Saturday 20th June - All 25 seen

At 09:40 this morning, steers 21, 30, 217, 220, 228, 230, 270, and 271 were all lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud in the pasture northeast of Horse Pond. Although it was a bit cloudy and cooler today, there were still plenty of flies about, but the boys didn’t seem too bothered. They were all happy to be approached and enjoyed a few strokes as I made my way around checking on them. Several got to their feet for neck and back scratches, while youngster 228 rolled onto his side, clearly enjoying a relaxing belly rub. All eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:30, cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 20, 33, 35, 219, 222, and 227, were gathered among the trees to the far west of Horse Pond near the path. Sussex steer 210 and cow 212 were also with the group, while steer 197 preferred some quiet time closer to the water’s edge to the east. Most were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud, with a few dozing in the shade. Cow 940 was the first to get up and greet me, enjoying an extra‑long back scratch before several of the others took their turn. Youngster 222 was especially affectionate today, leaning in for some lovely cuddles after a satisfying neck scratch. British White cow 214 is still shedding the last of her winter coat, and she seemed to appreciate me brushing the loose hair from her back by hand. After a good while, steer 197 came and lay down beside the other two Sussexes. The group were all comfortable, relaxed, and in good condition despite the annoying flies. I said my goodbyes at noon, leaving them all resting peacefully.

At 12:15, the final four Sussex cattle — cows 211 and 1396, together with steers 1626 and 1640 — were at the far western end of Sandy Hill and had just set off grazing east along the sides of the path. All four were enthusiastically munching on the fresh grass but still took time to stop and come over to say hello. They all enjoyed some back scratches as they continued to graze contentedly. I said my goodbyes at 13:00, leaving them peacefully grazing and enjoying their lunch.

The cows were all good today.

Thurs 18th June - staff check

All 25 seen looking well near the covered reservoir.

Wednesday 17th June - All 25 seen

At 17:10 this afternoon, youngster 219 and the seven Sussex cattle were resting on the grassy island and in the surrounding area southwest of James Bond Pond, near ///gears.flagging.will. They were all relaxing and chewing their cud. There were plenty of flies around, but they didn’t seem particularly bothered. They were all happy to be approached and enjoyed plenty of strokes and rubs as I made my way around checking on them. All eight were happy, settled, and looking well.

At 17:55, cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 20, 33, 220, 222, and 271, were spread out resting in the pasture near ///arose.thud.campsites northeast of Horse Pond. Steers 30 and 217 were grazing in the surrounding area, while steer 35 was grazing in the tall grass on the far side of the path to the southeast. Several of the group had settled down in the bracken, using it to help keep the flies at bay. Cow 234 thoroughly enjoyed a long back scratch, getting to her feet as I approached and regularly shifting position to make sure I reached all her itchy spots. I said my goodbyes around 18:40, leaving most of the group peacefully grazing, while a few were still lying down and relaxing. All twelve were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 18:50, steers 227, 228, and 270 were grazing along the sides of the path near ///bakers.herds.haunt, southeast of the covered reservoir. They were all very friendly, taking turns to wander over and greet me, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs before returning to graze. Older steer 21 was happily grazing around the tall bracken on the hillside to the northwest. After a while, I spotted youngster 230 emerging from around the side of the covered reservoir, before stopping on the hillside to rest and chew his cud. He gradually moved further down the slope towards me, but then decided he was perfectly comfortable where he was and waited for me to wander over and check on him. He was very friendly, quickly leaning in for a neck scratch before shuffling forward for a back rub. After we were done, he rested for a short while before returning to grazing among the bracken. I went back over to spend some more time with the other four before saying my goodbyes at 19:30, leaving them all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The cows were all good today.

Tuesday 16th June - All 25 seen

At 17:10 this afternoon, the seven Sussex cattle and youngster 219 were spread out grazing at the western end of Sandy Hill, near ///piles.survey.crumples. They were all enjoying plenty of fresh grass, but each took a break to wander over and say hello and enjoy a few strokes. Before long, they started to lie down to rest and chew their cud. Youngster 219 soon wandered over for a long neck and back scratch, returning the affection with plenty of licks. All eight were settled and looking well, and it was lovely to see all seven Sussex cattle reunited.

At 17:50, older steers 20 and 30 were grazing along Longbottom, near ///pods.working.famous. Steer 20 was grazing just off the main path, while steer 30 was enjoying the grass growing around the tall bracken slightly higher up the hillside. The boys were both content and looking well.

At 18:05, the remaining fifteen members of Caesar’s original herd were in the pasture near ///barrel.shred.puns, just southeast of the main entrance to Gelvert. Fourteen were spread out resting and chewing their cud. They were all happy to be approached and enjoyed plenty of strokes and rubs as I made my way around checking on them. Several got to their feet for neck and back scratches before settling back down. Youngster 228 had been browsing the silver birch trees in the area to the south, but after a while he came over to greet me, enjoy some strokes, and then settle down to rest. Shortly before 18:45, a rain shower passed through, causing several of the group to get up and wander towards the trees for shelter. The rain soon eased, and they gradually drifted back out to graze. I said my goodbyes just after 19:00, leaving them all happily grazing.

The cows were all good today.

Sunday 14th June - All 25 seen

At 10:00 this morning, Sussex steer 197 was happily grazing under the shade of the trees northeast of the water tower, near ///insert.foot.remit. Cows 211 and 1396 were grazing a little further north, enjoying plenty of long grass. They were all very friendly, wandering over to say hello and enjoy a few strokes and rubs.

By 10:25, steers 210, 219, and 1640 were grazing in the area west of James Bond Pond, near ///nips.person.escapes. Youngster 219 was being particularly bothered by flies, especially around his left eye. His eye was a little teary, with a small amount of discharge in the corner, so I gave the area around his eye a gentle wipe, which seemed to help and made him a little more comfortable. Afterwards, he leaned in for a neck scratch before shuffling forward for a back rub.

At 10:40, steers 20, 30, 220, 222, 227, 228, and 270, along with cows 234 and 940, were lying down resting in the pasture north of James Bond Pond, near ///stood.hiked.slug. Cow 212 was grazing among the bracken to the southwest, while steers 35 and 197 were initially grazing just to the north, before crossing to the eastern side of the bund to enjoy leaves from the silver birch trees. Youngster 222 was quick to get up and come over to say hello and enjoy plenty of attention, before the others gradually followed, getting to their feet and drifting off to graze, with many stopping to greet me as they passed. As I was leaving, most of the group had climbed over the bank and begun moving off to the southwest. All twelve were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Finally, at 11:30, cow 214, along with steers 21, 33, and 217, were grazing in the swampy area under the Lookout, near ///ever.larger.essays. Cow 72 and steers 230 and 271 were grazing about 60 metres further northwest, also enjoying the long grass and plants growing around another swampy area. After a while, they made their way through the dense bracken to join the others, and the whole group continued grazing together. I said my goodbyes just after midday, leaving them all content and in good condition.

The cows were all good today.