Thursday Oct 31st

 Ponies really difficult to find this morning.  Nowhere along the top path or the middle one.  I then tried the bottom path, which is very squelchy, and god almost to the end before finding them - sort of diagonally opposite the main M-way entrance gate.  They were breakfasting enthusiastically, with a brief acknowledgement of my arrival.  They seemed very well and alert, and nothing adverse to report.  Both troughs full.

SW 'lake' is growing, but only mallard and black-headed gulls as far as I could see.

Wednesday 30th

4 ponies were on either side of the main path, about 300 meters from the bottom. Hoopy still has a half closed, weepy left eye. The others all looked ok and the bottom trough was full. 

Tuesday 29th October

Whilst looking for the ponies bumped into a friendly gentleman who had been watching the birds in our expanding lake and who is a regular visitor. We had a good chat about birds and other critters before my search continued. In the end they were in the old common place up by the top gate. They weren't being very lively, but Doune was looking after them all. Looks like Hoopy is settling in, now has burdock in her hair and mud on her backside and flanks. On the whole they all looked okay and well apart from the lethargy. Kat's autumn/winter coat is looking really dark and luxuriant. 

EDIT: IMPORTANT - spotted Hoopy had a weepy and closed left eye, that was also a little red. The Grazing Team have had a look, and it looks like it's hopefully just a poke from a branch (no scratches on the eye). So advice from the Grazing Team is to keep a close eye (no pun intended) on it and monitor and update as necessary.

Saturday 26th October

Dreary morning, unlike now as I type this up, but also really humid. Found the ponies a little way up the side of the hill off the lower path. They were all munching away and only marginally interested in my arrival. Even Flam was deep in eating concentration. They all looked good, Doune still a little watery eyed, but other than that all seemed good. Checked in with Hoopy, and she playfully batted me away with her head, before coming back for a quick head rub. 

Friday 25th

Ponies all looking in great condition and seem very settled with each other. Hoopy decided to use my shoulder as a scratching post today :) They came to visit the work party but didn't try and steal anything!

Thursday 24th October

 A sunny morning - and the ponies were difficult to find.  When I finally located them, they were grazing in the open area, north-east of the western trough.  They were definitely not there when I first arrived. I think they were gradually working up the hill, and so would not have been visible from the trough area.  They looked well and content - a brief hallo but eating was a priority.  Both troughs were fine.

Wednesday 23rd

 Hoopy was standing sentinel and the other 3 lying down by the top gate. All ok, Hoopy has a slightly weepy eye with some flies near it. Both troughs were full.