Tuesday 2nd June - All 25 seen

I waited until the second round of thunder, lightning, heavy rain, and hail had passed before heading out to spend some time with the cows this evening.

At 18:00, a mixed group of twenty cattle, including Sussex steers 197 and 1640, along with cows 211, 212, and 1396, were spread out grazing across the slopes of Sandy Hill, on either side of the track near ///churn.thud.exhale. I had only just started making my way down the path when youngster 222 wandered over to greet me, eager for a long neck and back rub and offering affectionate head rubs in return. The others were equally welcoming as I made my way around checking on them. I was pleasantly surprised by how dry most of them were.

It was initially quite sunny, but by 18:20 the sky had turned very dark, and several of the cattle had moved down to the bottom of the slope, choosing to stay close to the trees in case they needed shelter from the approaching rain. Sussex cows 211 and 212 were especially friendly, each coming over in turn for plenty of attention before a heavy shower swept through. The cattle were happy for me to join them beneath the trees, with many stepping forward for back scratches while we waited for the rain to pass. Once the shower had moved through and the sunshine returned, they gradually drifted back out to graze. I said my goodbyes shortly before 19:00, leaving them all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 19:10, cow 940 was lying down beneath the trees southwest of the entrance to the covered reservoir, near ///slick.couches.hexes, peacefully chewing her cud. She was happy to be approached and enjoyed some strokes while she rested. Older steer 21 was standing under a tree just behind he, butt soon wandered over for a hello and some head scratches. Youngster 219 and Sussex steers 210 and 1626 were grazing on the far side of the path to the northwest, making the most of the fresh grass. They all paused to greet me, with youngster 219 especially delighted by a long back scratch. All five were content, calm, and in good condition. I said my goodbyes at 19:50, leaving the Sussex boys browsing along the fence on the northern side of the reservoir, while the other three grazed among the tall grass to the south.

The cows were all good today.

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Monday 1st June - All 25 seen

 Between 07:30 - 10:30

All have been seen in two groups as follows

///swim.parts.ridge 219,033,940,228,030,270,220,217,1626,234,211,212 and 222

///neat.shack.horses 1640,210,197,020,214,072,1396,230,227,271,021 and 035

Both these locations are east of horse pond. 222 and 211 were their normal friendly selves enjoying both head and back rubs. 210 still has the lump on his throat although it didn’t seem to affect his eating.

Apart from 210’s lump all the cattle were good this morning, as I was leaving many were starting to lay down and chew their cud.

Monday 1st June - 210 still has a lump on his throat

 

Sunday 31st May - All 25 seen

At 09:20 this morning, a group of seven cattle were spread out between steer 227 and cow 234 near the wooden bridge by the cow shed and steers 33 and 217 grazing further out in the pasture near ///blitz.snowy.smiles, close to the fenced‑off area. Cow 214 and steers 222 and 228 were grazing in the woodland, but they gradually made their way out into the pasture to join the others. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. Youngsters 222, 227, and 228 all enjoyed long neck and back scratches, rewarding me with gentle, appreciative head rubs. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:35, steers 20, 21, 220, and 230 were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud near ///front.mixing.twisty, northeast of Horse Pond. On the other side of the path to the northwest, cows 72 and 940, along with steers 30 and 271, were doing the same, while youngster 270 grazed nearby. Despite the cooler weather today, there were still plenty of flies about, and this group seemed particularly bothered by them. Youngster 271 rolled onto his side, happily enjoying a long neck scratch, which helped keep the flies away from his face. Eventually, the girls got up and stood head to tail, helping each other keep the flies at bay. The group were very friendly, all enjoying some attention as I made my way around checking on them. I was about to say my goodbyes at around 11:30 when I noticed steer 35, who had been with the final group near James Bond Pond, slowly making his way down towards Horse Pond. Cow 940 stepped forward for another back scratch, which I was more than happy to provide while we waited for his arrival.

By 11:45, I noticed steer 35 had reached Horse Pond but didn't appear to be coming any further, so I wandered over and found him resting and chewing his cud among the trees at the southwest corner. He seemed completely fine but didn't appear to realise the others were nearby, so after a while I walked him back over to rejoin them, bringing him together with the rest of the herd at 12:10. I stayed with them for another ten minutes before saying my goodbyes. All ten were happy and healthy.

At 12:35, steer 219 and the seven Sussex cattle were gathered in the area northwest of James Bond Pond, near ///vies.claw.tastes. Most were lying down, relaxing in the sunshine, while steers 197 and 219 grazed nearby. Cow 211 was the first to get up and wander over for some fuss, enjoying a long neck and back scratch and rewarding me with plenty of licks. The others were equally friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. All eight were happy, relaxed, and in good condition. I said my goodbyes at 13:15, leaving them resting peacefully in the sunshine with a refreshing breeze blowing through the pasture.

The cows were all good today.