Sunday 31st May - All 25 seen

At 09:20 this morning, a group of seven cattle were spread out between steer 227 and cow 234 near the wooden bridge by the cow shed and steers 33 and 217 grazing further out in the pasture near ///blitz.snowy.smiles, close to the fenced‑off area. Cow 214 and steers 222 and 228 were grazing in the woodland, but they gradually made their way out into the pasture to join the others. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. Youngsters 222, 227, and 228 all enjoyed long neck and back scratches, rewarding me with gentle, appreciative head rubs. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:35, steers 20, 21, 220, and 230 were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud near ///front.mixing.twisty, northeast of Horse Pond. On the other side of the path to the northwest, cows 72 and 940, along with steers 30 and 271, were doing the same, while youngster 270 grazed nearby. Despite the cooler weather today, there were still plenty of flies about, and this group seemed particularly bothered by them. Youngster 271 rolled onto his side, happily enjoying a long neck scratch, which helped keep the flies away from his face. Eventually, the girls got up and stood head to tail, helping each other keep the flies at bay. The group were very friendly, all enjoying some attention as I made my way around checking on them. I was about to say my goodbyes at around 11:30 when I noticed steer 35, who had been with the final group near James Bond Pond, slowly making his way down towards Horse Pond. Cow 940 stepped forward for another back scratch, which I was more than happy to provide while we waited for his arrival.

By 11:45, I noticed steer 35 had reached Horse Pond but didn't appear to be coming any further, so I wandered over and found him resting and chewing his cud among the trees at the southwest corner. He seemed completely fine but didn't appear to realise the others were nearby, so after a while I walked him back over to rejoin them, bringing him together with the rest of the herd at 12:10. I stayed with them for another ten minutes before saying my goodbyes. All ten were happy and healthy.

At 12:35, steer 219 and the seven Sussex cattle were gathered in the area northwest of James Bond Pond, near ///vies.claw.tastes. Most were lying down, relaxing in the sunshine, while steers 197 and 219 grazed nearby. Cow 211 was the first to get up and wander over for some fuss, enjoying a long neck and back scratch and rewarding me with plenty of licks. The others were equally friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. All eight were happy, relaxed, and in good condition. I said my goodbyes at 13:15, leaving them resting peacefully in the sunshine with a refreshing breeze blowing through the pasture.

The cows were all good today.

Saturday 30th May - All 25 seen

At 08:40 this morning, steers 21, 35, 219, and the seven Sussex cattle were near the grassy patch at the Royal Pavilion end of the site. Steer 35 was standing peacefully on the grass, relaxing and chewing his cud, while youngster 219 and the Sussex cattle were resting in the woodland to the north. Steer 21 was resting alone in the woodland to the southeast. Sussex steer 16540's hip looked much better today, although he was already lying down when I reached him, so I didn’t get to see him walking. All ten were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 09:35, cow 72 and steers 30, 33, and 228 were resting in the shade of the trees just north of the grassy area at the eastern end of the Sandy Bowl. Steer 222, along with cows 214, 234, and 940, had started making their way over to the trees at the western end of the Sandy Bowl. Youngster 222 spotted me and wandered over to meet me, keen as ever for a long neck and back scratch.. After a while, the first four cattle strolled over to join the others, and they soon settled down together in the shade.All eight were relaxed, comfortable, and looking well.

Shortly before 10:45, steers 217, 200, 227, 230, and 271 wandered down from the pasture north of Horse Pond to take a drink. They had been up at the Lookout and had gradually made their way down. After enjoying a refreshing drink, they each came over to say hello before moving into the trees to the west of the pond to rest. There were plenty of flies around, but they didn’t seem too bothered, choosing to stand close to the trees — and to me — to help keep them away. The boys enjoyed more strokes while they relaxed in the shade.

At 11:10, older steer 20 was grazing under the next area of woodland west of where the boys had settled, while youngster 270 was tucked deep into some holly bushes, trying to escape the many flies. After about fifteen minutes, they began making their way across the path to join the others, where they were met not only by the five boys but also by the eight cattle from the second group. The whole group gathered quietly under the trees and settled to rest together, while cows 214 and 234, along with steer 230, grazed peacefully on the slope to the north in the warm sunshine.

As I was leaving at noon, older steers 21 and 35 were lying comfortably in the shade of the trees west of the cow shed, over the wooden bridge. The Sussex cattle and youngster 219 were resting deeper in the woodland further north.

The cows were all good today.

Friday 29th May - All 25 seen

 Between 09:00 - 11:30

 All seen in 4 locations as follows

///inserting.shaves.shifter (just north of JB pond) 271,220,230,270,227,020 and 217. The injury on 220’s head is still a bit pink but otherwise looks ok. 217’s tracker is not working, possibly after his swim in horse pond!

///newest.summaries.sharpens (east side of the covered dome) 940,222 and 030

///diplomas.twirls.boomed (north side of the covered dome) 228,033,214,234,072 and 035

///prickly.pastime.hindering (east of the lookout on the slope) 7 Sussex’s, 021 and 219

All the cattle looked good this morning clearly enjoying the lower temperature and cool breeze.