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
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
58. Pagham to Selsey Bill to East Wittering
The sea has reclaimed and drowned Pagham Harbour. I see a collection of beautiful water birds – then wade through mud, past dead trees, dead crabs and an old tidal mill. Eventurally, I reach the disappointing Selsey Bill. Continue reading
57. Littlehampton to Bognor Regis and Pagham
I see an egret, flying low and graceful above me. I pull out my camera, but am not quick enough. By the time I am ready, the egret has landed some distance away. Later, I am distressed by the poor condition of the pier at Bognor Regis. But I love Pagham Harbour, despite the mud. Continue reading
56. Ferring to Littlehampton
I walk along shingle to Rustington, where air speed records were once broken. I see the longest bench in Britain and discover Littlehampton is a very attractive town. Then I splash around on the West Beach. Continue reading
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 