Saturday 31st October - All 25 seen

At 09:05 this morning, cow 211 and steer 217 were grazing in the thicket about 200 metres west of Horse Pond, near ///secures.nags.wand. They both emerged from the bushes to say hello, with cow 211 enjoying a long neck rub before thanking me with plenty of licks. About 110 metres further west, cows 212 and 1396, along with steers 21, 35 and 210, were peacefully grazing on grass and heather near ///dries.forum.manuals. They were very friendly, taking turns to come over to greet me and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs.

As the morning went on, cow 214 and steers 20, 33, 197, 219, 220, 222, 228, 1626 and 1640 either emerged from the woodland to the northwest or wandered down the tracks from the northeast. They all came straight over to say hello when they spotted me. Cow 214 and steers 219 and 228 thoroughly enjoyed long back scratches, while youngster 222 preferred a lengthy neck and shoulder rub, rewarding me with the sweetest head rubs. They were all happy, relaxed and looking well. 

By 10:00, it looked as though no one else was going to join me, so I set off northeast towards the hill leading up to the Lookout, where I found cows 234 and 940, along with steer 271, happily grazing. Cow 234 quickly positioned herself for a back scratch before cow 940 came over to say hello. She was looking well today, munching happily on grass and gorse before stopping for a drink from a large pool of water nearby. She was happy to stand for some strokes and rubs before crossing the path to graze some more. Cow 72 and steer 230 were grazing further west, in the thicket on both sides of the main path.

By 10:20, steers 30, 227 and 270 were grazing near ///blues.enjoys.ooze, southwest of the Lookout. Youngster 227 was the first to come over to say hello, thoroughly enjoying a lengthy neck and back scratch. By the time we'd finished, the dense fog that had blanketed the site had given way to warm autumn sunshine. The other two were happy to let me approach them for their checks, with youngster 270 leaning in for neck and back scratches.

By 11:00, the majority of the cattle from the first groups had settled down on the hillside near ///pythons.slug.inflates to rest and chew their cud. They were all looking very comfortable lying in the heather in the sunshine. Steers 33, 35, 228 and 1626 were spread out grazing nearby. I went to spend some more time with them, and several got to their feet to enjoy some more fuss. It was lovely to see them all enjoying being back out on Caesar's after their time in Camp 45.

Around midday, most of the cattle started to get up and drift off towards Longbottom to graze some more. Cow 72 and steers 217, 220, 222, 228, 230 and 271 remained behind, happy to carry on resting in the sunshine. After a final round of strokes and rubs, I said my goodbyes shortly after 12:30, leaving them all resting peacefully.

The cattle were all good today.

Friday 30th October - All 25 seen

 Between 06:45 - 09:00

All seen this morning between the sandy bowl and horse pond as follows

///crash.towers.traps 227,940 and 220

///stay.easy.began 234,030,072,271 and 230

///face.stitch.headrest 021,217,210,1626,214,035,020,033 and 270

///ballparks.animator.harsh 219,1640,197,212,1396,211,222 and 228

All were looking good this morning and enjoying being back on their usual ground, most were friendly especially 222 and 228. 

It is worth mentioning that when I saw Brie at approximately 06:45 she was about 100m from the sandy bowl, by the time I had found the elusive 228 she was beyond horse pond and has now made her way to the path parallel to Sandy Hill road. A noticeable improvement on how she was last Sunday.

All the cattle were good this morning.

Wednesday 28th October - All 25 seen - Bowser empty, trough empty, but the stream is still flowing

At 15:15 this afternoon, steers 33, 35, 210, 217, 222, 228, 230, 270, and 1626, along with cows 212 and 940, were spread out grazing happily at the southern end of the eastern pasture. Youngster 227 was enjoying some time to himself in the nearby woodland, relaxing and chewing his cud. They were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them, with most enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. Youngster 222 was his usual affectionate self, greeting me with gentle head rubs before settling in for a lengthy neck and back scratch. Youngster 228 thoroughly enjoyed a long neck scratch before returning to his grazing. However, the highlight was cow 940 gently resting her head on my shoulder while I stroked the sides of her neck. She was looking really well today, and once we'd finished, she settled down to rest and chew her cud.

Steers 20, 21, 30, and 220, along with cows 72, 211, and 214, were browsing on leaves from the trees and bushes in the central area. They all emerged to say hello, with most enjoying some fuss. Older steer 21 thoroughly enjoyed a neck rub before positioning himself for a long back scratch. Youngster 220 had clearly been rubbing his head against a tree, as he was covered in mud.

The remaining six cattle — steers 197, 219, 271, and 1640, along with cows 234 and 1396 — were all grazing in the western pasture nearest the water troughs. They, too, were very friendly, taking turns to wander over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. All twenty-five cattle were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

While on the western side of the site, I checked the water situation. The bowser was still empty, and the connected trough was now empty too. I watched as cattle continued to approach the trough looking for water, but there was none. Fortunately, the stream was still flowing, and several of the cattle crossed the pasture to get a drink.

While several cattle were drinking at the stream, I noticed that one of their collars sounded, causing the group to leave the area immediately. I gave Chris at HIWWT a call and asked whether he could extend the NoFence boundary in that part of the site to prevent this from happening.

Once the cattle had finished drinking and moved away, I took the opportunity to remove several large branches from the water. I also removed a brick that was emerging from the mud at the edge of the stream. It was right at the bottom of the track the cattle were using to reach the water, so removing it left them with one less obstacle to negotiate.

After spending some more time with the herd, I said my goodbyes at 17:15, by which time darkness had fallen. All twenty-five cattle were grazing in the eastern pasture, gradually making their way towards the woodland in the southeast corner.

The cattle were all good today.