Ruth Livingstone
My book: Walking the English Coast
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Winfield’s Award
Killer Cows: Cattle Safety
Miley and his wife have to wade across a stream to escape cattle.
Incident number 1305Date: 30.08.26Site: Public footpath alongside of Egglestone Abbey near Barnard Castle. County Durham.Bull with cows and calves (Comment: very large brown cattle with small horns.)2 walkers with dog on a lead. Miley’s Report: “We were walking from woods towards grasslands alongside Egglestone Abbey. This was the only route back to the gate onto […]
Cows chase walkers AGAIN on Sussex Ouse Valley way
Incident number 1303Date: 31.5.26Site: Between Lewes and Hamsey on the river footpath BN7I dog, on a lead, 2 walkers Description: “Chased by cows on footpath, not for the first time here but very scary. Our dog froze in panic making getting away from cows near impossible.We reported it to the council who have replied saying […]
Cows with calves roaming freely around Hare Hill
Incident number 1301Date: 24.05.26Site: Roughly this: What3words:Punctuate.Otter.Fronted. Near Over Alderley, Hare Hill permissive path. 1 dog on lead, 3 walkers. RH’s report: “We were just walking and suddenly a group of cattle burst out of a field (from nowhere) and moved around us, not charging but getting quite close, agitated and shifting around restlessly with […]
Author Archives: Ruth Livingstone
151 Watchet to Quantock’s Head and Kilve Pill
I walk along amazing shore platforms, along a coastline famous for oil, fossils and dinosaur bones. I trespass through a holiday camp, lose the coastal path and find it again in a wood, and discover a mysterious story book. Continue reading
150b Dunster to Watchet
A windy walk into Watchet. I lose my way, lose my hat, discover everything is closed, but manage to catch my steam train. Continue reading
150a Minehead to Dunster
I find amusing worm casts, dodge flying golf balls, and walk along a flowery path. But Minehead’s seafront needs sprucing up. I offer four suggestions for improvement. Continue reading
149c Minehead, and the end of the South West Coast Path.
I experience a profound moment of transition, discover an amazing piece of sculpture, and realise I have walked further than I thought. Continue reading
149b Hurlstone Point to Minehead
My head spins with vertigo. I feel like I sometimes do when I’m skiing and find myself balancing on the side of a black slope, wondering what on earth I’m doing up here. Continue reading
149 Porlock Weir to Hurlstone Point
I walk across shingle, plod through a marsh, do some wading, and climb up to Hurlstone Point. 2 hours to travel 2 miles? Continue reading
148b Lynmouth to Porlock Weir
I walk like a pirate through wild, rain-soaked woods on the edge of Exmoor, where I discover an ancient church, walk under bridges built by Byron’s daughter, and give my water bottle away to a passing stranger. Continue reading
148a Lynmouth to Porlock Weir
A wet slog up Countisbury Hill and then an amazing and deserted walk through ancient forests and past secret springs.
If only I could get rid of the flies and find somewhere to sit down. Continue reading
147 Holdstone Hill, Lee Bay to Lynmouth
On Holdstone Hill I hold a stone and ponder, before discovering Heddon Mouth, finding a secret waterfall and walking through the Valley of Rocks. Continue reading
146c Combe Martin to Holdstone Down
I climb up to Greater Hangman – the highest point on the South West Coast Path and the highest coastal cliff in mainland Britain. But experience a strange sense of anti-climax. And then I endure the Valley of the Flies… Continue reading
