Saturday 19th September - All 25 seen

Shortly before 09:00 this morning, all twenty-five cattle were together, spread out across the area around ///roost.comb.routs, northwest of Horse Pond. I received a very warm welcome, with most wandering over to greet me before enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. After our initial greetings, they stayed close, content to relax and chew their cud, with several coming over in turn for longer neck and back scratches.

After a while, the cattle began to drift south onto the hillside, grazing among the heather as they gradually made their way west. I spent some time with each of them, checking that they were all well. Youngster 230's wound was looking much better today, while cow 72's ear had almost fully healed. All twenty-five were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 10:00, cows 72 and 1396, along with steers 20, 227, 228 and 270, had settled down to rest on the hillside near ///stall.twinge.record. It was lovely to spend some quiet time with them, and several got up from their rest to wander over for back scratches. At 10:30, the group continued moving west towards ///flask.typed.envy, where cows 214 and 234, along with steers 30, 210, 217, 271 and 1640, were relaxing and chewing their cud among the heather and bracken. Youngster 230 was happily munching on grass nearby on the far side of the path. They were all happy to be approached for some extra strokes and scratches.

By 11:20, youngsters 197, 220 and 222 came wandering along Longbottom to join the group. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, greeting me with gentle head rubs before leaning in for a long neck and back scratch. I said my goodbyes at 11:45, leaving steers 20, 220 and 230 grazing, while the others rested peacefully on the hillside.

The remaining eight cattle — steers 21, 33, 35, 219 and 1626, along with cows 211, 212 and 940 — had made their way to the grassy patch southwest of James Bond Pond.

The cattle were all good today.

Friday 18th September - All 25 seen

 Between 08:30 - 11:15

All seen this morning and all looking good

The first 20 were on the patch adjacent to Sandy Hill Road. This included the 7 Sussex’s, Brie and Sarah. They were content either standing in the sunshine near the apple tree of wandering in and out of the gorse. 228 was very friendly this morning enjoying having the gorse removed from his back followed by a long back and neck rub. Several others enjoyed having their backs rubbed, notably 072 and 035.

The remaining 5 214,234,227,222 and 033 were spaced out in the woods south east of James Bond pond. They were all grazing on the heather and a variety of leaves from the various trees.

All the cattle were good this morning.

Wednesday 16th September - All 25 seen

At 16:45 this afternoon, steer 210 was happily grazing in the pasture near ///ounce.shell.square, northeast of Horse Pond. He spotted me approaching and wandered over to say hello before enjoying a shoulder rub. Cows 211, 212, and 1396 were resting in the heather about 35 metres further southwest, but all took turns standing up to greet me before enjoying long neck and back scratches. Cow 211 was very affectionate, offering plenty of licks when I stopped for a rest. As I was leaving at 17:30, cows 211 and 1396 had settled back down to rest and chew their cud, while steer 210 and cow 212 grazed nearby. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Shortly after 17:50, the remaining twenty-one cattle were all at the Beacon Hill Road end of the site. Steers 33, 197, and 1640 were resting and chewing their cud in the heather near ///hairpin.airbase.remedy. They were all happy to be approached for their checks. Older steers 30 and 35 were grazing contentedly in the sunken area to the south. Steer 35 spotted me approaching and came over to say hello before having the loose gorse brushed from his back. The remaining sixteen were well spread out in smaller groups grazing among the gorse and heather further south near Odiham Road. They very helpfully came out of the bushes to say hello, with most enjoying strokes and rubs as I made my way around checking on them.

By 18:30, steers 20, 219, 222, 270 and 271, along with cows 72 and 234, had gathered in the area near ///chill.beast.facelift, where they continued to browse the gorse bushes. The other cattle continued to graze in the surrounding area to the south. Steers 219 and 222, along with cows 72 and 234, all thoroughly enjoyed extra-long back rubs, while steer 270 had all the loose gorse brushed from his back before he settled in for neck and chin scratches. I said my goodbyes at 19:15, leaving all twenty-one peacefully grazing as darkness began to fall. The whole group was happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

The cattle were all good today.