Sunday 10th May - All 25 seen

Shortly before 10:00 this morning, a group of thirteen cattle were spread out resting in the pasture near ///arose.thud.campsites, northeast of Horse Pond. Older steer 30 was grazing contentedly on fresh grass among them, while steers 21, 35, and 1640, along with cow 234, were grazing further southwest before later joining the group. Youngster 222 spotted me approaching and wandered over to greet me, enjoying a long neck and back scratch. The others were all happy to be approached as I made my way around checking on them, with most enjoying plenty of strokes. Several stood up to be fussed over, enjoying longer neck and back scratches, while youngster 271 stretched right out on his side for a belly scratch. I said my goodbyes shortly before 11:30, leaving all but steer 21 resting. All seventeen were happy, relaxed, and looking well. It was lovely to spend some quiet, relaxing time with the group this morning.

At 11:35, steers 20 and 230 were wandering across the Sandy Bowl, having been grazing among the bramble at the Royal Pavilion end of the site earlier. They both stopped to say hello, with youngster 230 eager for some back scratches. The boys didn't appear to know where the other cattle were and were about to wander off into the woodland to the south, but I instead persuaded them to follow me as I walked them along to the others. Steer 20 was very vocal when he caught sight of the group at 11:50, but soon lay down among the resting cattle. Youngster 230 preferred more back scratches before also lying down to rest and chew his cud. The boys were both happy and healthy.

By 12:25, Sussex steers 197, 210, and 1626 were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud on the grassy island near ///cross.rags.vision, northeast of the water tower. Youngster 197 was especially friendly, enjoying a long neck rub and responding with gentle head rubs. Cows 211, 212, and 1396 were grazing about 85 metres further north, enjoying plenty of long grass and leaves from the trees. The girls were all very friendly, stopping to greet me and enjoy some strokes. After about fifteen minutes, the boys wandered over to join them. I said my goodbyes around 13:10, leaving them all grazing contentedly.

The cows were all good today.