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: travel
104 (b) Fowey to Polkerris
I am growing very tired. In retrospect, I should have ended my walk at either Polruan or Fowey. But this is a rare, sunny day and after a large glass of Cornish cyder you feel you can do anything!
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104 (a) Polperro to Fowey
A windy cliff top walk in Cornwall, along the South West Coast Path. With my eyes on the view I’m not watching my feet. Something slithers across the path ahead. An adder!
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103 Looe to Polperro
Conditions aren’t good. The wind is fierce and both the sea and landscape are cloaked in grey. Waves roll in, crashing past grey rocks and lashing at the harbour wall. Continue reading
102. Freathy, Portwrinkle to Looe
I come to Tregantle Fort. This is a ‘Danger Area’ on the map and is used as a firing range. The South West Coast path crosses in front and the fort seems eerily silent – the many windows give the impression I am being watched. Continue reading
101 (part 2) Plymouth, Rame Head, Freathy
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. I wonder how difficult the walking will be. Continue reading
101 (part 1) Plymouth
I have misgivings but I dutifully follow the path and find I am in a wide concrete area, marked out in lanes for cars and lorries – a proper full-blown cross-channel ferry port. A dead-end. Continue reading
100. Noss Mayo to Plymouth
Now I am really worried. If I don’t make the last ferry, how will I let my husband know? He is expecting to meet me on Plymouth Hoe at 7pm. Continue reading
99. Stoke Beach to Noss Mayo
Changing maps is always exciting. But here is an incredible milestone. Today I will have passed the 1,000 mile mark on my walk. Devon has been beautiful – but we are nearly in Cornwall! Continue reading
98. River Erme to Stoke Beach
The path heads up a very steep field. The way ahead is barred by two obstructions. Firstly, by a field of bullocks (I don’t like cattle of any sort, and I definitely dislike bullocks). The second obstruction is an electric fence. Continue reading
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
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 