Sunday 21st June - All 25 seen

The cattle were all good today, despite it already being very warm.

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.