Sun 18 May 25 (10.15 - 10.30) All 4 cattle seen in J4. All well.

Before I set off on my usual morning bike ride from home , (Pinewood Park - large circuit around Minley Wood and then pop-in on the stock in Hawley Common) I checked the GPS Grazing Map.  It showed them four yearlings in J$, but very close the the thick, damp woods to the East, which I have only once recently visited.  Determined to "get in there and find 'em" I changed from my summer riding shoes to my waterproof, (up-to-the-ankle) winter riding boots and off I headed.

When I reached the Sailing Club access road in E10, I decided to view the cattle first in the hope I'd catch them before they entered the thick/damp wooded area.  This proved a good mood move, as I came upon the quickly.  They were in the open in J4 heading west, not far off the main E-W track, happily grazing as they went.   They were all in good fettle, even allowing me to stroke and scratch them.

 

My luck ran out on leaving them.  Less than two minutes after leaving them, I got a puncture in B5,  cycling along the outside of the Hawley Common fence and the Army camp, while I heading for Minley Woods and the rest of my ride.  Walking home pushing the bike, (I don't usually take my pack on my morning ride) I developed a blister, (painful, way beyond it's medical significance) on my right Achilles from my winter boots!   Still, the cattle were found and fine and that's the important matter.