Wednesday 31st December - All 25 seen

At 09:45 this morning, cow 940 was browsing the gorse in the bushes to the northeast of James Bond Pond. She was very friendly, coming straight over to say hello and enjoying plenty of strokes. After a while, she followed me out into the pasture to the west where steers 30, 35, 220, 228, and 1626 were enjoying lots of frost-tipped gorse and heather.  They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well despite the rather chilly start to the morning.

At 10:35, the remaining nineteen cattle were spread out grazing in the pasture and the two deep rows of gorse bushes to the south of James Bond Pond. They were all very friendly as I made my way round checking on them, with many coming over to greet me and enjoy some attention. I spent a good while with them, and they were all content, relaxed, and looking well.

By 12:15, most had settled down to rest in the sunshine in smaller groups, either lining the southernmost track by the pond, or in the pasture to the south. Older steers 20 and 21, along with youngsters 219 and 222, were still happily foraging for acorns nearby.

Will do a full update and add some photos later.

Tuesday 30th December - All 25 seen

Shortly before 10:30, cow 940 was grazing on lush grass at the western end of Sandy Hill, near ///enthused.gallons.parks. Nearby, steers 20, 30, 227, and 270, along with cow 72, were grazing in the thicket on the slope of the hill. They were all very friendly and greeted me warmly as I checked on them. By 10:50, steers 20 and 270 had crossed Longbottom and begun grazing near ///grips.freed.explores, where Sussex cows 211, 212, and 1396 were happily foraging for acorns beneath the trees. All nine cattle were relaxed, content, and in good condition.

After saying my goodbyes and walking west along Longbottom, I heard frequent mooing in the distance. Shortly after, at 11:20, I found Sussex steer 197 standing southwest of James Bond Pond near ///shows.viewer.assess. He mooed several more times as I approached. After a calming back scratch, I walked him along the southernmost track beside the pond and down the hill to rejoin the others. In the short time I was away, the cattle had begun to gather and lie down to chew their cud near where I had last seen the Sussex cows. As I was preparing to leave again, Sussex steer 210 came wandering down Longbottom to join the group.

By 11:50, steers 220 and 271 and cow 234, were grazing near ///bags.tonality.choice, just west of the water tower. After stopping to say hello, they settled to rest in the sunshine. Further west, older steer 35 was browsing gorse, but soon wandered along to join them. He was walking completely normally today, which was great to see. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 12:15, the remaining ten cattle were further west near ///tech.abandons.plans, lying down, relaxing, and chewing their cud in the warm sunshine. They were happy to be approached and enjoyed plenty of strokes and rubs while resting. Youngster 219 especially loved a long neck and chin rub before sprawling out on his side to enjoy a belly rub. It was lovely to spend some quiet time with them while they were so friendly and relaxed.

As I was leaving at 13:20, the group of four cattle had settled down to rest and chew their cud near ///acid.zooms.rhino, northeast of the water tower.

The cows were all good today.

Monday 29th December - All 25 seen

 Between 09:30 - 11:30

All have been seen this morning in three groups. 

The first group were just east of horse pond at ///amicably.slant.signature, this included the three whites 214,227 and 234. All were good busily hunting the last of the acorns. 

The second group were about 500 meters away at ///imposes.brother.thickened. Most of the eight in this group were having a rest and chewing their cud. Two Sussex’s 1626 and 197 were in this group.

The third group were on the path along side Sandy Hill Road at ///detonated.strutted.genetics, this included the other five Sussex’s, Brie and the ever friendly 222.

All the cattle were good this morning.

Sunday 28th December - All 25 seen

Shortly after 09:35 this morning, steers 35 and 227 were foraging for acorns among the fallen leaves near ///shiny.dish.segmented, west of the cow shed. Steer 35 was moving freely and putting his full weight on his ankle, suggesting he has fully recovered from his injury. Youngster 227 was very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoying a long neck and back scratch.

By 10:00, nine cattle were resting on the grassy area near ///scout.cube.noon at the Royal Pavilion end of the site. The remaining fourteen were either foraging for acorns in the woodland to the east or grazing bramble in the thicket to the southeast. Youngster 222 was particularly friendly, enjoying endless strokes and rubs and returning the affection with the sweetest head rubs.

After a while, the group of nine drifted over to join the others, grazing among the bramble. All the cattle were friendly as I moved around checking on them. During this time, the seven Sussex cattle and youngster 219 wandered off toward the Sandy Bowl, while the rest of the herd gradually made their way east through the thicket.

By 11:00, steer 33 was resting on one of the grassy islands in the Sandy Bowl, relaxing and chewing his cud. Nearby, the seven Sussex cattle and youngster 219 were foraging for acorns in the woodland to the south. All eight were happy, relaxed, and in good condition when I checked on them. Shortly after 11:35, steers 35 and 227 arrived to join the herd.

By 11:50, more cattle gathered on the grassy island and soon settled down to rest and chew their cud, though several got up and wandered over to enjoy more neck and back rubs. Six of the Sussex cattle had found a sheltered spot beneath the trees near ///voter.shine.lies, lying comfortably in the fallen leaves, while the seventh remained alone to the northwest. Shortly after 12:20, the rest of the herd joined them, seeking shelter from the chilly breeze. Most settled down to rest, while others continued foraging for acorns.

After saying my goodbyes, I walked to the northeastern end of the Sandy Bowl, where steers 21 and 35 were resting near ///risk.dream.meals, with steers 30, 220, and 270 browsing gorse nearby.

The cows were all good today.