Wednesday 31st

 4 ponies were between the track and the Morested road path, about 200 meters up, browsing happily. They looked fine. Broke the ice on the bottom trough.

Tuesday 30th December

Gorgeous sunny day on the Hill today, and when I found the ponies their lovely shaggy winter coats were gleaming in the sunshine. Beautiful girls! They were along the fence-line path, about half way up to the top gate. They were a little spread out but were happily grazing away and attacking bushes and scrub. They looked great. By the smell coming from the water treatment plant, Winchester residents enjoyed a lot of sprouts this Christmas! 🤣

Monday 29th December

 Ponies out and about this morning strutting their stuff along the main track.

Sunday 28th December

 Ponies looking well at the far end of the main track.

Saturday 27th December

Nice day on the Hill, although the breeze kept it nippy. Found the ponies at the top of the site, just below the gate close to the trough. Kat was chilling, Doune and Flam just stood, with the wind blowing their newly fluffy coats. And Hoopy was munching a little bit away. All looked really well and in good nick.

Boxing Day

 Ponies were by the top gate this morning, looking rather bored, with the occasional yawn.  All a bit morning after...

However, they looked in fine form really, and the troughs were OK too.

Christmas Day

 The ponies decided to play hide and seek.  No sign of them when I arrived, and so I went all the way up the top path and then back along the fence line, only to find all 4 near the trough close to the M'way gate when I got back.  

They were quite lively, maybe trying to keep warm, but obviously in good form.  Both troughs were fine.

Happy Christmas!

Weds 24th

 4 ponies were by the Morested Rd. fence, down from the clump. All looked well. Both troughs full.

Tuesday 23rd December

A bit of a bleak day on the Hill today, but ponies hadn't noticed as they were munching away when I found them halfway along the top fence line. They all looked well, with Hoopy looking particularly fluffy today. 

And so all that's left to say is Merry Christmas to all 🎄!

Sunday 21st December

 The ponies were up at the far end of the site and gave me the eye from a distance. They all looked well, if a little docile this morning.

Saturday 20th December

The ponies were a little way along the main path, before the Beech clump. Hoopy was grazing, and Kat and Flam were grooming each other. Doune was just keeping out of the way. They looked well, Flam was extra curious and tried to eat my binocular strap, which resulted in a minor tug-o-war, which luckily I won. But, yes, they're all lovely and looking really happy and fluffy. And we now have some water in the lake, with maybe ducks and gulls on bits of it. 

Thursday 18th December

 Thank goodness (in view of the wet weather), I found the ponies quickly, about 150m along the top path.  They look a bit fed up with the driving rain:

Two were grazing a bit and the other two weren't.  Apart from looking very soggy, they were fine, and the trough near the M'way gate was full.  I didn't check the E trough.

Wednesday 17th

4 ponies were up by the top gate/trough, all looked ok. Troughs full. Some water in the sewage works 'lake'.

Tuesday 16th December

A bit soggy on the Hill today, signs of the lake starting to appear. Found the ponies halfway up the path by the fence line heading back slowly to the corral area. Doune was shy, Hoopy very soggy and Flam had an itch that just needed scratching! All looking well apart from the sogginess. 

And spotted the little Muntjac on the main path briefly before it dived into the scrub. 

Monday 15 December

 The ponies were near the top of the site between the road and the hedge. The troughs were full. No issues to report. 

Sunday 14th December

 The ponies were at the far end today near the water trough. All looked well.

Saturday 13th December

Lovely and sunny on the Hill today and found the ponies at the top end of the site. They were looking great and enjoying the view over the countryside. Flam as always was super friendly and even Kat had a quick sniff. 

Fri 12th staff check

Ponies were on our work party for a while - chewing on pitchforks, cowslips, investigating our rucksacks etc!  Very curious as ever!! Had a treat of lots of fresh hawthorn berries which they love.  Gave me the opportunity to have a good look at them and they all look really good and healthy.  Added another salt lick too.  All looking good on the hill.

Thursday 11th December

 All 4 ponies were at the far eastern end, by the gate:

There are 4 there, honestly!  They were doing very little, but looked good with their winter coats, even if they had clearly been a bit soggy with the recent rain.  Both troughs were fine.

Wednesday 10th

 4 ponies were on and near the main path up from the clump. All grazing and looking fine.

Troughs full. Fence round the sign at the bottom looked like the wind had blown it about so we put it back together.

How we left it

How we found it.

Tuesday 9th December

A bit dreary on the Hill but incredibly warm. Found the ponies halfway along the top path close to the fence line. Doune was trying to lead them back towards the corral so only Flam stopped to say Hello, during a brief grazing break. They're looking really well, albeit a little soggy still. 

Mon 8th - staff check

I managed to fill the big green water tank at the western end today by parking on the verge as it is now impossible to drive onto site! Had a good walk around the site planning works and replacing salt licks and saw the ponies halfway along the top track too. They were all far too busy grazing away to take much notice of me today but all looked very well.

Monday 8 December

 The ponies were near the top of the hill near the fence line. The troughs were full. No issues to report. 

Sunday 7th December

 Not an enjoyable day today! Even the ponies looked fed up simply standing with their backs to the wind and rain up at the far end by the top gate. 

Saturday 6th December

Early visit to the girls today, found them close to the lower trough, happily grazing on the wet grass. Even Flam was reluctant to stop eating to say Hello. They all looked well and alert with lovely warm and shaggy coats. 

Wednesday 3rd Dec.

 4 ponies were near the bottom gate, Hoopy by the corral and the others by the trough. All looked well, muddy naturally.

Trough was full.

Tuesday 2nd December

Well lovely day on the Hill today, a real contrast to yesterday. Found the ponies near the Clump but up by the fence line. They were very happy grazing, barely stopping long enough to acknowledge me. Flam was again her normal friendly and curious self. They all looked in good shape and even Hoopy looked alert and content. 

Monday 1 December

 A wild and rainy day. The ponies were have way up the track and seemed oblivious to the rain. The bottom trough was full. No issues to report.

Sunday 30th November

 A lovely sunny day.

Ponies were all lying down as I found them up by the top gate and looking very sleepy but enjoying the warmth of the sun.

Saturday 29th November

Soggy day on the Hill, but still no water in the lake. Found the ponies along the fence line and a short distance from the top gate. They looked a little soggy and muddy, but all seemed happy munching away. Flam was very friendly, whilst the others too busy eating. 

Friday 28th staff check

Ponies all found grazing along the top of the site as usual.. Kat was very friendly today, beautiful pony.  They look like they've been doing a lot of mud rolling again.  All were looking well and content on a beautiful day.

Thursday 27th November

 I managed to spot some probable pony backsides in the distance when I arrived, and the 4 were about 100m + from the trough by the M'way gate, at the far end of the more open area, slightly down the hill.  They were all grazing, 2 preferring short grass and 2 tucking in to longer grass.  Just a brief hallo, but grazing was a priority.  they all looked well, if slightly damp.

  Trough by corral was full - I didn't check the other one, I am afraid.

Beware - something (fox or badger?) is burrowing some deep holes!