Ruth Livingstone
My book: Walking the English Coast
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Winfield’s Award
Killer Cows: Cattle Safety
Are cows becoming more aggressive?
Incident number: 1261 Response ID: 329,818,362 Date of incident: 15.06.26 Location: Fields near Tackley in Oxfordshire heading towards the canal path Status: Group of walkers (3-5) with no dogs on PROW Liz’s story “We entered a field with about 50 cows (A group of heifers) at the far end of the field. They rushed over […]
Letting go of his dog probably saved Michael’s life
Report 1259, Response ID 329,768,059, Single walker and dog, group of cows with calves and a bull 6/6/26 Location: Between Blore & Thorpe, Ashbourne on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border. On a bridle path between Coldwall Bridge and Coldwell Farm. The Limestone Way runs through the field as well as another public right of way. What three […]
Cows used our dog as a football
Report 1256 Response ID 329,756,083 17/5/26 2 people and dogs Location: Staplehay, Trull Somerset, Spearcey Farm SW’s report: It’s a public footpath with 2 adjoining fields, with a river on one side, which the cows also access regularly. As we entered the second field we immediately noticed that there were 2 or 3 calves with […]
Author Archives: Ruth Livingstone
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
146b Ifracombe to Combe Martin
I feel dizzy and faint in the heat, but I still manage to enjoy the walk, during which I discover a shipwreck cove, find rampant Knotweed, climb up Widmouth Head, and admire a wonderful view over Water Mouth. Continue reading
146a Ilfracombe
I walk through Ilfracombe and admire the tragic statue of a pretty girl. At the end of the pier I come across a massive, nude woman – who is peeling badly. And then I follow the footprints out of town. Continue reading
145 Lee Bay to Ilfracombe
On a beautiful sunny day, I detour to avoid killer cows, muse on the disadvantages of munching sheep, and take the hard route down into Ilfracombe. Continue reading
144 Woolacombe to Lee Bay
I walk along cliffs where pirates and wreckers once lurked. Continue reading
143. Saunton to Woolacombe
I stumble across an Easter egg hunt, reach Baggy Point where I feel dizzy watching climbers on the rocks, and enjoy a long walk up Woolacombe Sands. Continue reading
142(b) Braunton Burrows and Saunton Sands
I am buzzed by a yellow helicopter while walking across miles of empty sands, along the edge of the largest dune system in England. At the end of the trek, for a moment, I regret the path not taken. Continue reading
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 