The other volcanic plug love in my life is Arthur’s Seat. And one I had saved for the end stages of this journey. It’s always been one of my favourite places in Edinburgh. It sits, as it has sat, with such presence in the middle of the city whilst all else spins around it. It’s a place of grounding and solid assurance.
So with my friends who waited until my parents left the house to have parties as teens, destroyed my mum’s best china, hung out with my dad at parties and sang Hibs songs late into the night with him, we set off around Arthur’s Seat. It came as no surprise to me that the sun was high in the cloudless sky.
The road around Arthur’s Seat was closed to traffic which made the route an easy amble. The only dramatic interlude was when we stopped for a sun break and Jonathan decided to play ball with Raymond, Sandra’s beloved terrier. His overarm throw connected with a rock and took a 90 degree spin off the side off a cliff with Raymond in hot pursuit. A few moments of blind panic followed but it would seem Raymond had more brain cells than he was given credit for and had found a path to the ball. Emergency over.
After completing the circuit everybody headed off to deal with the usual Saturday stuff. But for me the visit wasn’t over until I’d climbed to the top. So I headed off solo straight up the middle. I had dismissed suggestions en route to follow other paths to the summit as I was intent, for some reason, to follow this route to the top. And about half way up I discovered why.
I have learnt on these walks to remember to look behind me as I travel since often the best views are left behind us. And as I turned around, perfectly held in the v created by the 2 hillsides, proud and prominent was Easter Road stadium. I stood, unmoving until my brain would allow my feet to move again.
I climbed upwards as the view followed my back to top. There were way too many people there to enjoy the summit so I found a spot on the grass a little further down and stopped to take it in. It felt like it was calling me to the finish line. Sunshine on Leith in all its glory.
Debbie's 500 Miles for Parkinson's UK 