Saturday 11th April - All 25 seen

Cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 30, 220, 222, 228, 230 and 270 were grazing just beyond their favourite Sandy Hill corner, gradually making their way east to Hungry Hill. They were all very friendly, stopping to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. All ten were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The remaining fifteen cattle, including the seven Sussexes were spread out grazing from their favourite corner to the western side of the pill box. Older steers 33 and 35 were deep in the gorse bushes while the others were mostly out in the open. 

Happy to report that there was no sign of any blood near older steer 20’s leg today, and no indication of an underlying injury. The scratch on cow 211’s side appears to be the same one she picked up while in Camp 45 and is healing nicely.

By 12:10, six of the Sussex cattle and steer 219, were lying down in the sunshine at the foot of Sandy Hill, with steers 20, 33, 35, and 217, all grazing nearby. Steers 21, 227, and 271, along with cow 212, were still grazing at the top of the hill but looked set to make their way down to join the others.

The cows were all good today.

Friday 10th April - 210 has cut on side and 020 has blood showing

 Between 08:30 - 11:00 All 25 seen in 4 locations

///arrived.doped.emotional (near pillbox on Sandy Hill) 234,021,072,222 and 940

///feelers.momentous.clocked (on path just south of JB pond) 214,033,271,228,217 and 270

///speeded.forces.lively (north of JB pond) 219,212,197,1396,211,1640 and 1626 

211 has what looks like a cut on left side, not showing any signs of bleeding and she didn’t seem bothered by it. (Picture attached)

///country.formless.life (lower path between sandy hill and the JB pond) 210,030,220,035,230 and 227

020 had signs of blood near front right leg (picture attached)

Apart from 211 and 020 all the cattle were good this morning.

Wednesday 8th April - All 25 seen

At 16:30 this afternoon, six of the Sussex cattle were happily grazing on the fresh grass beside the path on Sandy Hill, near ///clown.tubes.informer. They were all very friendly, stopping to greet me and enjoy plenty of scratches before continuing to graze. The group gradually made its way west, remaining happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 17:00, cow 940, along with steers 21, 33, and 219, were spread out, grazing in the pasture near ///town.paper.cats, northwest of the nursery. Youngster 219 was especially friendly, enjoying a long neck and back scratch before returning to graze. Sussex cow 211 was about 150 metres to their southwest, near ///gosh.duke.events, grazing on lush grass. She paused to say hello and enjoyed an extended neck and shoulder rub, responding with a few affectionate licks. After saying goodbye, she wandered off to rejoin the other Sussex cattle. I returned to spend a little more time with the group of four before heading off to find the others.

At 17:45, the remaining fourteen cattle were spread out grazing among the bramble at the Royal Pavilion end of the site. They were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them, often emerging from the thicket to greet me and enjoy strokes, with many positioning themselves for back scratches while continuing to eat. That end of the site was noticeably cooler, with considerably fewer flies, so the cattle were making the most of the more comfortable conditions. They frequently returned for more attention, enjoying extra strokes and rubs.

By 18:40, the group of four arrived to join the larger group, with cow 940 mooing several times to signal her arrival. She came over to say hello again before moving off to browse the bramble. The group of eighteen continued grazing, alternating between the thicket and the longer grass around the bushes. By 19:00, a handful of the cattle had made it to the grassy area, where they continued to graze in the setting sun. I said my goodbyes shortly afterwards, leaving them all peacefully grazing.

The cows were all good today.