Wednesday 13th May - All 25 seen

At 16:55 this afternoon, the seven Sussex cattle, along with youngster 219, were spread out grazing near ///drumbeat.wire.proofs, close to Odiham Road. Cows 211, 212, and 1396, along with steers 1626 and 1640, were grazing contentedly in the pasture, while steers 197, 210, and 219 were grazing along the sides of the path just outside the area. They were all rather wet from the frequent heavy rain showers but didn’t seem at all bothered. They were all friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Youngster 219 stood by the perimeter fence, enjoying a long back scratch while relaxing and chewing his cud. All eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:40, eleven of the Caesar’s original herd were gathered near ///ripen.drip.functions, just off Longbottom. Most were still sheltering under the trees from another heavy shower. However, older steer 20 had realised the sun had come out and was standing out in the open drying off. Several of the others soon wandered over to say hello, have the rainwater brushed from their backs and sides, and enjoy some attention. Youngster 222 was buried deep in the gorse to the west, happily browsing, and clearly hadn’t noticed me arrive. He looked quite surprised when he finally spotted me, then came straight over to say hello and enjoy plenty of fuss. He thoroughly enjoyed a long neck and back rub, moving around to make sure I reached all his itchy spots. As I was leaving just after 18:15, the cattle were all happily grazing and gradually making their way up the hill towards James Bond Pond. All eleven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 18:25, the final six cattle — cow 72, along with steers 30, 217, 227, 228, and 230 — were grazing on the hillside close to the kissing gate into Gelvert, northeast of James Bond Pond, near ///avoiding.pranced.call. Youngster 217 was out in the open grazing in the sunshine, while the others seemed more reluctant to leave the thicket in case it started to rain again. They were all friendly and happy to take a break from grazing to greet me as I made my way around checking on them. Later, they crossed the path and began grazing in the pasture to the southwest. I said my goodbyes at 19:00, leaving them all peacefully grazing.

As I was leaving, most of the cattle from the second group were grazing in the pasture south of James Bond Pond, near ///quote.grudge.crumb. A few were grazing a bit further down the diagonal track to the west. After a final round of strokes, I said my goodbyes at 19:25, just as another shower passed through.

The cows were all good today.

Tuesday 12th May - All 25 seen - High tick numbers across the herd

At 16:35 this afternoon, sixteen members of the Caesar’s original herd were spread out resting in the heather on the hillside near ///dices.genius.pelted. Youngster 220 was the only one up, grazing contentedly among the nearby gorse bushes, but he soon wandered over and lay down beside the others. It was a funny old afternoon, cloudy one moment and bright sunshine the next.

The group were all very friendly, happily accepting strokes as I made my way around checking on them. Shortly after I arrived, youngster 222 got up and wandered over to say hello, greeting me with affectionate head rubs before leaning in for a long, relaxing neck scratch. Several of the others also stood up as I approached, keen to enjoy back scratches while chewing their cud. All seventeen were happy, relaxed, and looking well. It seems we’re experiencing an especially active tick season this year, with the cattle carrying ticks on their necks, briskets, flanks, inner hind legs, and across the warm, sheltered areas of their undersides.

By 17:25, the cattle had started to get up, have a good stretch, and wander over to the hillside on the far side of the path to the south. They grazed happily, gradually moving in the direction of Horse Pond. Steers 21, 30, 227, and 228, along with cow 214, moved over to graze at the foot of Sandy Hill. I said my goodbyes at 17:50, leaving them all happily grazing.

Shortly before 18:00, the seven Sussex cattle, along with youngster 219, were resting in the heather in the pasture south of James Bond Pond, near ///mills.huddle.lend. They, too, were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them. Cow 211 enjoyed a long neck and shoulder rub and thanked me with plenty of affectionate licks. Youngster 219 waited patiently for me to reach him before standing up for a shoulder rub, followed by an extra-long back scratch. The others soon started to get up and move into the gorse bushes to the north to graze, while he seemed perfectly happy to stand and be fussed over. I said my goodbyes just after 18:30, leaving all eight peacefully grazing.

The cows were all good today.

Sunday 10th May - All 25 seen

Shortly before 10:00 this morning, a group of thirteen cattle were spread out resting in the pasture near ///arose.thud.campsites, northeast of Horse Pond. Older steer 30 was grazing contentedly on fresh grass among them, while steers 21, 35, and 1640, along with cow 234, were grazing further southwest before later joining the group. Youngster 222 spotted me approaching and wandered over to greet me, enjoying a long neck and back scratch. The others were all happy to be approached as I made my way around checking on them, with most enjoying plenty of strokes. Several stood up to be fussed over, enjoying longer neck and back scratches, while youngster 271 stretched right out on his side for a belly scratch. I said my goodbyes shortly before 11:30, leaving all but steer 21 resting. All seventeen were happy, relaxed, and looking well. It was lovely to spend some quiet, relaxing time with the group this morning.

At 11:35, steers 20 and 230 were wandering across the Sandy Bowl, having been grazing among the bramble at the Royal Pavilion end of the site earlier. They both stopped to say hello, with youngster 230 eager for some back scratches. The boys didn't appear to know where the other cattle were and were about to wander off into the woodland to the south, but I instead persuaded them to follow me as I walked them along to the others. Steer 20 was very vocal when he caught sight of the group at 11:50, but soon lay down among the resting cattle. Youngster 230 preferred more back scratches before also lying down to rest and chew his cud. The boys were both happy and healthy.

By 12:25, Sussex steers 197, 210, and 1626 were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud on the grassy island near ///cross.rags.vision, northeast of the water tower. Youngster 197 was especially friendly, enjoying a long neck rub and responding with gentle head rubs. Cows 211, 212, and 1396 were grazing about 85 metres further north, enjoying plenty of long grass and leaves from the trees. The girls were all very friendly, stopping to greet me and enjoy some strokes. After about fifteen minutes, the boys wandered over to join them. I said my goodbyes around 13:10, leaving them all grazing contentedly.

The cows were all good today.