I start today’s walk from Polkerris where, due to recent rock falls, the South West Coast Path is diverted away from the cliff edge. Unfortunately, this means a hike along the road. The climb out of Polkerris is punishing, but my hip has miraculously healed itself overnight and I am pain-free.
I haven’t gone very far before I hear the sound of a car horn and, a few minutes later, encounter three sheep on the loose. This one gives me a haughty stare.
We stand on the quay and look over from Polruan to Fowey. The ferry is here. A crowd of passengers has gathered. But there appears to be a technical hitch. Continue reading
Polperro is a traditional, Cornish fishing village. Narrow roads. No cars allowed. My husband drops me off on one of the access roads and I walk down into the town.
The streets in Polperro are still quiet. I am here early. The tide is out and a few people are working on their boats, beached in the muddy harbour area. Continue reading
We have trouble driving here this morning. There are ‘Road Closed’ signs in place due to terrible landslips caused by weeks of torrential rain. Despite the fact the main road is now open, we inadvertently follow the diverted route and drive into East Looe along a frighteningly narrow street – barely wide enough to take a car.
It is high tide. Looe harbour is full of water but is strangely quiet, with few people around and little shipping activity. It may be bank holiday Easter Monday, and the sun may be shining, but there is a piercing east wind and it is very cold.
I linger in Looe taking photographs and putting off the moment when I have to face the wind on the exposed cliffs of the coastline. Continue reading
Freathy is a strange place – a collection of huts on a slope overlooking the sea. Today the sun only shines intermittently and the wind is still cold, blowing from the east. The horizon is hazy, but I can see all the way back to Rame Head.
The South West Coast Path runs alongside the coast road. Ahead, to the west, the shore curves around. The nearest headland must be Looe. Beyond- is that Lizard Point in the very far distance, lost in the blue haze of the horizon? Can I really see that far? Continue reading
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. How exciting. Land’s End, here I come!
From the Cremyll Ferry, the South West Coast Path follows the shore line along the western bank of Plymouth Sound. The first part of the walk is easy-going, along a wide track that hugs Continue reading
I begin my walk on Plymouth Hoe. It is Easter Saturday and the weather forecast says this will be the best day of the Easter weekend. It turns out to be a sunny day, not as windy as yesterday but still a very cold breeze.
I pose with my mother-in-law while my husband takes a photo and a couple of black labradors run up to us. One of them has a bunny in its mouth. Luckily, it turns out only to be a toy.
My mother-in-law loves dogs. We try to get them to sit and pose for the photograph, but they are too excited and keep running about. Continue reading
We set off early on Good Friday – my husband, myself and my mother-in-law – determined to beat the traffic. We arrive in Wembury, Devon, four and a half hours later and end up being the first people in the pub. Well, we wanted to have an early lunch, didn’t we?
The weather is very cold. I am kitted out in large fleece, warm anorak, ski gloves and woollen hat. With my poles, I look more like a skier than a walker. Continue reading
Yesterday my walk ended in the rain. Today, the clouds are still low and ominous when I look back eastwards towards Bolt Tail and, beyond that, I can just make out Bolt Head.
What a difference a new day makes. No rain. Morning light. A good night’s rest.
The South West Coast Path follows the top of the slope, but I have chosen to walk along the alternative route, down by the sea. Continue reading
If only it was summer! The South West Coast Path crosses the River Erme near its mouth. At low tide the water, apparently, is less than knee deep and you simply wade across. Having read the accounts of people who have done it, this is an exhilarating experience.
But this is a November and we have had one of the wettest years on record. The water is freezing cold and the river level is high. Wading is out of the question. I am going to have to walk up the river to the nearest bridge.
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Response ID: 328,436,497 Report number: 1222 Location: Ceredigion Coast Path (part of the Wales Coast Path) between Gwbert & Mwnt Date: 04/02/26 2 walkers, no dog, meet about 40 Welsh Black bullocks Pips report: “On the return stretch of our walk we encountered extremely treacherous terrain and a herd of about 40 Welsh Black bullocks […]
Incident number:1220 Response ID: 328,248,081 Location: Back Forest Farm, River Dane, near Wincle & DaneBridge, Peak District ///wasps.promote.homelands Date 26/01/26 Single walker, no dog SY’s Report: “I was heading back to DaneBridge/Wincle from Gradbach/Black Forest. I’d walked by Back Forest Farm along the path between their fields and came to a gate/stile. As I crossed […]
Incident number: 1218 Response ID: 320,795,463 Date of incident: 29.12.2025 Location: Below Denston Hall, Denston Suffolk Status: Lone walker with dog on lead on PROW L.Cooper’s story “I saw a group of cows ahead and waited to see if they would move. As I couldn’t get past without going near to them I backtracked and […]
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 