Saturday 4th October - All 25 seen

At 09:00 this morning, steers 217, 219, 220, 222, 228, and 271, along with cows 214 and 940, were resting near ///hobby.petty.wakes, in the woodland south of the Sandy Bowl. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. Though a little windswept, all eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well. Around 09:30, I spotted Sussex steer 1640 grazing in the pasture to the southwest and went to check on him. After greeting me, he wandered further south to the thicket by the path near ///calls.hoot.lions, where Sussex cows 212 and 1396, together with steer 1626, were foraging for acorns. Older steer 20 was nearby, grazing among the gorse bushes. All five appeared happy and healthy. By 09:55, I found cow 72 relaxing in the sunshine on one of the grassy islands at the Sandy Bowl. Youngsters 220, 222, and 228, along with yearling 271, were further east, trying to find a way across to join cows 214 and 234 who were grazing outside the boundary. Cow 72 thoroughly enjoyed a long back rub while we watched the others. After a while, I went over to check on cow 234, who was happily grazing in the sunshine. At 10:55, I found the remaining ten cattle near ///index.plodding.ducks, about 320 metres northwest of Horse Pond. Steers 30, 33, 35, 230, and 270 were contentedly grazing, while the other five were lying down, resting and sheltered from the worst of the wind. After a few minutes, cow 940 joined them — I hadn’t realised she had been following behind me. After greeting everyone, she lay down to rest. Cow 211 was especially friendly, enjoying a long neck and shoulder rub as she relaxed. After a while, the cattle got up and moved into the woodland to graze. Older steer 35 paused for a satisfying scratch against a fallen tree trunk. After about ten minutes, they wandered back into the open and began to graze among the dense bracken to the east. I spent some peaceful time with them before saying my goodbyes around 12:15. As I was leaving at 12:25, the first group of fifteen had gathered near ///known.dunes.index. Most were lying down and chewing their cud. About ten minutes later, a heavy shower passed through, prompting them to wander north to the trees by the path for shelter. Once the rain eased at 12:40, steers 21, 30, 33, and 35 arrived to join them as they slowly grazed east back towards the Sandy Bowl. I didn’t see any fallen trees or fence damage during my visit, despite the continuing strong winds from Storm Amy. The cows were all good today.