Sunday 12th April - All 25 seen

At 09:20 this morning, the seven Sussex cattle along with steers 21, 30, 35, 217, 220, and 230 were spread out feeding on bramble at the Royal Pavilion end of the site. They were all friendly, often emerging from the bushes to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Youngster 230 in particular enjoyed a long neck and shoulder rub. Cows 211 and 212 wandered off together, grazing on grass and browsing leaves as they moved north up Sunny Hill Road. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:45, cows 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 20, 222, and 271, were grazing at their favourite Sandy Hill corner. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, wandering over to greet me as I approached before enjoying a long neck and shoulder rub. A heavy shower passed through just after 11:00, and we all moved under the trees for shelter, with several of the cattle enjoying back scratches while we waited for it to pass. Afterwards, the cattle gradually drifted off to graze near the pill box. They were all happy and healthy.

At 11:30, cow 72 was grazing beside the path at the far eastern end of Sandy Hill. She wandered over to say hello and enjoyed a long back scratch. Steers 33, 227, 228, and 270 were grazing on heather along the slope of the hill. It was very noticeable how much better steer 33 is walking now that his hooves have been trimmed—he was moving around and climbing the hill with ease.

By noon, youngster 227 had moved to the bottom of the slope to lie down and chew his cud in the sunshine, near ///beans.breeze.lunges. Youngster 270 wandered off to the west to join the other group, who had moved to the bottom of Sandy Hill a little further along, while steer 20 and cow 940 came to join the group I was with. The others soon lay down to rest, looking relaxed and comfortable, and happy to accept scratches while they rested. I said my goodbyes just after 12:35, leaving them resting peacefully.

On my way out, I passed the first group again at 12:50. Twelve of the cattle were lying down, resting and chewing their cud on the grassy area close to where they had been grazing earlier. Sussex steer 1640 was grazing in the woodland to the west but wandered off to rejoin the others after I said goodbye at 13:15.

The cows were all good today.