slowly.
At Haugh of Urr, I turned to follow the river down to the estuary. It should have been all downhill. It wasn’t. Happily Dalbeattie turned up just as I was ready to finish the day.
Day total: 69 miles, 2,307ft climbed
Tour total: 331 miles, 11,436ft climbed