Sunday 14th June - All 25 seen

The cows were all good today.

Saturday 13th June - All 25 seen

The cattle were seen in three groups today:-

Sussex steers 197, 210 and 1640, along with cows 211 and 1396, and steer 219 resting in the heather filled pasture northeast of James Bond Pond

Steers 20, 33, 35, 220, 230, and 1626 in the woodland west of Horse Pond.

The remaining twelve members of the Caesar's original herd, along with Sussex cow 212, in the pasture by the nursery. After a while, they set off grazing west along to Horse Pond, where they stopped for a drink, before continuing to graze in the surrounding area.

The cows were all good today.

Friday 12th June - All 25 seen

 Between 06:00 - 08:30

All seen in two locations as follows…

///club.luxury.camp 19 found including 2 Sussex’s 1626 and 212. All happily eating leaves and grass in amongst the brambles between the sandy bowl and the cow shed.

///weary.stated.duck (corner of sandy hill road near the apple tree) the remaining 5 Sussex’s and their best friend 219. I am convinced 219 identifies as a Sussex!

All the cattle were good this morning.

I am on holiday next week so will be back looking on the 22nd June.

Wednesday 10th June - All 25 seen

At 16:55 this afternoon, cow 940 was grazing in the boggy ground on the hillside northwest of the covered reservoir near ///drill.sometimes.stiff. Even with mud up to her knees, she seemed perfectly content, making the most of the long grass and browsing leaves from the surrounding bushes. A heavy rain shower had just passed through, and steers 21, 30, and 33 were still sheltering beneath the trees along the Gelvert fence line. Cow 72 was hidden deep among the tall bracken, but soon wandered over to say hello. She was rather wet and appeared to appreciate having the rainwater brushed from her back before settling in for a long, relaxing neck rub.

Steers 20 and 227 had been sheltering beneath the trees by the gate to the water treatment compound, but once the sunshine returned they wandered down into the valley to the north to graze. Gradually, the cattle drifted together on the hillside east of the reservoir, where it was much easier to check them properly. Most paused for a few extra scratches as they grazed. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:45, cows 212, 214, and 234, along with steers 217, 270, and 271, had started making their way down the hillside path west of the Lookout, near ///beaks.grad.litigate. Steer 1626 was a little slower to join them, still grazing in the thicket in the pasture to the south. Earlier, all seven had been sheltering together beneath the trees at the Lookout during the rain. They all stopped to say hello and enjoy a few strokes before continuing on their way, heading down into the pasture to the west to graze. It looked as though they were making their way towards the group by the reservoir. All seven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 18:10, steer 219 and the other five Sussex cattle were spread out grazing in the pasture southeast of the main entrance to the Gelvert Reserve. Youngster 219 wandered over to greet me near ///light.weary.lucky, quickly leaning in for a relaxing neck and back scratch. The others gradually drifted over to the same area, each stopping to say hello and enjoy a few strokes before moving off to browse among the bushes on the eastern side of the track. I said my goodbyes at 18:40, leaving them settled and content as they continued grazing.

At 19:00, the final five steers were grazing northwest of the Sandy Bowl. Youngster 220 was beneath the trees near ///firm.duke.open, while older steer 35 and youngsters 222, 228, and 230 were grazing together about 100 metres further south. After a short while, all five moved into the thicket at the Royal Pavilion end of the site to continue grazing. The boys were all very friendly, with youngsters 222, 228, and 230 particularly enjoying back rubs as they nibbled fresh grass and browsed leaves from the bushes. I said my goodbyes at 19:45, leaving them peacefully grazing.

The cows were all good today.