Friday 31st January - All 7 seen - Tilly has a swollen left eye

The ponies were grazing in the pasture near ///quits.change.being at 15:00 this afternoon. Although still damp from the earlier rain, they were drying out quickly. They were all very friendly, approaching one by one to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes.

After our initial greetings, the ponies returned to grazing in the heather, but frequently came back over for more strokes. They all enjoyed long neck and ear rubs, responding with affectionate nuzzles and head rubs. Pandora was especially friendly today, rarely leaving my side and happily soaking up endless strokes and rubs. Megan was also very sociable, coming over several times and always happy to have the sides of her neck stroked.

Unfortunately, Tilly had a sore and rather swollen left eye today. While grazing, she kept it open as normal, but when she came to spend time with me, she preferred to keep it closed. She was happy to stand and be made a fuss of, completely relaxing and at one point even resting her head on my shoulder. After about twenty minutes, she wandered off to nibble on some gorse. Close-up photos of her eye have been shared with the owner.

The ponies continued grazing as they gradually moved back towards Brock's Hill. By 16:15, they had reached the gorse bushes near the main path, where most of the girls stopped to graze. I said my goodbyes about ten minutes later, leaving them happily eating.

The ponies were good today, aside from Tilly's eye issue.

Wednesday 29th Jan - STAFF

Found 4 of the ponies initially on the main track just the other side of Brocks Hill. After standing with them giving some scratches, the other three emerged from the gorse. No issues to report. 

Wednesday 29th January- All 7 seen

The ponies were enjoying a bit of sun on their backs, as they were grazing to the left of the gate to the test track. All 7 were well and happy this morning

Tuesday 28th January - None seen

Did my best to quarter the site from 0915 to 1030 but did not spot them. The test track gate was open so I walked the eastern fence looking back across the open bays and re-entered in the NE corner. The site is wetter than I have ever seen it with puddles and bogs full. The Gelvert is fast flowing and over spilling its banks in the woods to the N. 

3pm, Mon 27 Jan, all 7 found easily, grazing at the base of Brock Hill

All seemed well and sprightly today

Aldershot Rd closed all this week

 Access isn't possible this week if you park in Velmead car park and cross the road to Long Valley. HCC Highways look like they are re-surfacing and their website says road is closed from 27 - 31 Jan.

Access is possible from the MoD car park in Bourley Rd, but of course, it's a longer walk. 

Hope that helps - thanks as always for your help checking the livestock

Sunday 26th January - All 7 seen

I was surprised to find the ponies grazing near ///cities.binds.nails in the pasture northeast of Brock's Hill at 14:35 this afternoon. I had expected them to be hunkered down in the trees somewhere, seeking shelter from the rain and strong wind. Instead, they were happily munching on heather and gorse in the swampy, waterlogged pasture. Pandora noticed me approaching and greeted me with gentle nickers. Although she was completely soaked, she thoroughly enjoyed a neck rub. One by one, the other ponies came over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Despite being drenched, they were all friendly and affectionate, offering gentle nuzzles and cuddles.

As they grazed, the ponies slowly moved northwest, finding some shelter under a small cluster of trees. They often returned to me to enjoy more strokes, with several appreciating having their coats ruffled to help them dry off. By 15:10, however, the rain grew heavier, prompting the ponies to abandon the area. Moving nose-to-tail, they made their way back towards Brock's Hill. Once near the hill, they galloped to the trees along the Tweseldown fence line by the Gelvert Stream. 

When I caught up with them after wading through the waterlogged pasture, the rain had eased, and the ponies were starting to emerge from the trees to resume grazing. They jumped over the stream and grazed near the pond for a while before making their way down to the pasture by the test track gate. The ponies alternated between grazing, coming over for more attention, and sheltering under the trees when the rain grew heavy again. 

I said my goodbyes at 15:45, leaving the ponies peacefully grazing.

The ponies were all good today, despite the wet and windy weather.

Saturday

 Easy find today. Just inside the gate by the corral at 8.30. All looking fine. 

Friday 24th January - All 7 seen

The ponies were happily grazing in the southwest corner at 14:30 this afternoon, enjoying an abundance of grass and gorse. They were all very friendly, coming over one by one to say hello and enjoy some strokes. The girls were happy, relaxed, and in excellent condition. After our initial greetings, the ponies returned to grazing but would frequently come back for more strokes and rubs. It was lovely to spend some quiet, relaxing time with them this afternoon. They all relished long neck and back rubs, rewarding me with affectionate cuddles and nuzzles. Tilly was especially friendly and thoroughly enjoyed an extended neck rub. She became so relaxed that she closed her eyes and rested her head on my shoulder. I said my goodbyes at 16:10, leaving the ponies still happily grazing. The ponies were all good today.

Wednesday 22nd January- All 7 seen

The girls were pretty much all snoozing when I saw them all today. I didn’t want to disturb them, so made sure they were all ok and did a litter pick & mini fence check.

The top line of barbed wire is a bit saggy at ///geek.uptake.milder - basically near the side Tweseldown gate. Not urgent but will need tightening next time someone is out with a pair of pliers