Thursday 25th December - All 25 seen

Merry Christmas everyone. 🎅🌲🎁

At 09:00, older steers 20 and 33 were browsing gorse just west of their favourite corner on Sandy Hill. They soon moved east to meet youngsters 217 and 222 and yearling 270, who had wandered along from the western end of Sandy Hill. Despite the sunshine, it remained chilly, with a strong, cold breeze blowing. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, thoroughly enjoying endless strokes and returning the affection with gentle head rubs. Shortly after 09:20, the five boys moved west to join a larger group grazing on Hungry Hill. All were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 09:30, youngsters 220, 227, 228, and 230 were grazing and foraging for acorns in the woodland east of Horse Pond. Each took turns coming over to greet me and enjoyed plenty of strokes and rubs. They appeared perfectly content and showed no urgency to climb the hill to join the rest of the herd.

At 09:50, I climbed up to Hungry Hill to join the twenty-one cattle spread out grazing and foraging for acorns in the thicket near ///took.tastings.truly. The cattle were very friendly as I moved around checking on them, with most stepping forward to say hello and enjoy a few strokes. A group of four—steers 21, 197, and 219, along with cow 234—had found a sheltered, sunny spot near the western fence line, where they were browsing gorse. Older steer 33 and cow 211 were enthusiastically foraging for acorns in the far southwest corner. Cow 211 took a break to come over for a neck and chin scratch, offering plenty of licks in return.

Steer 35 spent much of his time in a gorse‑ringed hollow near ///beak.clock.elbowed. He was putting full weight on his injured ankle as he nibbled at the gorse. Although his movement was slightly restricted, he showed no signs of discomfort, which was encouraging to see. Later, when he joined the larger group, I was able to watch him walk properly; aside from a very slight limp, he appeared to be moving even better than yesterday.

By 10:40, the cattle had begun gathering in a tree‑sheltered clearing near ///method.should.diver, where they settled to relax and chew their cud. Soon after, youngsters 220, 227, and 228 arrived, announcing themselves with plenty of moos. However, youngster 230 had became separated and wandered halfway along Sandy Hill. I caught up with him and persuaded him to stop. Although he was a little distressed, he soon calmed down. After some initial hesitation, I walked him back to the group, reuniting him with the others shortly after 11:05. While I was away, several of the cattle had begun to lie down.

I said my goodbyes at 11:15, leaving the entire herd resting and chewing their cud in the clearing.

It was lovely to catch up with Kiran, who was also out checking on the cattle.

The cows were all good today.