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
68. Bucklers Hard, Lymington to Keyhaven
I can’t get close to the sea in the New Forest. Ignoring ‘beware the bull’ signs, I walk through woods and hear things falling from the trees. I realise it is horse chestnuts (conkers) falling around me.
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67. Calshot to Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard
Sometimes during my walks – not often, but sometimes – I wonder why on earth I am doing this. What posessed me to start walking? And why have I continued? Continue reading
66. Hythe, Fawley to Calshot
I’m not looking forward to the walk today. At Fawley, the map shows a huge oil refinery and then a power station. I am particularly dreading walking along the A326. But I am pleasantly surprised …. Continue reading
65. Warsash, Southampton to Hythe
You can’t mistake the Hamble Ferry. It is coloured pink. Bright pink. My second ferry crossing is over to Hythe and poses more of a challenge. I am impressed by The Queen Mary 2 and enjoy the views from the Itchen Bridge. Continue reading
64. Gosport to Warsash
I get wet and am irritated by ‘private beach’ signs. But I enjoy a stretch of vegetated shingle, where unusual plants struggle to maintain a foothold in the inhospitable surface of dry, shifting, shingle stones. I marvel at the extreme fragility and the incredible tenacity of life.
63. Portsmouth to Gosport
Portsmouth is barely recognisable – changed from the grim city I once knew. And The Spinnaker Tower is wonderful. We strip off our shoes to walk across the glass floor – a vertigo inducing experience. But what are the mysterious buildings on the seafront in Gosport? Continue reading
62. Langstone to Portsmouth
I remember walking across a derelict wasteland of scrub and wind-blown rubbish to the edge of the water. I stood on a rock and gazed over brown mud and grey water and wished I was somewhere on the other side of the ocean – somewhere warm and sunny.
61. Prinsted, Thorney Island, Emsworth and Langstone
I get through the not-so-rigorous MOD security to begin my walk around Thorney Island. Saddened at the thought of wasted young lives, I cheer up when I reach Emsworth – an unexpectedly beautiful town. Frustrated by my lack of decent photographic equipment, I end the walk with the stink of sewerage. Continue reading
60. Bosham to Prinsted, Southbourne
My camera is broken and I am reduced to taking photos with my iPhone. I am not in the best of moods as I set off to walk around this peninsula – past the village of Chidham and Cobnor Activities Centre. I walk under oak trees and along a path through wild flowers. In the distance are mud, water and boats. Continue reading
59. East Wittering to Bosham
This is a fantastic walk – beautiful weather and varied scenery – along beaches, through sand dunes, alongside mud, through woods and pretty villages. I find a tiny ferry boat and nearly get cut off by the advancing tide. Continue reading
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 