Wednesday 19th August - All 25 seen

At 16:45 this afternoon, cow 940, along with steers 21, 35, 222, and 228, were gathered at their favourite Sandy Hill corner. They were all relaxing and chewing their cud in the sunshine, with older steer 35 preferring the shade of the apple tree. Cow 940 was the first to come over to say hello, standing beside me for a long neck scratch. Youngster 222 was patiently waiting his turn and, as soon as I was free, came straight over to greet me with gentle head rubs before settling in for a long neck and back rub. Over the next short while, steers 20, 220, 270, and 271, along with cows 72 and 234, came wandering along from the east to join the group. They were all very friendly and happy to be approached for their checks, with most happy to receive plenty of strokes and rubs. Gradually, most of the group wandered off to graze in the shade of the gorse bushes to the north, leaving cows 72 and 940, along with steers 20, 35, 222, and 271, on the corner. All eleven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:20, steers 30 and 217 were grazing contentedly in the thicket near the top of Sandy Hill, further east from the first group near ///obey.jammy.retailing. At the bottom of the hill, steers 33, 227, 230, and 1626, along with cow 214, were resting in the bracken beneath a tree near ///tint.footsteps.churn. They were all being bothered by quite a few flies, but the bracken was helping to keep the worst of them at bay. They were happy to receive plenty of strokes as I spent some time with each of them, with youngster 230 especially appreciating a long neck and shoulder scratch. By 17:45, steers 30 and 217 appeared on the hillside to the southeast and wandered through the heather to join the others. All seven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 18:00, Sussex cow 212 was grazing in the bracken just off the main path near ///guards.span.yard, around 330 metres northeast of Horse Pond. She spotted me approaching and came over to say hello, happy to receive plenty of fuss. The remaining five Sussex cattle and youngster 219 were grazing among the grass and heather in the pasture on the opposite side of the path. I spent a good while with each of them, with cow 211 being especially affectionate and offering plenty of licks after her neck and back scratches. Steer 1640's wound looked much better today and continues to heal nicely. By the time I said my goodbyes at 18:55, all but steers 197 and 219 were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud. The two boys continued grazing in the sunshine. All seven were content, relaxed, and looking well.

The cattle were all good today.