The canteen

These are our neighbours - the intelligent and fascinating little herd of Irish Dexter steers.
Like the rest of us they have two principal preoccupations and needs - food and drink.
The food supply from the grass in their fields has to be supplemented at this time of year with hay bales brought in regularly by tractor and deposited in this open silo where they are gathered.
Water comes from two mobile water tanks located nearby, and these have to be replenished regularly by hosepipe from the mains, since there is little or no guaranteed spring water available in the immediate vicinity.
Unlike humans, hardy cattle can survive quite happily outdoors right through the rigours of winter - given an adequate supply of hay and water, and would, ideally, be expected to do so in our prevailingly temperate climate.
The problem is that the water tankers will freeze up in cold spells and that would then necessitate a move to a covered enclosure where water supply can be guaranteed.
In those circumstances, oddly enough, the main risk to them then is actually of overheating whilst in a barn or shed, their natural and most comfortable, and therefore preferable, environment would be to remain out of doors all year round.
So - as the frosts arrive so we shall bid our friends adieu until next spring, when the meadow is green and luscious again, and when they can be supplied with drinking water.