Ruth Livingstone
My book: Walking the English Coast
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Winfield’s Award
Killer Cows: Cattle Safety
It could have ended so badly near Speaks Mill, Hartland
Incident number: 1269 Response ID: 329,908,514 Date of incident: March 3rd 2026 Location: Hartland near Speaks Mill on the SW coastal path Status: Group of walkers with two dogs on a lead on PRoW Dani’s story “Walking along the SW coastal path following an All Trails app trail when we come to a gate with […]
Dodford footpath leading to Bournheath – walker cornered by a mixed herd
Incident number: 1266 Response ID: 329,840,622 Date of incident: 18.06.26 Location: Field adjacent to top of Yarnold Lane, Dodford leading across to Bournheath ( to right hand side as driving out of Dodford Status: Lone walker with dogs on lead onPRoW Sarah’s Story “The cattle approached (they were a mixed herd of Charolais, Hereford, friesian […]
Trapped by cattle on weavers way near Halvergate
Incident number: 1264 Response ID: 329,834,345 Date of incident: 10.06.26 Location: On the Weavers Way footpath, between Stone Road, Halvergate and Berney Arms, shortly before the railway line. Status: Lone walker with no dog on PRoW RW’s story “I was walking on the path across the marshes, following the Weavers Way path. A group of […]
Tag Archives: hiking
Stage 16. Harwich to Kirby-le-Soken
The heat is relentless – more like Spain than England – and the air is hot and close around my face. My chest feels tight and I am having trouble breathing. I hear the sound of horse hooves behind me and have to force myself not to stop. There is horsey breath coming over my shoulder…. Continue reading
Stage 13. Dunwich, Sizewell, Thorpeness to Aldeburgh
Being a medical doctor carries a penalty – hypochondria. While I ponder the miracle of my apparent fitness, despite a multitude of possible ailments, time passes and I make my slow progress along the shingle. I am heading for Sizewell nuclear power station. Continue reading
Stage 12. Covehithe, Southwold, Walberswick and Dunwich
What is the one thing more embarrassing then being rescued by the coastguards?
I walk past crumbling cliffs and fallen trees. I can’t resist taking photographs, wanting to capture some of the drama and sadness of this doomed area, as the land gives way to the tides and the greedy sea. Continue reading
Stage 10. Caister to Great Yarmouth to Corton
I am surprised by the lack of care for sand dunes in Great Yarmouth and experience a moment of stillness under the pier. Further along the coast, I come to an area where a whole section of cliff has slipped down …. The path has disappeared. Continue reading
Stage 9. Sea Palling to Winterton to Caister-on-Sea
I see a dog’s grey muzzle in the water – a labrador I think – about 20 yards from shore. My heart stops. I believe I have just seen a dog drown. For one wild moment I contemplate plunging into the cold sea ….. Continue reading
Stage 7. Sheringham to Overstrand to Mundesley
I forget my socks. There is nobody here at all. Nobody. On my right are crumbling cliffs with no way up. If you were caught here with a rising tide, it would be difficult to escape the waves. Continue reading
Stage 6. Cley-Next-the-Sea to Sheringham
The waves crash beneath us and spray fills the air. The wind howls and tries to blow us off the bank. I am reminded of how very fragile this coastland is and what little protection we really have from the force of the sea.
Continue reading
Stage 3. Thornham to Burnham Deepdale
Now the rain begins to fall. I wrap my camera in plastic bag and stuff my iPhone into my bra. I am a little damp. I can’t resist taking lots of photographs of boats. Yesterday it was beach huts, today boats. Continue reading
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 