Sunday 30th November - All 25 seen

At 10:10 this morning, eleven cattle were happily grazing in the thicket at the Royal Pavilion end of the site. Cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 20, 217, 220, 222, 227, 228, and 270, were enjoying the bramble in the sunshine. I found a few discarded glass bottles and bits of plastic near ///puff.reveal.throw, which I gathered and hid for collection later.

The cattle were very friendly, each taking turns to come over, say hello, and enjoy plenty of strokes. Youngster 222 soaked up the longest neck scratch imaginable, nudging me repeatedly to keep going. Youngsters 227 and 228 especially enjoyed having their withers and backs scratched. All eleven were happy, relaxed, and looking well. I said my goodbyes at 11:20, leaving them chewing their cud in the sunshine.

The remaining fourteen cattle were close by, gathered on the grassy islands at the Sandy Bowl at 11:25. Sussex steer 197 stood on the corner in the sunshine, chewing his cud, while the other thirteen lay resting—either snoozing or chewing their cud. Older steer 35 had an entire island to himself, while the others preferred to lie together. After about twenty minutes, steer 197 settled down as well.

They were all very friendly as I moved among them, happily accepting strokes and rubs. Steers 210, 219, and 271 especially enjoyed their back scratches and soon stretched right out on their sides so I could reach every itchy spot.

By 12:15, older steers 33 and 35 got up, stretched, and wandered west to graze. The others were in no hurry to join them, though several shifted to find some shade. They were all happy, relaxed, and in good condition. I said my goodbyes at 12:45 as the last few got up to chew their cud before heading off to graze.

I returned to the first group shortly after to collect the rubbish from earlier. All eleven were now lying down, resting on the grassy area north of the thicket. After a few more strokes and rubs, I said my goodbyes just after 13:00.

The cows were all good today.

Saturday 29th November - All 25 seen

At 09:30 this morning, eleven cattle were sheltering from the rain and foraging for acorns in the woodland near ///taker.flags.spout, west of Farnborough Road. The seven Sussex cattle, along with steers 30, 35, 219, and 230, were all rather wet but still came over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Youngster 219 especially appreciated having the rain brushed from his coat during a long back rub. By 09:55, youngster 228 and yearling 270 wandered along the path from the south to join them. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:15, older steer 21 was resting about 500 metres further along the path to the southwest, near ///wakes.seated.cling, after grazing in the nearby gorse bushes. He came over and stood beside me for a while before heading off to join the others.

By 10:30, youngsters 217 and 220 were foraging for acorns near ///float.bench.feasted on Hungry Hill, while older steer 33 munched on gorse on the opposite side of the path. Yearling 271 was also nearby but deep in the bushes and took some finding—though he soon came out when he spotted me, ready for plenty of attention.

At 10:55, the rain had eased, and the remaining seven cattle were either grazing in the thicket along the path or resting and drying out halfway between Hungry Hill and their favourite Sandy Hill corner. They were all very friendly, taking turns to come over, say hello, and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. They particularly enjoyed having their coats ruffled to help them dry more quickly. After about ten minutes, the four boys wandered along and joined them. All eleven were relaxed and in good condition, though looking a little sorry for themselves in the wet weather. I said my goodbyes at 11:30, after giving youngster 222 a long neck and back rub, and watched the group begin moving toward the corner.

As the rain had stopped, I returned at 11:45 to spend a bit more time with the first group, who were now relaxing near ///sober.quick.drip, east of the Sandy Bowl. Most were lying down, chewing their cud and drying out. Sussex steer 197 soon got up to enjoy a back scratch. I said my goodbyes at 12:30, leaving them all resting peacefully.

The cows were all good today.

Friday 28th November - All 25 seen

 Between 07:15 - 09:25

All have been seen in 3 groups

The first two groups were at ///issues.robe.summer and ///force.occupy.middle the group of 8 and second groups were 9 including 234 without her tracker. Both of these groups were between the Horse Pond and the sandy area. All looked good with 222 insisting on his usual back and head rubs. 

The third group including the Sussex’s were at ///adopts.hexes.early which is between the JB pond and Beacon Hill Road. Unfortunately due to most of them being so far into the gorse a close inspection was not possible. I did manage to get a good look at 035,1626 and 219 and looked fine.

There was quite a lot of military activity this morning. Judging by the noise they were playing with their guns and shouting a lot. The cows didn’t seem bothered by the noise, more content with grazing the wet grass.

Does anybody have a list of the cattle’s name and which tracker is attached to each cow please.

Thurs 27th Nov - staff check

All 25 seen well in 3 separate groups of 9, 12 and 4. 1 group seemed to be having a stressful day...