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!

Thursday 26th Nov

 4 ponies were below the main path near the top gate, Hoopy and Doune rather hidden in the bushes so hard to inspect them, all looked well. Broke the ice on bottom trough, ponies had done that on the top one but we fished a bit out.

Tuesday 25th November

Nice and sunny on the Hill today, with no trough issues. Found the ponies about 100 metres from the top gate on the upper path. Kat and Hoopy were having a nice rest, whilst Flam and Doune were grazing nicely. Hoopy looked okay, but maybe still a little sad and Kat looked half asleep still. Flam and Doune then started some mutual grooming which was nice to see. Had a quick Flam stroke, but resulted in pony slobber on my jacket!

Monday 24 November

 The ponies were on the lower slopes and seemed to be enjoying the sun on their backs. The troughs were full. No issues noted. 

Sunday 23rd November

 A chilly but sunny morning. Ponies were down by the bottom track. All looked in great condition although some serious mud rolling has been going on.

Friday 21st - staff check

Freezing cold day but ponies were being very sensible when i found them, all happily munching the grass near the top fence in the sun.  Gave Kat a bit of fuss and she was lovely and warm.  Hoopy was looking happy and munching away, disinterested in saying hi.  Please remember to break the ice on the troughs in the cold weather.  Please dont remove the ice though - it's now too dangerous for us to drive on with the bowser so the supplies need to last as long as possible! We're setting up another trough at the western entrance but it's not ready yet.  Thanks folks!!

Thursday 20th November

 Lovely morning, but it was impossible to find the ponies without combing the middle area of the hill.  I had just been pushed to the ground by a dog owner on the Dongas, and was happy to break the ice on both troughs on Deacon, but having failed to find the ponies on either the top path or the lower one, my staying power gave out.  Sorry!  I am fine, if a little dismayed.

Wednesday 19th Nov.

 4 ponies were on the track, a bit below the clump. All looked well, grazing. Both troughs were full.

Tuesday 18th November

The skies were starting to clear and turn blue as I arrived, and after a pleasant trek, found the ponies in amongst the hawthorn bushes at the top of the Hill. They were having a great time grazing and picking off the odd berry and looked really content. Hoopy looked much better today, more sleek and lean than skinny, and seemed to have perked up. They all looked super fluffy and well. 

Monday 17 November

 A cold and windy morning on Deacon hill. The ponies were near the bottom and relaxing in the sun. The troughs were full. No issues to report. 

Sunday 16th November

 Ponies took some finding today, eventually found them on the bottom track. All looked well and grazing happily except Hoopy who seemed a little down in the dumps!

Saturday 15th November

Bright and sunny on arrival and despite all the recent rain, still no lake. Found the ponies along the fence line about 100 metres up from the main gate. In fact literally bumped into Doune as I emerged from the scrub. They were looking great and relaxed. Flam was being her normal naughty self and twisting her head to get between the barbed wire and munch on the grass inside. 

Hoopy was at the back, and yes definitely looking a bit sad, and with her wet coat and long and thinner legs, she did seem to be skinnier than the others. Here are side photos of her and Kat for comparison (although not sure its a fair comparison, with Kat's head down). 

Friday 14th Nov

Ponies all looking very soggy today and a tad miserable too. Lots of mud rolling going on too. Was concerned that Hoopy may have lost a bit of weight so keeping an eye on her - it may have just been that she was looking a bit sad in the grim weather today. She has a way of looking particularly sad sometimes and I do worry, so let's all keep an eye on her please :)

Thursday 13th November

 All 4 ponies were conveniently about 50m along the top path from the corral:

Strange how they seem to like to try and eat the very short grass on the path, despite there being large quantities of long grass nearby.  More evidence of them having rolled about in the mud, but they looked in good form.  Nearby trough was fine - didn't check the top trough.

Wednesday 12th November

 4 ponies were down from the main path near the top. All looked well. Both troughs full.

Tuesday 11th November

Found the ponies wandering along the top path about halfway up, eating as they went, looked like they were heading for the top gate. All looked well, albeit a little soggy. 

Monday 11 November

 On this wet and windy day the ponies were near the top of the hill near the path. Both troughs were full. No issues to report. 

Sunday 9th November

 Ponies at the far end by the bee hive!

All looking well.

Friday 7th Nov Staff visit

all ponies present and correct. Hoopy was grazing nearby to the gang of 3 but not in the party. I smell a bit mustelidious today and they were not so keen. 

Thursday 6th Nov

 The ponies were conveniently close to the corral, just a few metres down the path.  They looked very well, despite evidence that they had been rolling in mud:

A brief hallo from them, but a late breakfast was important.  Trough near corral was fine - I didn't trek along to the far trough.

Guy Fawkes Day

 4 ponies were quite spread out between the bottom trough and the lower track. All looked well. Trough full.

Tuesday 4th November

Bright and sunny morning on the Hill, with the ponies located towards the top of the site, in amongst the bushes grazing away. All looking well and happy, with winter coats all nice and fluffy.

Monday 3 November

 The ponies were near the lower part of the hill near the path. The troughs were full. No issues noted.

Sunday 2nd November

 A lovely sunny day with a fresh cool wind. Ponies looking great but some carrying signs of fresh mud rolling and were busy munching on brambles!

Saturday 1st November

Pretty stormy by the time I made it to the Hill, Ponies up the top end and close to the fence line. All happily grazing away and looking good.