Wednesday 23rd September - All 25 seen

At 16:35 this afternoon, steers 21, 33, 217, 220, 227, 228, and 271 were browsing among the gorse bushes opposite the Shell garage, near ///drifters.prawn.onion. They kindly stepped out from the bushes as I made my way around to check on them. Steers 21, 227, and 271 all enjoyed neck and back scratches before drifting off to munch some grass along the sides of the paths. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 17:00, cows 214 and 234, along with steer 35, were grazing the gorse bushes along the path west of the water tower, near ///debit.galloping.lawn. Cow 214 was especially friendly, taking a break to enjoy some fuss. After a while, I wandered further west and spotted steers 219 and 222, along with cow 940, emerging from the thicket near ///drags.loses.signs. All three wandered over to greet me at the entrance, taking turns to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs in the late afternoon sunshine. Steer 30 was grazing in the pasture to the east, while cow 72 was deep in the gorse bushes to the northwest. All eight were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 17:45, steers 20 and 270 were enjoying plenty of grass among the bracken near ///anode.recital.skim, north of Sandy Hill. They both wandered over to say hello before crossing the path and continuing to graze to the south. Youngster 230 was grazing in the thicket further northwest but soon emerged into an open area where I could check him over. The boys were all content, relaxed, and looking well.

Finally, at 18:15, the seven Sussex cattle were spread out grazing among the heather on the hillside west of Horse Pond, near ///fuzz.hopes.hamper. They all paused their grazing to say hello and enjoy some head scratches. Cow 211 was especially friendly, greeting me with gentle head rubs before leaning in for neck scratches, returning the affection with plenty of licks. All seven were looking stunning as they grazed in the setting sun. They were all happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

As I was leaving shortly before 18:45, youngster 230 had moved into the woodland near ///lied.pinks.relished, where he was foraging for acorns. He looked so innocent when I approached, but clearly knew I'd spotted him eating them. After another back scratch, he followed me out to the side of the path to continue grazing, with steers 20 and 270 nearby on the slope of Sandy Hill.

The cattle were all good today.