Ruth Livingstone
My book: Walking the English Coast
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Winfield’s Award
Killer Cows: Cattle Safety
Andy meets an aggressive group of bullocks
Report 1225 Response ID 328,980,041 Location Footpath between Clwyd gate and farm Plas-y-Nant, nearest large town, Ruthin. Approx grid ref SJ155584, in field just out of woods, exit gate was further obstructed by electric fence. Single walker, no dog, encounters an aggressive group of bullocks Andy’s Report: “Leaving gate from the wood and progressing towards […]
Charged at by cattle
Report 1224 Response ID 328,834,077 Location: Doynton High Street – field off footpath up the steps on the right when leaving the village along the High Street Date 07/03/26 Katie’s report: “I entered the field with my dog on a short lead, I did not see any cows. As I walked into the field and […]
Lack of public safety on SW Coastal Path
Report 1223 Response ID 328,818,368 Date of incident 5/3/26 Location South West coastal Path – south of Hartland Quay towards Speke’s Mill. What 3 words “qualified.shave.digested” North Devon coast. Zoe’s Report: “Arriving at the gate on my return journey I was surprised to see cows there. I entered slowly and both dogs were by my […]
Author Archives: Ruth Livingstone
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
94. Start Point to Salcombe
The path runs high above the sea, up and down along rocky ledges, and across steep grassy slopes. I am on my own, nobody around, mobile phone not working – what if I twist an ankle or take a tumble? Continue reading
93. Strete, Slapton Sands to Start Point
I had no idea this area of the coast was so beautiful. In fact, I had never heard of Slapton Sands or Beesands before. A couple come puffing up the path ahead of me. “It’s Devon’s best kept secret -don’t tell anyone.” Sorry. Just had to let it slip out on my blog… Continue reading
92. Dartmouth to Blackpool Sands
There are some hunched shapes moving about on the rocky islands. At first, I think some brave fishermen are perched precariously on these spiny outcrops, but I soon realise the shapes are not human, but cormorants. Continue reading
91. Brixham to Kingswear to Dartmouth
I meet nobody else for the next hour and a half. Compared to the crowded paths around Weymouth and the busy Lulworth Cove, where there were hundreds of people, this is bliss – and it is exactly what I imagined coast walking to be like. Continue reading
90. Paignton to Brixham
The seagull waits and watches carefully until the fish is removed from the hook. Then, in one quick swoop, it flies down to seize the fish from the man’s hands. ‘Oy,’ comes the shout, ‘the bird took my fish!’
89. Torquay to Paignton
Expecting concrete promenades in Torquay, I left my walking poles behind. But I find myself in a beautiful and natural landscape. I walk through old woodlands and pass spectacular red-sand beaches. Then it starts raining… Continue reading
88. Dawlish through Teignmouth to Torquay
I find myself scrambling up a steep, muddy path. Arriving at the top, gasping for breath, I discover I have travelled less than a 100 yards from where I started my descent. And it took me over 10 minutes.
Is this some sort of cruel joke?
Continue reading
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 