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.

Saturday 13th June - All 25 seen

At 09:00 this morning, Sussex steers 197, 210, and 1640, along with cows 211 and 1396 and youngster 219, were resting in the heather-filled pasture northeast of James Bond Pond, near ///wires.knees.care. They were all happy to be approached and enjoyed a few strokes and rubs as I made my way around checking on them. Youngster 219 soon got to his feet, keen for a long back scratch, shifting back and forth to make sure I reached all his itchy spots. All six were settled and looking well.

At 10:15, steers 20, 33, 35, 220, 230, and 1626 were relaxing and chewing their cud beneath the shade of the trees west of Horse Pond. Most took turns wandering over to greet me, enjoying some attention and standing close, which seemed to help keep the flies away from their faces. After a while, Sussex steer 1626 drifted off to stand among the tall bracken just to the north of the trees. The boys were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:45, the remaining twelve members of Caesar’s original herd, along with Sussex cow 212, were gathered in the pasture near ///sheet.gifts.chew, northeast of Hungry Hill. Steers 21, 30, and 217, along with cow 72, were grazing, while the others rested in the shade of the gorse bushes. Youngster 222 was the first to get up and come over to greet me, enjoying a long neck rub and returning the affection with gentle head rubs. Several of the others soon followed, each stopping for some attention before settling back down or returning to graze.

By 11:15, the group had moved off to the south to graze, gradually making their way through the pastures north of the path as they continued west towards Horse Pond. They enjoyed a mixture of fresh grass and leaves from the many trees and bushes along the way, regularly pausing to wander over for more strokes before continuing on. By midday, they had reached the pond, where they all stopped to enjoy a refreshing drink, with several wandering into the water to cool down. Afterwards, they drifted off to graze in the surrounding area, including the foot of Sandy Hill. I said my goodbyes at 12:30, leaving them all peacefully grazing. The whole group appeared content and in good condition.

The cows were all good today.