Sunday 4th January - All 25 seen

At 09:30 on this chilly morning, the cattle were in the same two groups as yesterday. A mixed group of nine—steers 33, 210, 219, 222, and 1640, along with cows 211, 212, 234, and 1396—were browsing gorse near ///season.valued.error, around 120 metres southwest of the main gate into the Gelvert reserve. They were all very friendly, emerging from the bushes to greet me and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. All nine looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 10:35, the remaining sixteen cattle were southwest of the Lookout, spread across three smaller groups. Cow 940, together with steers 20, 30, 228, 270, and 271, were standing in the sunshine near ///round.shame.unroll, relaxing and chewing their cud. Nearby, steers 21 and 230 were lying down at ///broadens.grad.boots, while steers 197 and 1626 and cows 72 and 214 browsed gorse close by. The remaining four steers were resting in the bracken and heather in the central area near ///army.bitter.necks.

After a while, steers 20 and 30, along with cow 940, moved over to join the four resting in the bracken and heather. The remaining three—steers 228, 270, and 271—settled closer to the main path, not far from where they had been standing earlier. They attracted plenty of attention from passers-by keen to take photos. Before leaving, I broke the ice on several nearby puddles. All sixteen were calm, content, and looking well.

I returned to the first group at 12:15, now gathered near ///named.local.mass, relaxing and chewing their cud in the sunshine. Older steer 33 was the first to lie down, suggesting they were likely to stay there for a while. Although the puddles in this area were frozen solid, I found a large pool of water in a nearby hollow and was able to break the ice. Shortly afterwards, three of the Sussex cattle came over for a drink. I said my final goodbyes at 12:35, leaving them all resting.

Today also marked the Thames Motorcycle Club's annual Mike Kemp Classic Trial on Hungry Hill, which began at 10:00. Thankfully, the cattle stayed well away from the area this year.

The cows were all good today.

Saturday 3rd January - All 25 seen

Happy New Year!  All the best for 2026.

Shortly before midday, a mixed group of eight cattle were in the lower pasture west of James Bond Pond, near ///backdrop.roses.rivals. Sussex cows 211, 212, and 1396, along with British White cow 234 and youngster 222, were resting in the sunshine and chewing their cud. They were all friendly and happy to be approached for checks and plenty of strokes. Youngster 222 was especially pleased to see me, coming over for a long neck and shoulder scratch and responding with gentle head rubs. Sussex steers 210 and 1640, along with youngster 219, were grazing in the gorse further west but soon came over to say hello. Shortly before I left, the first five moved up to higher ground to browse the gorse. All eight were relaxed, content, and looking well.

By 12:40, sixteen cattle were gathered in the pasture south of James Bond Pond near ///cabin.onto.outs. Most were lying in the heather, relaxing and chewing their cud or dozing in the sunshine. Cow 214 and steer 217 appeared to have only just stood up and were peacefully chewing their cud. As I made my way around checking them, several got up to enjoy long back scratches. By 13:25, most of the group had risen and were either grazing in the heather to the west or browsing the dense gorse to the south. Only steers 21, 30, 197, 227, and 1626 remained resting.

I then headed back to the first area to look for the missing older steer, 33. I found him lying with youngster 219 in a gap between two thick gorse banks near ///garlic.rise.rescuer. He looked well and settled, happily chewing his cud in the sunshine. I’m not sure where he'd wandered off to earlier, as I'd already searched the pasture, but it was a relief to find him. I said my goodbyes at 13:50, leaving the boys resting and the others browsing gorse nearby.

The cows were all good today.

Friday 2nd January

 Apologies, but I am unable to look today due to personal reasons. I will be back out on Monday.

Wednesday 31st December - All 25 seen

At 09:45 this morning, cow 940 was browsing in the gorse bushes northeast of James Bond Pond. She was very friendly, coming straight over to greet me and enjoying plenty of strokes. After a while, she followed me into the pasture to the northwest near ///finer.swims.poses, where steers 30, 35, 220, 228, and 1626 were enjoying the frost‑tipped gorse and heather. Youngster 228 was especially friendly, happily accepting a neck and chin rub before settling in for a long back scratch. All six cattle were relaxed, content, and looking well despite the chilly start.

By 10:35, the remaining nineteen cattle were spread out grazing in the pasture and along the two dense rows of gorse south of James Bond Pond near ///duos.crunching.nails. They were all very friendly as I moved around checking on them, with many coming over to say hello and enjoy some attention. Several were content to rest and be fussed over, returning the affection with gentle head rubs and licks. I spent a good while moving among them, and they were all happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 12:15, most of the herd had settled into smaller groups to rest in the sunshine, either along the southernmost track by the pond or in the pasture to the south near ///regress.melt.sorters. Older steers 20 and 21, along with youngsters 219 and 222, were still happily foraging for acorns beneath the large trees to the southwest.

The cows were all good today.

All the very best for 2026!