Tuesday 18th November - All 25 seen

Shortly before noon, despite the heavy rain, cows 72, 214, and 940, together with steers 21 and 220, were resting on Sandy Hill near ///gulped.testy.inferior. Cow 214 was nestled against the bramble, while the others lay nearby, relaxing and chewing their cud. When the rain became especially intense, I took shelter under a tree and was soon joined by older steer 21. All five were content and looking well.

By 12:10, a mixed group of thirteen cattle were sheltering under the trees just off Longbottom, near ///bulky.weds.mixers. They were very friendly, happy to be approached and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs as I checked on them. They were all quite wet, so they had clearly been out grazing when the rain first started. As the rain eased, a few wandered out to the far side of the path, seemingly enjoying the shower. When the sun finally appeared, most of the group moved out onto the path to dry off. Several seemed to appreciate having the water brushed from their backs and their coats ruffled to help them dry. Youngster 222 was especially playful, giving me lots of cuddles with his wet head after a long neck rub. Before long, the group began to settle down and rest. They were all happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 12:50, yearlings 270 and 271 were grazing among the gorse and heather near ///stags.correct.slack, well north of Horse Pond. Yearling 271 was particularly friendly, enjoying a long neck rub followed by a back scratch in the warm sunshine. Steers 33, 227, 228, and 230 were lying down about 160 metres to the southwest near ///nervy.drum.soaps, resting and chewing their cud, while older steer 35 grazed nearby in the gorse. Youngster 227 soon got up and wandered over to say hello, happily accepting plenty of strokes and rubs. Youngster 230 stretched out contentedly, enjoying being made a fuss of. All seven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

I said my goodbyes shortly before 13:30, leaving them all resting peacefully. Yearling 271 had moved closer to the group of five, while yearling 270 was still grazing contentedly in the distance.

The cows were all good today.