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.

<Photos to follow tomorrow>

Tuesday 8th September - All 25 seen

At 16:50 this afternoon, cows 72, 234, and 940, along with steer 220, were well spread out grazing in the pasture near ///cats.dusters.path, northwest of Horse Pond. They were all rather damp from the earlier rain but were drying out quickly in the sunshine. The girls were all very friendly, stopping to say hello and enjoying long back scratches. Youngster 220 accepted a few head strokes before getting back to grazing on the heather. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:10, older steers 21 and 35 were grazing among the heather in the pasture near ///lifted.currently.taped. They were both happy to be approached for their checks, with steer 21 enjoying a long neck rub. The boys were both happy and in good condition.

At 17:20, older steer 20 was having a drink of water from the puddles at the bottom of the slope near ///avoid.critic.launcher. Cow 214, along with steers 30, 33, 217, 222, 227, 228, 230, 270, and 271, were gathered about 100 metres further south near ///plugs.often.easels. They had only just got up and soon set off after steer 20, with most stopping to say hello and enjoying a few strokes as they wandered past me. The entire group gradually climbed the slope and made their way north to join the first group of four cattle, where they started to graze. A while later, steers 21 and 35 also joined the group. Many took the opportunity to wander over and enjoy back scratches as they ate in the sunshine. Youngster 230's wound continues to heal and was fully closed today, looking better than it has in recent days. All eleven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 18:15, the seven Sussex cattle and youngster 219 were well spread out in the gorse bushes near ///withdraws.yelled.purely, southwest of the main entrance into the Gelvert Reserve. One by one they emerged from the gorse bushes to greet me, happy to have the loose gorse brushed from their faces, shoulders, and backs. Youngster 219 was first to position himself for a long back scratch, thoroughly enjoying the attention. Cow 211 was her usual affectionate self, offering the sweetest head rubs and several licks after saying hello. They were all enjoying plenty of gorse, with cow 1396 finding some heather in an open area to graze. I said my goodbyes at 19:00, leaving them all peacefully grazing. All eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

THe cattle were all good today.

Sunday 6th September - All 25 seen - NoFence collars triggering when cattle are grazing at the western end of Sandy Hill

At 09:45 this morning, cow 214, along with steers 228 and 271, were grazing near ///basket.lump.unfilled on Sandy Hill. A short time later, youngsters 217, 220, and 230 emerged from the gorse bushes to the east and came over to join us. They were all very friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. After a while, the group set off west, happily munching on grass and browsing brambles along the perimeter fence. They would regularly come over for more attention, enjoying back scratches as they grazed. When they reached ///cake.suits.risks, their collars sounded and they turned back, moving into the thicket to the north and emerging onto Longbottom to continue grazing the grass along both sides of the path. It was interesting to note that even though youngster 217 isn't wearing a collar, he still turned back when he heard the other collars sounding. The group continued east along Longbottom, grazing as they went, until I said my goodbyes at 10:40, leaving them grazing near ///bound.pill.reset. Would it be possible to extend the NoFence boundary at the far western end of Sandy Hill, please?

Steer 220 had wandered off west along Longbottom by himself, and by 10:45 he had met up with steers 33 and 270 on the patch of grass near ///tester.directly.clicker, southwest of James Bond Pond. The boys had been grazing on the slope of Sandy Hill near their favourite Sandy Hill corner when I first arrived on site and had made their way west along the hill. Steer 33 was happy to stand and chew his cud while youngsters 220 and 270 wandered off to the northwest to graze. All three were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 11:00, steer 35 and cow 234 came wandering along the side of the path near ///suits.tried.grades, having both been in the pasture north of James Bond Pond. Cow 234 was especially friendly, thoroughly enjoying having her back scratched and shifting back and forth to make sure I reached all her itchy spots. After a while, steers 33, 220, and 270 came and joined the group. I said my goodbyes with all five happily munching on gorse from the surrounding bushes.

At 11:30, steers 197 and 219 were finishing off their grazing in the gorse bushes near ///remains.resold.chess, at the Beacon Hill Road end of the site. Soon after, they wandered over to join the other six Sussex cattle, who were all resting in the heather near ///stitching.jots.desk. The group were very friendly, happily accepting plenty of attention as I made my way around checking on them. All eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 12:05, as I was making my way back east, I met up with steers 33, 220, and 270 as they stopped for drinks from a puddle near ///tries.seating.tweed. Youngster 270 took the opportunity to enjoy a back scratch before I moved on and found steer 35 and cow 214 grazing near ///avoid.critic.launcher.

Finally, at 12:40, steer 227 was resting outside the cow shed, with steers 20, 30, and 222, along with cows 72 and 940, all resting inside. Older steer 21 was grazing in the bushes to the south. They were all very friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs as I checked on them. Youngster 222 was quick to get to his feet to enjoy an extended back scratch. After a good while, cow 940 came over and took his place. By 13:15, steer 21 had finished his grazing and crossed the wooden bridge to lie down and relax on the far side. I said my goodbyes at 13:45, leaving the boys resting and the others heading into the shade of the woodland northwest of the cow shed, where they could relax and chew their cud. All seven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

The cattle were all good today.

Saturday 5th September - All 25 seen - Cow 211 has lost her left ear tags

At 09:45 this morning, cows 214 and 940, along with steers 35, 220, and 228, were happily grazing among the bracken on the hillside at the far eastern end of Sandy Hill. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. The girls were especially friendly, both enjoying long neck and back scratches while taking a break from grazing. As I said my goodbyes and started heading down the slope towards Horse Pond, they all followed closely behind me.

By 10:15, the seven Sussex cattle were gathered by the trees at the southeast corner of the pond. They, too, were all very friendly, happily leaning in for plenty of strokes and rubs as I moved around checking on them. Cow 211 was very affectionate, offering gentle head rubs while enjoying neck scratches. I noticed that she had lost the ear tags from her left ear. After a while, the group of five, who had initially kept their distance while having a drink and chewing their cud, came wandering over to join us. As I was saying my goodbyes, all twelve crossed the path and moved into the thicket to the east of the pond to graze.

At 10:55, the remaining thirteen members of Caesar's original herd were gathered under the trees to the west of the Sandy Bowl. Youngster 222 spotted me approaching and came straight over to say hello, enjoying a long neck rub. However, after about five minutes, youngster 219 came over and positioned himself for a back scratch. The others soon began wandering over to say hello as well. Steer 230's wound was looking a bit better today, with the wound almost fully closed and a scab beginning to form. The scratch on youngster 270's right shoulder was barely visible today and continued to heal well. After about fifteen minutes, the group started to drift away to the southwest, nibbling on the gorse bushes as they went. I really noticed for the first time today that their winter coats are beginning to grow. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 11:20, the two groups had come together near ///goals.wooden.rushed. After plenty of mooing as old friends reunited, all but cow 72 from the first group carried on west to Horse Pond to have a drink. After a short while, youngster 219 wandered off to find the Sussex cattle. About fifteen minutes later, cows 72 and 940 appeared on the northern bank of the pond to have a drink. Most of the group on the south bank started to relax and chew their cud, with youngster 222 going deep into the pond to eat lily pads. Several wandered over to stand beside me, happy to be fussed over. By 12:10, they had drifted off through the woodland to join the girls before moving onto the hillside to the north of the pond to enjoy plenty of heather and leaves from the silver birch trees. I said my goodbyes at 12:35, leaving them all peacefully grazing in the sunshine.

The cattle were all good today.