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
103 Looe to Polperro
Conditions aren’t good. The wind is fierce and both the sea and landscape are cloaked in grey. Waves roll in, crashing past grey rocks and lashing at the harbour wall. Continue reading
102. Freathy, Portwrinkle to Looe
I come to Tregantle Fort. This is a ‘Danger Area’ on the map and is used as a firing range. The South West Coast path crosses in front and the fort seems eerily silent – the many windows give the impression I am being watched. Continue reading
101 (part 2) Plymouth, Rame Head, Freathy
I am in Cornwall. Don’t think I’ve ever been here before and feel like an explorer standing on the edge of an unknown world. I wonder how difficult the walking will be. Continue reading
101 (part 1) Plymouth
I have misgivings but I dutifully follow the path and find I am in a wide concrete area, marked out in lanes for cars and lorries – a proper full-blown cross-channel ferry port. A dead-end. Continue reading
100. Noss Mayo to Plymouth
Now I am really worried. If I don’t make the last ferry, how will I let my husband know? He is expecting to meet me on Plymouth Hoe at 7pm. Continue reading
99. Stoke Beach to Noss Mayo
Changing maps is always exciting. But here is an incredible milestone. Today I will have passed the 1,000 mile mark on my walk. Devon has been beautiful – but we are nearly in Cornwall! Continue reading
98. River Erme to Stoke Beach
The path heads up a very steep field. The way ahead is barred by two obstructions. Firstly, by a field of bullocks (I don’t like cattle of any sort, and I definitely dislike bullocks). The second obstruction is an electric fence. Continue reading
97. Aveton Gifford to River Erme
My way is blocked by flooded roads. I walk across a squelchy meadow on a mattress of grass, floating on water. If I stop still for too long, I will sink. Forced to detour, I end up walking in the dark. Continue reading
96. Hope Cove to Aveton Gifford
The footpath crosses over a farm track where the mud is incredibly deep and soft and mixed with manure and churned up with animal hoof prints. It is almost impassable. Will I be forced to give up? Continue reading
95. Salcombe to Bolt Tail
It was raining that day – a relentless downpour from low hanging grey clouds. Maybe, I said, it’s not a good idea to walk along Slippery Point in the rain? Continue reading
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 