I have a memory of being about 12 and Dad (who was at that point running Marathons) bringing Graeme and I (who were members of Edinburgh Athletic Club) down to Berwick Law to watch the Law race. I remember thinking how enormous it was and how crazy these people were bombing it up and down.
Last year on the 20th March, just before we went into lockdown, Rhys and I took a walk up Berwick Law. We decided to set ourselves a challenge of climbing the Law for 30 days – to keep the dog walked, Rhys fit and me sane. We didn’t know at that point what lay in front of us.
It became a daily escape as I began to deal with the reality which was forming for my dad. As he was taken into hospital after falling, as the hospital went into lockdown, and as we fought to get him home. Part way through, the walks were cut short by the need to be where Dad was.
Berwick Law was where I went when I first came back to North Berwick after he’d gone, and where I watched the sun come up on the morning of his funeral. It’s where I come to breathe.
Rhys and I eventually finished our 30 walks a little later than planned, and celebrated with lobster for dinner.
During that period my lovely friend Steph had set herself the more arduous challenge of climbing the Law 100 times. We would frequently meet as we made our way up or down and always stopped to talk for a while. These moments were tethers during a time when my world was falling apart around me. And something I will always be thankful for.
Today we took an official walk up Berwick Law together, to include it in my 500 and recognise the journey we both set out on over a year ago.
As my walks have extended from Berwick Law to tackle the 500 mile challenge it has continued to be a beacon of home which can be viewed from near and far. Below are just a few pictures of ‘my Berwick Law.’
Debbie's 500 Miles for Parkinson's UK 