Sunday 10th August - All 25 seen

At 09.10 this morning, steers 20, 21, 33, 217, 220, and 222 were grazing in the pasture northeast of the covered reservoir. The day was already warm, and with plenty of flies about, most chose to eat in the shade of the thicket. Youngster 222 was especially affectionate, offering gentle head rubs in exchange for a long, relaxing neck rub. All six steers looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 09:40, a larger group of sixteen cattle — including the seven Sussex — were spread out in the dense bracken beneath the Lookout. They ranged from youngsters 227 and 230 near ///scary.brotherly.elder to cows 72 and 940 further southeast near ///vitals.reverted.plums. The group was slowly making its way through the bracken, grazing on the grass among the bushes. While most came over for a greeting and enjoyed some strokes, the thick vegetation made it difficult to check them properly. With the warm conditions and their direction of travel, it seemed likely they were heading to Horse Pond to rest, so I decided to find the remaining three before returning to them later.

At 10.25, steer 35 and cow 214 were resting in the shade of the trees at the Lookout. Cow 214 came straight over for a long back rub, clearly enjoying the attention. Steer 228 was grazing along the slope's edge, enjoying plenty of fresh grass and leaves from the bushes. By 10.40, older steer 20 appeared in the distance, having left the others and climbed the hill. He initially headed off west, but soon circled back just as the three disappeared down the slope to the area below. After a short rest, he followed them.

By 11.05, a combined group of twenty cattle were gathered under the trees west of Horse Pond. As I approached, a few were drinking before wandering round to join the main group. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well. Many came over to spend time with me — some enjoying strokes and rubs, others simply standing close to keep the flies away. Cow 72 still had the faintest trace of the lump on her neck, but hopefully, it will be gone completely by my next visit.

I said my goodbyes at noon, leaving them all resting peacefully.

The cows were all good today.