Wednesday 15th July - All 25 seen

At 17:20 this afternoon, youngster 219, along with Sussex cows 212 and 1396 and steers 197, 210, and 1640, were resting in the tall grass southwest of James Bond Pond, near ///hulk.shirts.bookshelf. Steer 197 was lying deep in the shade and proved rather difficult to reach. It was another hot day, with only the occasional breeze and plenty of flies about. Several of the group got up and came over to say hello, appreciating having the flies gently brushed away from their faces. Cow 211 and steer 1626 were resting on the higher ground in the heather-filled pasture near ///amid.connected.army. Cow 211 was her usual affectionate self, getting up to greet me with gentle head rubs before enjoying a long neck and back scratch, then settling back down in the heather. By the time I returned to the first group, they had wandered out into the open and started grazing to the north of where they had been resting, allowing me to check steer 197 properly. All eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 18:05, steers 33, 35, 217, 220, 222, 227, 228, and 271 were all lying beneath the shade of the trees to the west of James Bond Pond. Most were relaxing and chewing their cud, although they would occasionally drift off for a short doze. They were all happy to be approached for their checks, with most enjoying plenty of attention. It looked as though youngster 222 had been paddling in the pond earlier, with his front legs coated in mud. It was noticeably cooler beneath the trees, and the group looked very comfortable. The boys were all happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 18:40, steers 21, 30, and 230 were gathered beneath the trees northwest of the nursery, near ///paints.supply.bared. Steers 21 and 30 were both lying down, and it looked as though youngster 230 had only recently got to his feet. He wandered over to greet me as soon as he spotted me approaching, happy to enjoy a long back scratch. All three were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Finally, at 18:50, the final six cattle—cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 20 and 270—were resting beneath the shade of the trees near ///drops.scores.dream, approximately 270 metres northeast of the three steers. They were all lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud. Cow 234 was quick to get up and lean into an extra-long back scratch, shuffling backwards and forwards to make sure I reached all of her itchy spots, her enthusiastic tail swishes encouraging me to keep going. The group was content, relaxed, and looking well. I said my goodbyes at 19:20, leaving them resting peacefully.

The cows were all good today.

Tuesday 14th July - All 25 seen

At 16:50 this afternoon, all twenty-five cattle were together, although spread out in smaller groups across the pasture about 330 metres west of the trees at the western end of the Sandy Bowl. The seven Sussex cattle and youngster 219 were gathered near ///select.tanks.hosts, with everyone coming over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes. It was hot again this afternoon, and the cattle were being bothered by lots of flies, especially around their eyes. After a short while, they started to settle down in the tall grass to rest and chew their cud. The trees and bushes provided welcome shelter from the sun, while the tall grass helped keep some of the flies away. Steers 30 and 230 were grazing nearby, with youngster 230 wandering over to greet me and enjoy a long back scratch. All ten were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 17:25, the remaining fifteen cattle had drifted northeast to lie down beneath the shade of the trees near ///faces.broke.paid. Older steer 20 was still making his way to join the group, stopping to enjoy plenty of fresh grass as he went. Cows 72 and 940, along with steers 217 and 228, were still grazing to the north, but gradually made their way over to join the others. It was considerably cooler beneath the trees, so they had definitely chosen the best place to rest. Youngster 222 came straight over to say hello when he spotted me, greeting me with gentle head rubs before enjoying long neck and back scratches. The others were happy to be approached for their checks as they rested, with most appreciating having the flies gently brushed away from their faces, along with a few head strokes. All fifteen were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

After saying my goodbyes, I headed back to the first group at 18:15 and found the seven Sussex cattle, along with steers 30 and 219, still lying exactly where they had been earlier. A few had shifted position, but they were all still resting peacefully in the shade. Youngster 230 had almost completely disappeared into the long grass, with only the rustling as he changed position giving away where he was. I carefully waded through the tall grass to check on him, gently pulling some of it aside so I could see him properly. He was perfectly content, relaxing and chewing his cud. I soon left him in peace, carefully arranging the grass back around him.

The cows were all good today.

staff check 13 July all 25 seen in 3 groups, all good

Unable to look on 17th and 20th July

 I am having my pacemaker replaced on Thursday before the battery in my current one runs out. 

While I am able to walk it is advised to go easy for a few days so I won’t be able to do looking duties on Friday 17th and Monday 20th. All being well I will be back on Friday 24th.

Monday 13th July - All 25 seen

 Between 08:00 - 10:00

All seen in 3 groups this morning

///ringers.stack.zebra (east of Horse pond) 7 Sussex’s 219,035 and 033

///tables.loyal.boost (north side Horse pond) 021,270,271 and 220

///blows.menu.estimated (close to the lookout) 222,020,234,217,940,230,228,214,227,072 and 030

On my return from the lookout the Sussex’s, 219,035 and 033 were making their way along the northern edge of horse pond and hopefully settle in the shade under the trees.

All the cattle were good this morning 

Sunday 12th July - All 25 seen

At 09:30 this morning, the seven Sussex cattle, along with steers 20, 21, 30, 35, 219, and 228, were well spread out grazing in the pasture about 450 metres west of the Sandy Bowl, around ///aside.palm.supply. They were all friendly, stopping to say hello and enjoy plenty of attention. Youngster 228 thoroughly enjoyed a long back scratch while standing in the shade beneath one of the large trees. Older steer 21 preferred to stand close and chew his cud as I helped keep the many flies away from his eyes. By 10:25, the group crossed the path to the west and disappeared into the bracken as they made their way towards Horse Pond for a drink before settling beneath the trees to the west of the pond. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 10:30, cows 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 33, 220, 222, 227, 230, 270, and 271, were huddled together resting beneath the large tree near ///fuzz.arise.braked. Several were lying in the bracken, trying to keep the many flies away from their eyes. Cow 72 was lying in the sunshine slightly to the northwest, contentedly chewing her cud despite being pestered by flies, while youngster 217 was grazing among the bracken further southwest. Cow 72 was happy to be approached and enjoyed plenty of gentle strokes around her face and neck. After a short while, youngster 222 got to his feet and wandered over to greet me, enjoying a neck scratch before returning the affection with gentle head rubs. He then shuffled forward and thoroughly enjoyed an extra-long back scratch. The others were all friendly when I checked on them, with many getting to their feet to enjoy a little attention.

By 11:20, youngster 217 had joined the group, and they all started to get to their feet and gather beneath the large tree. A short time later, they followed the path to the northeast, stopping beneath the trees at the far end. After resting for a short while, they moved into the same pasture the earlier group had been using and began to graze. They mostly kept to the shade of the bracken and trees, gradually making their way southeast.

I said my goodbyes shortly after midday, just as the first of the group began crossing the path to the south and moving into the pasture near ///fuzz.arise.braked to continue grazing. All twelve were happy, relaxed, and in good condition despite the prospect of another hot afternoon.

The cows were all good today.