Saturday 24th October - All 25 seen

At 09:20 this morning, all twenty-five cattle were near the southeast corner of the site, with around half grazing and the other half relaxing and chewing their cud under the trees. They were quick to come over to say hello, happily accepting plenty of strokes and rubs. Youngster 222 welcomed me with gentle head rubs before settling in for a lengthy neck and shoulder rub. Around 10:00, the first heavy downpour arrived, and all the cattle moved under the trees to shelter.

By 10:15, the rain had eased, and the cattle started drifting back out to graze down the eastern pasture towards Bourley Road. Youngster 220 was looking great today, coming out of the woodland to greet me before standing close by to relax and chew his cud. After a while, he wandered off to enjoy the plentiful grass. By 10:35, the whole herd was out grazing, so I went over to check the water troughs, only for youngster 227 to follow me. He enjoyed plenty of fuss before I reached the troughs.

The trough connected to the bowser was full, while the other trough had only a small amount of water in one corner. I removed the large leaves from the bottom of both troughs and cleared those floating on the surface, which had been blown in by yesterday's breezy weather. The bowser was half full. A little later, I noticed that the stream had started flowing, providing the cattle with some extra drinking water.

Afterwards, I returned to the eastern pasture with youngster 227 in tow, where I found the cattle all returning to the southeast woodland together in one large group. A few minutes later, around 11:00, the rain started again. The cattle spread out among the trees, finding comfortable spots to relax and chew their cud. Several settled down to rest, seemingly knowing that the rain wasn't going to stop any time soon. They were more than happy to receive plenty more strokes and rubs while resting, with back scratches a particular favourite. The cattle were all happy, relaxed and looking well.

By 11:45, despite the continued rain, the majority of the cattle began to drift out to graze again, heading once more towards Bourley Road. I split my time between the group that wisely remained in the trees and the grazing group. They were all very friendly, regularly coming over to keep me company and enjoy more fuss.

I said my goodbyes at 13:20, leaving steers 21, 33, 35, 219, 220, 271 and 1640, along with cow 72, relaxing under the trees. Steers 20 and 270 were lying out in the pasture in front of them, completely unbothered by the rain. The remaining cattle were peacefully grazing.

She who will not be collared, the gorgeous cow 211, has already slipped her collar! 🐮😂

The cattle were all good today.

Friday 23rd October - All 25 seen

 Between 07:40 - 09:00

Quick look this morning due to the rubbish weather!

Most of the cattle were in the trees at the furthest left hand corner from the Bourley Road. They were all very wet from the constant rain but were at least attempting to find some shelter, unlike 5 of the Sussex’s and 219 who were in the middle of the field. 

Apart from being soaked from the rain they were all good this morning.

Wednesday 21st October - All 25 seen

At 16:00 this afternoon, I received a very warm welcome from cows 211 and 212, who wandered across to greet me at the entrance gate. They were both very affectionate, offering lovely head rubs and licks after enjoying some lengthy neck and back scratches. After a while, youngster 219 wandered over too, saying hello before positioning himself for his usual back rub. I then went to check on steers 20, 30, 197, 228 and 271, along with cows 72, 214, 234 and 940, who were spread out across the western pastures, happily grazing. It was lovely to see them all enthusiastically munching on the plentiful grass. They all paused to say hello before returning to their grazing. Some were still damp from the earlier rain but were drying out quickly.

The rest of the herd were grazing at the northern end of the eastern pasture, near Bourley Road. Older steer 35 preferred the bramble in the central thicket but remained fairly close to the others. They were all friendly as I made my way around checking on them, with most enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. The majority of the group slowly made their way south, happily grazing as they went, while a few wandered over to the western pastures to sample the grass there. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, greeting me with head rubs before settling in for a long neck rub and then stepping forward to enjoy a back scratch.

Youngster 220 was looking good today, happily grazing among the group in the eastern pasture. He wandered over to say hello as I was making my way around and was happy to receive a few head strokes before being checked. Later, he had moved to the western pasture and was gradually making his way towards the water trough, where he stopped for a long, refreshing drink. He appeared much more settled today, and at no point did I see him swishing his tail as he had been doing earlier in the week.

While in the western pasture, I took the opportunity to remove the large leaves from the bottom of the water troughs and clear away those floating on the surface. The trough connected to the bowser was full, while the other trough had just over a third of its water remaining. As before, the cattle preferred to drink from the latter trough.

I said my goodbyes at 17:30, leaving cow 940 resting and chewing her cud peacefully in the eastern pasture, while the other twenty-four cattle were still happily grazing.

The cattle were all good today.

Tuesday 20th October - All 25 seen

Shortly after 12:30 this afternoon, all but three of the cattle had completed the first part of their TB tests and wandered down the eastern pasture to meet me. They were all rather wet, but that didn't stop them coming over to say hello and enjoy a few strokes and rubs. Cow 211 and steer 222 were especially friendly, taking turns to stand beside me as I brushed the water from their backs and gave them some scratches. Cow 211 was keen to show me her new collar, although it left me wondering how long it would be before she managed to get it off! Youngster 217 was wearing a new collar too.

Youngster 220 was one of the last cattle to have his test, but he came wandering across the pasture to join the others, stopping briefly to greet me along the way. He had received antibiotics during his test to treat a urinary tract infection. The HIWWT team had seen him urinating earlier, and he didn't appear to be straining as much as he had yesterday, which was encouraging. Hopefully, the antibiotics do their job and he makes a speedy recovery. Despite the weather, he seemed a little more sprightly today.

After catching up with the HIWWT team, I returned to spend some more time with the cattle, with all twenty-five now back together. The rain had intensified, and most had moved under the trees in the southeast corner to shelter. A handful preferred to remain out in the open beside the path, standing contentedly as they chewed their cud and enjoyed a refreshing shower. They were all happy to be approached, with most enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs as I made my way around checking on them. All twenty-five appeared happy, relaxed and in good condition.

I said my goodbyes at 13:20, leaving them all resting peacefully.

The cattle were all good today.