26/05/23

All 3 ponies seen at close quarters (2-3 metres distance) in amongst trees next to graveyard @10:00. All content and no issues seen. Youngest is getting quite inquisitive!

Of note: checked on fence previously tampered with bordering A338 on my way back from seeing the animals and was surprised to encounter a man stood immediately on the other side of it. He was holding/ using a small device around 6 inches square and looking out over the lake. I said hello and asked if he was ok/ needed any help, to which he replied "what would I need help with?" I explained I was checking the fence as it had been previously tampered with and he said he had "no interest in fences just......" I did not catch the last word due to traffic noise but it could have been piping. He may therefore have been surveying legitimately but did not offer any more by way of information as to his presence at that point along the fence. I did not look for or notice a vehicle nearby.. He was well spoken, mid 30s? wearing a light brown, wide-brimmed hat and wrap around black sunglasses. Also wore  brown top (with a logo top left nfd) and brown shorts.  Catherine notified for awareness,