Tuesday 14th July - All 25 seen

At 16:50 this afternoon, all twenty-five cattle were together, although spread out in smaller groups across the pasture about 330 metres west of the trees at the western end of the Sandy Bowl. The seven Sussex cattle and youngster 219 were gathered near ///select.tanks.hosts, with everyone coming over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes. It was hot again this afternoon, and the cattle were being bothered by lots of flies, especially around their eyes. After a short while, they started to settle down in the tall grass to rest and chew their cud. The trees and bushes provided welcome shelter from the sun, while the tall grass helped keep some of the flies away. Steers 30 and 230 were grazing nearby, with youngster 230 wandering over to greet me and enjoy a long back scratch. All ten were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 17:25, the remaining fifteen cattle had drifted northeast to lie down beneath the shade of the trees near ///faces.broke.paid. Older steer 20 was still making his way to join the group, stopping to enjoy plenty of fresh grass as he went. Cows 72 and 940, along with steers 217 and 228, were still grazing to the north, but gradually made their way over to join the others. It was considerably cooler beneath the trees, so they had definitely chosen the best place to rest. Youngster 222 came straight over to say hello when he spotted me, greeting me with gentle head rubs before enjoying long neck and back scratches. The others were happy to be approached for their checks as they rested, with most appreciating having the flies gently brushed away from their faces, along with a few head strokes. All fifteen were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

After saying my goodbyes, I headed back to the first group at 18:15 and found the seven Sussex cattle, along with steers 30 and 219, still lying exactly where they had been earlier. A few had shifted position, but they were all still resting peacefully in the shade. Youngster 230 had almost completely disappeared into the long grass, with only the rustling as he changed position giving away where he was. I carefully waded through the tall grass to check on him, gently pulling some of it aside so I could see him properly. He was perfectly content, relaxing and chewing his cud. I soon left him in peace, carefully arranging the grass back around him.

The cows were all good today.