Saturday 31st May - All 25 seen - Steer 227 has a lump on the left side of his neck + the burnt-out car is gone.

At 09:35 this morning, steers 20 and 33 were grazing in the area west of Horse Pond. Nearby, the other sixteen members of the Caesar's original herd, along with Sussex steer 1626, were spread out across the slope of Sandy Hill, happily grazing in the warm sunshine.

While giving steer 227 a long neck and shoulder rub, I noticed a lump on the left side of his neck — likely the result of an insect bite. It didn’t seem to be causing him any discomfort, and he was perfectly happy for me to check it out. As a precaution, I’ve let Chris from HIWWT know, who happens to be in the area today, and will give him a check. I’ll also check on him again tomorrow.

By 10.30, several of the group had made their way up to their favourite Sandy Hill corner, where they carried on grazing before stopping for a rest. Gradually, more of the herd joined them. Steers 219 and 222 especially enjoyed long neck and back rubs. At 11:10, cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 219, 220, 222, and 1626, set off east along the hill.

Around the same time, I heard mooing in the distance. Heading down to the bottom of Sandy Hill, I found Sussex steer 1640 making his way along the path from the west. He stopped to say hello and enjoy a few strokes before continuing on to join the eleven still grazing on the hill.

At 11:10, Sussex cows 212 and 1396 were happily grazing in the pasture northeast of James Bond Pond. Both came over for a hello and a few strokes. Meanwhile, steers 197 and 210, along with cow 211, were grazing deep in the bracken near ///pool.icon.essay. They enjoyed some back rubs while they munched.

By 11:50, the five Sussexes had gathered under the trees east of James Bond Pond, where they settled down to relax and chew their cud. Cow 211 was especially affectionate, coming over for a long neck and shoulder rub, rewarding me with head rubs and countless licks. When she’d had enough, she lay down contentedly at my feet. I said my goodbyes at 12:10, leaving them all resting peacefully.

I’m also pleased to report that the burnt-out car has been removed from the site.

The cows were all good today, with the only concern being steer 227’s lump, which we’ll continue to keep an eye on.

Friday 30th May - All 25 seen

 Between 08:45 - 11:00

All have been seen this morning in two main areas.

The first 18 were to the east of the horse pond in 3 groups. Not sure if it is something to note but 219 had quite a messy bottom. All of the Sussex’s were with this groups with 1396 the only one taking a rest in the shade. All the others were grazing on the grass or laying in the sunshine. 3 words references were

///harder.alive.soon ///rats.patrol.zebra and ///decks.sugar.kick

The remaining group of 7 were near the Bourley Road, 4 were within the trees at ///skips.adjusting.covers 270, 234 and 072 were in the cow shed ///rising.supplied.skinning

Thursday 29th May - All 25 seen

At 16:30 this afternoon, older steers 30 and 35 were happily munching on long grass in the swampy area near ///gain.trick.drizzly, southwest of the Bourley Road car park. Both were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 16:55, the seven Sussex cattle were spread out grazing in the pasture near ///noting.closed.puns, gradually making their way southwest. Most came over for a hello and a few strokes. All seven were happy and healthy.

Steers 217, 227, 230, and 270, along with cows 72 and 234, were contentedly grazing in the pasture near ///stag.swam.stray at 17:15. Youngster 227 came straight over to say hello and enjoyed a long back rub, while the others continued grazing to the southeast. A little later, youngster 230 noticed I was alone and wandered over for a long neck and back scratch in the shade, shifting about to make sure I reached all his itchy spots. All six were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 18:00, steers 20, 33, and 271, along with cow 214, were gathered on the flat ground near ///evoke.rotate.evenly. Older steer 21 was grazing off in the bushes to the southwest. Cow 214 was lying down, trying to rest, but was being pestered by the flies. After a short while, she got up and came to stand beside me, though the flies continued to bother her, especially around her underside. Eventually, she wandered off down the hill to the east, with the boys following as I went off to check on the others.

By 18:15, steers 220, 222, and 228, along with cow 940, were grazing to the northwest near ///soaps.educates.rift. Youngster 219 was lying down, chewing his cud. Not long after, steer 220 and cow 940 wandered off east to join the earlier group. Youngster 219 then got up and enjoyed a long, relaxing back rub, while youngsters 222 and 228 grazed nearby. By around 18:45, the three of them headed off searching for their herd mates, with me walking alongside.

By 19:00, steers 20, 21, 33, 35, 219, 222 and 228, were resting near the cow shed, peacefully chewing their cud. The remaining four, along with steer 30, were grazing a little further east. I said my goodbyes shortly after.

The cows were all good today.

Wednesday 28th May - All 25 seen

At 17:00 this afternoon, the seven Sussex cattle were gathered to the west of James Bond Pond, near ///vies.claw.tastes. Steers 197 and 1640, along with cow 211, were huddled together, resting and chewing their cud, while steer 210 stood nearby. The other three were grazing but soon settled down to rest. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 17:30, older steers 20, 21, and 30 were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud in the bracken near ///safari.boxer.apart. They had recently climbed up from the pasture to the northwest and were having a well-earned rest. Further east, steer 33 was enjoying plenty of fresh grass, while steers 35 and 230 were munching among the bracken near ///conforms.runs.soon. Steer 230 quickly came over for a hello and thoroughly enjoyed a long back and neck rub. All six looked happy, healthy, and content.

At 17:55, the remaining twelve members of the Caesar's original herd were resting in the valley near ///tester.peach.crawled. They were all standing, quietly chewing their cud. Youngster 227 enjoyed a back rub before lying down to rest. After a while, the group gradually wandered east to graze on the hillside, most favouring the swampy ground. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, coming down for an extra-long head and neck rub, rewarding me with gentle head rubs. All twelve were happy, relaxed, and in good health.

As I was leaving at 18:40, older steer 35 was still happily grazing, while the other five steers were lying down, peacefully chewing their cud. I said my goodbyes about ten minutes later.

The cows were all good today.