Saturday 31st January - All 11 seen

At 14:35 this afternoon, the ponies were grazing near ///tulip.clasping.upper, southeast of the ammo compound. They greeted me warmly, with several nickering as I approached. The girls were very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. All were dry, suggesting they had sheltered from the earlier rain.

After our initial greetings, the ponies drifted back to graze among the gorse and heather. Before long, they returned one by one for longer neck and back rubs, offering gentle nuzzles and cuddles in return. All seven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 15:25, the cattle had gathered on the tarmac road just behind the ponies, announcing themselves with several moos. I went over to greet them, but after a few minutes, the ponies followed. Wanting a bit of time alone with the cattle, I walked the boys over to ///boast.stores.lads.

The boys were very friendly, each taking turns to enjoy long neck and back scratches. It was good to see them all with a full complement of ear tags. When not being fussed over, they browsed the surrounding gorse. They were affectionate, offering gentle head rubs and licks between more neck and chin rubs. The boys were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 16:10, Polly decided I had spent long enough with the boys and came over for more strokes. After a while, we wandered back toward the tank pits where the other ponies were grazing, with the yearlings following close behind. Both groups then moved south, grazing among the heather and gorse. I spent time moving between the cattle and ponies, with everyone enjoying plenty more attention.

I said my goodbyes at 17:05, leaving them grazing contentedly as they gradually made their way southwest.

The cows and the ponies were all good today. I took a few more photos than normal… even by my standards!

Friday 30 Jan 26. (11.00 - 11.30) All 11 Seen. All Well.

 The boys were at the entrance to the ammo dump compound in E6 moo-ing at the two wardens working in there.  They both had "Zoe-Style" pickups and were demanding better fare that gorse.   J'Adore and Jura were happy for strokes, while spoke to the two wardens for a while.  Jeans and Jet were not interested.   Perhaps I should change my aftershave or even have a shower !  Eventually the cattle headed south down the tarmac road south.

The ponies were not far away, about 200 yards east of the ammo dump compound at the junction of two grassy tracks at the border of G5 & H5.  Polly and the pony with the recovered neck scar were up for a short stroke.  The others less so. 

As I rode off for a bike ride I met Jacky with Ziggy on the northern perimeter track by the cattle grid in G3.  She said that she was not 100%, but improving and had come out for fresh air.  It was good to meet and to hear that you're feeling better. 

Thursday 29th January - all 11 seen

The cows were very vocal this morning, having a real conversation. They followed me around helping me locate the ponies. Life is so much easier now the GPS collars are working. Found them at ///however.wordplay.hulk (just right of the open area in F5).

Found the ponies at ///woof.including.names. All seven ponies seen but I couldn’t get close to 4 of them. From what I could see those 4 all looked OK. The 3 I did see up close were good & just hanging around not doing much.

 They all seem to be drying out nicely after all the rain we've had. They seemed a bit happier too. 

Wednesday 28th - Morning

 What a nice change, the sun was shining

Found the ponies and cows all together at the junction of the path to the corral and the main path.

They were all standing in the sunshine with lots of steam coming from their coats.  The cows had a few moos when they saw me.

Gave all the cows a good rub.  I thought they were getting a bit thin round their hind quarters, quite hollow round their hips.

All the ponies were good.

Had a nip on my back from the pony with the grey tinged coat, nothing serious but will be bruised tomorrow.  Don't think she liked it when I stopped stroking her and started to stroke the pony next to her!

Tuesday 27th - 3 out of 4 collars back online, all 11 seen.

All ponies and cattle seen today. 

All in good condition 

3 cattle collars now operational so can be tracked again. 

STILL 4 CATTLE ONSITE 

283 has no battery in collar. (Managed to take old one out but he wouldnt let me put a new one in!!! Will try again next week. 

Zoe

Tuesday 27th sorry but I am not going to be able to get to cows n ponies today either

Mon 26 Jan 26 (08.30 - 0945) All11 Seen. All Appear Well

Apologies for not attending yesterday.  I came out this morning to make up for it.

I found the ponies quickly within a hundred yards of the NE corner of the ammo dump compound.  However. It took a bit of time to establish that I'd seen all seven.

 

As I rode off to find the cattle, one on the ponies had climbed up onto the compound's blast wall.

I found Jeans, Jura and Jet in and around a large patch of gorse just to the south of the track in H3.  I circumnavigated it and went through their tracks several times before eventually I was able to see J'Adore, who just suddenly appeared.  They were all content eating the young tops of the heather and the flowers.  I watched a couple of them each knock down branches of gorse to give them access to the best bits.  

As I left them in the gorse, they all started to call and the Jet, J'Adore, followed by the other two appeared onto the track and headed toward the cattle grid in G3.  They all stopped short of the grid and continued to call.  

I left the cattle/pony range and entered the large sandy clearing just 150 yards north of the cattle grid.  As I entered the clearing I saw one of the the rangers loading portaloos onto a trailer attached to a pickup similar to Zoe's.  This must have been what the cattle heard and were calling for snacks!  The warden confirmed this, explaining that all four had surrounded and kept "mooing" at him when he'd been collecting a loo earlier in the range.