Monday 8th December STAFF CHECK

Cattle found in 3 herds

7 Sussex and 1 cow together

4 British whites / crosses

Then 13 all Shetlands with one British White. #33 was with this last herd, came running over more than happily for some feed. Grazing fine, body condition good, hooves a little bit over grown but other than that no concern for his recent laziness, he's over 10yrs so probably getting old and cold a bit more

Thank you for your continued support

The grazing team

Monday 8th December - All 25 seen

 Between 09:00. - 10:45

All have been seen in two groups with the Sussex’s and 219 at ///diets.reefs.prowess which is just south of James Bond pond. They were eating the grass along the side of the path but mostly the gorse. Some were in the gorse but I managed to fight my way into look at the 4 that had barged their way in. I’m convinced they head into the gorse when they see me coming! 219 enjoyed a good back rub.

The rest were scattered near ///legal.store.spoon which is east of the Horse pond. All were eating a mixture of grass, gorse and heather. 222 and 227 were very friendly with both having long back and head rubs. I saw 033 on his feet searching for acorns. A few minutes later he was once again lying down. He looked quite lethargic and didn’t seem to want to get up on his feet. I thought it best to phone Zoe. I sent her a picture and she said Ned would come out today to take a look at him.

Apart from my concerns about 033 all the cattle were good this morning.

Sunday 7th December - All 25 seen - please keep an eye on steer 33

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.

Saturday 6th December - All 25 seen

At 09:35 this morning, a mixed group of twenty-one cattle were grazing in the gorse bushes along the slope of Sandy Hill near ///winter.spoken.ideals. Many came out of the bushes to say hello and enjoyed plenty of strokes and rubs, with several staying for longer neck and back scratches. After our greetings, they either wandered along the track or returned to the gorse, gradually making their way west.

By 10:10, the cattle had begun moving out of the bushes to graze on the hillside near ///options.rigs.singles. They enjoyed the heather and gorse as they made their way down to the foot of the hill, gathering beside the path at Longbottom. Youngsters 219 and 222 particularly enjoyed long back scratches while resting. After a while, the seven Sussex cattle wandered off to the west to forage for acorns under the trees, while the fourteen members of Caesar’s original herd moved east to graze near ///flop.memo.unzips. Older steer 30 was the first to settle down in the bracken at 11:15. All twenty-one cattle were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 11:30, the remaining four steers—21, 33, 230, and 270—were resting near ///trials.bonus.visual. They were lying down, relaxing, and chewing their cud. All were happy to be approached and enjoyed a few strokes. Youngster 230 enjoyed a longer neck and back scratch while relaxing. Despite a few showers, the boys continued resting until yearling 270 eventually got up, stretched, and wandered over to say hello. When a particularly heavy shower arrived around noon, they all moved into the gorse bushes for shelter. I said my goodbyes soon after, leaving them browsing deep in the gorse.

As I was leaving, the group of fourteen had moved further east and were grazing on the slope of Sandy Hill nearer Horse Pond. The Sussex cattle had also moved east along Longbottom and appeared to be heading back toward the larger group.

Steer 1626's head injury was looking much better today.

The cows were all good today.