Tuesday 5th May - All 25 seen - Steers 230 and 1626 were grazing inside the NoFence boundary near the gate into Gelvert

At 17:20 this afternoon, Sussex steers 197, 210, and 1640, along with cows 211 and 212, were grazing on Sandy Hill about 100 metres west of the pill box, near ///speak.escape.stunt. They were all very friendly, pausing their grazing to come over, say hello, and enjoy some strokes. After a while, I said my goodbyes and began heading down the hill on the track to their east, but they soon pushed through the gorse and followed me down the slope.

Steers 30, 35, 219, and 227 were resting and chewing their cud at the bottom of the slope, near ///cheeks.walls.listed, while steer 33 grazed contentedly nearby. Sussex cow 1396 lay a little to their west, on the other side of some dividing bushes. The other Sussexes soon wandered over and settled down beside her, quickly relaxing. Youngsters 219 and 227 were happy to receive neck and shoulder rubs as they rested. All eleven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 18:00, cows 214 and 234, along with youngster 222, were relaxing and chewing their cud in the pasture near ///claw.mash.tones, around 140 metres southeast of the main entrance to the Gelvert reserve. Cow 72 grazed contentedly in the bushes to their north. Youngster 222 stood and thoroughly enjoyed a long neck and back scratch, thanking me with gentle head rubs. Youngster 228 and cow 940 were grazing around 110 metres further east. They both stopped to enjoy plenty of strokes before returning to graze. All six were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 18:50, steers 230 and 1626 were grazing inside the NoFence boundary close to the water treatment compound near the covered reservoir. It was reassuring to see the gate into Gelvert still closed and secured with the rope I tied on 28th March. Both steers were enjoying plenty of fresh grass. Steers 20, 21, 217, 220, 270, and 271 were well spread out, grazing in the valley to the north and east of the reservoir. They were all friendly as I made my way around checking on them, pausing to greet me as I passed. Youngster 271 took a break to enjoy a long neck and back scratch, while the others gradually moved closer. I said my goodbyes at 19:50, leaving them all grazing or resting. All eight boys were happy and healthy.

The cows were all good today.

Monday 4th May - All 25 seen

 Between 07:30 - 10:30

All have been seen in 2 areas this morning

Just south of the cow shed at ///snooping.nicer.replace. 16 were scattered within 100m circle, all were eating a mixture of grass, gorse and leaves from various trees. Brie was being very friendly with Gangsta licking her back for a good 10 minutes with Gangsta enjoying the attention.

The remaining 9, all the Sussex’s and 219 were resting on the path adjacent to Sandy Hill Road at ///spinners.warriors.calls. BW 227 was close by on the lower path. All were good mostly resting chewing their cud. 

The cattle were all good this morning.

Sunday 3rd May - All 25 seen

At 09:35 this morning, the eighteen members of the Caesar's original herd, along with Sussex steers 210 and 1626, were gathered on the grassy area east of the Sandy Bowl. Most of the cattle were resting and chewing their cud, while older steer 35 stood relaxing in the shade of the trees to the northwest. Many took turns coming over to say hello, enjoying long neck and back scratches before lying down again to rest. 

Youngster 222 was especially affectionate and clearly wanted to be the centre of attention. Even after enjoying an extra-long neck and back scratch, he followed me as I checked on his herd mates, often resting his head on my shoulder or giving gentle head rubs to persuade me to fuss over him a little more. I was happy to oblige, and after a while, he wandered off and lay down to rest. All twenty were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 11:00, the remaining five Sussex cattle—cows 211, 212, and 1396, along with steers 197 and 1640—were resting in the pasture near ///simply.sulk.farm. They were all happy to be approached for their checks and enjoyed a few strokes. Cow 211 soon got up and wandered over for more attention, thoroughly enjoying having her neck and shoulders stroked before thanking me with a few affectionate licks. The others also took turns coming over for back scratches. All five were happy, healthy, and looking well. By 11:45, the group had started to wander off to the southwest to graze.

As I was leaving, the group of twenty had started to get up and stretch before setting off southwest across the Sandy Bowl, keeping close to the tree line. By 12:05, they had moved into the woodland and appeared to be heading towards the pasture where the five Sussex cattle had been resting.

There is a large fallen tree blocking the driveway in front of the cow shed. The wooden footbridge is still accessible.

The cows were all good today.