Saturday 27th December - All 25 seen

Shortly after 09:00 this morning, the cattle had split into two groups at the eastern end of the site. Fourteen were spread out on either side of the path near ///fits.dark.wages, grazing on gorse and foraging for acorns. The remaining eleven were further northeast, grazing among the trees and bushes near the Sandy Bowl. All the cattle were extremely friendly as I moved around checking on them. By midday, the majority were lying down in the sunshine, relaxing and chewing their cud in three separate groups. Older steer 35 was still up and about, grazing and foraging for acorns on the raised ground near ///goes.spill.seats. Despite the uneven terrain, he showed no signs of difficulty and was putting full weight on his ankle as he moved. A full update and photos will follow later.

Friday 26th December - All 25 seen

 Between 08:45 - 11:00

All seen in two areas this morning, the first group were at ///masts.misty.doubts which is along lower path adjacent to Sandy Hill Road. This included the British whites, Brie and Sarah. Not forgetting the always friendly 222 who was not going to let me go until he had his head and back rubbed. Buzz was also with this group and what a difference a week makes! He was walking as normal with little to no sign of his limp. 

The second group including the Sussex’s were at ///devoured.resold.combos which is between the Horse Pond and the sandy area at the Aldershot end of the site. All were busy finding acorns with some eating the holly leaves.

All the cattle were good this morning either eating acorns, gorse or holly.

Thursday 25th December - All 25 seen

Merry Christmas everyone. 🎅🌲🎁

At 09:00, older steers 20 and 33 were browsing gorse just west of their favourite corner on Sandy Hill. They soon moved east to meet youngsters 217 and 222 and yearling 270, who had wandered along from the western end of Sandy Hill. Despite the sunshine, it remained chilly, with a strong, cold breeze blowing. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, thoroughly enjoying endless strokes and returning the affection with gentle head rubs. Shortly after 09:20, the five boys moved west to join a larger group grazing on Hungry Hill. All were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 09:30, youngsters 220, 227, 228, and 230 were grazing and foraging for acorns in the woodland east of Horse Pond. Each took turns coming over to greet me and enjoyed plenty of strokes and rubs. They appeared perfectly content and showed no urgency to climb the hill to join the rest of the herd.

At 09:50, I climbed up to Hungry Hill to join the twenty-one cattle spread out grazing and foraging for acorns in the thicket near ///took.tastings.truly. The cattle were very friendly as I moved around checking on them, with most stepping forward to say hello and enjoy a few strokes. A group of four—steers 21, 197, and 219, along with cow 234—had found a sheltered, sunny spot near the western fence line, where they were browsing gorse. Older steer 33 and cow 211 were enthusiastically foraging for acorns in the far southwest corner. Cow 211 took a break to come over for a neck and chin scratch, offering plenty of licks in return.

Steer 35 spent much of his time in a gorse‑ringed hollow near ///beak.clock.elbowed. He was putting full weight on his injured ankle as he nibbled at the gorse. Although his movement was slightly restricted, he showed no signs of discomfort, which was encouraging to see. Later, when he joined the larger group, I was able to watch him walk properly; aside from a very slight limp, he appeared to be moving even better than yesterday.

By 10:40, the cattle had begun gathering in a tree‑sheltered clearing near ///method.should.diver, where they settled to relax and chew their cud. Soon after, youngsters 220, 227, and 228 arrived, announcing themselves with plenty of moos. However, youngster 230 had became separated and wandered halfway along Sandy Hill. I caught up with him and persuaded him to stop. Although he was a little distressed, he soon calmed down. After some initial hesitation, I walked him back to the group, reuniting him with the others shortly after 11:05. While I was away, several of the cattle had begun to lie down.

I said my goodbyes at 11:15, leaving the entire herd resting and chewing their cud in the clearing.

It was lovely to catch up with Kiran, who was also out checking on the cattle.

The cows were all good today.

Thursday 25th December- all 25 seen

10:30 Came out this morning met Gordon and the herd up on Heath End by Bricksbury Hill. 

11:37 all herd are together Gordon brought back a stray I couldn’t keep up but Gordon managed to bring him back from Sandy Hill 

Merry Christmas 2025 🌟

Wednesday 24th December - All 25 seen - Steer 35 continues to limp slightly, but his walking showed further improvement compared with yesterday

At 09:40 this morning, steers 220, 228, and 271, along with cows 72 and 214, were browsing gorse near ///sizzled.rolled.maps on Sandy Hill. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. Afterwards, they continued grazing on grass and gorse as they made their way east toward their favourite corner. All appeared happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 10:05, the remaining twenty cattle were spread out near Horse Pond, mostly grazing, foraging for acorns, or resting. Older steer 33 was lying comfortably in the bracken south of the woodland by the water’s edge, with youngster 230 grazing nearby. Youngsters 222 and 227, along with yearling 271, were foraging for acorns on the soil bund in the pasture to the south. They were all very friendly and paused to enjoy long neck and back scratches.

Shortly after I arrived, the herd split into two groups. Most continued east to forage for acorns among the fallen leaves southeast of the pond, near ///bead.hires.deflate, including Sussex cow 1396 and steer 1626. The three steers from earlier walked with me as I made my way along, with steers 33 and 230 having already joined them by the time I arrived.

Meanwhile, a group of eight—including the remaining five Sussex cattle, steers 35 and 219, and cow 234—climbed the steep slope up to Hungry Hill, where they joined the initial group of five cattle foraging for acorns near ///sage.badly.tower.

Despite the demanding climb and his injury, older steer 35 reached the top without needing to pause. When I caught up with him at 11:20, he was still showing a slight limp on the uneven ground, but this was noticeably improved compared with yesterday. He was bearing full weight on his injured ankle while foraging and allowed me to check the injury and take a few photos. It was encouraging to see such clear signs of recovery.

Shortly before 11:40, I returned to the first group, who were beginning to settle down in the sunshine to rest and chew their cud near ///care.either.speech. Older steer 21 was still foraging for acorns on the far side of the path to the east, while steers 20 and 230 were lying comfortably in the bracken nearby. All twelve were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Just after noon, as I was preparing to leave, I revisited the group of thirteen on Hungry Hill. They had moved around 200 metres west and were browsing gorse and other leaves from trees and bushes. They, too, were relaxed, content, and looking well. I said my final goodbyes at 12:30, leaving them all grazing peacefully.

The cows were all good today.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!!