Saturday 18th April - All 25 seen

The cattle were all good today and were seen in four groups.  A group of eight at their favourite Sandy Hill corner, three steers near the cow shed, a group of eight steers resting at the grassy area at the Royal Pavilion end of the site, and six of the Sussex cattle resting near the covered reservoir.

Full update and some photos to follow.

Friday 17th April - All 25 seen

 Between 08:30 - 11:00

All have been seen this morning in roughly two areas.

The original herd of 18 were all at the Aldershot end of the site…

///calm.intro.spin (pavilion end of Sandy bowl) 072,940,219,214 and 234

///chained.farms.polite (between cow shed and pavilion) the remain 13 members of the original herd.

///unfilled.approve.fortunes (path alongside Sandy Hill Road) 212,197,211,210,1396 and 1626.

///officials.fewest.tortoises (lower path parallel to Sandy Hill Road) 1640

I noticed that Sussex 197 had a cut on his side but it looked to be a few days old and had no signs of bleeding. Apart from that all the cattle were good this morning.

Thursday 16th - Staff Check

 Found all 25 across three groups today. All looked well, but bothered by flies. Unfortunately we sprayed them quite recently, so won't be able to do anything about this for a few weeks

Wednesday 15th April - All 25 seen

At 16:20 this afternoon, fourteen members of the Caesar’s original herd were grazing contentedly at the Royal Pavilion end of the site. As rain had just started to fall, cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 21, 33, 222, 228, and 230, were grazing under the shelter of the trees near ///spot.pools.grain. They were very friendly, coming over to greet me and enjoy neck and back scratches. After about twenty-five minutes, the rain stopped and the sun came out, and several of the cattle moved back into the bramble to continue grazing. Steers 20, 30, 220, 270, and 271 moved further southwest, grazing on the heather on the hillside near ///digs.eager.hype. All fourteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:15, steers 197 and 219, along with cow 1396, were grazing near the trees at the western end of the Sandy Bowl. The army had set up camp under the trees, but there was no one present. Youngster 219 enjoyed a long neck, shoulder, and back scratch while the two Sussexes gradually wandered east to graze. All three were happy and healthy.

By 17:35, Sussex cows 211 and 212, along with steers 210 and 1640, were happily grazing in the grassy pasture to the southwest, near ///spare.bill.trace. They were all very friendly, stopping to say hello before standing in the sunshine to enjoy plenty of attention. Cows 211 and 212 were especially affectionate, regularly offering licks while being fussed over. All four were content, relaxed, and in good condition.

Finally, at 18:05, the remaining four steers—35, 217, 227, and 1626—were spread out grazing in the pasture near ///whom.cocktail.joys. They had been joined by older steers 20 and 30 from the first group. Sussex steer 1626 soon drifted east, crossing the path to graze on the longer grass. Youngster 227 was keen to enjoy a good back scratch while he grazed, often shifting his position to ensure I reached all his itchy spots. I said my goodbyes at 18:30, leaving them grazing peacefully.

The cows were all good today.

Tuesday 14th April - All 25 seen

At 16:45 this afternoon, eleven members of the Caesar’s original herd were grazing contentedly at the Royal Pavilion end of the site. Cows 214 and 234, along with steers 20, 21, 30, 220, 222, 228, 230, 270, and 271, were feeding on both bramble and the longer grass around the bushes. They were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them, often coming over to greet me and enjoy strokes. Youngsters 222, 228, and 230 were especially friendly, emerging from the thicket to lean in for long neck and back scratches. As I said my goodbyes at 17:30, the group was gradually drifting into the thicket west of the grassy area to continue grazing. All eleven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:45, the remaining fourteen cattle, including the seven Sussexes, were spread out grazing just north of the path along Longbottom. They were also very friendly, with many stepping out of the thicket to join me on the path for strokes and rubs. Cows 211 and 212 were particularly affectionate, responding to long neck scratches with gentle head rubs and plenty of licks. The group gradually made its way onto the slope of Sandy Hill, near ///dries.snores.dean, grazing among the heather, gorse bushes, and silver birch trees. They were all content, relaxed, and in good condition.

Shortly before 19:00, most of the group had moved further east, continuing to graze on the heather along the slope. I said my goodbyes soon after, leaving them peacefully grazing as the drizzle became more persistent.

The cattle were all good today.