Monday 22nd December - All 25 seen

 Between 08:30 - 10:30

All have been seen in 3 areas this morning with the first group at ///fence.often.shapeless which was a group of 14 along the path adjacent to Sandy Hill Road. This included 035 Buzz. When I first saw him he was just standing normally so putting weight on his leg with the limp. 

The second group of eight which included the 7 Sussex’s and 030 were at ///shelter.remarking.outings which is at the easterly end of Sandy Hill just before the downward path to Horse Pond. 

The third group of 3 were at ///scans.bills.closet. This group of 3 was 224, 940 and 021. 021’s tracker was not showing on the map so I guess it has a flat battery.

On my way back 219 had joined the Sussex’s. 

I found 035 again who was looking better than when I saw him on Friday. Also met Chris who had a good look at him and also agreed he looked better than he did in Friday.

With exception of the mighty Buzz all the cattle were good this morning.

Steer 35 update - Mon 22nd

Buzz's limping has definitely improved since my last visit on Friday. He's walking more smoothly and putting weight for a more sustained time. Please keep monitoring over the next couple of days in particular.

Sunday 21st December - All 25 seen - Steer 35 continues to limp but didn't appear any worse than yesterday. He is keeping up with the herd.

At 09:35 this morning, fourteen cattle were gathered near ///browsers.denser.foods. Most were browsing heather and gorse in the bushes beside the main path, while a couple had settled in the bracken to rest and chew their cud. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. As time passed, more of the group lay down to rest.

Older steer 33 and yearling 271 were a little further west, alternating between foraging for acorns and browsing gorse, with older steer 35 nearby enjoying plenty of gorse. Shortly after 10:00, steer 35 wandered over to join the main group. He was still limping and clearly uncomfortable, but no worse than yesterday. As before, he allowed me to approach, check him over, and take photos of his ankle. Afterwards, he lay down to take the weight off his sore foot.

Many of the cattle returned for more attention, thoroughly enjoying long neck and back scratches before settling back down to chew their cud or doze. I said my goodbyes at 11:00, leaving all but cow 72 lying down. She had just emerged from the gorse and came over for a back rub, happily allowing loose gorse to be brushed from her face, neck, and back. All fourteen cattle were happy, relaxed, and—aside from steer 35’s injury—looking well.

At 11:10, I found the remaining eleven cattle on Hungry Hill. Steers 21 and 219, along with cows 214 and 940, were alternating between browsing gorse and foraging among the fallen leaves near ///shin.universal.diet. Sussex steers 210 and 1640 were nearby doing the same, but soon wandered off. The group of four was very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes. I later caught up with the two Sussex steers near the southern fence line at ///coast.wounds.alike, where they had joined the other five Sussex cattle. Four were lying down, resting and chewing their cud, while steer 1626 was foraging among the leaves nearby. All eleven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

I said my goodbyes at 12:25, leaving them in two groups: four Sussex cattle resting while the other three foraged for acorns, and the initial four grazing contentedly in the woodland further north.

As I was leaving, I passed the group of fourteen again. Youngster 227 was up browsing gorse, while the other thirteen were resting, chewing their cud, or snoozing. Steer 35 was still lying down and appeared comfortable. Hopefully, the group will have a lazy Sunday and allow him to rest. I spent another fifteen minutes with them before saying my final goodbyes shortly before 13:00.

Aside from steer 35's injury, the cattle were all good today.

Saturday 20th December - All 25 seen - Steer 35 continues to limp badly but is keeping up with the rest of the herd

At 09:00 this morning, the cattle were split into two groups, grazing on Sandy Hill. Steers 20, 219, 220, 222, 228, 270, and 271, along with cow 72, were grazing near the pillbox. It was a cold, foggy, mizzle-filled start to the day, and the cattle were still damp from earlier rain. Nearby, the three British Whites were grazing contentedly in the gorse bushes just west of the pillbox. All eleven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 09:35, the remainder of the cattle were further west along the hill near ///curly.ambushes.easy. Most emerged from the gorse bushes to greet me before gathering to rest and chew their cud. Cow 940, along with steers 197 and 1640, were foraging for acorns slightly further west but soon wandered over to join the main group. The cattle were especially friendly this morning, with many enjoying long neck and back scratches as they dried out in the sunshine.

Older steer 35 was initially grazing among the gorse on softer ground and appeared to be putting his weight on his injured foot. A short while later, he emerged onto the main path, where his injury was more apparent. He was still limping badly, and his left ankle appeared swollen. He allowed me to approach, check him over, and take some photos. Afterwards, he joined the group of resting cattle and relaxed in the sunshine, chewing his cud.

At around 10:55, the group set off east toward their favourite Sandy Hill corner, with steer 35 following. He was happy for me to walk alongside him. Although the others gradually moved ahead, he continued toward them despite clear discomfort. The rest of the herd appeared mindful of his injury and did not move too far in front. Once he reached the corner, he stood in the sunshine, resting and chewing his cud. A while later, he joined several of the cattle grazing in the gorse bushes.

I said my goodbyes at noon. At that point, ten of the cattle were resting and chewing their cud on their favourite corner of Sandy Hill, having enjoyed plenty of scratches. Sussex steers 197 and 1640 had wandered west along Sandy Hill, while four other Sussex cattle—together with cows 214 and 940 and steer 219—had moved east to graze on Hungry Hill. The remaining six cattle were still grazing contentedly deep within the gorse bushes opposite the corner.

Except for the injured steer 35, the cattle were all good today.