Paths

Take a walk with me.

between the fields.

I see a sign,

but it didn't warn me of this!

Now we pass by an overflowing pond. You are wearing wellies aren't you?

Over a style,

and another.

Looking back you can just see the crash barrier of a dual carriageway. It is not a nice road to cross. Two lanes each way with quite heavy traffic at speeds up to, and I suspect above, 70mph (112 km/h). Fortunately, the sight lines are good here so you just have to pick a safe time to cross and be very patient if necessary. My dog is very well behaved at roads and will wait without fuss.

Oh look, another style!

Is this a footpath? I can't read the sign!

Wow! A deer. In fact there were at least six, but this is the best I could get. It isn't easy getting close to deer when you are emptying the dog!

 Another style! Oh, and a bridge over a ditch, and fences too.

 ???! 

This sign is in code. It is yellow, so that means it is a footpath. If it were blue it would be a bridleway. If so, beware of horses!

Mountains?

No, mole hills

This style has seen better days! The style I mean, not the style! Er, that is, style as in 'thing you try and climb over without having a life changing accident' not 'current fad or fashion'

Ah, I see the way ahead.

Hmm, right across my path! I think the calf is only a couple of days old at most and the mother looks a bit fearsome. Is she eyeing me up for a charge to protect her calf? Mothers are fiercely protective of their young and it is a good idea to not disturb them at all. But in this case I know these cattle and they are the most docile I have ever come across, not that I would take any risks of course. They are actually more curious. They don't follow you but if you get to close they mostly move away. I think this one would have stood her ground, but she would eventually have ushered the calf away - I think! Don't take chances!

Oh! there was a bull in there too! Whoops!!!

I have seen a bull in there but they seem pretty docile too. Of course, if the hormones are running high anything can happen. I had my dog close on the lead through that field. I just chose a route that didn't take me close to any of them and they just watched me. There may have been a bull, or maybe more than one - I have no idea. There were maybe 20 cattle and two young calves. Some were laying down. They were widely scattered round the field so it wasn't too difficult to navigate through them.

In general though it not safe to assume that cattle are safe. Most will follow you in a herd. If you run, they will probably run and you may have a stampede. They can run very fast too! If you have to cross a field with cattle, walk slowly and with purpose, avoiding the cattle the best you can. If you feel they are getting too close, turn round and face them down. You can try walking towards them with your arms outstretched and they will probably back off and you can continue walking. If it worked but they are catching up again do it again. Be calm but if things do get out of hand, let the dog go - off the lead if possible - so the dog can run without getting tangled up, but don't waste any time. Then - - - - -well, good luck, I hope you make it to the style safely!

What was it I was saying about no bears. But hang on, is this a bear? or maybe a cow? or a pig in a mask, or...

And is this a path? Well, yes and no. It is not an official path and this is private land.

But it looks like a path. A lot of people have walked through here and I don't see any dead bodies or warning signs so I expect I am safe.

This definitely isn't a path. I was not on any path.

One thing to bear (a bear! Oh no! - - - oh, I see, not A bear. OK, carry on, sorry for interrupting) in mind when walking through private woods is there are people who maybe be using the woods for legitimate things, like tree felling, or shooting. They will not be expecting you to be there because you are not supposed to be there, so you go there at your own risk.

There was shooting today, but not close enough to where I was was walking to worry about. But keep your wits about you, they may have just not started yet. If you hear a whistle - er, duck maybe? Shouting out would probably be the best thing to do. I am glad to say that I have never been in this situation.

I hope you enjoyed sharing my walk.


[disclaimer - any advice offered here is from what I have experienced and observed personally and should not be taken as official wisdom. Your experience may be different. Take care, be safe.]