Attempted visit 29 June 2023.
After missing this one the previous week due to the excitement of Higher Boden Fogou, we opt to come here and then walk down to lovely Coverack on the coast.
Unfortunately the best laid plans, etc...
We decide to approach from the southwest. The footpath initially runs along the edge of a back garden, the owner of which seems have done their best to pretend there’s no path, then it’s over a stile into a large field.
We’re almost across the field when two horses gallop over. One of them is clearly very unhappy with our presence, rearing and stamping, and dangerously close with its flailing hooves. After passing a very large recumbent slab set into the ground surface (which looks interesting) we make a hasty exit over the next stile, which leads into a short section of an old enclosed lane. We stop here to calm our racing pulses, relieved to have escaped from the horse.
The short section of lane leads to the field with the long stone. A helpful sign board informs us that the whole field has been granted permissive access, which is excellent news. Over the stile, we’re about halfway to the stone when a rumbling noise announces a herd of horned bullocks, thundering towards us in a manner that suggests trouble. We’re forced to retreat back into the enclosed lane.
There are only two exits. The hedges on either side are impenetrable. It’s either Death by Horse, or Death by Bullock. A sense of panic sets in. We conclude that the bullocks are unlikely to intend harm, but could very easily squash us flat anyway. Whereas the unhappy horse is clearly in Attack Mode. We faff about, very uncertain what to do. Eventually we head back to the stile into the horses’ field, and the horses seem to have moved away. By virtue of the layout of the field, it might be possible to sidle over the stile and skirt around the edge of the field without being in their eyeline, but it’s risky as they can clearly run much faster than us. Running out of options, we go for this and get around their field as quickly as we can. Luckily the horses stay out of sight from us and we emerge unscathed but very shaken by the experience.
It’s a shame, because the stone looks excellent. Maybe we’ll try again in the future, but I’m not going to get stuck in the Lane of Dilemma again!
It happens. We were once charged by a herd of cows in Ireland - Kealkil, I think it was - and my mum decided to run, which is the worst possible thing to do. Then again, I was chased by a nutter farmer in his car last week in Mid wales...
For sure, we've been chased by Cornish bullocks a few times over the years. I think this was worse because we were trapped between two bad choices, but it's never a nice experience. As you say, running away is a bad idea; on my own I've generally found it's better to be firm and face them down, but I'd still prefer to have an exit route! What have you been doing to upset the good farmer? Did he think you were a dirty Commie rat trying to steal his daughter? (I may have been listening to too much Dylan)
He was simply out for a fight... so I put on my best 'Michael Caine in Zulu' accent to ensure the got the point... 'Have I done something wrong? Awfully sorry old chap, no harm done.' I couldn't work out how the footpath was supposed to deviate around his farmyard, as shown on the map... so decided to politely walk through and explain if challenged. He obviously watched me on the outward leg... and waited until I'd completed the inward leg and was almost at my car before he came hurtling down the track.
Ouch! Sounds like you took the best approach though, not really much to get his teeth into. At least he didn't set the dogs on you.