Saturday 5th September - All 25 seen - Cow 211 has lost her left ear tags

At 09:45 this morning, cows 214 and 940, along with steers 35, 220, and 228, were happily grazing among the bracken on the hillside at the far eastern end of Sandy Hill. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. The girls were especially friendly, both enjoying long neck and back scratches while taking a break from grazing. As I said my goodbyes and started heading down the slope towards Horse Pond, they all followed closely behind me.

By 10:15, the seven Sussex cattle were gathered by the trees at the southeast corner of the pond. They, too, were all very friendly, happily leaning in for plenty of strokes and rubs as I moved around checking on them. Cow 211 was very affectionate, offering gentle head rubs while enjoying neck scratches. I noticed that she had lost the ear tags from her left ear. After a while, the group of five, who had initially kept their distance while having a drink and chewing their cud, came wandering over to join us. As I was saying my goodbyes, all twelve crossed the path and moved into the thicket to the east of the pond to graze.

At 10:55, the remaining thirteen members of Caesar's original herd were gathered under the trees to the west of the Sandy Bowl. Youngster 222 spotted me approaching and came straight over to say hello, enjoying a long neck rub. However, after about five minutes, youngster 219 came over and positioned himself for a back scratch. The others soon began wandering over to say hello as well. Steer 230's wound was looking a bit better today, with the wound almost fully closed and a scab beginning to form. The scratch on youngster 270's right shoulder was barely visible today and continued to heal well. After about fifteen minutes, the group started to drift away to the southwest, nibbling on the gorse bushes as they went. I really noticed for the first time today that their winter coats are beginning to grow. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 11:20, the two groups had come together near ///goals.wooden.rushed. After plenty of mooing as old friends reunited, all but cow 72 from the first group carried on west to Horse Pond to have a drink. After a short while, youngster 219 wandered off to find the Sussex cattle. About fifteen minutes later, cows 72 and 940 appeared on the northern bank of the pond to have a drink. Most of the group on the south bank started to relax and chew their cud, with youngster 222 going deep into the pond to eat lily pads. Several wandered over to stand beside me, happy to be fussed over. By 12:10, they had drifted off through the woodland to join the girls before moving onto the hillside to the north of the pond to enjoy plenty of heather and leaves from the silver birch trees. I said my goodbyes at 12:35, leaving them all peacefully grazing in the sunshine.

The cattle were all good today.