Sunday 7th December - All 25 seen

At 09:35 this morning, steers 21 and 227 were foraging for acorns while sheltering from the rain near ///cycles.brick.matter. Steer 35 was grazing in the nearby gorse bushes. Youngster 227 was very friendly, taking a break to enjoy a long neck rub. All three were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 09:50, nine members of Caesar's original herd were gathered near ///fine.tube.punchy. Most had been grazing in the gorse along the main path, but soon came out to say hello and enjoy some strokes and rubs. Youngster 222 enjoyed a neck rub and then having the water brushed from his back and sides, before insisting on giving me cuddles despite still being quite wet. Youngster 228 was particularly vocal this morning, seemingly keeping the others informed of his whereabouts. Older steers 30 and 33 were both lying down at first, relaxing and chewing their cud, but soon stood up. After a few greetings, older steer 33 lay back down. He has been lying down each time I’ve seen him over the past seven days, though he did get up yesterday to move into the gorse for shelter and was walking normally. It may be nothing, but I think we should keep an eye on him just in case.

Cows 72, 234, and 940, along with steers 20 and 271, had been grazing in the gorse to the southeast on the far side of the path between the pastures. They soon emerged and wandered down the hillside to say hello. Cow 72 especially enjoyed having the water brushed from her neck, back, and sides. Eight from the first group—everyone except steer 33, who remained resting—crossed over to join them, and the combined group began to relax and chew their cud in the drizzle. A little later, steers 21 and 227 also arrived and joined them.

At 10:40, youngster 219 and the seven Sussex cattle were gathered near ///revisits.joke.legs, further southwest near Horse Pond. They were all friendly and enjoyed some strokes before settling down to rest. Cow 211 especially enjoyed her neck scratches and thanked me with gentle licks before lying down at my feet. Youngster 219 leaned in for an extended shoulder and back rub, shifting forwards and backwards to make sure I reached every itchy spot. I said my goodbyes at 11:20, leaving all of them lying down except for steer 1626, whose head injury continues to show steady improvement.

I walked back to where I had left the others and found fifteen cattle resting on the hillside near ///bags.navy.fears. Steer 33 was still lying in his original spot, and steer 35 was foraging for acorns under a tree to the east. The resting group were happy to be approached and enjoyed a few more strokes and rubs. I said my goodbyes just after 11:50 as another heavy shower rolled in.

The cows were all good today.

Will add some photos later.

Saturday 6th December - All 25 seen

The cattle were all good today.

A mixed group of twenty-one were grazing in the gorse bushes along the slope of Sandy Hill. Most came out for a hello and some strokes. Over time, they gradually moved down the slope to Longbottom, where they started to relax. Several enjoyed longer neck and back scratches.

The remaining four steers were resting near ///lofts.nozzles.treatable. Despite a few showers, they remained lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud. When a particularly heavy shower rolled in around noon, they got up and moved into the gorse bushes for shelter.

Steer 1626's head was looking much better today

Full update and photos to follow later.

Friday 5th December - all 25 seen

 Between 07:30 - 09:30

All have been seen this morning in roughly 3 scattered groups all within the vicinity of James Bond pond. I first found a group near to opposite the Shell station heading in the direction of JB pond. The next lot were on the path between JB pond and Sandy Hill Road. This included the ever friendly 222 who insisted on his usual head and back rubs. Sarah, 072, also enjoyed a good long back rub. The last four I found were on the path next to Sandy Hill Road, this included 1626 who wasn’t showing any worries about his head injury, it looked to be nicely on the mend.

All the cattle were good this morning.

Thursday 4th December - All 25 seen

 12:07 at Horse pond now one bouy checked rope tucked back in gently resting on bouy going around to check other buoy

 ///winded.doubts.asset 

oh no ok I see the problem here 

The nylon rope was completely out of the case and buoy housing used as a dustinbin it may have been tampered with, so I have removed rubbish but will have come back to collect. The rope is wrapped up gently and placed in an accessible way in the buoy housing and hope 228 can’t get to it again

12:59 on the verges of Sandy hill sat by himself 33 ///raking.excavate.lashed chewing his cud doesn’t show up on nofence wait found another can’t see an ear tag could be Buzz

Controlled burn from a tidy up cows have explored and left plops site has a red and white tape cordon I spotted a SUS ducking in and out of hedges they are tricky todsy

13:12 found Buzz up by the pillbox on Sandy hill 

13:27 on approach to JB Pond ///quibble.suspended.lavished Brie and her group 7 who’ve moved from sandy hill . a group of 5 Includes no collar gangsta they won’t be able to along this path as nofence will stop them. I’m going to leave them here they are in the gorse grazing moving happily along mix of SH and BW. The group of 5 are coming back through the gorse now so will most likely join back with Brie’s group 

13:47 a dog walker is calling off his dog then shouting no really loud I’m heading back to Brie I don’t see anyone here now so all ok 

13;53 the winter sun is mellow yellow and dipping low now so I’m going to find the SUS before I lose the light 

14:04 the cows are coming down the banks from sandy hill a SUS is bellowing for the others and gone off in the direction of horse pond 

14:15 I’m up in the heathland the SUS moving except one chewing cud ///weary.defend.tell I can’t get close to them on the heath but both are sitting chewing cud within sight of each ither

14:27 7 SUS seen grazing in trees ///banana.bookshelf.politics  in a group 10 

14:39 I had to tell a dog walker who had 5 off the lead that she has to call them off me, she told me not to shout at the dog !! She continued to walk past me them call off her dog when I said this is MOD ground and have to keep them on a lead if you don’t call them off. I’m shaken 

Heading home 2 more to find sorry they are by the pillbox so assuming I saw them earlier as I passed by

15:08 home with a cuppa still shaking will tidy up post and have a new laptop as mine was old I couldn’t get pictures off my phone which is also an old iPhone 

Note about life buoy throwlines

Hi all, aware this is a little late for todays check, apologies, but just to say I got a call today that one of the cows (228) was eating the throwlines attached to one of the life buoys by Horse pond (the smaller of the ponds). He won't be able to chew through it properly, but if possible, when you come across one of those buoyancy aids please make sure the throwline is put away - not so hidden that it can't be quickly accessed and used in an emergency, but at least not spooling out on the ground

It might be worth keeping a bit of an eye on him over the next couple of days as well, just incase he did manage to knaw through a piece of it.

Thanks!

Wednesday 3rd December - All 25 seen

Shortly after noon, steers 33 and 219, along with the seven Sussex cattle, had just left their favourite Sandy Hill corner and were grazing to the west. They were enjoying a mix of grass, gorse, and leaves from the trees and bushes. All were very friendly, taking turns to come over, say hello, and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. Several had clearly been deep in the gorse bushes before I arrived—judging by the loose gorse covering their backs—which they were more than happy for me to brush off. Steer 1626’s head injury looked better today compared with yesterday. The bleeding had stopped, and the wound appeared less raw. He appeared to be fully at ease, grazing contentedly and exhibiting no signs of discomfort. With rain forecast later in the afternoon, hopefully it will help clean the wound and loosen the matting in his coat. I said my goodbyes at 12:30, leaving them peacefully grazing just beyond the pillbox. Aside from steer 1626’s injury, all nine were happy, relaxed, and looking well. At 12:40, the remaining sixteen cattle were resting near ///store.expiring.music on the hillside about 250 metres north of Horse Pond. Most were lying in the bracken, relaxing and chewing their cud or snoozing. They all looked very comfortable. As I made my way around to check on them, they were happy to be approached, with most enjoying a few strokes and rubs. Several got up and wandered over for longer neck and back rubs. Cow 940 enjoyed a long neck and ear rub in the warm sunshine, while youngster 228 preferred a good back scratch. Youngster 222 was especially affectionate today, thoroughly enjoying being made a fuss of and offering the sweetest cuddles in return. All sixteen were happy, relaxed, and in good condition. By 13:10, a number of the cattle had got up and begun wandering southwest to graze the gorse and heather. However, after about ten minutes, they started to settle down again to rest. I said my goodbyes shortly before 13:30, leaving them peacefully grazing or relaxing in the sunshine. The cows were all good today.

Tuesday 2nd December - All 25 seen — Steer 1626 has a head injury — Cow 211 has slipped her collar

At 14:20 this afternoon, twelve of the Caesar’s original herd were enthusiastically foraging for acorns in the woodland east of Horse Pond near ///jolly.afraid.saddens. They were very friendly, each taking turns to come over, say hello, and enjoy a few strokes and rubs. After about twenty minutes, cow 72 and steers 220 and 271 crossed the path to the southeast to browse leaves from nearby trees and bushes. Yearling 271 was keen to show off his hill-climbing skills! All twelve were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 14:45, youngsters 217, 222, and 230, along with yearling 270, were alternating between eating gorse and foraging for acorns under the trees south of Horse Pond, near ///decoded.maps.trade. Youngsters 222 and 230 were particularly friendly, enjoying long neck and back scratches. All four were content, relaxed, and in good condition.

When I first arrived and walked down from Sandy Hill, I spotted the seven Sussex cattle, along with steers 33 and 219, resting among the bracken and heather on the hillside near ///zinc.propose.drops. By 15:00, only steers 33, 197, 219, and 1626 were still there. They looked very comfortable as they rested and chewed their cud. As Alice mentioned earlier, Sussex steer 1626 had an injury on the left side of his head just under his horn. The wound was still bleeding slightly, but he seemed otherwise fine. A little later, the boys got up and wandered south to join the other five Sussex cattle grazing on the slope of Sandy Hill. Steer 1626 was walking normally and climbed the slope without any difficulty.

At 15:15, those five Sussex cattle were grazing in the thicket near ///fiery.resist.form as they made their way up Sandy Hill. Cow 211 hurried over as soon as she spotted me and settled in for a long neck rub. True to form, she had slipped her collar—our gorgeous girl is determined to keep her freedom and wander wild 🤣. The others also came over for a greeting and enjoyed some strokes. They were all happy and in good condition.

By 15:30, four of the Sussex cattle had reached the top and began grazing near the pillbox, while the remaining three, together with steers 33 and 219, were still grazing on the slope. I said my goodbyes shortly afterwards, leaving them all grazing peacefully.

It was lovely to catch up with Alice today while she was doing her staff checks.

Apart from steer 1626’s head injury, the cows were all good today.