Sunday 25th January - All 24 seen

The cattle were largely in the same two groups as yesterday, although each group was missing a few individuals. At 09:00, steers 20, 30, 217, 228, 270, and 271, along with cows 214, 234, and 940, were spread out grazing in the thicket near ///down.ramp.green, south of the Sandy Bowl. They were all very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. Although still wet from earlier rain, they were drying out quickly. The group gradually drifted east as they grazed. All nine were happy, relaxed, and looking well. By 10:00, the six Sussex cattle, together with steers 33, 219, 222, and 230, were foraging for acorns among the fallen leaves on the slopes near ///excuse.decks.spoil. They paused their hunting to greet me and enjoy some strokes. Youngster 222 came bounding over enthusiastically when he heard my voice, keen for his usual long neck and back rubs. His coat was quite matted, but gentle rubs helped to loosen and smooth it, and he returned the affection with head rubs and licks. By 11:00, the two groups had begun to come together on the hillside near ///sing.leader.tubes. After giving a few extra back scratches, I said my goodbyes and left them resting. At 11:10, steers 21 and 220 emerged from the woodland near ///wiring.flops.sizes. They stopped by the main path to say hello before walking with me to rejoin the main group, now resting in the pasture near ///skin.leap.winner. Steer 33 appeared briefly unhappy to see his old friend steer 21, and the two clashed heads momentarily before sensibly moving apart. They quickly settled, helped by a heavy shower that passed through and cooled things down. A short time later, I set off again to look for the remaining three cattle. By 11:45, steers 35 and 227 were found grazing among the gorse in the pasture opposite their favourite Sandy Hill corner, with cow 72 deeper in the bushes behind them. She quickly made her way through the thicket when she spotted me and seemed pleased to have the rain and loose gorse brushed from her back. All three were happy, relaxed, and looking well. I left them grazing contentedly at 12:15. As I was leaving at 12:25, I checked on the combined group again, expecting to find them resting on the hillside. Instead, they had moved downhill and crossed the path to undertake a mass acorn hunt near ///stress.care.frosted. Shortly after I arrived, the rain returned, but it didn’t deter them. After giving youngsters 222 and 228, along with yearling 271, some extra rubs, I said my final goodbyes shortly after 12:45, leaving everyone calm and relaxed. The cows were all good today.