On 19 Jun, 22:17, wrote:
I am about to lay some block paving, however i am not laying this up
to any walls. Can i lay the first outer course with mortar and then
lay the rest on sand.

The outer edges need to be held solid, a couple of inches of mortar
laid on the ground won't do the job, it will move over time.

You can buy special edgeing strips to "nail" into the ground, or use
simple angle iron and reinfocing rod as nails.

If you want to go the concrete/cement route I'd do a mini foundation
to hold the edge, say 30cm x 30cm.

Rick