Wednesday 22nd July - All 25 seen

At 17:35 this afternoon, steer 197 and cows 212 and 234 were gathered on a patch of grass southwest of James Bond Pond, near ///actors.cobbled.crossings. They were all relaxing and chewing their cud, with cow 234 taking the weight off her feet. Steer 210 and cow 214 were tucked away deep in the bushes behind them, but both came to the edge to say hello. Nearby, steer 30 was resting on the stony bank of the pond near the water's edge, while steers 35 and 217 were cooling off in the water. Again today, large numbers of flies were bothering the herd, especially around their eyes and nostrils. Despite the constant irritation, all eight cattle were looking well.

When I set off east to find the next group of cattle, steers 197 and 210, along with cows 212, 214, and 234, decided to follow me. By 18:05, we had arrived at the woodland to the east of James Bond Pond, where cows 72 and 940, along with steers 20, 33, 220, 222, 227, 228, 270, and 271, were resting together. Most were relaxing and chewing their cud, while others were shielding their faces from the flies and enjoying an early evening snooze. They were all happy to be approached for their checks, clearly appreciating having the flies gently brushed from their eyes and nostrils. Youngsters 222 and 228 were both quick to get up and take turns wandering over for neck and back scratches, rewarding me with gentle head rubs. The group that had followed me all lay down to rest in the shade. By 18:40, the cattle had begun to get up and wander out to the south to graze. All ten were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Shortly after 19:00, youngster 230 was grazing among the gorse bushes opposite the herd's favourite Sandy Hill corner. He was very friendly, wandering into a clearing to say hello and enjoy some attention. After a short while, we moved down onto the slope of Sandy Hill, near ///olive.haunt.sneezed, where cows 211 and 1396, along with steers 219, 1626, and 1640, were grazing among the bracken. They all wandered over to greet me, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. All six were content, relaxed, and in good condition.

Around 19:25, I started to hear frequent mooing in the distance to the northwest and went to investigate. The combined second group of fifteen had moved down onto the hillside near ///chain.jetted.cello to graze in the cooler evening conditions. They were well spread out in small groups and appeared to be mooing to check that no one was missing. They all settled down to graze, enjoying plenty of grass, leaves, and heather.

By 19:45, I had headed back up to James Bond Pond to see if I could find the missing older steer 21. I found him soon after, walking along the path just south of the pond between steers 30 and 217. Older steer 35 was lagging behind, continuing to browse leaves. After stopping to say hello, the boys wandered off through the thicket, making their way onto the hillside where the other cattle were grazing. By the time I rejoined them, the group of six from Sandy Hill had also joined the herd, which was now grazing together near ///less.hype.gloom. I said my goodbyes at 20:10, leaving them all peacefully grazing.

The cattle were all good today.