Tuesday 11th August - All 25 seen

At 17:15 this afternoon, Sussex cows 211 and 1396, along with steers 197, 210, and 1640, were lying on the sandy area at the southwest corner of James Bond Pond, peacefully relaxing and chewing their cud. Cow 212 and steer 1626 were grazing among the bushes to the northwest, while older steer 35 was grazing in the shade of the gorse bushes to the south. Youngster 219 was standing with his feet in the water among the small trees nearby. They were all happy to be approached for their checks, with most enjoying plenty of strokes and scratches. Cow 211 was especially affectionate, getting up for a long back scratch before rewarding me with plenty of head rubs and licks. After a while, youngster 219 waded through the mud to come over and say hello, before leaning in for a long neck and shoulder rub. All nine were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:45, steers 20, 21, 30, 33, 217, 222, 227, 228, and 230 were resting beneath the trees to the east of James Bond Pond. Steers 20 and 21 had only recently got up, while the others were gradually following suit before drifting north to graze. The boys were all very friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs as I checked on them. They were being bothered by flies around their eyes and noses, but were happy to have them brushed away. By 18:00, they had all made their way into the pastures to the north to graze, enjoying plenty of heather and leaves from the bushes. Youngster 222 soon wandered over for more attention, thoroughly enjoying a long back scratch as he grazed. All nine were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Finally, at 18:25, the final seven cattle had found a lovely cool spot in the shade of some trees at the bottom of Sandy Hill, near ///loose.curving.hazel. A gentle breeze was helping to keep them cool as they relaxed and chewed their cud. Cow 234 was the first to get up and come over for a neck and back scratch, with cow 72 taking her turn a little later. Youngster 271 enjoyed having the sides of his neck stroked before rolling fully onto his side for a belly scratch. By 19:00, they had all got up and crossed the path into the pasture to the north to graze in the cooling conditions. Cow 940 took a break and came over for another long neck rub before returning to her grazing. I said my goodbyes at 19:15, leaving them all peacefully grazing and gradually moving east towards Horse Pond. 

The cattle were all good today.

Monday 10th August - All 25 seen

 Between 06:00 - 08:30

All seen in 3 location 

///pancake.line.observers this first group were on the path adjacent to Sandy Hill Road and in amongst the heather on slope leading from the path towards Long Bottom. 222 was very friendly this morning with 021 enjoying some apples that had fallen from the tree.

///deal.prepare.talkative the second group found this morning were up at the lookout, Brie and Sarah were with this group, all were eating what ever they could find. When I left them they were starting to head towards Horse Pond.

///offstage.exulted.bound final group was the all the Sussex’s. They were in the bracken between the main path and the fenced off area. All were good with 210 being the friendliest of the gang this morning. 

All the cattle were good this morning.

Sunday 9th August - All 25 seen

At 09:00 this morning, cows 72 and 234 were standing and chewing their cud at the western end of Sandy Hill near ///backs.orders.available. Youngster 219 was grazing a little further west, while youngster 220 was browsing on leaves in the woodland nearby. A short while later, steers 35 and 271 came wandering along from the east. Steer 35 found a nice spot in the shade by the fence line, while youngster 271 grazed around the girls. They were all very friendly when I checked on them, with most enjoying plenty of strokes. Youngster 219 lined up for a long, relaxing back scratch, thanking me with plenty of licks afterwards. By 09:30, I headed down to Longbottom to find steers 20, 217, and 270 grazing deep in the thicket to the north. They gradually drifted west before emerging onto the path to say hello. After checking on the boys, I headed back to the first group to find steers 219 and 271 lying down, resting with the girls standing alongside. All nine were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:00, cows 214 and 940 were grazing in the thicket on Hungry Hill, near ///apply.amuses.coil. Cow 940 was thoroughly enjoying the leaves from the trees and wasn't shy about breaking off branches to reach the tastiest leaves. Both girls took a break from grazing to enjoy neck and back scratches. They were both happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 10:30, cows 211, 212, and 1396, along with steers 197, 210, and 1640, were resting at the southeast corner of Horse Pond, with most settled beneath the shade of the trees on the sand. They were all very friendly, accepting plenty of strokes and rubs as I moved around them. Cow 211 soon got up and wandered over for a neck and back scratch before settling back down at my feet. After a good while, steer 1640 got up and wandered over for some extra strokes before crossing the path and starting to graze in the woodland to the east. His wound was looking better again today as it continues to heal. All six were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Finally, at 11:05, the remaining eight steers were resting in the woodland northwest of Horse Pond, near ///hazel.lied.aliens. Sussex steer 1626 was sitting a little further northeast than the others, but could still see them and was content chewing his cud. Steers 21, 30, 33, 222, 227, and 228 were spread out beneath the trees, all relaxing and chewing their cud, while youngster 230 was nestled in some bracken close by. Youngster 222 soon got up for an extended neck and back scratch, thoroughly enjoying the attention. The others were all resting peacefully, enjoying being out of the warm sunshine. After checking the others, youngster 222 returned for more attention, thanking me with plenty of head rubs and licks. Once he had settled back down at my feet, youngster 228 got up and came over to spend some time with me. I said my goodbyes at 12:10, leaving them all resting peacefully. All eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The cattle were all good today.

Saturday 8th August - All 25 seen

Shortly after 09:15 this morning, cow 212 was grazing in the gorse bushes along the edge of Sandy Hill. She soon came out to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes. Five other Sussex cattle and youngster 271 were happily grazing on the slope below. Steer 1640 was in good spirits today, wandering over to say hello and enjoy a long back scratch. His wound was looking better today, having really pulled together nicely as it continued to heal. I spent a good while with him as he happily divided his time between grazing and returning for more attention. Cow 211 was especially friendly today, offering plenty of head rubs and licks after a satisfying neck and shoulder scratch. After I said my goodbyes, steer 1640 and youngster 271 settled down in the bracken to rest and chew their cud, while the others continued to graze. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:20, youngsters 222 and 230 were resting under the shade of the bushes at the northeast corner of James Bond Pond. Youngster 222 immediately got up and came over for an extra-long neck and back scratch. He was loving every second, moving forward and back to ensure I reached all his itchy spots. Youngster 230 also enjoyed plenty of strokes while he rested and chewed his cud. In the pasture to the west, steers 21, 30, 33, 227, 228, and 1626 were all happily grazing in the sunshine. The boys were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them. After a short while, youngsters 222 and 230 came out to join us. All eight were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Finally, at 11:30, the remaining ten cattle were in the pasture northeast of Horse Pond. They had all been grazing leisurely in the area under the Lookout since I first arrived, but had recently wandered down, continuing to graze. They gradually made their way south, with cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 20, 217, 219, 220, and 270, gathering in the shade of the large tree near the path. Older steer 35 had the tree to the west all to himself. They were all friendly, happy to accept strokes and rubs as I went around checking on them. Cows 214, 234, and steer 219 all enjoyed long back scratches while chewing their cud. As I said my goodbyes at 12:30, cows 72 and 940 were standing head to tail under the trees, with everyone else lying down, relaxing in the shade of the tree or among the surrounding bracken. A nice breeze was keeping them all cool. All ten were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The cattle were all good today.