Would you walk across a field alone?

[Summerloverr]

I do quite a lot of walking around my town, and one route involves walking across a field for 5-10 minutes.

I only do this during daylight and while it's usually quiet with no one around, there is the occasional dog walker etc.

But my friend thinks I am putting my line on the line by doing this, and says I am putting myself in danger. He said it's not safe for a lone woman to walk alone across fields.

I know there are news stories about horrible and unfortunate events, but they make the news because it's rare. AIBU to walk across quiet fields alone?

If not nighttime I don't understand why you wouldn't?

A field ??? What on earth will happen ??
I did grow up in the country though so I'm not afraid of fields ! How odd !

Yes but only in appropriate footwear.

Also tick proof ankle protection

Ive never thought of “not walking through fields” as a thing. Why are fields especially dangerous?

Frequently do, including fields with cows in. The only thing that gives me pause for thought is horses tbh, because they are a pest if they've been given treats.

I walk fields, mountains, coast paths on my own and don't want anyone to make me doubt myself.

The scariest thing about walking through a field is the risk of ticks.

Christ, what on earth do you think will happen?
I go out most days by myself, I like the solitude and listening to a book

Someone who finally gets it.... not everyone can just jump and get on with life after being followed or attacked. As if it was that easy.

Definitely. Unless it was full of cows, then definitely not!
Generally I'm walking with my soppy Golden Retriever though. I have no idea how he'd react if I was attacked. I think an attacker might first have to take him out tbh.
But sometimes me and him see no one on our lonely walks. And I barely think about the fact we're alone.

Yes absolutely. Provided it's a public right of way. And there are no jumpy looking cows and calves. They make me a bit nervous.

Yes of course I would if there is a right of way.

Ask yourself this question: If you wanted to grab, attack, even kill a person,

...what sort of area would you go to do this?

I’d hike five miles off the nearest road, settle down behind a bush with my flask and sandwiches, and hope someone would come along in a day or two, and that they weren’t with a walking group, way bigger than me, accompanied by three vicious Alsatians, or a large, bad-tempered farmer moving a herd on a quad bike?

I do this regularly too. It's my me time

Why fields, in particular?
I thought this was going to be a cow thread.
Cows are bastards. One broke my finger.

Yes I would do it (and do). There are many worse risks in life, I'd say this one is very minimal!

Open spaces are much safer than places where people can hide. Rural places are much safer than urban areas. Your friend needs to let you make your own judgments.

Any thought on these 12 pages of replies @Summerloverr ?

Always walk across fields with the dogs, during the day. I’d be very wary if livestock was present. My mil was horrified when I took her on a typical walk across fields and through a quite remote route by a river/overgrown area. She thought it was dodgy, I did it daily, hadn’t really thought about the danger.

Yup...

Am always appalled how trusting women are.. Letting men they barely know, move into their homes (more so when they have children resident there).... They go just on a gut feeling...' He'd never do that' ... 'He's my soul mate'.

Often the nicest men are the ones you need to be worried about....

Most really dangerous men, are very pleasant the times thet are not attacking/murdering women. They hide in plain sight.

Many patients of Harold Shipman thought he was OK and wrote supporting him when he was arrested.

The man who had evaded justice (think was called 'the night prowler') for best part of 20 years in London after burgling and raping old people, was a pilar of the community, church and a carer for his very disabled wife.

It's sad but we need to be more alert to the men we know. Stranger atracks are vanishingly small.

I’d hike five miles off the nearest road, settle down behind a bush with my flask and sandwiches, and hope someone would come along in a day or two, and that they weren’t with a walking group, way bigger than me, accompanied by three vicious Alsatians, or a large, bad-tempered farmer moving a herd on a quad bike?

Yep, you've summed it up! I mean it's never ever people close to you that murder you is it? It's always strangers hanging around fields that do it.

Why would you not? Honestly risk assessment really isn't people's strong point. I happily go for miles on public footpaths every week.

How big is this field, OP? Walking across a field for 5-10 mins would make it VAST!!