Tuesday 31st March - Both seen

The ponies were contentedlygrazing just to the south of the track in B6 at 1430 this afternoon.  They both appeared well.  The collared one has a gorse twig entangled in her mane but would not let me remove it - if it's anything like dealing with a long haired dog it's going to need scissors.

As I approached the site from the small car park to the west of Velmead two electric scramble bikes whizzed across in front of me coming from the direction of Bourley Road.  They were very quiet but very fast.  Fortunately they turned away from the cattle grid back towards the Aldershot Road.  Bikes like that would be real a danger in the enclosure as they would give the ponies little notice of their approach and would no doubt startle them if they were on or near the track.

Monday 30th March - All 2 seen

At 11:45 this morning, the ponies were resting under the trees in the far southwest corner. They were both very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. Afterwards, they moved to the fence by the racecourse, where they settled to relax and bask in the sunshine whenever it broke through the clouds. Both happily accepted long neck, shoulder, and back rubs while resting, frequently offering gentle nuzzles in return. Every so often, they would snack on holly or stretch their necks through the fence to nibble at the gorse. The girls were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

I was about to leave shortly after 13:00 when they both followed me out into the pasture and along to the corral, clearly not ready for me to go. They continued taking turns to wander over for more scratches, each one eager for attention. The one not being fussed over would graze contentedly on the surrounding fresh grass. I said my goodbyes at 13:30, leaving them both peacefully grazing.

The ponies were all good today.

Monday 30th March, both ponies happily eating gorse along the track towards the test track gate

They both seemed good to me

Sunday 29th March - All 2 seen

At 14:25 this afternoon, the ponies were grazing on the grassy island by the Gelvert stream. They were both very friendly, taking turns to come over to greet me and enjoy plenty of strokes. After saying hello, they returned to grazing, crossing the stream to reach the fresh grass at the side of the pond. Shortly after, light rain began to fall, and the ponies moved into the woodland by the fence line for shelter, continuing to alternate between grazing and returning for more attention. They were both happy, relaxed, and looking well. The ponies gradually moved east, eating holly while continuing to shelter from the rain. After a while, they reached the pasture by the test track gate, where they ventured out to nibble on fresh grass. They continued to come over for scratches, and after grazing for a while, seemed to appreciate having the rain wiped from their backs. With the rain showing little sign of stopping, I said my goodbyes at 15:40, leaving them grazing in the pasture east of the pond. As I was leaving, I noticed they had gone back under cover. The ponies were good today.

Friday 27th March - All 2 seen

At 15:00 this afternoon, the ponies emerged from the thicket in the southwest corner and came over to meet me at the corral. They were both very friendly, taking turns to greet me and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. They particularly enjoyed long neck and shoulder rubs, finishing off with some satisfying back scratches. When not being fussed over, they grazed nearby, nibbling fresh grass and gorse.

The ponies did not venture far, preferring to stay close and receive plenty of attention, which I was more than happy to provide. By 16:00, they had moved out to the main path, where they continued to enjoy the lush green grass, slowly making their way east along the track. I said my goodbyes fifteen minutes later, only for them both to follow me to the exit. After a final round of strokes, I slipped away while they wandered back toward the corral to resume grazing.

The stile at the main entrance was replaced today by the fencing contractor.

The ponies were all good today.

Thursday 26th March - All 2 seen

At 13:50 this afternoon, the ponies were resting under the trees in the southwest corner of the site. They were both very friendly, taking turns to come over to greet me and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. After a good while, they moved to the fence by the racecourse and stood in the sunshine while continuing to be fussed over. The girls were both happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The ponies are continuing to shed their winter coats and appreciated having the loose hair brushed from their backs and sides while resting in the sun. After about ten minutes, they moved back into the shade, munching on holly from some branches that I’m assuming the fencing contractor chopped down and left on the ground for them.

At 14:50, I said my goodbyes, only for the girls to follow me out into the main pasture, where they started to nibble on the fresh grass. They alternated between grazing and returning for more scratches. At 15:10, after a final round of strokes, I slipped away, leaving them both grazing peacefully.

The ponies were all good today.

All 2 seen. Fencing contractors on site

 I saw the 2 today and both looked very well. 

FYI we will have fencing contractors on Brocks Hill most of this week. They will be: replacing rotten fence posts with new winter cut chestnut posts, tightening the wire, re-setting any wobbly posts. We finished the pipeline side today, under supervision from Esso/fisher German technicians. 

We will repair the stile while they're there.

Thanks as always for your help lookering!