Saturday 13th June - All 25 seen

At 09:00 this morning, Sussex steers 197, 210, and 1640, along with cows 211 and 1396 and youngster 219, were resting in the heather-filled pasture northeast of James Bond Pond, near ///wires.knees.care. They were all happy to be approached and enjoyed a few strokes and rubs as I made my way around checking on them. Youngster 219 soon got to his feet, keen for a long back scratch, shifting back and forth to make sure I reached all his itchy spots. All six were settled and looking well.

At 10:15, steers 20, 33, 35, 220, 230, and 1626 were relaxing and chewing their cud beneath the shade of the trees west of Horse Pond. Most took turns wandering over to greet me, enjoying some attention and standing close, which seemed to help keep the flies away from their faces. After a while, Sussex steer 1626 drifted off to stand among the tall bracken just to the north of the trees. The boys were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:45, the remaining twelve members of Caesar’s original herd, along with Sussex cow 212, were gathered in the pasture near ///sheet.gifts.chew, northeast of Hungry Hill. Steers 21, 30, and 217, along with cow 72, were grazing, while the others rested in the shade of the gorse bushes. Youngster 222 was the first to get up and come over to greet me, enjoying a long neck rub and returning the affection with gentle head rubs. Several of the others soon followed, each stopping for some attention before settling back down or returning to graze.

By 11:15, the group had moved off to the south to graze, gradually making their way through the pastures north of the path as they continued west towards Horse Pond. They enjoyed a mixture of fresh grass and leaves from the many trees and bushes along the way, regularly pausing to wander over for more strokes before continuing on. By midday, they had reached the pond, where they all stopped to enjoy a refreshing drink, with several wandering into the water to cool down. Afterwards, they drifted off to graze in the surrounding area, including the foot of Sandy Hill. I said my goodbyes at 12:30, leaving them all peacefully grazing. The whole group appeared content and in good condition.

The cows were all good today.