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.