Saturday 12th September - All 25 seen

The cattle were all good today. They were in two groups — one group of twelve grazing at the western end of Sandy Hill before they all settled down to rest on the grassy area southwest of James Bond Pond. The other thirteen were grazing in the pasture north of James Bond Pond, before they all settled down to chew their cud and doze. They were all very friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs as I made my way around checking on them. I spend a good while with them, and they were all happy, relaxed, and looking well. Will do a full update and add some photos later.

Friday 11th September - All 25 seen

 Between 06:00 - 08:30

All have been seen in two groups this morning.

Firstly, at ///automate.dragging.rejected which is very close to the Beacon Hill Road entrance were 072,035,220,271,021,227,270,234,020,228,230,030 and 217. Most of the group were still lying down with the rest eating the young gorse shoots and heather. Sarah was by far the friendliest of this group enjoying a long back and neck rubs. 217 had wandered in amongst the tall trees but came out for back rub when he saw me.

The second group were at ///cheese.palace.codes near the sandy area at the Aldershot end of the site. This included all 7 Sussex’s, 214,940,219,222 and 033. They were all making their way across the sandy area in the direction of the cow shed. Sussex 211 and steers 219, 222 were happy to stop for back rubs. 219 seemed to enjoy have the various bits of gorse etc brushed off his back.

All the cattle were good this morning.

Wednesday 9th September - All 25 seen

At 16:35 this afternoon, thirteen members of the Caesar's original herd had only recently left the pasture north of James Bond Pond and were spread out grazing in the area around ///gobblers.spike.mere. Cows 72 and 234, along with steers 20, 21, 30, 35, 217, 220, 227, 228, 230, 270, and 271, were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them, with most stopping for neck and back scratches. There were many flies around today, but they didn't seem too bothered. Youngster 227 had clearly been rubbing himself against a dirty tree at some point, as he had lots of grey patches on his face and shoulders. He thoroughly enjoyed a long back rub while standing near the side of the pond. Youngster 228 was caught chewing on the throw rope from the orange lifebuoy at the side of the pond, but quickly let go before I packed it back into its casing. Youngster 230's wound continued to show signs of improvement, with the scab helping to keep any flies from getting into the area.

The cattle continued to graze, with cows 72 and 234, together with steers 220, 230, and 271, making the most of the heather in the pasture near ///rhino.hurt.zoned. Older steer 35 and youngster 270 were browsing the gorse along the path to the north, near ///fellow.valued.glides, while the others preferred the longer grass and leaves from the trees and bushes on the lower ground near ///caller.ghost.tables. After a good while, youngsters 217 and 228 settled down to rest and chew their cud. I said my goodbyes at 17:55, leaving them all peacefully grazing or resting. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 18:05, I met youngster 222 at the bottom of Sandy Hill near ///with.behalf.whirlwind. He had just started climbing the slope when he spotted me and stopped to greet me with gentle head rubs before leaning in for a relaxing neck scratch. After a while, he took a few steps forward, positioning himself for a long back scratch. By 18:15, we had been joined by cows 214 and 940, who had come wandering along the path from the direction of Horse Pond. The girls were equally friendly, both saying hello and happily accepting strokes and rubs.

By 18:25, we had climbed the slope and moved into the pasture to the northwest, where the seven Sussex cattle, along with steers 33 and 219, were happily grazing. They had all been resting and chewing their cud when I came down Sandy Hill earlier in the evening. The group gradually made their way up to the higher ground near ///figure.grief.tunnel, where they enjoyed heather, grass growing around the bracken, and plenty of leaves from the silver birch trees. Youngster 219 paused his grazing for his usual long back scratch, while cows 211 and 212 were especially affectionate, offering head rubs before leaning in for neck rubs. I said my goodbyes at 19:00, leaving them all peacefully grazing. All twelve were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

The cattle were all good today.