Friday 28th August - All 25 seen

 Between 06:00 - 08:30

All seen this morning in 4 areas

///studio.trout.feel 940 and 234

///hurricane.paid.stables 211,210,212,1626,1396 and 219

///recording.stood.moats 271,217,220,021,1640,197,033,072,230 and 020

///lower.tracks.origin 214,228,222,030,270,035 and 227

All the cattle were good this morning, unfortunately I couldn’t see the wound on 230 as the position he was lying meant it was out of view.

Wednesday 26th August - All 25 seen

At 17:10 this afternoon, twelve members of the Caesar's original herd were well spread out in smaller groups across the Sandy Hill hillside south of Horse Pond. Youngsters 220 and 271 were grazing in the gorse bushes at the top of the hill near ///removers.quote.again, while youngsters 230 and 270 were grazing together in the bushes beside Horse Pond. Steers 20, 21, 30, 33, 222, 227, and 228, along with cow 214, were grazing among the bracken, heather, and gorse in between. Cows 72, 234, and 940 were further east on the slope of Hungry Hill, near ///mining.slime.husky, browsing the leaves from the trees. The cattle were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them, with most pausing from their grazing to say hello and enjoy plenty of fuss before getting back to their dinner in the cooling conditions.

Youngster 230 soon emerged from the gorse bushes and came over to greet me, happy to stand close and lean in for a neck scratch. After a while, he edged forward for a back scratch, giving me the opportunity to check his wound. In all honesty, it didn't look too much different from yesterday, but it does appear to be gradually pulling together. It looked fairly clean and wasn't attracting too many flies. He was more than happy for me to give it a thorough check and didn't appear to be in any discomfort. After a good while, he returned to grazing, enjoying the soft tips of the gorse along the side of the main path. He was walking without any problems and, at one point, even stepped up onto a ledge to reach some particularly tasty gorse with ease. He continued east, with youngster 270 staying fairly close by, before the pair crossed into the woodland east of the pond.

I returned to spend some more time with the other cattle, who were continuing to graze peacefully in their smaller groups. All fifteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 18:30, Sussex cows 211, 212, and 1396 were grazing in the pasture northeast of Horse Pond, near ///plea.dumps.stages, making the most of the long grass and heather. Steers 197, 210, 219, 1626, and 1640 were resting further east near the large tree. While I spent some time with the girls, I watched them gradually get to their feet and begin grazing in the surrounding area. Steers 35 and 217 were grazing together further north by the main path. They were all very friendly as I made my way around, happily accepting strokes and rubs while I checked on them. All ten were happy, relaxed, and in good condition. I said my goodbyes at 19:00, leaving them all peacefully grazing.

After returning to spend a little more time with youngster 230, I made my way back to the top of Sandy Hill at 19:25, where cow 214 and steers 220, 228, and 271 were gathered, while steers 20 and 227 grazed on the hillside below. Further west, cows 72, 234, and 940 were making their way towards their favourite Sandy Hill corner. I said my goodbyes to the girls shortly before 20:00, leaving them all gathered by the apple tree.

The cattle were all good today, and it was encouraging to see steer 230's injury continuing to heal.

Tuesday 25th August - All 25 seen - Steer 230 has an injury between his hind legs

At 16:15 this afternoon, the seven Sussex cattle, along with steers 33, 35, 219, and 228, were lying among the bracken on the slope west of Horse Pond, near ///folks.examine.sigh. They were all resting and chewing their cud in the sunshine, happy to be approached as I made my way around checking on them. Youngster 219 had buried himself in some dense gorse, but stood up to say hello before settling in for a long back scratch. Youngster 270 was resting in the heather at the top of the slope, enjoying the refreshing breeze as he relaxed. All twelve were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 16:55, steers 20, 30, 230, and 271, along with cows 214 and 234, were all lying down together in the shade near ///grad.driven.beads. Cows 72 and 940 were resting a little further to the northeast on the far side of the track. While checking steer 230, I heard rustling in the bushes behind him and went around to find youngster 220 sitting in the middle of them, relaxing and chewing his cud. They were all friendly and happy to receive some attention. Cow 234 was quick to get to her feet for a neck and back scratch.

I noticed that steer 230 had an open gash on the soft pouch between his hind legs. It wasn’t bleeding and had already started to close up. I shared some close-up photos with Grace from the Grazing Team, who were reasonably happy with it, saying the heat and sun should help it close quickly. We will need to keep a careful eye on him, particularly once it scabs over, to make sure the wound doesn’t reopen. He was otherwise fine and looked very comfortable, and as I'd already had a good check of his wound, I left him to rest instead of trying to get him to his feet. The cattle had been fly sprayed yesterday, which explained why very few flies were being attracted to his wound. The other eight cattle were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Finally, at 17:35, steers 21, 222, and 227 were grazing among the gorse bushes further east near the fenced-off area, near ///sectors.spillage.rents. They were all very friendly and wandered down into an open area to greet me and receive plenty of strokes. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, thanking me with plenty of head rubs and a few licks. I said my goodbyes shortly after 18:00, leaving them all nibbling on gorse.

As I was leaving at 18:15, I met the seven Sussex cattle and youngster 219 grazing at the bottom of Sandy Hill near ///steer.basin.stung. Several came over to greet me again, offering gentle head rubs as I helped clear the flies from their faces. Youngster 219 was quick to come over and position himself for another back rub before I said my final goodbyes.

The cattle were all good today, apart from youngster 230's injury.

Monday 24th August - All 25 seen

 Between 06:00 - 08:30

///skid.fuss.silks (near Beacon Hill road entrance) 021,230,033,270,035 and 228

///jetting.proclaims.manager 030,222,940,214,234,072,271,217,227

///rocker.bottom.strapping 020,219,220 and the 7 Sussex’s

All the cattle were good this morning enjoying the early morning sunshine, mostly grazing on the gorse and leaves from assorted trees.

217 has managed to get rid of his tracker, I found it last Friday and returned it to the farm. He now joins 211 being collar free. Also I don’t think Sarah’s collar is working hence only 22 cows showing on the tracker map.