tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78724935812384408512024-03-15T05:41:58.613+00:00Frugal BlogFrugal living blog about all things thrifty: money saving, DIY, crafts, gardens, food, fitness, woodland, wildlife and making the good life affordable! It's about the freedom to enjoy a frugal lifestyle while pursuing a lifelong ambition... and sharing it with you all.NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.comBlogger642125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-7850359783165230172023-02-08T03:17:00.004+00:002023-02-08T03:17:31.186+00:00There's a Whole New Generation of Frugal Living Folks<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzpn2E7MVqWDM-ugH3eqHvtyDZ-HtIEOfJ6IKUpaFAhDZJAir5S7hBwtoW3JSg3CSQQv_vRdcAshA47ykSNqm92Exv7q_EPh9j9F1qynLizXnqjomRYJMh8ce4838eGPBzh2qWao_H391N9em7fIBDijU7hYF8v4tFQo_3_IuqXLXds7AB4aUjRXkzQ/s400/credit-card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mock-up of a Frugaldom bank card" border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="400" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzpn2E7MVqWDM-ugH3eqHvtyDZ-HtIEOfJ6IKUpaFAhDZJAir5S7hBwtoW3JSg3CSQQv_vRdcAshA47ykSNqm92Exv7q_EPh9j9F1qynLizXnqjomRYJMh8ce4838eGPBzh2qWao_H391N9em7fIBDijU7hYF8v4tFQo_3_IuqXLXds7AB4aUjRXkzQ/w320-h238/credit-card.jpg" title="Frugal Bank" width="320" /></a></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Frugal Bank</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Hello to my frugal friends, family and fellow money savers. It's been a while since we discussed household finances - too long, in fact! It's now come to my attention that I've been living this frugal lifestyule for so long that I've forgotten that an entirely new generation has joined us, many of whom haven't, yet, discovered the joys of frugaldom. But what, exactly, do I mean by 'frugaldom'? Read on and find out for yourselves.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">What is a Budget?</h2><div>A budget is probably the most important thing you can have, as far as your finances are concerned,. It is your budget that dictates the lifestyle you can comfortably afford to lead. It's as simple as looking at the overall amount of money you have coming into your household and deducting all of the regular payments you have going out - everything from your rent or mortgage to repaying debts, paying household bills, food shopping, holidays and everything in between. If you add up all your out-goings (be brutally honest with yourself about this) and deduct them from your overall income, whatever is left is what you can realistically afford to save or overpay any debts to clear those off first. If your regular out-goings are higher than your regular income, then the bank of you is broken and needs some emergency repairs. It doesn't matter if you have savings in the bank - if you are eating into those just to live from day to day, rather than for emergencies, then you need to stem the flow of cash and balance your books.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_md-EqUqB98nCbzCUCtTyfsSz96CGy-tk39k3Tch3Q5g1yQXtu-fi-h73BZqgpp265WqIFbqc26pB8znBwGFTV9eVG9G_H-xnNyvw15UKL35GFTfp0paSCQ4t3TtsUMGYzFyRIVZXpkCHvv-W-GSm_ANq5CNIVQlMgnW1uOmG8Buoc3susF6L3n0RCg/s400/piggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="400" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_md-EqUqB98nCbzCUCtTyfsSz96CGy-tk39k3Tch3Q5g1yQXtu-fi-h73BZqgpp265WqIFbqc26pB8znBwGFTV9eVG9G_H-xnNyvw15UKL35GFTfp0paSCQ4t3TtsUMGYzFyRIVZXpkCHvv-W-GSm_ANq5CNIVQlMgnW1uOmG8Buoc3susF6L3n0RCg/w200-h168/piggy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What to do if your bank is broken</h2><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Stop spending immediately</li><li>Prioritise - essential household bills and debt repayments need paying first</li><li>Make a list because lists are very versatile and help you focus</li><li>Needs not wants - you need food and water to survive so think survival! You don't need tobacco, alcohol, cosmetics, expensive toiletries, 1,000 TV channels, takeaway mealsm big brand names or the latest gadgets.</li><li>Reassess your budget in a more meaningful way - keep a spending diary and record every penny spent. Your role has now become that of accountant and manager of your own home, no matter what form your home takes.</li><li>You need to count in all costs - from the cost of living to the cost of working - have you ever counted up how much your job is costing you? Are you wasting money on travel, coffee breaks, lunches etc?</li><li>Look at ways of generating some emergency income - extra work, sell stuff you no longer need, decluttering your space can declutter your mind.</li><li>Analyse your overall debt total to start chipping away at that, paying whatever is commanding the highest interest rate first.</li><li>Become a frugalista in the kitchen and adopt a zero tolerance for waste. Believe it or not, it is still possible to live on an average of £1 per day for all your meals, based on £365 per person over the year. I'm not saying that it is easy and you may need to find your nearest food bank, community larder and Olio food hero, plus find a friend prepared to share so you can take better advantage of offers - it can be done.</li><li>Learn to make and love porridge, soups, stir fries, stews, curries and strange concoctions of leftovers.</li></ol><h2 style="text-align: left;">How can I save money?</h2><div>Get creative. Consider what you do as your daily and nightly routines: how much fuel, electricity or gas are you using, how often do you socialise, how far do you travel, what paid hobbies do you enjoy, do you buy takeaway food... the list is endless. Pay attention to how you feel and why you feel that way about giving up anything that is eating into your funds. Think of alternatives: do you like art, writing, blogging, reading, walking, cycling, crafting, gardening... anything that can get you through the toughest of times without costing you money. Keep warm with wool or fleece and a hot water bottle but keep your home aired to prevent condensation and dampness. When you boil water, fill a flask with any extra to use later. Cook from scratch, search this blog for simple soup recipes and challenge yourself to create magic meals from leftovers, free food or home grown fruit and vegetables. There are so many ways to save money so I hope you will spend some time reading past posts while I do my utmost to bring this blog up to date. I can only apologise for drifting but it's been full on chaos trying to keep up with everything since the Covid-Brexit combination saw off our Frugaldom volunteer exchange students and lost us previously agreed foster homes for rescue animals that still remain in our care. </div><div><br /></div><div>Find some like-minded friends who understand your financial situation by joining us online - just look for @Frugaldom on social media or search for '2023 Frugal Living Challenge' in the Moneysavingexpert.com forums. Together, we can fix this. </div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Find your frugal living mojo and life may never be the same again.</i></b></div></div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-36549497910693396952023-01-26T20:06:00.000+00:002023-01-26T20:06:07.806+00:00Frugaldom in 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIPDOwfefvnVppNpAAGYm5rs7WBeNCM68Kf-X7YAwZgkz4U-S38e07WtqmwGZHek7Hw9n8dkiBj3dbXTtltqX0MjgSGdLRCsEcDr8ZDn0PIlDZfFQtyC7o2jE0g2CQocanmjuciGMUTRfaX-dbqwghbyVha-BoqZT41zxP5-WIAWbyjSQmKr8QjNb1g/s640/ponies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="640" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIPDOwfefvnVppNpAAGYm5rs7WBeNCM68Kf-X7YAwZgkz4U-S38e07WtqmwGZHek7Hw9n8dkiBj3dbXTtltqX0MjgSGdLRCsEcDr8ZDn0PIlDZfFQtyC7o2jE0g2CQocanmjuciGMUTRfaX-dbqwghbyVha-BoqZT41zxP5-WIAWbyjSQmKr8QjNb1g/w320-h227/ponies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frugal living brought us to Frugaldom - you can read previous blogs from over the years to follow the routes we took to get here, plus read more about the narrow path of frugality on which we remain today, in order to further improve what has already been achieved.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span>The land of Frugaldom has an Animal Welfare Establishment licence, enabling us to give sanctuary to various ponies, goats and other animals while we tend to their needs and prepare to move certain ones on into permanent homes.If you could give a good, knowledgeable home to a pony then why not consider joining us as a sponsor or becoming a foster carer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> Our yard area, in front of the barn, became a campervan stopover aire.Being totallyoff-grid,we offer nothing more than overnight parking in exchange for a donation. With the help of 'WC in Fields' we incorporated a waste water disposal facility, for use of which there's a £5.00 charge to help cover the service charges.</span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span> Next, we completed the centrally located hut and it has served us well as a place to retreat during inclement weather. We often hide out in there for a cuppa with friends, family and our visiting volunteers who come to help plant trees to create a new woodland. So successful has the hut been that we have now applied for planning permission to build two more smaller huts that will allow the members of our extended Frugaldom family to opportunity to stay on site. Everything is off-grid so it's very much a case of getting right back to basics. We have portable solar for lights, a log burner for heat, a camping style gas stove for cooking indoors and a brazier / BBQ made from a washing maschine drum that gets used regularly outdoors.</span><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nRQF7GmrAtdQEksgXmMZ5CgYI_E-OwI9i95bJlx6WhtyBrenw54_OrSF64gCqpr-S_uDOu7SV9-AJiMbhi-Ovkzmx2i0sD8V5YqaVg1QAdmLLBlEgmizSFQoIMNgO19Q1Q0IU_6XgjS2WyfKrMNNnoGDSrjGAKcyYbVoYS4z5EJN5FdxY5JCXmW3qg/s500/index_html_578ff844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nRQF7GmrAtdQEksgXmMZ5CgYI_E-OwI9i95bJlx6WhtyBrenw54_OrSF64gCqpr-S_uDOu7SV9-AJiMbhi-Ovkzmx2i0sD8V5YqaVg1QAdmLLBlEgmizSFQoIMNgO19Q1Q0IU_6XgjS2WyfKrMNNnoGDSrjGAKcyYbVoYS4z5EJN5FdxY5JCXmW3qg/w320-h320/index_html_578ff844.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> That about brings us up to date, other than telling you about the gypsy bowtop wagon. It arrived at Frugaldom after last year's Appleby Horse Fair, pulled by a lovely little horse named Tommy. A second wagon, drawn by the massive horse named Oddball, has stayed at Frugaldom on a couple of occasions in the past but this time, both wagons came in and only one went back out again, with Oddbal and Tommy leaving side by side. I don't know if this wagon will be heading back out on the road any time soon but for now, it's parked up and gets used where it is. Friends have camped out in it a number of times and will be again, during this year's tree planting. If anyone wants to plant some trees or coppice some willows to help expand our Legacy Woodland project, please get in contact. </div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><span> Finances - we cannot have a full year's round-up without mentioning the moneysaving and frugal living endeavours, can we? Life has continued with my personal 'Living on £4,000 for a year' challenge, as has the '£1 per person per day for all meals'. The budget still works for the necessities but for groceries, it's mostly manageable thanks to sites and apps like <a href="http://Olioex.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Olioex.com</a> and to the continuing efforts at homegrown fruit, vegetabls and herbs, plus the usual love of soup and porridge.<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><span> I continue to run the frugal living challenge on moneysavingexpert.com, within their forums section. Check out the <a href="https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6409294/2023-frugal-living-challenge" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2023 Frugal Living Challenge</a> for yourself and feel free to join us online.<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><span><span><span> We still have the holiday caravan for rent throughout the season on the basis that you bring everything you need, including bedding and linen, and leave the caravan exactly as you found it.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><span><span> And now for the fundraising part - we currently have 9 ponies, 2 goats, a small flock of hens and ducks, and two guinea pigs. We have much work to do just to keep this lot so we are unable to take on any more anmals at this time. We have fences needing repaired, the barn roof has sprung a leak, the goats need a proper house and the 'tree shelter' is in need of a major overhaul. The drive needs all the potholes filling in, there's more drainage needed and it's a fulltime job looking after the animals so all help is welcome and any contributions hugely appreciated. I set up a page specifically for friends, family and others sending contributions - it can be found at <a href="http://www.ko-fi.com/Frugaldom">www.ko-fi.com/Frugaldom</a> - so please take a look and consider becoming Friends of Frugaldom. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><span><span> Finally, I will be trying to bring this blog back up to date while also transferring a few of the older files onto the <a href="http://Frugaldom.com">Frugaldom.com</a> website, which has a blog feature for the Frugaldom project itself. I'd like to reserve this blog for the actual nitty gritty, penny-pinching, budget-stretching, off-grid and frugal living topics.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-59505207758113693772021-12-28T01:41:00.001+00:002021-12-28T01:43:15.358+00:00FRUGAL ROUND-UP OF 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjEdnXAFgiHoHUxjyyX190JQNzqs4N_9UIasnky86tXbi670_V1pFqdCEbaZUVxuRGjkYSogihx4c11UGeu-qMOkx1rgO1ovi92qM6tYkkU9eLk45hQS9ESdSfrL67HvtcFXXIwcpmcul7qS6o5_udgv0fMYabp5vS8oUoJIk9DbvhDtBPXoXW71CX8Q=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjEdnXAFgiHoHUxjyyX190JQNzqs4N_9UIasnky86tXbi670_V1pFqdCEbaZUVxuRGjkYSogihx4c11UGeu-qMOkx1rgO1ovi92qM6tYkkU9eLk45hQS9ESdSfrL67HvtcFXXIwcpmcul7qS6o5_udgv0fMYabp5vS8oUoJIk9DbvhDtBPXoXW71CX8Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It has been some time since I updated this blog but the past couple of years have simply flown by and merged into some sort of time-warped blur. Between the pandemic, the FrugaLdom project, ponies, poultry and now goats, my time has been spent trying to keep up with the daily chores, keeping a tight hold on the budget and pursuIng all the challenges that I set myself each and every year. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm ending 2021 on a bit of a high! We pulled out all the stops and finally managed to get our hut built. Planning permission took 7 full months to be granted as the planning department staff members were all working from home, then our designated planning officer went off sick for quite some time. However, we got there in the end! In addition to this, and during all of this, we somehow ended up opening a campervan and motorhome stopover site, otherwise known as an 'Aire'. It's similar to those found in France and elsewhere, but without the services. Our 'Aire' is a bit like a frugal campsites for self-sufficient motorhomes and campervans - all we offer is parking space, nothing more. In exchange for parking we accept small donations that contribute towards the running of Frugaldom project. I love it! We get to meet interesting people who share our love for Frugaldom and the outdoors and some even help out on site during their stay.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2021 also brought another Avian Bird Flu pandemic so all our hens and ducks are having to stay undercover at home, away from Frugaldom, until such times as we can build them proper, covered enclosures there that are completely mink, fox, stoat and weasel proof. The duck pond now has fish swimming in it, the old duck enclosure has goats living in it and the yard, has been designated as parking for our visitors. We completed the pony shelters, hay storage and potting shed, and extended the little hay shelter to more than double its orginal size. Now we need to improve the goat housing, build the poultry & duck enclosures and get more trees and hedging planted, while making attempts at improving the food growing side of things. We need like-minded volunteers so if you fit that bill... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2022 is going to be about minimalism and off-grid living, as much as possible. I want to grow more food, use less electricity and, as always, make everything as affordable as possible so that each penny can do the job of a pound. With inflation currently sitting at over 5%, things could get tougher but with some forward thinking, I'm sure we can all make some changes that will see us through the worst of any crises arising. Protecting income is paramount when the global economy is this shaky so investing in longterm 'survival' and self-sustainability seems the obvious choice to me. If I can help anyone else cope with their current situations by offering moral support and a place to escape now and again then I will.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are all in this together and together we will succeed in whatever we set our minds to doing. Whether it is debt-busting, money saving, developing small business ideas or simply learning more about how to be happy leading a frugal lifestyle, everything is possible. Feel free to join us in the forums of the Moneysavingexpert website, taking part in our 2022 Frugal Living Challenge. You can also like / follow the daily updates from Frugaldom on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Any questions, just ask. Don't be shy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our savings have been seriously depleted but as long as we can clear at least minimum wage while living on £4,000 per year, there is still wriggle room to recoup - even when it's costing an extra few thousand pounds a year to feed all the animals. Who knows, we may even dedicate part of our project to becoming a designated sanctuary and Scottish wildlife reserve next year. Having the hut on site means having the ability to be on site longer, staying there whenever possible. I'm still writing for my living and have just signed another book deal as a ghostwriter so perhaps 2022 will see the realisation of yet another dream - being a writer who writes from a cabin in the country.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">SEE BEYOND YOUR DREAMS - ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All the very best to each and every one of you for the new year ahead - even to those who don't 'get' what we are about and who can't see the wood for the trees. Good health and happiness to all - stay safe and dont forget to wash your hands. 😊</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.frugaldom.com">www.frugaldom.com</a></div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-24995068254233714382021-01-02T00:49:00.002+00:002021-01-02T00:49:29.305+00:002021 Frugal Living Challenge<p style="text-align: center;"><b>HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/135563070_2435858279887122_1287362337826107378_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=-LkEfqXsI6QAX9r2oUo&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=7a7d7e57e7df59edc850222e3738227f&oe=6016A8B3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/135563070_2435858279887122_1287362337826107378_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=-LkEfqXsI6QAX9r2oUo&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=7a7d7e57e7df59edc850222e3738227f&oe=6016A8B3" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>2020 is a year that most people, the world over, will be glad to see the back of, mostly because of te Coronavirus pandemic. I won't even attempt to go into details as all the information you need about it can be found on most news pages. All that I will say is please stay safe - follow guidelines and local rules, and most importantly, use your common sense. Health and hygiene are intertwined. Plenty of fresh air is essential, a bit of exercise is ideal and both of these things are totally free... just open up your door and get yourself outdoors. Free, free, free... breath in that freedom.</p><p><br /></p><p>2021 arrived at Frugaldom as a frosty morning bathed in sunshine. Working outdoors without a jacket at this time of year is becoming more common and up until last week, I was still able to do so in short sleeves. What I need to keep reminding myself, however, is that even the winter sun can burn. </p><p><br /></p><p>Our frugal living challenge has begun again and this year has brought more changes. My plan is t chart these changes and, once again, tighten the purse strings to enable further savings for further investment into the Frugaldom project. You can check out <a href="www.facebook.com/frugaldom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frugaldom on Facebook</a> and <a href="www.twitter.com/frugaldom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frugaldom on Twitter</a></p><p><b><u>My challenges for 2021:</u></b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Live on £4,000 for the year</li><li>Spend no more than £1 per person per day for all meals (there are 2 of us)</li><li>Get a 'tiny house' built</li><li>Extend the hay shed</li><li>Have a hut (small cabin) built at Frugaldom</li><li>Try and post at least 2 mini blogs each week</li><li>Finish planting our native woodland</li><li>Create a forest garden</li><li>Increase the amount of fruit and veg we grow</li><li>Zero food waste and recycle everything I can</li></ol><div>You can find all the frugal living challenge updates on the moneysavingexpert.com forums.</div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-14097376929634788142020-10-19T00:44:00.001+01:002020-10-19T00:44:12.527+01:00Frugaldom Walkabout #1This is something new for me, as it has taken me quite some time to get around to mastering a mobile phone and camera. This has mainly been down to the fact that we don't have and signal at home so when it turned out that we could pick up a 3G signal from the Frugaldom project, it made things a whole lot easier. I can now post short video clips and share project progress with you all.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D4P2sFar0mk" width="480"></iframe><br />
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There is no commentary on the videos as we enjoy the peace, tranquility and freedom to be at one with nature while working outdoors at Frugaldom. It's a place where we welcome members, sponsors and volunteers who love nature and who want to be a part of our project.<br />
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Frugaldom is not for profit. We operate as a self-funded, voluntary project supported by sponsorships, memberships, donations and visitor contributions. If you would like to support the work we do here, find out how at <a href="http://www.frugaldom.com/">www.frugaldom.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-22216266547760767892018-12-30T17:53:00.000+00:002018-12-30T17:53:32.787+00:00Looking Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRC3H8J3TzyipodC9NXVrQAgn9BZu2z05jepi2O1IdJ50xnVIkM2FxTRlFe8NHvHHm2GZbxRdobbN6SS4wvmoNJmpwhzQ9L8aNYcrrozYeweVXq-IIw7mAfr5mJwiXTXDDSRAuGMRG0lT/s1600/29121801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="gypsy cobs galloping" border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="1200" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRC3H8J3TzyipodC9NXVrQAgn9BZu2z05jepi2O1IdJ50xnVIkM2FxTRlFe8NHvHHm2GZbxRdobbN6SS4wvmoNJmpwhzQ9L8aNYcrrozYeweVXq-IIw7mAfr5mJwiXTXDDSRAuGMRG0lT/s400/29121801.jpg" title="Rescued and rehomed gypsy cobs" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 of the 5 rescued and rehomed ponies at Frugaldom</td></tr>
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Hello to all who read these frugal blogs! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas season and that you enjoy Hogmanay and the new year festivities.<br />
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I've just been updating the old forums, the ones that go back to 2010, as Ive found it impossible to retrieve the most recent ones that fell out of our reach when the software and operating platform changed. Not to be completely outdone, I succeeded in retrieving these old ones and have now redirected the domain <a href="http://www.frugalforums.co.uk/">www.frugalforums.co.uk</a> towards them for our 2019 frugal living and working challenges. (Everyone is welcome to join us, it's free!)<br />
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Anyway, while unlocking previously archived sections of the forums and updating them as I went along, I stopped at the letter 'B' - it's alphabetical - and began reading about all our ideas and plans for the future. It's where I found this and saw just how far we had come over the past 8 years and showed that my longterm aims hadn't realy changed, apart from the fact that finding several like-minded others has, so far, proven to be impossible.<br />
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<span class="icon fa-clock-o" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #6e7c86; display: inline-block; font-family: FontAwesome; font-size: 14px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1; text-rendering: auto; vertical-align: middle;"></span> <span class="posttime" style="color: #6e7c86;"><span class="timespan" style="cursor: pointer; vertical-align: middle;" title="5:18 PM - Oct 20, 2010">Oct 20, 2010</span></span> <a class="unread" href="https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/frugaldom/frugaldom-ideas-factory-start-a-business-t447.html#p7914" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; direction: ltr; display: inline-block; text-decoration-line: none; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: middle;" title="Post"><span style="padding-left: 10px;">#7</span></a></div>
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In the wake of today's spending review, a thought struck me when listening to the heated debates about the housing crisis, social housing and council rents. Affordable housing is still absent, in my opinion, for all of those people who don't want or can't get mortgages. If housing associations and others are going to be encouraged to provide more affordable homes, why do we still see so many derelict or crumbling properties? I would love the opportunity to develop a derelict site into a profitable business with the potential to expand on that and bring others into the game plan. All around us are derelict houses - small collapsing cottages left to rot because owners who have inherited them can't agree how to split any proceeds from sales, or else left to rot in an effort to avoid tax. Removing the roof to avoid the roof tax has long, since, been abolished (as far as I am aware) but we now face the "problem" of these properties costing their owners up to 40% in capital gains tax. I just don't get it! Surely, in this economic climate, 60% of any surplus property sale in the pockets of the owners <em>must</em> be worthwhile. It has to beat zero with a crumbling wreck as your personal responsibility.<br /><br />One excellent frugal business proposition would be for workers' co-operatives to raise the capital to purchase these unwanted properties to turn them into viable microholdings for those who are prepared to invest in their own futures. The cost of a brick, afterall, is still the cost of a brick. It shouldn't be too adversely affected by where that brick gets laid. Waste land, scrap land, disused sites, abandoned sites... the list goes on and on, yet the right to participate in any such project is curtailed, once again, by finances and the need for ludicrous amounts of cash. A group of like-minded individuals working for the benefit of all could surely earn a living by dividing the spoils, assuming they were able to amass the funds needed to initiate such a project in the first place?<br /><br />My search continues for that first, elusive piece of land that could start the ball rolling. I don't have 50,000+ in the bank to buy a tiny building plot, nor do I intend borrowing it, but I'd be prepared to invest in a project where nobody squabbled about percentages and hours of work they contributed to the end result. All things being equal, (which they aren't) 1000 man hours equates to almost 6,000 even on minimum wage.<br /><br />Frugaldom, as a complete microholding package, is a viable business proposition. We aren't setting out to become millionaires, we're setting out as frugal entrepreneurs in the hope of realising dreams. For me, money in the banks just won't pay in the long run, not with inflation running at more than twice the BoE base rate.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-63335682624500940292018-12-29T10:54:00.000+00:002018-12-29T10:54:19.604+00:00Preparing for our Frugal Living Challenge in 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfBYIDgjMUrzE2jnh55DA3R31EHnq4vpb2TRU6jDtRUliv2ddAr1GG9H2gUpi4In6DMSwhNyLFPIFm8ONGKKnRhnPBnLD_Y7lHSmPy_3rDLdyMxFjdIRWgtnEa3lZ3-N-ruKzlK5Jvg-I/s1600/HeaderTitle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="900" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfBYIDgjMUrzE2jnh55DA3R31EHnq4vpb2TRU6jDtRUliv2ddAr1GG9H2gUpi4In6DMSwhNyLFPIFm8ONGKKnRhnPBnLD_Y7lHSmPy_3rDLdyMxFjdIRWgtnEa3lZ3-N-ruKzlK5Jvg-I/s320/HeaderTitle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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GET READY FOR 2019</div>
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This is just a mini-blog to welcome new challengers to the concept of frugaldom and our likewise named Frugaldom project, which is based in Dumfries and Galloway region of SW Scotland.</div>
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Frugal living is about a waste not, want no lifestyle of minimising the spending to primarily clear debt and then to maximise the savings.</div>
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If you would like to find out more about frugaldom and our frugal living challenges, which have been running for over 20 years, simply visit any of the following:</div>
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www.facebook.com/Frugaldom </div>
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www.twitter.com/Frugaldom</div>
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www.frugaldom.com</div>
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www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>
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www.frugalblog.co.uk</div>
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www.frugalshop.co.uk</div>
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We also have our Frugal Living Challenge 2019 on the moneysavingexpert.com website forums.</div>
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See you there. </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-51369082008875169742018-11-14T18:23:00.002+00:002018-12-04T16:30:19.894+00:0010 Small Business Ideas for People Who Love Nature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk545gZSi5PnOVt3-eRgwe30zGQdtO-f1EmKc1zeJfvkh2k8-r-nefDOpOdfCjteg3DOoqqYhDgFkV6_QGOEOm20MAksytIc54a4WabcTZEX6ZCwxEmVULhrGl_6SmwEbvU9lsVBRv6I8/s1600/010314+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk545gZSi5PnOVt3-eRgwe30zGQdtO-f1EmKc1zeJfvkh2k8-r-nefDOpOdfCjteg3DOoqqYhDgFkV6_QGOEOm20MAksytIc54a4WabcTZEX6ZCwxEmVULhrGl_6SmwEbvU9lsVBRv6I8/s320/010314+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Almost anyone can be an entrepreneur; the only thing missing for many is a great idea. The best place to find a great business idea is to look into something about which you are passionate, for example, if you’re passionate about nature, there are plenty of business ideas with which you can run!</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_jihf3r515whq"></a>1. Adventure Club</h2>
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A great idea for those who know the area around them and aren’t afraid of a little excitement is an adventure club!</div>
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These clubs usually consist of a leader (that’s you!) taking members on outdoor adventures. The element of excitement is really up to you and your adventure-seeking customers. These adventures could be as simple as hiking an easy trail together or as exciting as white water rafting, depending on your expertise. </div>
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Your profits will be even higher if you are teaching your club members something they don’t know. For example, teaching people how to rock climb might come with a higher charge than group hikes. </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_ahuvfpfo4rqw"></a>2. Outdoor Cleaning Service</h2>
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You probably already know that cleaning service businesses are profitable.</div>
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While it might take a little more time than cleaning a bathroom, you can also take a cleaning service outdoors. You can keep your services as simple as cleaning up litter in a backyard to as involved as construction clean up or even graffiti removal. Depending on the area in which you serve, one type of cleaning service might be more popular than the other. </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_jh6owdpr64z"></a>3. Landscaping</h2>
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If you love the outdoors and have a bit of a green thumb, consider starting a landscaping business. A landscaping business helps people transform their yards, gardens, or other sites into something they love and even boost kerb appeal.</div>
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It’s important to note that a landscaping business typically requires some level of education. After all, you have to know how to analyze a site, plan out a landscaping blueprint, and become familiar with local and national building codes and ordinances. It’s also important to know how to not only make a site attractive, but also how to make it safe and effective. For instance, you will need to consider factors such as stormwater management. </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_1iqxv9zd8cd5"></a>4. Run a Horse Stable</h2>
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If you love horses, you could always make a living working with them. Simply owning horses won’t really earn you a living, but if you have land and farm buildings, then you could offer a boarding service for other people with horses. </div>
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Alternatively, you could also teach riding, subject to the appropriate qualifications, licensing and insurances. This will give you the opportunity not only to spend time outside with your favorite animals but to share that love with others as well. </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_pzqc8arwphxh"></a>5. Small-Scale Farming</h2>
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If you want to make a name for yourself at your local farmers' market, you don’t have to turn around acres of crops. Instead, you can turn your garden into a space for growing some veggies and maybe even fruits. You can earn extra by offering products as well as raw crops. For instance, if you know how to make jam, you can sell this for a higher price - again, subject to the necessary certification.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_57w1hwdhie6e"></a>6. Dog Care</h2>
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Maybe you still want to take care of animals but large animals are a little too much; maybe they aren’t your preference or maybe you don’t have enough land. However, there are plenty of animals that you can take care of while living a smaller, more <span style="color: #1155cc;"><u><a href="http://frugaldom.blogspot.com/p/2013-challenges.html" target="_blank">frugal lifestyle</a></u></span>.</div>
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To spend time outdoors, you can start a dog-walking business. This is a great option because there are many people who can’t take time in the middle of the day to come home and walk their dogs. </div>
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If you want to push this business to a more profitable level, you can board dogs as well. You can be selective in the dog breeds you choose to board to ensure you don’t end up with an untrained dog in your house for a weekend. </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_vnkdakbgcrmt"></a>7. Start Your Own “Green” Shop</h2>
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If opening a retail shop or purchasing a franchise is a bit too much, you can easily start small by opening an online store. You can also sell products that you make to a small following. You can link up with sites like <span style="color: #1155cc;"><u><a href="https://givingassistant.org/" rel="" target="_blank">Giving Assistant</a></u></span> to help earn you a following and boost sales.</div>
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Your love of nature comes in with what you make. Maybe you want to make your own, homemade tea blends or make everyday products through a greener process. This is your chance to use your love of nature to create something of which you can be proud.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_d3dkplb9k3n1"></a>8. Open a Beauty Salon</h2>
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Creating your own beauty salon doesn’t quite sound linked to nature, but it can be, with a little creativity. Think about it this way: When you visit the beauty salon, how many chemicals and ingredients damaging to the environment do you see?</div>
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As an alternative to this, you can start your own beauty salon that uses safer products. There are plenty of hair products and skin care products that you can make with completely eco-friendly, vegan ingredients.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_6bzt9gv51nv8"></a>9. Eco-Consulting</h2>
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Do you already dedicate your life to green living? Is recycling and composting a part of your daily routine? Are you greener than the average person? If so, then you might be the perfect person to start an eco-consulting business!</div>
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Many people don’t live or operate their offices in the most eco-friendly ways. In many cases, these people simply aren’t sure of where to start and where to go. This is where you step in: Your business would be to help these clients transition to more eco-friendly businesses, operations and lifestyles. </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_xd7sw4c9pv6u"></a>10. Green Housekeeping</h2>
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As we pointed out earlier, many people are willing to pay for cleaning services—inside and out. However, much like we mentioned with beauty salons, these services usually include an alarming amount of harmful ingredients to nature—and <span style="color: #1155cc;"><u><a href="https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/indoor/indoor-air-pollutants/cleaning-supplies-household-chem.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">humans!</a></u></span></div>
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Regardless of the type of “nature” business you choose to start, there are plenty of options available. With a little creativity and hard work, you can turn your love for nature into a healthy living—in more ways than one. </div>
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You should always check that you have any essential qualifications, permissions and/or insurances necessary for carrying out your chosen business ventures but there is bound to be something you can do that combines your love of nature with income generation.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-72044011062540997912018-10-16T21:51:00.001+01:002018-10-16T22:08:56.724+01:002018 at Frugaldom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is your whistle-stop tour of Frugaldom during 2018<br />
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Apologies for my extremely lengthy absence but we stepped things up a gear and implemented many changes that we hope will benefit all our friends, family and followers of Frugaldom. It has been a very busy year so far.<br />
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Here at Frugaldom, we have tried our very best to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible, keep wihin our strict budget and stretch every penny as far as it can possibly go. So far, we are succeeding, although progress is very slow, what with mixed weather, lack of a workforce and trying to find companies (or even individuals) who will come out to Frugaldom and do the work required.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d3wWXj_lBgoeoua-DXukxCzrGuMRs-p53Ky9SjRBjJJZtXxJzJSMVQDl4wDDKX1aG6tBTVIU0gqA8ofcWuPu37Gudr1O-aPN7bQ1PUFrU3scH8jJVk50AR6JDj4EymkP5ikrGZrxTHQp/s1600/Feb2018a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d3wWXj_lBgoeoua-DXukxCzrGuMRs-p53Ky9SjRBjJJZtXxJzJSMVQDl4wDDKX1aG6tBTVIU0gqA8ofcWuPu37Gudr1O-aPN7bQ1PUFrU3scH8jJVk50AR6JDj4EymkP5ikrGZrxTHQp/s1600/Feb2018a.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site of the new 'Legacy Working Woodland' and track around it.</td></tr>
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In January and February 2018 we organised the next area for planting the working woodland. The area extends to over 3 acres, most of that made up of clearfell and bordered by a stream. We employed the services of local workers who were on site for several days clearing around the edge of the planned woodland and sectioning it all off with stockfencing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fencing of the new working woodland area was completed in February 2018</td></tr>
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We had no sooner completed the main fencing when winter returned with a vengance, blanketing us in snow and, at times, making it impossible to drive to Frugaldom - walked, instead. However, the ponies were happy enough and kept all the paths clear. They are fed a constant supply of hay, along with access to salt and minerals, so weather isn't a factor in their feed bill. They eat like horses and cost the same to feed every day of the year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9yRNMw7pbikNCfPp1dr9rP52z-GDm8VGjPb47j-KuLMRNXK747jAo7cmr0wukswpopGb4WaA9w8x883MGJfWpotCGw5xd7DWDnl06esshyaVtm5NyxE5XACzYmNlZw1GqH34xYAl1ia5/s1600/Feb2018c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9yRNMw7pbikNCfPp1dr9rP52z-GDm8VGjPb47j-KuLMRNXK747jAo7cmr0wukswpopGb4WaA9w8x883MGJfWpotCGw5xd7DWDnl06esshyaVtm5NyxE5XACzYmNlZw1GqH34xYAl1ia5/s1600/Feb2018c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Frugaldom</td></tr>
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The snow ceased temporarily, allowing us two nights away to celebrate a family wedding. Many thanks go to the brave Emily who took on the unenviable task of caring for the ponies, with further thanks due to her for topping up our water bottles when the pipes were all frozen at the caravans. 😊 Such help was greatly appreciated by all concerned.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPSTAmztW1y4F75LIzSzwrgw50KuJIu-BjvC6-2Q4lrd08zfBD82RrpN3zQtuERgMzImA9iHZeU3JdeVLLf2o_aX_6k_F3WyqQaifv_AjuVgNFRLeVCOw5odcd8FNHdVzKGVnEQAzWM0t/s1600/Mar2018a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPSTAmztW1y4F75LIzSzwrgw50KuJIu-BjvC6-2Q4lrd08zfBD82RrpN3zQtuERgMzImA9iHZeU3JdeVLLf2o_aX_6k_F3WyqQaifv_AjuVgNFRLeVCOw5odcd8FNHdVzKGVnEQAzWM0t/s1600/Mar2018a.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prolonged sub-zero temperatures in March</td></tr>
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By late February, early March, temperatures had plunged further below zero meaning all our water sources, both at the field and at the caravan park, froze solid. At that point, we were collecting water in containers from the river and carting it to and fro, relying on bottled water for cooking and drinking, with the water from the burn being used for ponies, chickens and toilet flushing! With the big freeze came gales, so more windbreak mesh was added around certain areas as a temporary solution to problems caused by driving winds.<br />
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Anneka had returned from Germany to volunteer for a couple of weeks during her break so she got more than she bargained for with on the spot lessons in extreme frugal, off grid living while we were solely reliant on river water, solar power and cylinder gas. We were also trying to keep warm in a caravan in March.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XHJM4bo3tbQYrHBrkGQKYX2gi-scbzNHh2k3mRadub37uk7TNcQUzBMgjXGvrBdCtl8D0Bz64L5E77sU2tZavzzSNZnatdeqrKd6sfISFp_AgN3dgf5zrgeG34kZGCCcLK8DnUbODccl/s1600/Mar2018b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XHJM4bo3tbQYrHBrkGQKYX2gi-scbzNHh2k3mRadub37uk7TNcQUzBMgjXGvrBdCtl8D0Bz64L5E77sU2tZavzzSNZnatdeqrKd6sfISFp_AgN3dgf5zrgeG34kZGCCcLK8DnUbODccl/s1600/Mar2018b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hay feeding, poop picking and tree planting</td></tr>
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The daily chores at Frugaldom always begin with checking water, topping up hay feeders, feeding the chickens and collecting all the dung from around the tracks. This routine is relentless - it is seven days per week and gets done at least twice a day. It means that no matter who visits, these jobs always have to take priority. Luckily, even the youngest visitors are happy to help out with most things.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDwtFRTQRBCEJhpwkT_VguueMObqo8dD4ygxp2Kw2CJaURWx0c4WVxXxlbFTPbiiFk8qcz-cv0Uabq6G_XlZLw-XDzmrAhbbEVh-SOokfoLj-C_B7NMdeXrur9uGtcT6Ks4nj1QIshn8z/s1600/Mar2018c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDwtFRTQRBCEJhpwkT_VguueMObqo8dD4ygxp2Kw2CJaURWx0c4WVxXxlbFTPbiiFk8qcz-cv0Uabq6G_XlZLw-XDzmrAhbbEVh-SOokfoLj-C_B7NMdeXrur9uGtcT6Ks4nj1QIshn8z/s1600/Mar2018c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ponies out on the marshy moorland</td></tr>
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Whenever we got dry weather during March, tree planting got into full swing. It even got dry enough to allow the ponies out onto the marshy moor grass, where they foraged for tasty snacks among the bog myrtle and heather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8P-Y7mc0FZbd_i6n4qHYm0lrZJS7aZXhZsxGyMl02nP58tfKVMuTlnHPuXlEEvB6Xhh8ao-YWJiZhI3pDqgQ6LlZ9Ta3kjlBX_Rm5I5rudVsYxB9QN_11aP9skqctm8nU3xotIzURlJ6/s1600/Mar2018d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8P-Y7mc0FZbd_i6n4qHYm0lrZJS7aZXhZsxGyMl02nP58tfKVMuTlnHPuXlEEvB6Xhh8ao-YWJiZhI3pDqgQ6LlZ9Ta3kjlBX_Rm5I5rudVsYxB9QN_11aP9skqctm8nU3xotIzURlJ6/s1600/Mar2018d.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then the floods came</td></tr>
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By the third week in March, the snow had all gone, the ice had all melted and the rain arrived big time! The bottom field, which is parially planted with downy birch, alder, hawthorn and willow, went under water yet again. Fortunaely, it runs off almost as quickly as it floods, so the trees within our riparian planting ground continue to thrive and the ponies maintain the 'barn owl track' between the flood land and the rest of the project.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hSJIdvg2Sy-XZW67W-zboU1lMqPgRbiJSUAYfYbfLlXfXSgQx9JxzQcrBGMg_AxSKxXBcTl37xpHHd04BXuNidxHDU6EB3GI1TLjZdRDik-Ep0kH5-ANYkjHtEudsp3yU7yW0YByFqfa/s1600/Mar2018e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hSJIdvg2Sy-XZW67W-zboU1lMqPgRbiJSUAYfYbfLlXfXSgQx9JxzQcrBGMg_AxSKxXBcTl37xpHHd04BXuNidxHDU6EB3GI1TLjZdRDik-Ep0kH5-ANYkjHtEudsp3yU7yW0YByFqfa/s1600/Mar2018e.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March also brought sunshine and Mallards</td></tr>
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March is mainly about tree plantin. We received our next 420 saplings from the Woodland Trust, thanks to them and their sponsors at Ikea, Sainsbury's, Yorkshire Tea and the players of the People's Postcode Lottery. We have received 420 saplings each November and March since we began the Frugaldom project in 2014 and have been planting each phase as either woodland or foraging hedgerow. This tree planting project (2014 - 2018) was undertaken as part of the World War I Centenary, and will culminate on 11th November, when we will be planting the final batch of trees into our memorial woodland. Here, too, will be displayed the Ecoarts war horse.<br />
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Our WWI Cenenary Woodland at Frugaldom is planted to commemorate all the people and animals lost to a war fought to defend and protect our freedom. For this, we are truly thankful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXHYbLLOKPcWxhmhYSxHszfkUoob3pxy4mo5CgMA02dNionqKi66zLxNcieZj3Xu8hAwoOpFWLbCsXIPThSIJ3Aosvggkf25UwSEhc20-wAxupXvlh-O9QcYLsMe-vR1crIOuowOfm51_/s1600/Apr2018d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXHYbLLOKPcWxhmhYSxHszfkUoob3pxy4mo5CgMA02dNionqKi66zLxNcieZj3Xu8hAwoOpFWLbCsXIPThSIJ3Aosvggkf25UwSEhc20-wAxupXvlh-O9QcYLsMe-vR1crIOuowOfm51_/s1600/Apr2018d.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree planting and new orchards</td></tr>
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So far, Frugaldom has been awarded a total of 3,780 saplings from The Woodland Trust and we hope to continue planting to replenish lost hedgerow that will provide a safe haven for wildlife and free foraging opportunities for future visitors to the project. Alongside the native tree planting, we are also planting orchards that include heritage variety, Galloway Pippin apples.<br />
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The Cuckoo Corral, so named because the cuckoos visit it in Spring, now has around 70 fruit trees and is gradually being surrounded by a new hedgerow of dogwood, rosa ragusa, hazel, hawthorn and crab apple. Numerous wild flower seeds have been scattered around this orchard and it will soon also become home to our herd of creel ponies. (More on this soon.) As always, we welcome your contributions towards establishing the orchards and offer the opportunity to dedicate a tree to someone special. Details for this can be found in the <a href="http://www.frugalshop.co.uk/" target="_blank">Frugal Shop</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpXLQkt2kTFTJFsMpAlvBK0HiGw2TELKDPNNnbTFa8Fj1KIGrh4E3XdgWZoPlG-bqX2kqUm0yAy3JawZUsviAAwUAkbmf_Z2UsflregsVOEBHcefBnBzuPilBBvMCgBXSfQjZRcs-VlIP/s1600/Apr2018c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpXLQkt2kTFTJFsMpAlvBK0HiGw2TELKDPNNnbTFa8Fj1KIGrh4E3XdgWZoPlG-bqX2kqUm0yAy3JawZUsviAAwUAkbmf_Z2UsflregsVOEBHcefBnBzuPilBBvMCgBXSfQjZRcs-VlIP/s1600/Apr2018c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Try frugal living for yourself in 2019</td></tr>
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During April and May, major renovation works were carried out at the new cottage. This one-bedroom cottage with adjoining garden room / studio and allotment-style garden will be made available to anyone who would like to sample a frugal lifestyle experience - you'll be tending the gardens and making the most of village life while here. The cottage is located within easy walking distance of the main London to Belfast bus route, plus it has adequate secure storage for bicycles, so no need to even bring a car! Reduce, reuse, recycle and keep an eye on your carbom footprint. Sample frugaldom for yourselves in 2019 at a price you can afford. Weekends, mid-week, all week, a fortnight or a month... you decide.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbXyH6bNdrjr4fWz-HWytPdorm6T0Z8OWM0PYCnz7nAhZIBtTccNT2zxnby24VKKvTTcbKGelz5R77dTBFIn-borgANDLpyvbOQ6O8AAGY-p98KZtBOmbjko73pZECWahp27pv_PJ80S3/s1600/Apr2018a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbXyH6bNdrjr4fWz-HWytPdorm6T0Z8OWM0PYCnz7nAhZIBtTccNT2zxnby24VKKvTTcbKGelz5R77dTBFIn-borgANDLpyvbOQ6O8AAGY-p98KZtBOmbjko73pZECWahp27pv_PJ80S3/s1600/Apr2018a.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frugal Breaks at Three Lochs Holiday Park</td></tr>
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April saw the first of our holiday makers arriving so it was fortunate that the weather improved. Our wall of daffodils gave a beautiful display behind the caravans and despite some wet days, we had plenty of good weather that allowed our guests the opportunity to explore Frugaldom and the surrounding area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v5gvEOUvKUmoYSp1aw-v0jyJeLo0LoRYhfnKLlPI_IDOwAVt5y277IaVKBJKQyydCdUDrsudAnVrQawD41hMV5YIbYsm7ZRYE2vyQhOjD-vRjiCxchlxdsBKyQGdvXHX8kRNsuugsjc2/s1600/Apr2018b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v5gvEOUvKUmoYSp1aw-v0jyJeLo0LoRYhfnKLlPI_IDOwAVt5y277IaVKBJKQyydCdUDrsudAnVrQawD41hMV5YIbYsm7ZRYE2vyQhOjD-vRjiCxchlxdsBKyQGdvXHX8kRNsuugsjc2/s1600/Apr2018b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can bring your horse</td></tr>
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April also saw the arrival of our first ever equine holidaymaker for one of our frugal breaks. This gorgeous Thoroughbred seemed to enjoy every minute of her therapy break, as did her owner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZtTlu3OFvK_xvTllK8v7slyalJpTEIruovmM34KH42ojhLQsMdE2kh37tsLos_GDIvHzYvolCHPM0CW2U09_5NEgtJBauO2TIypG3Euoe_NOQWZqKd9XM3IePmoclJAQwUitjIl1VuBY/s1600/May2018d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZtTlu3OFvK_xvTllK8v7slyalJpTEIruovmM34KH42ojhLQsMdE2kh37tsLos_GDIvHzYvolCHPM0CW2U09_5NEgtJBauO2TIypG3Euoe_NOQWZqKd9XM3IePmoclJAQwUitjIl1VuBY/s1600/May2018d.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck eggs incubating and Phase 2 cottage work completed</td></tr>
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May proved to be a really busy month with the next phase of work being completed at the cottage, the arrival of our first renter, duck eggs going into the incubator and the usual chores being carried out daily at Frugaldom. The ground gradually dried up in the sunshine and the plants and trees began to grow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8vzvKv37nAUKSLmOxZDGC1lxHbMkQokZzVnLOrO0HFmlrZPJVoyVjhCYGAAkKImDewjqZ7LN8N-aY4KLhmkZmnsthF0kzHKlMNzVE4n2VuY5LbPPZfQeJRgC1GJ6Mt_pj_IsY4OfhW30/s1600/May2018c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8vzvKv37nAUKSLmOxZDGC1lxHbMkQokZzVnLOrO0HFmlrZPJVoyVjhCYGAAkKImDewjqZ7LN8N-aY4KLhmkZmnsthF0kzHKlMNzVE4n2VuY5LbPPZfQeJRgC1GJ6Mt_pj_IsY4OfhW30/s1600/May2018c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Frugaldom</td></tr>
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The bog myrtle (Myrica Gale) lends its name to 'Myrical', the Ecoarts unicorn at Frugaldom. As the buds and cones on the shrubs changed to deep russet, the green buds of willow began to burst into life. Down in the marshy, moor grass field, the ponies have done an excellent job of maintaining the barn owl strip, which is flanked on one side by the marsh and on the other by riparian planting of a small woodland copse of alders, edged by wetland tolerant hedging.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RDcTp2vP8xwkgQjwFlIUK5BTUkNeENS-yI-tP_J2s1cxBMunLa8j1rpbAPs7b_w2cSkvUqLJ8WV9DDEHmHPvzYA7p3xzn3k6L68lBm2G0m8LoyAn_hFs_h4WxRWgnB0ZDjRCOQ6_K8UY/s1600/May2018a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RDcTp2vP8xwkgQjwFlIUK5BTUkNeENS-yI-tP_J2s1cxBMunLa8j1rpbAPs7b_w2cSkvUqLJ8WV9DDEHmHPvzYA7p3xzn3k6L68lBm2G0m8LoyAn_hFs_h4WxRWgnB0ZDjRCOQ6_K8UY/s1600/May2018a.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ponies going out onto the clear fell</td></tr>
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From one extreme to another - by May, the rain had left us completely, leading to water shortages of a different kind. This led us to move the ponies out onto the newly fenced track around what will become the 'Legacy Woodland', where they had access to the stream. It also meant that they cleared the area where the raspberries will be cultivated, which is brilliant. except that part of the project needs more funds raised to cover the costs of further fencing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0HBvb0X3JePrG1kArPueywTG0RxZj_JD0TO-NFSpa8txc3wb-N9P3e45Q0sGcWyhvtTYasJODPAcwzsBddqZBU31icjQgenhHsGEkB_Su2s06S5OgnFqMAQAP-enY9Z7gJUegjrykPqK/s1600/May2018b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0HBvb0X3JePrG1kArPueywTG0RxZj_JD0TO-NFSpa8txc3wb-N9P3e45Q0sGcWyhvtTYasJODPAcwzsBddqZBU31icjQgenhHsGEkB_Su2s06S5OgnFqMAQAP-enY9Z7gJUegjrykPqK/s1600/May2018b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry, hot, sunny weather</td></tr>
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With all the mud drying up, it was time to sow seeds and organise a bit more drainage, in preparation for winter. The main track dried out beautifully but so, too, did the wooden fencing. Now we need to raise the funds to get it all re-painted in 2019 so it doesn't start splitting. We still haven't finished the post and rail fencing but have, instead, been using electric fencing run off batteries topped up by solar panels in places. This one corner isn't electrified, it's just waiting for wooden fencing but needed to be protected from pony hooves after we planted some crab apple trees, herbs and wild flowers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwndautxZHluhOKW17N1oHnjWWvvf22UfTQuNmG8O5LdY6OTXt6XFZN-yta9poqijGGcrsvjPg2btogHD9LmZSJeH5xzg7sqt241sfc4Mw6piVzGwAcgeV-LiMPPbLDbeKiqHWiyOeR-2p/s1600/Maye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwndautxZHluhOKW17N1oHnjWWvvf22UfTQuNmG8O5LdY6OTXt6XFZN-yta9poqijGGcrsvjPg2btogHD9LmZSJeH5xzg7sqt241sfc4Mw6piVzGwAcgeV-LiMPPbLDbeKiqHWiyOeR-2p/s1600/Maye.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another muddy gateway drained</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While the rain's away, we shall play... with mud, pipes, groundcover and gravel. Many thanks to Lyn for all her hard work in ditch digging and sorry you got so muddy. Oops! This is Harvey helping rake out the last of the stone that was used to backfill the drainage ditch after the pipes went into it. We ran out of stone and had to order yet another lorryload! To anyone who supports our project, it really is a case of every penny counts. It costs over £200 for each load of stone and to do all the drainage we need done will take literally hundreds more lorryloads. It's back-breaking work that continues almost all year round so feel free to volunteer... you don't need a gym when you can have all your exercise for free right here at Frugaldom! It's almost like your personal outdoor gym!<br />
<br />
I'm going to cut it short now and will continue into June 2018 in my next post. In the meantime, you may like to follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/frugaldom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@Frugaldom</a> on Twitter, like our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/frugaldom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frugaldom Facebook</a> page or even join us in the Frugal Living Challenge group, linked to Facebook. For anyone who would like to actively support the project, you can contact me via the <a href="http://www.frugaldom.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frugaldom website</a> or social media. Holidays can be booked via <a href="http://www.frugalbreaks.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frugal Breaks</a> and to contribute towards the project, see the options we have available in the <a href="http://www.frugalshop.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frugal Shop</a>.<br />
<br />
You got it! We love everything frugal and strive to stretch every penny as far as possible, whether it be feeding and caring for rehomed ponies, rescuing chickens, offering frugal holiday accommodation, inviting volunteers or just simply living a good life. We're here to provide you with a really good reason to get up each morning and celebrate frugal life.<br />
<br />
Thank you to everyone who is helping make Frugaldom a shared reality.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-55063408430340958962018-01-25T21:51:00.002+00:002018-01-26T10:04:34.918+00:002017 End of Year Round Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Looking Forward to 2018 After a Very Busy 2017<br />
<br />
A fast forward through the month of December with this photo blog showing some of the things we did during December.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLzQvXl04rM8x-vROLw5b9B7Eq_BqqoOH4nxGrEtk7heAjamD2W5Rryajotxe9VzEpHqe1IIy4Lwcd7FNzg_olwmzIeEZ2HS3J40Y4_YoKT50G6mdIQ1dNu2HPi4gkUJp6tp9pvaib-9l/s1600/021217+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLzQvXl04rM8x-vROLw5b9B7Eq_BqqoOH4nxGrEtk7heAjamD2W5Rryajotxe9VzEpHqe1IIy4Lwcd7FNzg_olwmzIeEZ2HS3J40Y4_YoKT50G6mdIQ1dNu2HPi4gkUJp6tp9pvaib-9l/s320/021217+%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The children started decorating a tree at Frugaldom<br />
reusing the baubles and tinsel from last year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRm0120zVLwS2yiGhiM1caVs-OB5ILyYe8orAsXidzG7W0nI5kZCccfNTi6fNvVlyNcRpcTQ7xWqmpwndiisKBj0Vm00c4MdSSqzZhCS_4J5ZPDH4yj8c4j80jUJ-CC_8pP_3w_Q9kwhG/s1600/021217+%252825%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRm0120zVLwS2yiGhiM1caVs-OB5ILyYe8orAsXidzG7W0nI5kZCccfNTi6fNvVlyNcRpcTQ7xWqmpwndiisKBj0Vm00c4MdSSqzZhCS_4J5ZPDH4yj8c4j80jUJ-CC_8pP_3w_Q9kwhG/s320/021217+%252825%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had some old clothes to recycle so we made Mr Scarecrow,<br />
giving him an old football for a head, a flower pot for a hat<br />
and a broken rake to help prop him upright. He's stuffed with hay.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OWuZAy9sjy7CjJalt_JkwFKmKEMmHhLvyhuGCJK0NuEgujV0gfUUGT4axcyjtsMrcvaiWe0yCIfNq4m-ApsLK_gPas_jIcudHn1-Y1spOUd2LBLn8D_yCsCGL8QIKxaTmvodIV7bnLDS/s1600/021217+%252842%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OWuZAy9sjy7CjJalt_JkwFKmKEMmHhLvyhuGCJK0NuEgujV0gfUUGT4axcyjtsMrcvaiWe0yCIfNq4m-ApsLK_gPas_jIcudHn1-Y1spOUd2LBLn8D_yCsCGL8QIKxaTmvodIV7bnLDS/s320/021217+%252842%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For extra tree decorations, we used toilet paper tubes<br />
and salvaged food wrappers - these are our Hovis crackers!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEgmtqFkzSeoqT0ysWKAsdCkHpZmwNTRZvUI-PC6LUXQE-U3-d6aze-a8HPpvMN8msiCinq5at_xIf28ThM2GyUt_aqHVb4OaV34lf0qoi0RUGIYkuJS_gbXF_il5NFkHeAqOJ-56OdYp/s1600/021217+%252843%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEgmtqFkzSeoqT0ysWKAsdCkHpZmwNTRZvUI-PC6LUXQE-U3-d6aze-a8HPpvMN8msiCinq5at_xIf28ThM2GyUt_aqHVb4OaV34lf0qoi0RUGIYkuJS_gbXF_il5NFkHeAqOJ-56OdYp/s320/021217+%252843%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making bells for the Christmas tree from<br />
old tin foil, egg cartons and wool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw22HM-pAeCFv_VwiqUryrx_4fK5bhJoXuLWEtj0oW_Oy1xF85q51dcWD8CAehlDG6kqcZ90DMg_gKYmY7AZRFWtAvm5tCSQBOr5XmZ3JuLJJ4o8UQP5Etv3eU7c4QMrrK83aV7KHEOG_w/s1600/021217+%252845%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw22HM-pAeCFv_VwiqUryrx_4fK5bhJoXuLWEtj0oW_Oy1xF85q51dcWD8CAehlDG6kqcZ90DMg_gKYmY7AZRFWtAvm5tCSQBOr5XmZ3JuLJJ4o8UQP5Etv3eU7c4QMrrK83aV7KHEOG_w/s320/021217+%252845%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our start was made from cardboard covered<br />
in gold foil from a tomato puree tube</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFKIko5-FgU1zML5rggOr7-KDGeQTXT9tAXuyCD7wER-CjIAHWVS4tWHBugE3cE9HbNis2jQA21V6titvsztLkzp7Ddd9Hqy_QvVVQJXeDAKXJtDFwLCD0u3ZhvhqwA_ot8QEDEySjaDe/s1600/101217+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFKIko5-FgU1zML5rggOr7-KDGeQTXT9tAXuyCD7wER-CjIAHWVS4tWHBugE3cE9HbNis2jQA21V6titvsztLkzp7Ddd9Hqy_QvVVQJXeDAKXJtDFwLCD0u3ZhvhqwA_ot8QEDEySjaDe/s320/101217+%252812%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It snowed!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NLHFzTx_LJghBukrr0xTBerzCo9XZBai1RCPIrSPfI0Rt48dl4bt-IMa0iQHNJ_yDnQUguV41AsB25cRlPSJV8dy40DJP-Ow9YYKROrSoQgw8uFSIYWr52kRf87eJOPVWqgXA4c30pez/s1600/101217+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NLHFzTx_LJghBukrr0xTBerzCo9XZBai1RCPIrSPfI0Rt48dl4bt-IMa0iQHNJ_yDnQUguV41AsB25cRlPSJV8dy40DJP-Ow9YYKROrSoQgw8uFSIYWr52kRf87eJOPVWqgXA4c30pez/s320/101217+%252820%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frugaldom looked lovely in the snow,<br />
especially around the new ponds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviAeyhl-n_tF3P8j_tIgNy2IkDl1RqeXROrDnayN9Gz-AsJGeX_oSJl80nE5dcogtAieGgVk-ekbcSY9yJ3eLYE7Vd8LX6x2MU-jY4YZSqP4Qxz_32gL0WmJO3MigG2uAhBE1bbJ_VH4B/s1600/121217c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviAeyhl-n_tF3P8j_tIgNy2IkDl1RqeXROrDnayN9Gz-AsJGeX_oSJl80nE5dcogtAieGgVk-ekbcSY9yJ3eLYE7Vd8LX6x2MU-jY4YZSqP4Qxz_32gL0WmJO3MigG2uAhBE1bbJ_VH4B/s320/121217c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frankie loves rolling in the snow</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxumY0pLg2QGPrN0Bb6xxoCthrv7iBPTEjvjjxKXBDq-oSYf-j1zGz7ryufcs_CJoiZlmAXPZmVbG9MJ8p9Yyj086jE1tz2wN78gbne1YJUNREhHG340CRTihPPizwFLUDJaZubLJCrx9M/s1600/241217c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxumY0pLg2QGPrN0Bb6xxoCthrv7iBPTEjvjjxKXBDq-oSYf-j1zGz7ryufcs_CJoiZlmAXPZmVbG9MJ8p9Yyj086jE1tz2wN78gbne1YJUNREhHG340CRTihPPizwFLUDJaZubLJCrx9M/s320/241217c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our American visitor returned for her Christmas break<br />
and got her first ever experience of sitting on a bareback,<br />
barefoot, bitless pony - Willow in her winter woollies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh686cB9mkigT3gTTiS2VGKPlOQ_SAbaYxogfN_a0l_20D8OdBPXMdgwuUueeVVW0ntCWZbgSWF3yUfA8NMAmzYxuVPdrFbQlV9yZQt_ahxOLHKEBUciBCwfoZyizW1fxZIuVNYQssUdjZj/s1600/09121701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh686cB9mkigT3gTTiS2VGKPlOQ_SAbaYxogfN_a0l_20D8OdBPXMdgwuUueeVVW0ntCWZbgSWF3yUfA8NMAmzYxuVPdrFbQlV9yZQt_ahxOLHKEBUciBCwfoZyizW1fxZIuVNYQssUdjZj/s320/09121701.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was very pretty at the caravans, even if<br />
this first lot of snow only lasted a day or so</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t7dRHXhI3Rg289Q_53s_fIwM7JLZRALC5HTvILD1GJqZeD0eumsclsiCLMkPssuyJsYYLofzbpmPbob-p459roGUxgD1YExy4Cv-MHVrLzDoikkUeIbz07k-V50oYevKS4Z_S0nYpYVy/s1600/16121701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t7dRHXhI3Rg289Q_53s_fIwM7JLZRALC5HTvILD1GJqZeD0eumsclsiCLMkPssuyJsYYLofzbpmPbob-p459roGUxgD1YExy4Cv-MHVrLzDoikkUeIbz07k-V50oYevKS4Z_S0nYpYVy/s320/16121701.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the snow fell on the Galloway hills.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0GFCHPQ_27krqInx46QZpd5SypgErArXgm4S1cVlVg8YIsq1ns5iUd7p86uJZZtH4msz_nKWpAMf1tsOzA16ZAJvbdCz1pu1qEr4MkpwWPXvsjiU29oyHoNqb_4L1dh-Fmqk_aEe9kv2/s1600/16121703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0GFCHPQ_27krqInx46QZpd5SypgErArXgm4S1cVlVg8YIsq1ns5iUd7p86uJZZtH4msz_nKWpAMf1tsOzA16ZAJvbdCz1pu1qEr4MkpwWPXvsjiU29oyHoNqb_4L1dh-Fmqk_aEe9kv2/s320/16121703.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The decorated tree in the mist at Frugaldom,<br />
standing among the tiny native trees planted<br />
as part of our World War 1 Centenary woodland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lXfCfIVZN8a1_ztQS2DJSVmgnDaf7mTv9NLWSEoCsWRJ09hXOc1YjNG94dQEk3StbfenXiV6wjnoLErf7_QTciH4eV0_j0sLWiE6cCvlWv5s2hN7ZZtd8T4lX6idjUFo8jeHU9H1TvhB/s1600/16121712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lXfCfIVZN8a1_ztQS2DJSVmgnDaf7mTv9NLWSEoCsWRJ09hXOc1YjNG94dQEk3StbfenXiV6wjnoLErf7_QTciH4eV0_j0sLWiE6cCvlWv5s2hN7ZZtd8T4lX6idjUFo8jeHU9H1TvhB/s320/16121712.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wild-seeded Sitka Spruce at Frugaldom<br />
came in handy - we carefully selected a lovely,<br />
small tree and lit it up by the caravans,</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95X3bjTl5dvjtoPJNfF4zXIAT7mLsEIpZJiU3yVgXrQRiE2agyUmsAFyg3DD-eSrhC4NrbDkdz65Sq1YayZZXVwHKpcxbGlehaVeQ2pK1jcZtcJm1ik9YWP8MvqYe2W9q8gIVrnMKQZDu/s1600/SAM_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95X3bjTl5dvjtoPJNfF4zXIAT7mLsEIpZJiU3yVgXrQRiE2agyUmsAFyg3DD-eSrhC4NrbDkdz65Sq1YayZZXVwHKpcxbGlehaVeQ2pK1jcZtcJm1ik9YWP8MvqYe2W9q8gIVrnMKQZDu/s320/SAM_0981.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pippin the pony walking on ice!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR518ws-BSlc7w9bXB55onM74xWyQxzeKuhVEefV4aPJUw7YJsyiHEMoJhe0GtMnmREHKqR3292AjeisQSSYeXTW6sxI7ItQzRg_zTLgqP4hOQTAWsgTVr_2i9E0Z4zEdxkZsRqsR02ov/s1600/SAM_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR518ws-BSlc7w9bXB55onM74xWyQxzeKuhVEefV4aPJUw7YJsyiHEMoJhe0GtMnmREHKqR3292AjeisQSSYeXTW6sxI7ItQzRg_zTLgqP4hOQTAWsgTVr_2i9E0Z4zEdxkZsRqsR02ov/s320/SAM_1007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gorse by the roadside between Frugaldom and<br />
the caravan park is beginning to flower in the snow.</td></tr>
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December flew past and most of our time was spent preparing for Christmas. The budget was kept well under control and the challenge spreadsheets were totalled up for the end of the year, allowing for one final small investment in seeds and an Argos voucher for spending on bonus items that were afforded by exra scrupulous budgeting practices throughout the year. :)<br />
<br />
Olivia, our American student who was with us for a few weeks during summer, returned to spend Christmas with us at the caravans and then she headed further north.<br />
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Christmas shopping was done as carefully as ever, affording us a big supermarket shop and the many bargains that were available through <a href="http://www.musclefood.com/SK5873" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MuscleFood</a>. (This is my friend referral link that will also get you some meaty freebies.) And then there were all the Christmas leftovers to freeze for later use. The homemade clootie dumpling was, as always, pidding of the day and allowed our guest to sample some traditional Scottish cooking.<br />
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We spent Hogmanay at the holiday park, listening to the piper piping in the new year and watching the fireworks display.<br />
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For those of you with an avid interest in number-crunching, here are end of year results. I began the year with the customary £4,000 and spent the following from each category:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Groceries - spent £942.83</li>
<li>Toiletries, laundry & cleaning products - £43.27</li>
<li>Electricity - £932.83</li>
<li>Coal & logs - £40.00</li>
<li>Mobile phone - £20.00</li>
<li>Telephone & Internet - £574.60</li>
<li>TV Licence - £145.50</li>
<li>Footwear & clothing - £41.84</li>
<li>Gifts - £321.48</li>
<li>Travel - £365.00</li>
<li>Postage & deliveries - £21.17</li>
<li>Insurances - £312.99</li>
<li>Pets & livestock - £189.55</li>
<li>Misc other - £50.50</li>
</ul>
<div>
Total spend on household-related expenses = £4,000.60</div>
<div>
Left in the 'EEK' (Everything Else Kitty) £50 Argos voucher,</div>
<div>
Gifted Amazon vouchers, <a href="https://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/cyberdosh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Topcashback</a> balance (accrued from Christmas shopping online), Nectar points and a tub of loose change.</div>
<div>
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<div>
Progress at Frugaldom has come on in leaps and bounds with resurfaced tracks, drainage runs cleared out, the yard completed, more fruit trees planted plus 1,000+ more native tree saplings planted around the place. Frugal Breaks launched, offering you the opportunity to come and visit for a short break (or longer stay, if you choose) and the bulk of the penny-pinching savings were poured into a tiny, one-bedroom cottage, complete with an out-building and a plot of garden land. The cottage is now part of our Frugal Breaks holiday lets enterprise, but more on that in a later blog post, as there's still quite a bit of work to be done.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's it! We're now up to 2018 and the start of a brand new year. Good luck to all and please do consider joining us in our new private group on Facebook for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/frugaldom/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2018 Frugal Living Challenge</a>. Don't forget to let us know if you are interested in the money saving, money making or frugal breaks when joining. </div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-60467858827870231172018-01-21T15:54:00.001+00:002018-01-21T17:11:55.016+00:00November 2017 Photo Blog from Frugaldom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
November 2017</h2>
Slowly but surely I am catching up with the blogging but I must apologise for what turned out to be a further delay during January 2018. I refuse to drive anywhere in snow and this time around, the little car simply refused to move in it, so I am currently sitting in the caravan and have been staying here for over a week. In a way, it is good! It is giving me the chance to 'free shop' from my own cupboards, fridge and freezer while I can't go shopping and saving money on fuel, as I walk to and from Frugaldom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP8kGlD0vrVHImDVGhRpSZ_Wm59jaTQDKIoHvn1Ha735vTRqcWmZf4m37QufYgaBwsq9hNJv6-TbPrO54VQseFyegd3o5WL2gZuTBv5eDzIx3R4Zv6jp7bOtYWpN9kJDdHvkl8xsCpidh/s1600/011117+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="polytunnel" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP8kGlD0vrVHImDVGhRpSZ_Wm59jaTQDKIoHvn1Ha735vTRqcWmZf4m37QufYgaBwsq9hNJv6-TbPrO54VQseFyegd3o5WL2gZuTBv5eDzIx3R4Zv6jp7bOtYWpN9kJDdHvkl8xsCpidh/s200/011117+%252812%2529.JPG" title="Plastic polytunnel " width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 19.2px; text-align: center;">The polytunnel plot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The temporary polytunnel has withstood some serious wind and rain since it was put up but it also produced quite a good crop of tomatoes, herbs and spinach. It still is, even if the tomatoes are still green - chutney making is always on the cards. Adjoining the polytunnel plot is the yard, which has been completed for this year - it has now ceased to flood or turn to mud. This is still only a temporary fix but I think it could be longterm temporary. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJmGsLFckHVgCxiQCPbaIh6_DS7JAwmFhZTO415nC1ryvHJX1WQFIZYKhcMwZd5lOPcb7fxkvSGm96tVE5_StE5Zwo-3fpL7kt_0SRyRnErjTmUSYw_zjscWWCEHzji7p4QiWphzZpQHT/s1600/011117+%252843%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJmGsLFckHVgCxiQCPbaIh6_DS7JAwmFhZTO415nC1ryvHJX1WQFIZYKhcMwZd5lOPcb7fxkvSGm96tVE5_StE5Zwo-3fpL7kt_0SRyRnErjTmUSYw_zjscWWCEHzji7p4QiWphzZpQHT/s200/011117+%252843%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosehips</td></tr>
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March and November are tree planting months for us and here at Frugaldom, we are trying to develop our frugal fruit, berry and herb farm to include foraging hedgerow, otherwise known as jam and jelly hedges. We love rosehips! They are fabulous for so many reasons - syrup, mixed hedgerow jelly, vitamin supplement, good for wildlife and horses & ponies seem to love them. So, we are planting as many briars as possible all around the place and these will become part of the foraging hedgerow that will eventually go right around the project. The ponies will be allowed to browse their way around to keep them trimmed along the fencelines and then, once they have grown sufficiently, we will be harvesting the hips.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPx6oOO6SooITQ5GLkyqusjMcWdi_2ZlASLymDJFwPeJX24kWmllobsDcCcanGCToAKSVaq3J1nkZluhuprli30zVP3BL1-9tGfxFpiRuB3NkKKHLNmEq-NRxQM5gsHPSNxtcLcdaZRh5/s1600/031117+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPx6oOO6SooITQ5GLkyqusjMcWdi_2ZlASLymDJFwPeJX24kWmllobsDcCcanGCToAKSVaq3J1nkZluhuprli30zVP3BL1-9tGfxFpiRuB3NkKKHLNmEq-NRxQM5gsHPSNxtcLcdaZRh5/s200/031117+%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frugal visitors in assorted vehicles</td></tr>
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November was also a month for visitors arriving and volunteering their services. Irene and Kenny arrived in the campervan to help clear some more garden space. The weather had been so wet that the ground everywhere was saturated, even at the holiday park, so the best and safest option to avoid getting stuck in mud was to park up in the Frugaldom yard. While there, Dave also arrived with his magic machine to haul out and cut more of the old logs. This is a great exchange, as a) it clears them out of the way for us and b) it provides him with extra firewood. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UJlnxKSDKtjLUCHVtiuYf99MeZZbMbFelhl17jcAYlBibHKIVJs1Q-ZdoP15X4IjoaqzRFQuA7Pe4pm9VkvklEDmxP8RcYZGkxp1G84mPZqHGxEhPzftb20zUN8BtTau0rXoGSL7o4cM/s1600/101117+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UJlnxKSDKtjLUCHVtiuYf99MeZZbMbFelhl17jcAYlBibHKIVJs1Q-ZdoP15X4IjoaqzRFQuA7Pe4pm9VkvklEDmxP8RcYZGkxp1G84mPZqHGxEhPzftb20zUN8BtTau0rXoGSL7o4cM/s200/101117+%25283%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marnie cutting willow withies</td></tr>
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During this month we met and hosted a lovely French lass who came to us via the Workaway site. It was such a shame that the weather couldn't have been decent enough to get out and do some exploring but I do think she managed to enjoy her stay, nonetheless. For 2 weeks, she helped cut willows, barrow whindust into the yard, feed the hens & ponies and plant many of the saplings that we were awarded by from the Woodland Trust.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZnDTjOa7XhC2inS2ATVo_k-TGUNrZ5rE7rMmCPeETrioJnPhpVPmst41-xQT8saK_pywKOFDQhwcz0lGn2pHxmGWb3aq4jpkWkIZIRZhEPDIEHGfpbAG8VFW3Lc8mxnH6ZO7EVbgp5RN/s1600/051117+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZnDTjOa7XhC2inS2ATVo_k-TGUNrZ5rE7rMmCPeETrioJnPhpVPmst41-xQT8saK_pywKOFDQhwcz0lGn2pHxmGWb3aq4jpkWkIZIRZhEPDIEHGfpbAG8VFW3Lc8mxnH6ZO7EVbgp5RN/s200/051117+%252811%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenny with the hens</td></tr>
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This is Kenny, who became the chief pony and hen carer during the say a Frugaldom. As you can see, our hens are quite friendly, so they'd have been right inside the campervan if they'd been allowed! We had a lovely time during this visit and it was great being able to stop and sit down with a hot cuppa and just enjoy a chat about this, that and t'other.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVS9Hi5t4DIB_sNaIYQ2IWpA_WM-iGAWC0-UpxjziY5E1i1XRSBHnWTHBRHLOO3DSGzpmLCoCR_qpZdH0F1kh-aBdxmmPb_bj8R8OYLo6w62GgzwP9NJxYf-IOobIi5-nhtOjTp_r3WIa/s1600/041117+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVS9Hi5t4DIB_sNaIYQ2IWpA_WM-iGAWC0-UpxjziY5E1i1XRSBHnWTHBRHLOO3DSGzpmLCoCR_qpZdH0F1kh-aBdxmmPb_bj8R8OYLo6w62GgzwP9NJxYf-IOobIi5-nhtOjTp_r3WIa/s200/041117+%25286%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assorted apples</td></tr>
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Apples, apples and more apples... we harvested several bags of apples even although this is just the second year our new orchard has been planted. For much of the month, and certainly most of Marnie's fortnight here, we ate apples in some way, shape or form and I suspect I have converted yet another student to the ways of Frugaldom and the apple crumble with custard pudding diet. I had no idea that it would prove to be the top favourite with almost all the students we have hosted here over the past year! Apples-wise, I think everyone within reach got some and I have enough sewed, frozen and stored to last until the rhubarb harvest takes over in late Spring/early summer. Speaking of frozen fruit - we still have kilos upon kilos of blackcurrants, so I made some more apple and blackcurrant jelly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6Vq8DbluMn_4McdRQV-qDx2jRXuqlwtoywA9i2MJ5wptEqpr9nYmTQvtxmJ6gmoOi4vfBvkW0c__wz-_15KFQ_QTD93jBe4ygWgNxlHE68RWQvetrRHjcQ5fkbRHpSyu8pTAKcY9uO4V/s1600/031117+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6Vq8DbluMn_4McdRQV-qDx2jRXuqlwtoywA9i2MJ5wptEqpr9nYmTQvtxmJ6gmoOi4vfBvkW0c__wz-_15KFQ_QTD93jBe4ygWgNxlHE68RWQvetrRHjcQ5fkbRHpSyu8pTAKcY9uO4V/s200/031117+%25283%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the soup garden</td></tr>
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The veg baskets were easily filled during November, as we had so much by way of greens - leeks, spring onions and spinach galore got shared out with whoever needed them and a huge pot of soup was made by Irene for us all to share back at the caravan on bonfire night. What a good night that was!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigj1Nc03c97J84DHobMmaROJmj-U98A0hF2WLygxF6vLRQ8vrIblZTyAWNcpYjHwMeuvDD3FE6eStl8hV_QT2YQBHJZEUmA_tFKHxgL551-BFr2KNd6c3tHHKR9JCXbnlw5dwQOQg6UEB/s1600/04111703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigj1Nc03c97J84DHobMmaROJmj-U98A0hF2WLygxF6vLRQ8vrIblZTyAWNcpYjHwMeuvDD3FE6eStl8hV_QT2YQBHJZEUmA_tFKHxgL551-BFr2KNd6c3tHHKR9JCXbnlw5dwQOQg6UEB/s200/04111703.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireworks display</td></tr>
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Campervan parked up safely for the night, Irene and Kenny walked along and met us at the holiday park for dinner at the caravan. We then enjoyed the annual bonfire and fireworks display from the warmth of the caravan, while sharing a bottle of wine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4vrmVyHkGzpim4JNfLtjRA90mkE1wLKbkH4QpA8wRtI0t-nDohyk4bt1a7rSdnAyzfOBMYczf66Ci218hCM2a_K69LHgXHoDBncgo90HqRFvlpnfJUqG_dPmWcgVCgB-vKrHGM8iS7xh/s1600/161117+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4vrmVyHkGzpim4JNfLtjRA90mkE1wLKbkH4QpA8wRtI0t-nDohyk4bt1a7rSdnAyzfOBMYczf66Ci218hCM2a_K69LHgXHoDBncgo90HqRFvlpnfJUqG_dPmWcgVCgB-vKrHGM8iS7xh/s200/161117+%252814%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbows at Frugaldom</td></tr>
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This year's weather has been a little bit crazy, to say the least. I truly believe that the drought we had in April - May time was our Scottish summer because we certainly didn't see any of the soaring temperatures and endless blistering sunshine experienced by those of you in the south of England. Our occasional sunshine is usually watery enough to bring rainbows. It's good that we like rainbows!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MihEKzGnMGQaHYcoZuN4wIDe-kEC9BuP34-X8rLCRpAcMwXsrz5rc3KEE4IIBcpjtwFguNteTtYA2TBv2uROdDBuirNhu_hX-g4RXXzNR2rlG1mkagGKxJCBIwiF9_bOZ8Zf3RoERMRs/s1600/161117+%252826%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MihEKzGnMGQaHYcoZuN4wIDe-kEC9BuP34-X8rLCRpAcMwXsrz5rc3KEE4IIBcpjtwFguNteTtYA2TBv2uROdDBuirNhu_hX-g4RXXzNR2rlG1mkagGKxJCBIwiF9_bOZ8Zf3RoERMRs/s200/161117+%252826%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at the Frugaldom barn</td></tr>
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We do get some wonderful skies out here in Dumfries and Galloway. Sadly, for dark sky park enthusiasts, we have had so much cloud and rain that observing the cosmos and photographing meteor showers has been almost impossible. Even our almost resident astronomer packed up and went home. Here's hoping the remaining winter months bring clearer weather!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdzb2fnfOQHtMDnPCVhrwdECOkB6uhYrhZRpqFitaKNQLMBmI1j2XywNTpcLrMwGInnFT1CGqnby88LsdLNe6Dvxc06GuDmXhFrSVp2PLrGbsakQ60YoV5o85a7bk831eQls5wX2lv0iZ/s1600/161117+%252833%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="640" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdzb2fnfOQHtMDnPCVhrwdECOkB6uhYrhZRpqFitaKNQLMBmI1j2XywNTpcLrMwGInnFT1CGqnby88LsdLNe6Dvxc06GuDmXhFrSVp2PLrGbsakQ60YoV5o85a7bk831eQls5wX2lv0iZ/s200/161117+%252833%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The horseshoe garden</td></tr>
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With the arrival of the latest tree pack from the Woodland Trust came more holly! Yeah! If anyone can remember, this part of Frugaldom is known as the horseshoe garden and was originally going to be used for roses. However, as we had no roses to plant and the previously planted holly circle is doing so well, Marnie planted a holly hedge around here instead. I think it will look fabulous once it grows, as the open end of the horseshoe faces a south-easterly direction. The children love this little garden as it is where they have their mini crittur pond and a beastie log 'castle' complete with it's horseshoe 'fairy' door. There are also wild flowers planted here.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcgbBSSC5XxdpLao4WFPX69FEC-8XonsO3ApVOuV5k-zcm1j2KNF7RAxxGmXNgi5X77TpHuG0N4LwCChcHbCgBxdc2RF6LpbCSlhqr3HKxJcBGyhjX7_ADrp_48DVXBV0p_tIlLo4a9eK/s1600/191117+%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcgbBSSC5XxdpLao4WFPX69FEC-8XonsO3ApVOuV5k-zcm1j2KNF7RAxxGmXNgi5X77TpHuG0N4LwCChcHbCgBxdc2RF6LpbCSlhqr3HKxJcBGyhjX7_ADrp_48DVXBV0p_tIlLo4a9eK/s200/191117+%252819%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The herb paddock & orchard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
More hedging got planted along the far side of the herb paddock - a mix of dogwood, hawthorn and hazel. This will be kept trimmed by the ponies and will also, hopefully, help protect the fruit trees from being battered by the wind.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtUHC64uLaj_JrA8o2cZimpcQLHM8nuIqUQ74g6G7oXfx505Fn7fU3qmt9TIN57ADgxuxHG0ddh9intRccTrw5ZBDwb0yGUmdyaMHwfxuYBHey1dLUVF-oJ4PUEVXpEt9xyutsSHaQ1t5/s1600/191117+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtUHC64uLaj_JrA8o2cZimpcQLHM8nuIqUQ74g6G7oXfx505Fn7fU3qmt9TIN57ADgxuxHG0ddh9intRccTrw5ZBDwb0yGUmdyaMHwfxuYBHey1dLUVF-oJ4PUEVXpEt9xyutsSHaQ1t5/s200/191117+%252818%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab apples planted</td></tr>
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There were a few crab apple trees left over... oh, ok then, I saved 4 crab apple trees to plant into this corner. There are 3 in one of the triangles and one in the other, as I don't want them growing too close to the track where the ponies will be passing. Each of these triangle gardens will get planted with herbs and salad stuff. I have calendula seeds for sowing, so they should brighten up this area if they grow.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ_tqBitZx6rnTva2dBY4pfbq4wJIh8vpqyhBzFgs47y5q7Ty3gFmQ95Isci1IeG4QsHkX3y7QB_Joj-21VhfMoU87acI3Kz6zHylrBa0-mpJnpSxR-PcOo25QQr8ObZyIgZWCmP77Ldd/s1600/171117+%252801%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ_tqBitZx6rnTva2dBY4pfbq4wJIh8vpqyhBzFgs47y5q7Ty3gFmQ95Isci1IeG4QsHkX3y7QB_Joj-21VhfMoU87acI3Kz6zHylrBa0-mpJnpSxR-PcOo25QQr8ObZyIgZWCmP77Ldd/s200/171117+%252801%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hedge planting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Marnie made short work of planting the new hedge that will separate the track from the new patch of willow in the marshy corner. Again, this will all be foraging hedgerow for harvesting nuts and berries in future and will also provide some much-needed cover for the wildlife that is being displaced from the neighbouring forests being felled all around us. Frugaldom is going to be very exposed once all the spruce trees are harvested!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQTmLxGvmcM9fEHpqhyj5a6u6tVw1XyFcezsvTWt99RpdN8QtQEI-AAl_QjKItyhckUasAMqKnaGtOa_Y94evbXYM7A8pbQSq1kvHnBmV4sFB5SDTd44deyg7NsshbBoReQCaBDhKK6eW/s1600/221117+%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQTmLxGvmcM9fEHpqhyj5a6u6tVw1XyFcezsvTWt99RpdN8QtQEI-AAl_QjKItyhckUasAMqKnaGtOa_Y94evbXYM7A8pbQSq1kvHnBmV4sFB5SDTd44deyg7NsshbBoReQCaBDhKK6eW/s200/221117+%252830%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Escape hatch for flood water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
More drainage work! It seems never ending, but the ponds were dug during the drought and then filled up so quickly that we had no way of knowing how much water would be contained or how quickly it would flow off down the field ditches. Emergency channels had to be dug into the banking to allow the excess water faster escape, as the pond succeeded in bursing its bank.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaIimlDsTVm5gRRwwSU_-tanChcY4qMTVojQcu4K2_dxWTZIrjjjlC_pXdb-Mn6YS8HzaT_x4MhvVJc_OK-CGiP7QErWUPrBMWINnpINeJ1mbTFRkGUcRIZyHbutoJwoGlX4_8vtrebRy/s1600/221117+%252835%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaIimlDsTVm5gRRwwSU_-tanChcY4qMTVojQcu4K2_dxWTZIrjjjlC_pXdb-Mn6YS8HzaT_x4MhvVJc_OK-CGiP7QErWUPrBMWINnpINeJ1mbTFRkGUcRIZyHbutoJwoGlX4_8vtrebRy/s200/221117+%252835%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filed drain flowing well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is the field drain channel that was cleared by the digger earlier in the year. It was scraped out to the stone layer and the ground around it scraped clear but as you can see, six months after and the grass and reeds are already growing up along its edges. Along the north side of it, I have planted willows in the hope of stabilising the ground and providing us with more ecoart materials. This area will also make a brilliant retreat for wildlife and I've already seen grey and pied wagtails along the edges.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrWkPHU6VzOc1jHNhMbmvnxvZ_h7edsSORncJijiBOBETj52B_81MC2o6100QxXQLt-rx2woxhG7wSQ1314Zq5By-PEMkVFPWevsLw0Rh0IM3WMfB9_mawusCBt5i641l5QawkRAQBBCK/s1600/241117+%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrWkPHU6VzOc1jHNhMbmvnxvZ_h7edsSORncJijiBOBETj52B_81MC2o6100QxXQLt-rx2woxhG7wSQ1314Zq5By-PEMkVFPWevsLw0Rh0IM3WMfB9_mawusCBt5i641l5QawkRAQBBCK/s200/241117+%252816%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Galloway Hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The main pond has remained clear and attracted the attention of many passing birds and mammals - we could see all the foot prints during the first snow of the year. The snow didn't lie for too long but it was clear to see from all around that the Galloway Hills had their fair share of it.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXwRPiTGqlEO74bDVUc9cAPDED8RYl5KXrPSV9Rk7bjERdev8J-tuPLeJjNoPKf3M-6MyD2rSpS8xM0XWQW27z13y0OXcz_lv9qq1CxUqxZ9BnagSuUziGnt2ieaihsiiKY-3hiVm1-Zk/s1600/241117+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXwRPiTGqlEO74bDVUc9cAPDED8RYl5KXrPSV9Rk7bjERdev8J-tuPLeJjNoPKf3M-6MyD2rSpS8xM0XWQW27z13y0OXcz_lv9qq1CxUqxZ9BnagSuUziGnt2ieaihsiiKY-3hiVm1-Zk/s200/241117+%25288%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pristine pond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am so looking forward to getting the pond area planted up properly with willows, reeds, iris and perhaps even some lilies, if we can manage to transplant some from the main pond or from elsewhere.<br />
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Comparing notes with this time last year, the snow arrived a week or so later this year.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMI2zHjed6JaHiKhteTMHJthraN5QWy6ZZIoyiu4CfQlijOGz7zqnziKVIzQqCcyNvtHXFXfmWITjR02suwB_mSqjiJvr8X_rrwj7zYjYtFT7Vm6ieaasIW9VYe6IPpvc-gyyvZTfNwZG/s1600/04111702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMI2zHjed6JaHiKhteTMHJthraN5QWy6ZZIoyiu4CfQlijOGz7zqnziKVIzQqCcyNvtHXFXfmWITjR02suwB_mSqjiJvr8X_rrwj7zYjYtFT7Vm6ieaasIW9VYe6IPpvc-gyyvZTfNwZG/s200/04111702.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pony pampering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was also a good month for the ponies, as they had so many visitors keen to pander to their every need. Being such a muddy, wet month, we decided to organise some muddy wellies weekends as <a href="http://www.frugalbreaks.co.uk/" target="_blank">Frugal Breaks</a>, which is our latest addition to the frugal projecs family.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox9mPkOjbHuBp_jrVAicVrbPXo1DBjVSgtSO3Cb76hsdpXqQxEDt2_61Z8Oy3BUPyz8kaxdWG0EMuxJnIS1SZg190_zrolTMHl77ufvslc783a3EFqH12OI1C1_zJIdWez4TWaVaIkEMB/s1600/301117+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox9mPkOjbHuBp_jrVAicVrbPXo1DBjVSgtSO3Cb76hsdpXqQxEDt2_61Z8Oy3BUPyz8kaxdWG0EMuxJnIS1SZg190_zrolTMHl77ufvslc783a3EFqH12OI1C1_zJIdWez4TWaVaIkEMB/s200/301117+%252812%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Health & Safety</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Don't forget about recycling and repurposing... anyone remember the old bits and pieces we unearthed when reclaiming the garden at Thrift Cottage? Well, we finally found a place to hang the lifebuoy and floats! They are beside the pond, waiting to be painted. :)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxrC4UK8ri9_A9GsE-AStqH1ASvICegGH7zhNSomHDy4lsLxUoXmU3Oq-coGa8OAjgqqZJwvI0Io5LHXZ8OKUbWknZYRAGY8dpcBw7e58YeTJyMQC4jcxbmtNWPGo8QhgSVaZN278Yq6b/s1600/301117+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxrC4UK8ri9_A9GsE-AStqH1ASvICegGH7zhNSomHDy4lsLxUoXmU3Oq-coGa8OAjgqqZJwvI0Io5LHXZ8OKUbWknZYRAGY8dpcBw7e58YeTJyMQC4jcxbmtNWPGo8QhgSVaZN278Yq6b/s200/301117+%25287%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen, snowy pond</td></tr>
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This is turning into an epic photo blog so apologies for that, but it was another very busy month, what with trying to fit everything around the crazy winter weather that had descended. I mean look at this! Frozen pond covered in snow and a glorious blue sky!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAHv5GdJVJz0_BDcRxxGiYMMw_aG1Cm67RzlIkBHkjq4R6OVR1myS0NNcE7Bie3kmZUoqgZ5kvOfxZUIVWdPO49BiyFxi3VMRX0mnu2vEqdQeP_A2Qf9tbnPX7vurg_qY5kT2_ebGNt9Y/s1600/301117+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="640" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAHv5GdJVJz0_BDcRxxGiYMMw_aG1Cm67RzlIkBHkjq4R6OVR1myS0NNcE7Bie3kmZUoqgZ5kvOfxZUIVWdPO49BiyFxi3VMRX0mnu2vEqdQeP_A2Qf9tbnPX7vurg_qY5kT2_ebGNt9Y/s200/301117+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Precariously perched egg</td></tr>
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Crazier still, the hens don't know whether to stay in, go out, lay, moult or hibernate. As you can see here, I am not the only person around here who is confused... white hen laid white egg on the top shelf of the nesting boxes!<br />
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Now another apology for sharing 'cute kid photos' but my grandson is so adorabe when he tries his very best to help out at Frugaldom. He is such a trier!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbmiAq6wFnwe40OlVmbkPSmU2PxWQLbr4sAFoRxg2BBHaAqodq6td9kOB_vh6XL0e65rbmwiC5qgSBA0Ojz_qattv_aGxHq1Y6_JNpi2Kh4B8AbKLAqO-FkSgbMxdoA6gVGFCeC1oTEYZ/s1600/14111705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbmiAq6wFnwe40OlVmbkPSmU2PxWQLbr4sAFoRxg2BBHaAqodq6td9kOB_vh6XL0e65rbmwiC5qgSBA0Ojz_qattv_aGxHq1Y6_JNpi2Kh4B8AbKLAqO-FkSgbMxdoA6gVGFCeC1oTEYZ/s200/14111705.jpg" width="200" /></a>Here he is trying to help us with the whin dust, but at just 2 years old (3 in a few months), he's not quite tall enough or strong enough to cope with a full size barrow. However, he persevered and made it all the way to the barn, albeit leaving a double trail behind him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoixl9mXlKJOmA_QDzXdwoICqhS01AKQjaEjxZqbdDjZkBq9Ez5d6LfjPrDxAJbadVtXRJFxXQSRSxA7VS6zG-p9TC03tHw7V-oezBpilRqO4vpP25KsbE0LVKybqVyVj6GQP_uPGQ4T1k/s1600/14111706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoixl9mXlKJOmA_QDzXdwoICqhS01AKQjaEjxZqbdDjZkBq9Ez5d6LfjPrDxAJbadVtXRJFxXQSRSxA7VS6zG-p9TC03tHw7V-oezBpilRqO4vpP25KsbE0LVKybqVyVj6GQP_uPGQ4T1k/s200/14111706.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Next up, he wanted to help fill the barrow with whin dust. Trust me, you don't say no to this kid, he has dogged determination and nothing stops him from trying his best, Slowly, using this huge, heavy shovel, he actually did manage to get some whin dust into the barrow.<br />
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He lost interest in barrowing stone as soon as Pippin arrived to help, so off he went, pony in hand, round to the tree shelter to feed 'his' Pippin. They are so cute together, even if this gran has her heart in her mouth every time child & pony get together!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybyCS7976J9F0IEy55ta9qXF7odOT11XzWYQkfFyz-siJZhbJduKy-6aXFu7uSK9gzLRX36Ulqg92oOhhPmXhxJE59wbBQ0ZaZqtg6derOug3rsCfLKBMHWywMfsBp2eB1CnYXsIuVDen/s1600/15111701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybyCS7976J9F0IEy55ta9qXF7odOT11XzWYQkfFyz-siJZhbJduKy-6aXFu7uSK9gzLRX36Ulqg92oOhhPmXhxJE59wbBQ0ZaZqtg6derOug3rsCfLKBMHWywMfsBp2eB1CnYXsIuVDen/s200/15111701.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
This is Marie, another of our lovely volunteers, fitting protective spirals / tree protectors and planting hedging. As you would expect, grandson was also keen to get involved in tree planting this year, so daughter had to don her pink wellies again to help.<br />
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After being allowed to stab a hole in the ground with the giant dibber stick, the tree was planted alongside a cane and then the plastic spiral protector added. It will be great if he can remember planting his first tree when he returns in adulthood to see the woodland that he helped to create!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKcX9eiElPC-aEElcVIRNUkZfC2YBaFBtftuqFd7Es-Y0GM6d0mCzzALOxhtjFSWsuhHICaxs-McuOWJFJtX5eiBAlYTsWf4xqWgsoMNhS3mLnSBp8gfwQWEhwbEYlyOGo2P2hBlrC4ay/s1600/14111710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKcX9eiElPC-aEElcVIRNUkZfC2YBaFBtftuqFd7Es-Y0GM6d0mCzzALOxhtjFSWsuhHICaxs-McuOWJFJtX5eiBAlYTsWf4xqWgsoMNhS3mLnSBp8gfwQWEhwbEYlyOGo2P2hBlrC4ay/s200/14111710.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Final job of the day for this young man was to feed 'his' Pippin more hay and tell him what a good boy he had been. The ponies at Frugaldom are now almost old enough to begin some proper work, so 2018 will see them having more training. Hopefully, they will be ready to start lugging all the stuff we need about the project and save us having to carry it bit by bit - can you guess what Pippin will be carrying? (Apart from grandson.) Hopefully our first crop of Galloway Pippin apples!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGSeRM4QgUOEWhSXcorbuitZG2xQPLdWOEuo3mQDZxZAg6UR4wkYuGS32IEHWlW6H9Wy1WOHv_EkP_ChiHhsN7HDHCFX9FWUANqv_ogWlWucoenOrAfSgDkcmbclkYm51ZsX40tBRZciF/s1600/garden-deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="386" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGSeRM4QgUOEWhSXcorbuitZG2xQPLdWOEuo3mQDZxZAg6UR4wkYuGS32IEHWlW6H9Wy1WOHv_EkP_ChiHhsN7HDHCFX9FWUANqv_ogWlWucoenOrAfSgDkcmbclkYm51ZsX40tBRZciF/s200/garden-deer.jpg" width="120" /></a> Finally, for this month, an update from the wildlife garden at Thrift Cottage. Mr <a href="http://www.ecoarts.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ecoarts</a> invested in a new trail camera, as we have been using the others at Frugaldom. The badger family is sill visiting most nights but so too are the deer, especially this particular Roe buck. He has become so accustomed to the camera that he now takes selfies and stands waiting for the badgers' peanuts to be replenished so he can eat them all before said badgers get there! Not very frugal... please send more nuts!<br />
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That's all for now, other than to say the budget is being stretched but frugal living is still reeping rewards and affording us the freedom to develop Frugaldom. In saying that, we never did complete the renovation at home! But that's yet another story!<br />
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Keep up to date with the daily goings on via Frugaldom on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Frugaldom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Frugaldom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, or you might even like to join the Frugal Living Challenge so you can save for some <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FrugalBreaks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frugal Breaks</a>, visiting us here in our little wilderness. Hopefully, the new website at www.frugalbreaks.co.uk will be up and running by the time you read this and, for MSE moneysavers, there's a great discount code available that gets you 10% off our already affordable caravan holidays. :)<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0Balminnoch, Newton Stewart DG8 0EP, UK54.9530396 -4.70190490000004529.431005099999997 -46.010498900000044 80.4750741 36.606689099999954tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-75824850811737386042018-01-02T19:08:00.001+00:002018-01-02T19:15:00.361+00:00Ponds, Ponies, Pumpkins and Fun at Frugaldom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 2017<br />
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Frugaldom is a magical place for creating memories so that's what we plan to do forever more. We have started plotting and planning for the yard area as it's no longer muddy, it's now nicely sheltered and the hedge along the back of it has started to grow, encouraging the wildlife to venture closer.<br />
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Now that I have 4 grandchildren, there's usually no shortage of little people to have about the place. I have to admit that the 'terrible twos' don't seem to show half as much outdoors as they do indoors. At Frugaldom, the biggest problem is when it's time to try and get the 2-year-old to go home! He doesn't seem in the least concerned at visiting on his own while the older ones are at school and the littlest is still too small to do much out here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAKyxlumCjLsbag0eLzQTxl5ujX1nuriE2js2wIZ0fO4Yp_nSWRPU7fvBX3d9bjmn-BORtnh5-uCCGxz7Jp2s9dMyQiO4rzvUR4N2swb0moVgHwjpM8-nJCzlGjXUB8tiJi5Ps-UdZcS0/s1600/031017+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAKyxlumCjLsbag0eLzQTxl5ujX1nuriE2js2wIZ0fO4Yp_nSWRPU7fvBX3d9bjmn-BORtnh5-uCCGxz7Jp2s9dMyQiO4rzvUR4N2swb0moVgHwjpM8-nJCzlGjXUB8tiJi5Ps-UdZcS0/s320/031017+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yard work is fun</td></tr>
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Right from the outset, I knew what would be put at the top of Santa's list for this particular toddler - he loves barrowing anything anywhere! You can never lose sight of a little kid with a big wheelbarrow, that's for sure. It's like having my own mini research team on site when the children come to visit because they show me all the things that are most important to them and what entertains them most. This gives great insight into potential future developments as we launch our frugal holidays, plan more themed breaks and prepare for various child-friendly events at Frugaldom during 2018.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaw9qvkXK4_vlqpAUttgVQcvkCA0LiofyYezvTc4wQlxIpSXqBysRoH4wP3E5bc0iXOPctHin-KpJTzJ-kVqxhDHl_0rXPkjbC82MesSPVgFN0s_wfBmXahuAKsvBLWxsZWTWyzpJiRel/s1600/031017+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaw9qvkXK4_vlqpAUttgVQcvkCA0LiofyYezvTc4wQlxIpSXqBysRoH4wP3E5bc0iXOPctHin-KpJTzJ-kVqxhDHl_0rXPkjbC82MesSPVgFN0s_wfBmXahuAKsvBLWxsZWTWyzpJiRel/s320/031017+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I love Pippin"</td></tr>
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Pippin the pony is always a hot favourite. His name, as far as grandson is concerned is, 'My Pippin' or 'Wanton Pippin' and the pony seems to tolerate absolutely anything said child does... much to the detriment of my ragged, gran nerves!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMLbCHlTEKGcKhQkUFmnbWkz41_XGT0daQAVVO69-O9G5gGU0JpjJGsFcIT87XNhyfswrTWhCsJbEGDxRnnjPXn0NaPxPjgI96YC4DtNjdjyIBFqwiVu4PPzvgO6dLHSgueguoIvMKbYJ/s1600/031017+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMLbCHlTEKGcKhQkUFmnbWkz41_XGT0daQAVVO69-O9G5gGU0JpjJGsFcIT87XNhyfswrTWhCsJbEGDxRnnjPXn0NaPxPjgI96YC4DtNjdjyIBFqwiVu4PPzvgO6dLHSgueguoIvMKbYJ/s320/031017+%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I love muddy wellies"</td></tr>
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Our first themed short breaks were introduced and aptly named 'Muddy Wellies Weekends' for one good reason - all kids seem to love muddy wellies and so, too, do some adults! :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I love playing in water"</td></tr>
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Exploring in nature is fabulous fun and the mini-pond gets checked regularly in the hope that the frogspawn and resulting tadpoles return. Of course, it's even better fun if you get to forage in the garden for your own dinner before going exploring. This is one little boy who loves his soup and knows where it grows... in the soup garden, of course!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I love cleaning my wellies"</td></tr>
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Biosecurity is of the utmost importance and should be taught as soon as possible. It's another of the fun things toddlers seem to love and is also something that didn't take long to sink in... washing one's wellies both on arrival and on departure is important so as not to take germs into the barn or near the plants, poultry or ponies.</div>
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Back on the frugal bandwagon of bargain hunters - I managed to find a bulk lot of these interconnecting grids that are used for shed bases and parking spaces. We aren't anywhere near ready to use them yet but the prospect of saving over £50 just couldn't be missed, especially when the seller was fairly local and offered to deliver them to us. There are enough here to do the base for a garden room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFXNx6OskFbQFMhKjPZ_hwLTnncHia7cwEVcKeQJgxVhc4x06U5KfGbMm_mjMxUNgRhV-WHlVGeIdBHDFDATjux6fEqgf4WDterrfHZfhRiGFnbWC_GNlISTFCfRwihQ5XuWRn30OZ4Vj/s1600/071017+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFXNx6OskFbQFMhKjPZ_hwLTnncHia7cwEVcKeQJgxVhc4x06U5KfGbMm_mjMxUNgRhV-WHlVGeIdBHDFDATjux6fEqgf4WDterrfHZfhRiGFnbWC_GNlISTFCfRwihQ5XuWRn30OZ4Vj/s320/071017+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was another of the bargain buys of October - a lovely little futon (double bed size) that will be utilised in the on-going improvements while trying to create extra space for extra guests in the various accommodations we are attempting to provide.</div>
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The ecoarts project will soon be launched fulltime, as 2018 sees the start of the creation of the designated trail at Frugaldom. It's a really exciting time despite also being a time of reminiscing. It's still hard to believe that my dad isn't here to see that we really did manage to succeed in finding and affording a piece of land to try and do everything I always spoke about doing. I'm sure he'd have approved! (Mum planted this oak tree and 'Mr Ecoarts' made the wild wood bird for displaying the dedication plaque.)</div>
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October was a month of growing - everything continued to grow, with the willows, Rowans, Hawthorn, Buddleia and Blueberries doing exceptionally well but it was all closely followed by the later sprouting Holly. Many more of the same will be planted in the future, now that we know they like it here.<br />
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Lyn's bridge got a coat of paint and work began on clearing the path at the other side, which will eventually run almost to the river, flanked on either side by native woodland species, such as willow, hazel, alder and birch.</div>
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We can't forget about the picking and preserving. We weren't able to grow any beetroot at Frgaldom but we did receive some, traded for fresh eggs and apples, so it all got boiled and pickled.</div>
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The apples just kept on coming, so I think most of our friends and neighbours at the holiday park were eating either stewed apples, apple sauce, apple tart or apple crumble. I have enough frozen apples to last a while longer and the cold-stored ones still need to be stewed but are being used as required.</div>
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The chickens are doing well, even if number 3 grandchild is still finding it difficult to keep up with them or catch them. On this particular day, the children were using the lean-to / potting shed as an art studio and had been out looking for things to make into pictures. Feathers are fun but the chickens kept following the kids into the shed! </div>
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This was grandson taking his fnished nature art picture to show his mum, He did have a little bit of help making things stick to the bit board (we recycled a cardboard box) but he collected all nthe bits and pieces by himself - yes, he even picked some of the Oxeye Daisies because he thought they were 'pretty flowers'.</div>
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This is the lean-to potting shed. It's just leaning up against the side of the barn at the minute but we hope to make it a substantial, permanent structure that will double up as a learning room for the children. It isn't a full height sed but it it high enough for short people (like me) to walk about and the children love it. I want to make a proper panelled wall where it meets the barn and turn it into a chalk board on one side and a pin board on the other. It will then make a great space for displaying all the nature leaflets, posters and childrens's artwork.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fPNN9icHUoxNfwGbRUkUwQ1PpDAER6tNfaDWHUayxaD-sOUSQx-QTVQZpC83SZbyV3J0gUaGHNcRTeF9Xt322n1Du8D2I65EcB6X7E-Ha6kyDN3rjtiKPcQt6JVL7eV1e-7rcEDoSZCR/s1600/201017+%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fPNN9icHUoxNfwGbRUkUwQ1PpDAER6tNfaDWHUayxaD-sOUSQx-QTVQZpC83SZbyV3J0gUaGHNcRTeF9Xt322n1Du8D2I65EcB6X7E-Ha6kyDN3rjtiKPcQt6JVL7eV1e-7rcEDoSZCR/s320/201017+%252815%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Goldcrests everywhere this month! It hardly seems any time since they were here las year but here we are, picking them up from the barn where they have arrived, exhausted after their long flights from, I think, Scandinavia.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GkaUou1XT3gqD_LJ1SdjWApbxHk6E2yDtNwao0uGNufydlVcqPSsjA7jpc87glGPYm3AwUZXcfJvruijk9biieiNkvOyy2gzNesugB8FHT8BdKY1wXif_CW4_paI54zNDXhhv7jgmnIo/s1600/271017+%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GkaUou1XT3gqD_LJ1SdjWApbxHk6E2yDtNwao0uGNufydlVcqPSsjA7jpc87glGPYm3AwUZXcfJvruijk9biieiNkvOyy2gzNesugB8FHT8BdKY1wXif_CW4_paI54zNDXhhv7jgmnIo/s320/271017+%252823%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The new ponds finally settled and we got a bit more of the track around the edge laid, thanks to the help of our lovely volunteers. I am now 99.9% sure that this part of the project will see the arrival of its first amphibian visitors in spring, as we already have an assortment of birds and insects visiting. I plan on planting a row of willows around the edge just as soon as I have got them all cut.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAYwdj7s6J7Ptsy3RkhsGYBAtfDYJPtvgDmakGNu-q7bdN9E1NdBfynJ1wHb9sRxd9TvzcS0va_nbPIRmIWRj-ydCwovflEhzTEXY_EJHesWXvhu1LUCotZCC7BUmh9HVqo-dx1Xlz0S5/s1600/18101703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAYwdj7s6J7Ptsy3RkhsGYBAtfDYJPtvgDmakGNu-q7bdN9E1NdBfynJ1wHb9sRxd9TvzcS0va_nbPIRmIWRj-ydCwovflEhzTEXY_EJHesWXvhu1LUCotZCC7BUmh9HVqo-dx1Xlz0S5/s320/18101703.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow cuttings</td></tr>
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The forst of the willows got cut but all of these were planted along the side of the newly cleared path beyond Lyn's bridge.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgIOYWaIwf0bM5PBBtlbS0QNPdjLnmBdHXWLTwD9YVFMfpSe-QHmGv3p3wzqbhEsuu1vCEQ4GthTz0YLq2AR0AQnC9m9tyumiJYaxrrVBQOfQLJ_HWQUFwzFGAySGZ34mHRq8_aKBjqGs/s1600/11101705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgIOYWaIwf0bM5PBBtlbS0QNPdjLnmBdHXWLTwD9YVFMfpSe-QHmGv3p3wzqbhEsuu1vCEQ4GthTz0YLq2AR0AQnC9m9tyumiJYaxrrVBQOfQLJ_HWQUFwzFGAySGZ34mHRq8_aKBjqGs/s320/11101705.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More tomatoes</td></tr>
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We weren't the only ones with late tomatoes - these were all handed in as surplus to requirement, so they got made into pasta sauce, curry and chutney.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidacqxoTlyocHZ3epKcdNhz4v0MrSMtIHr4GIGdwhGfZGFy-n6H2KowIcMTZHPAkkIVLZFkLsgRw5GJ84Zw8sEg7gIFSr9GIzX8g2ULPE0e1uESXtWLTA4xcdvphw-r2ZyPTTOLLvzFCIj/s1600/201017+%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidacqxoTlyocHZ3epKcdNhz4v0MrSMtIHr4GIGdwhGfZGFy-n6H2KowIcMTZHPAkkIVLZFkLsgRw5GJ84Zw8sEg7gIFSr9GIzX8g2ULPE0e1uESXtWLTA4xcdvphw-r2ZyPTTOLLvzFCIj/s320/201017+%252819%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">99p pumpkins are amazing!</td></tr>
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As October came to an end, we had visitors arriving for the Hallowe'en paty at the holiday park, so we bought some pumpkins. We had tried growing our own but the wet weather just didn't give them a chance. So here's what I got made with the shop-bought variety.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlHo1FjApdDcBPlaakUfjpZJnlJeVBepqwPqwOu6jyuHcBXgiKGHu9nWiQaTimp4Uv9KH028dIMB9Aa1GWQSG94YMsvsKg_tRdx3UAiffcntQuXwZ2VgWrBNBa5DhBe7Z-AuGPN2wrBWI/s1600/SAM_4781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="640" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlHo1FjApdDcBPlaakUfjpZJnlJeVBepqwPqwOu6jyuHcBXgiKGHu9nWiQaTimp4Uv9KH028dIMB9Aa1GWQSG94YMsvsKg_tRdx3UAiffcntQuXwZ2VgWrBNBa5DhBe7Z-AuGPN2wrBWI/s640/SAM_4781.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Halloween</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqNFig6mS3Cv6WHutY7pvbsnW2T5CX64InNgoJcIRli2gPms4P0gb4H7v-oT9fokgClV7Xcih5s9hRdW1fcvfZPFifgLY8HWZ7HqiXibPOyRa7TsA9Mn5tNSw9KPUOgQRsbIWotI9NX0Z/s1600/261017e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqNFig6mS3Cv6WHutY7pvbsnW2T5CX64InNgoJcIRli2gPms4P0gb4H7v-oT9fokgClV7Xcih5s9hRdW1fcvfZPFifgLY8HWZ7HqiXibPOyRa7TsA9Mn5tNSw9KPUOgQRsbIWotI9NX0Z/s320/261017e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin carving at Halloween</td></tr>
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As the month ended, we started looking towards the final events of the year - Bonfire night, tree planting, winter solstice and Christmas. I also had a couple of volunteers arriving to help during November, so that was an extra bonus and something to look forward to, with the arrival of Marnie, from France.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CIh64Oekov9kM-FP-M4bGa4yD3GFPgxKmHhXFbP1_1HT8Fiy1M2xWnPeO5ebOUFMb-SN6oL_gkjy4lf4a-V2WmWuInF7xPjbWrDiYEC6pNOnqwp-6pSQs5BcuE-ArZjGmVxUaC8CJJ-r/s1600/02101703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CIh64Oekov9kM-FP-M4bGa4yD3GFPgxKmHhXFbP1_1HT8Fiy1M2xWnPeO5ebOUFMb-SN6oL_gkjy4lf4a-V2WmWuInF7xPjbWrDiYEC6pNOnqwp-6pSQs5BcuE-ArZjGmVxUaC8CJJ-r/s320/02101703.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wildwood Fairy</td></tr>
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This is one of the latest sculptures made by Mr Ecoarts - it was made for daughter and son-in-law, who recently moved house, but I couldn't really post it here before Christmas - even although she did see it before then. 😊 Being this size, it was kind of difficult to hide at the caravan or at Frugaldom, where the children explore.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPmckgDH3OEZkE6fz8R2BA9jiRgKYgKIGbWI6rmKb724htUQb4j1fC2DZFPDTTR7zSU-Ml7IF5VpJ10MLiyWN1LxsSFmBI0A0CARafi9T4VPqBO8grclP1IruwGGV_2Wtc_RcC5JYRqB_/s1600/16101724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPmckgDH3OEZkE6fz8R2BA9jiRgKYgKIGbWI6rmKb724htUQb4j1fC2DZFPDTTR7zSU-Ml7IF5VpJ10MLiyWN1LxsSFmBI0A0CARafi9T4VPqBO8grclP1IruwGGV_2Wtc_RcC5JYRqB_/s320/16101724.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Mr Darcy'</td></tr>
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The horse sculpture was commissioned to go on display at a very special project in central Scotland. 'Mr Darcy', as we nicknamed him, was modelled on a real horse and the sculpture is now on display at <a href="http://www.darcysequineassistedlearningcentre.co.uk/" target="_blank">Darcy's Equine Assisted Learning Centre</a> near Strathaven in Lanarkshire.<br />
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I think that's enough for October but I did say it was a very busy month. Onwards and upwards... to the penultimate month of the year. I'll be back soon with some more updates.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com2Newton Stewart DG8, UK54.960299000000013 -4.483163999999987954.923830500000015 -4.5638449999999882 54.996767500000011 -4.4024829999999877tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-54534418272386252652018-01-01T23:10:00.000+00:002018-01-01T23:10:16.387+00:00Photo Blog from September 2017 at Frugaldom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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SCOTTISH WEATHER!</div>
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In a bid to bring the frugal blog up to date, I'll do a few more pictorials, as the photos can tell you more than the words in a much shorter time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-B7Lc18oKwoSoOjpCOozU8rdfiiStpKkxb9TPI1C12UojQIFyZ-3sS1wzVKfKbIvaS07r3Zang03nimdBgytJqmyHYTL3gHqDJLVEW3WHb6qMtVdvPoxLZrEGXb3tvIHK-BV5UflPzOS/s1600/280917+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-B7Lc18oKwoSoOjpCOozU8rdfiiStpKkxb9TPI1C12UojQIFyZ-3sS1wzVKfKbIvaS07r3Zang03nimdBgytJqmyHYTL3gHqDJLVEW3WHb6qMtVdvPoxLZrEGXb3tvIHK-BV5UflPzOS/s320/280917+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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From drought conditions earlier in the year we moved straight into wet weather with a few hot, dry days sprinkled among the rainy days! Our new wildlife ponds more than filled - they flooded! Emergency measures were needed, so we dragged and rolled some big logs and began building a 'wall' along the edge of the small feeder pond and then dug links between this pond and the bigger one so flood water would run through the ponds rather than over the edge and down the path.</div>
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We managed to get a lorry load of old tyres for recycling, so these are gradually being rolled around the place to act as huge planters for future herb and flower gardens, plus a few stacked up around the tracks for stuffing full of hay that the ponies can munch on whenever they want.</div>
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The Siberian crab apple trees were absolutely dripping in tiny fruit but all of this got left for the wildlife, as we just never got around to harvesting any of it. 2018 should be different as we now have the holiday accommodation and can offer fruit foraging and preserving weekends.</div>
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Our first ever crop of leeks, onions and courgettes! All of the plants were donated or we traded fresh eggs for them. By December, we had used up or traded out all of the courgettes and I have enough leeks to last until the 2018 crop. </div>
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The new heritage apple orchard brought forth a bucket of fruit from the 2 year old trees, so these were all picked and processed. Galloway Pippins are fabulous apples for eating, cooking or preserving in jams, jellies or chutneys. We used most of them in crumbles but I held back a few for the chutney, which also had some of our onions and courgettes added to it. Tastes lovely, especially with cheese! Along with the other apples from the garden orchard, they filled a full section of the freezer. I now need to make an apple store and have the perfect object for recycling... an old fridge!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0RHW8zeFiuW8x46BYhAsLmfOiTmfxeDPcV6Rl4Q6ftElQREtUMLd1stZOfjmp5JZ10M2ju58egbg5qK1sOHCdY_OZ6NCYRSIqbVrxNMoMkRrFOAXG-yRweI5SoXVzn6Rj9tVcYqr1ref/s1600/290917+%252874%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0RHW8zeFiuW8x46BYhAsLmfOiTmfxeDPcV6Rl4Q6ftElQREtUMLd1stZOfjmp5JZ10M2ju58egbg5qK1sOHCdY_OZ6NCYRSIqbVrxNMoMkRrFOAXG-yRweI5SoXVzn6Rj9tVcYqr1ref/s320/290917+%252874%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Plans began for the 'real' Trading Post, which is currently standing by the pallet fence. All going well, we'll build a designated produce store that will double as a pick-up point and actual trading post for trading our surplus produce in the future. </div>
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Muddy wellies! We get plenty of those at Frugaldom so we introduced our 'Muddy Wellies Weekends' and advertised these via our new <a href="http://www.frugalbreaks.co.uk/" target="_blank">Frugal Breaks</a> page on Facebook. At a special price of £95.00 for up to 4 people for 2 nights, all the weekends throughout September, October and right up to mid-November. Two lots of our visitors have already rebooked for 2018 and the children who came along definitely had fun in the mud! </div>
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Drainage work at Frugaldom is still on-going. I think this is going to be the biggest job we'll ever need to do, as the whole place sits at the lowest point of the surrounding landscape, with peat bog and marsh all around us. Clearing out all the field drains is a slow and arduous task, so I think we'll need to allocate a budget to hiring in a mini digger again in 2018 to speed up the tedious, muscle-aching work of digging them all by hand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbdHDKMzp32rMSLQcH0CYzv4bw5i0NMsbO1n6JAsnBzt8ocQ6aHW9Dy5jLzXq2fPZEqnc2WygtDwoeosKudosPLXHNEpO4nrVjRi-iWdggsQCjFUoop9oHIfdlzo9d86Lrm2uAh7RiagJ/s1600/02091704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbdHDKMzp32rMSLQcH0CYzv4bw5i0NMsbO1n6JAsnBzt8ocQ6aHW9Dy5jLzXq2fPZEqnc2WygtDwoeosKudosPLXHNEpO4nrVjRi-iWdggsQCjFUoop9oHIfdlzo9d86Lrm2uAh7RiagJ/s320/02091704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just to keep us all on our toes, don't forget about the snakes. We have adders at Frugaldom and they love nothing more than to come out and bask on the new stretch of access road that was laid at the start of the year. Sunshine + tarmac = warm basking surface for our slithery friends. Personally, I enjoy seeing them and love that we have them living here but I seem to be in a minority! Several visitors have looked at me in disbelief or shocked horror when I mention them. OK, so their bite is poisonous, but adders are still fascinating creatures and can be almost chameleon-like in their colouration, especially when basking on sphagnum moss! 👀 </div>
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The adult hens that we were given laid many eggs throughout summer and continued to so so right through to December. The chicks we hatched in June turned out to be 5 cockerels and only 3 hens, but this will still give us a glorious selection of egg colours, as we have a white hen laying blue eggs, a brown hen laying pink eggs, a white hen laying white eggs and a brown hen laying brown eggs. All 3 of the chicks, once they mature, will lay blue eggs. (They are pure bred Araucanas.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx55i1gC_tLo5AL-iegKHuxiatOvP5YsfEwN6cxG7DUNTUtZIoWaPxcrtDUVFmihG1oiYU4cRu-6AlJQqRJZsgdsj58nm8esanBPW0cAAboFcK9My8IR1hX-rDsjO-W3S5XDMUJuONra0/s1600/SAM_7975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx55i1gC_tLo5AL-iegKHuxiatOvP5YsfEwN6cxG7DUNTUtZIoWaPxcrtDUVFmihG1oiYU4cRu-6AlJQqRJZsgdsj58nm8esanBPW0cAAboFcK9My8IR1hX-rDsjO-W3S5XDMUJuONra0/s320/SAM_7975.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I couldn't make it up if I tried - rain, rain, rain, then blazing sunshine bringing temperatures topping 25 Degrees C. The hot, dry weather did not hang around Scotland for long, so we missed out on all that super summer they reported in the south.</div>
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More and more courgettes and leeks - they seem to like the climate at Frugaldom so I'll definitely be designating space for growing many more of these.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oCw_41pyJ-L8HwFRI6xejyrgyEPL54XewVQ6bx1hzdks3tAV9HO8EDb8GpCrCz3nNNO9RXA5vGi-srsktYrulh2hW90tsJEuoedm534v6CaFDfB1POIHqo94DrPbAyGHbaDjRraVkQzQ/s1600/SAM_9600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oCw_41pyJ-L8HwFRI6xejyrgyEPL54XewVQ6bx1hzdks3tAV9HO8EDb8GpCrCz3nNNO9RXA5vGi-srsktYrulh2hW90tsJEuoedm534v6CaFDfB1POIHqo94DrPbAyGHbaDjRraVkQzQ/s320/SAM_9600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love picking homegrown produce! 2017 was another year of cutting, hacking, path clearing and planting, so we didn't expect to have much by way of fruit and vegetables but the apples and herbs just kept on coming... soup and pudding is most definitely still the meal of the day. When it costs nothing to pick the ingredients, why would we spend on shop bought produce?</div>
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Tiny apples abslutely everywhere we look - please get in contact if you'd like to come and pick some in 2018, when we'll be offering our foraging and preserving getaways - the foraging will be free!</div>
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Foraging is so frugal that it simply cannot be ignored. Over the past year we have attempted to encourage as many of the brambles and dog roses to grow as possible. We also invested in many more briars - Rosa Canina and Rosa Ragusa in several colours - for planting around the slowly emerging tracks. Somewhere in the future we will have access paths all around Frugaldom and all edged in edible hedging that can be kept under control by the ponies, provide fantastic habitat for wildlife and provide us with a fabulously frugal foraging trail.</div>
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After all Anna's hard work digging ditches and dealing with the greenhouse, we reaped the benefits by way of a few cucumbers, more spinach beet than we could ever eat and a whole host of herbs grown from seed. I did try to get her to return but the warmer climes of the Continent stole her from us. The summer students kept up the watering and weeding, so we made the most of everything the little greenhouse produced. We did try 3 of these polytunnels but 2 succumbed to the storms and will need to be rebuilt once we have a more secure base on which to site them.</div>
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Yes, we even managed to get some tomatoes - enough to add to the apples and courgettes to make our year's supply of chutney!</div>
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Things I love about growing techniques now known by posh names like permaculture and biodynamic farming - allowing things to grow where they want to grow and planting accordingly to make the whole project more sustainable. We had Evening Primrose growing in the herb paddock that nobody had planted... it just grew from seed that probably blew from behind the barn.</div>
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The absolute biggest and best thrill of my year at Frugaldom was that I was finally able to go walkabout for a pony's eye view of our project. For those who follow or have followed for some time, we were given 3 young ponies in March 2016. With no proper grazing land, we decided to let the ponies live on the tracks that we're building around the project so, instead of fencing the ponies in, we are fencing them out of the growing areas and feeding them hay instead of grass. </div>
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These ponies have never had shoes on their feet and probably never will. Since coming to us, they haven't had bits in their mouths and probably never will. In the above photo, the pony had nothing on - no halter, no bridle, no saddle... this little walkabout was based entirely on mutual trust and this particular pony is 'Willow'. She is our <a href="https://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/articles/031_medicine.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">medicine hat, spirit pony</a> and is living up to all the ancient myths and legends that originate from the Native Americans. </div>
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Back again soon with October's summary of events so watch this space... we're working as fast as possible to bring everything up to date both on here and on social media. To keep right up to date, you can follow the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Frugaldom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frugaldom</a> page on Facebook and consider joining in our frugal living challenge group.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-54600409613862483722017-12-14T17:05:00.001+00:002017-12-14T17:05:14.488+00:00August 2017 (part 2) More New Beginnings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For as long as I can remember, these frugal living challenges have always been about breaking the shackles of consumerism and escaping to debt freedom; our quest for self-sustainability has never waivered. Over the years, many have achieved some of their goals, few have achieved all and others still toil in the hope of finding light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel. I'm ever hopeful that Frugaldom can provide a glimmer for whoever cares to look. Wherever you are on your great moneysaving adventure, I salute you all and hope you will continue living a frugal lifestyle.<br />
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Looking back over the years, I see many unfinished projects of my own but each has its place in the grand scheme of things and each will eventually be completed. I see many names who have been with us for part of our journey and then left to pursue their own interests. Sadly, I see names of those who are no longer with us, departed from this mortal realm, and I can only hope that they found peace and happiness at the end of that journey. For the rest of us, life goes on and so does everything around it. We can't lose focus of our main goals nor can we deviate too much from the original plan - frugal freedom. (Frugaldom)<br />
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As many of you know, it has now been 3 years since we managed to purchase a patch of land to turn into our frugaldom project. In that time we have worked endlessly at taming the wilderness, recruiting whatever help we could and hosting many work exchange students who have helped us greatly. Ultimately, we want the project to become a place where anyone can come and experience this fabulous lifestyle of rural and frugal living combined with the freedom to relax, engage with like-minded others and make the most of what the countryside has to offer, without breaking the bank!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpujWv4ZSSwTUqBnXWSo-CYFcWO_A3VnDqpzmbsEl2P3Ucn6Qi52MtVnckoz-ue2o1hxUCmyMwDAeAW90H5-6t1aNvUj_IZduiZtkJWjJ_kqW4LuDS3VwUUzIW2oYCW2ycL1XZPei6X5Lh/s1600/soc_ent_scot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpujWv4ZSSwTUqBnXWSo-CYFcWO_A3VnDqpzmbsEl2P3Ucn6Qi52MtVnckoz-ue2o1hxUCmyMwDAeAW90H5-6t1aNvUj_IZduiZtkJWjJ_kqW4LuDS3VwUUzIW2oYCW2ycL1XZPei6X5Lh/s1600/soc_ent_scot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpujWv4ZSSwTUqBnXWSo-CYFcWO_A3VnDqpzmbsEl2P3Ucn6Qi52MtVnckoz-ue2o1hxUCmyMwDAeAW90H5-6t1aNvUj_IZduiZtkJWjJ_kqW4LuDS3VwUUzIW2oYCW2ycL1XZPei6X5Lh/s1600/soc_ent_scot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpujWv4ZSSwTUqBnXWSo-CYFcWO_A3VnDqpzmbsEl2P3Ucn6Qi52MtVnckoz-ue2o1hxUCmyMwDAeAW90H5-6t1aNvUj_IZduiZtkJWjJ_kqW4LuDS3VwUUzIW2oYCW2ycL1XZPei6X5Lh/s1600/soc_ent_scot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpujWv4ZSSwTUqBnXWSo-CYFcWO_A3VnDqpzmbsEl2P3Ucn6Qi52MtVnckoz-ue2o1hxUCmyMwDAeAW90H5-6t1aNvUj_IZduiZtkJWjJ_kqW4LuDS3VwUUzIW2oYCW2ycL1XZPei6X5Lh/s1600/soc_ent_scot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpujWv4ZSSwTUqBnXWSo-CYFcWO_A3VnDqpzmbsEl2P3Ucn6Qi52MtVnckoz-ue2o1hxUCmyMwDAeAW90H5-6t1aNvUj_IZduiZtkJWjJ_kqW4LuDS3VwUUzIW2oYCW2ycL1XZPei6X5Lh/s200/soc_ent_scot.jpg" width="200" /></a>Affordability is our watch word! During previous frugal entrepreneur (frugaleur) challenges, we set up all manner of micro-projects from willow and herb growing to orchard planting, recycling and ecoarts. This year, we managed to register the entire Frugaldom project as a social enterprise and we have also signed up to the Galloway and South Ayrshire Biosphere charter. (Frugaldom lies within this internationally recognised biosphere.) Our quest for sustainability, greener living, zero waste and environmental concerns have been recognised as worthy!<br />
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But we are still, most definitely, rural and with that comes the problem of day trips for most being out of the quesion. So, we invested in accommodation for our extended frugal family by way of two mobile homes, sited on a very 'back to nature' style (but with many luxuries included) holiday park only minutes from the Frugaldom project.<br />
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<a href="http://www.frugalbreaks.co.uk/" target="_blank">Frugal Breaks</a> officially launched in August 2017 and is now accepting bookings for next year. By renting out one caravan and hosting our volunteer workforce in the other, we are now able to cater for all budgets, offering exceptional value for money to members of Frugaldom and participants in our frugal living challenges. Regular holidaymakers are welcome and even they get great bargains on the condition that they respect the lifestyle and leave the place as they find it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frugaldom's virtual cash</td></tr>
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The web link goes to the dedicated facebook page where I have added a 'Book Now' button - we;re also on AirBnB. HOWEVER, if you are friends, fans or followers of the Frugaldom blogs, challenges and activities, please get in contact to find out how you can take advantage of our holiday offers at greatly reduced prices. Lack of cash needn't prevent you visiting us as we will happily barter / trade / exchange goods and/or services in our quest to make your visit possible. That's what our Cyberdosh project is all about - it isn't quite a crypto-currency but it's a virtual trading currency that you can find, earn and spend at Frugaldom.<br />
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But hold on... there's even more news of future developments in 2018...<br />
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My ultimate goal from many challenges ago was to offer the ultimate frugal living experience and this, dear frugalers, is something that is about to happen very soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rts12rscUhr7XJ3ROpwMf9ZG1fSWEPCeYXfzQPhcLj6fXSga63_qMgEDmoHXSfW4R4_o8CMBDFcMdDAX7dnHmiieoOt4WdydtUAjdr3pf1kfmivuuJ2uBnNrDdlJ5XZqIUEp039OoSbg/s1600/19081701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rts12rscUhr7XJ3ROpwMf9ZG1fSWEPCeYXfzQPhcLj6fXSga63_qMgEDmoHXSfW4R4_o8CMBDFcMdDAX7dnHmiieoOt4WdydtUAjdr3pf1kfmivuuJ2uBnNrDdlJ5XZqIUEp039OoSbg/s200/19081701.jpg" width="200" /></a>We found the perfect property for visitors wanting to sample 'the good life'! Work began immediately to ensure the place was wind and water tight by winter and, although there is much work to be done, we hope to be able to welcome our first frugal lifestyle experience guests by Easter 2018.<br />
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Affordability is, as always, at the fore, so prices for booking this 'Thrift Cottage', complete with its adjoining workshop and kitchen garden, will reflect my personal wish to help others make memories at Frugaldom.<br />
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The one-bedroom cottage has a full bathroom and kitchen plus livingroom with fold out double bed. It is on a main bus route, has a daily coach service running all the way between London and Belfast, it's only a couple of miles off the Southern Upland Way and it's near a main cycling route, so no cars needed to get here. I'll keep you updated on progress, so watch this space. If there are any budding interior designers, landscape gardeners or DIY buffs among you, please get in contact about a Cyberdosh break to help us get this place ready for future frugal guests. 😊<br />
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I told you August 2017 was a busy month!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-81359677609653643592017-12-12T18:17:00.001+00:002017-12-12T18:29:47.867+00:00August 2017 and the frugal living challenge continues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Where do I start? It was another tremendously busy month at Frugaldom but it didn't stop there: August was as busy on the home front as it was at the field and at the caravans, with work exchange students, holiday makers and the next investment to join the realms of the Frugaldom project. 😊<br />
Work on the main yard seemed relentless but we finally got to the top layer and even during the very wettest days of summer, we had no puddles or floods in this area.<br />
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At Frugaldom, we had several visits from little people wanting to play with ponies, search for beasties, make things, learn more and explore the willow dens. This frst one is progressing well and has sprouted so much that we need to coppice the new growth.<br />
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In the Thrift Cottage orchard, there were apples galore to be picked and processed. It would seem that our regular apple crumble with custard habit has now been carried back to several European countries, thanks to it proving to be a hot favourite with all the students.<br />
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August saw several visitors arrive at Frugaldom and on one particular weekend, we had a jolly get together after moving more hay - I think there were about a dozen off us took part in the most fun-filled archery tournament ever and then had a great chatty night of giggles and laughs.<br />
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It wasn't all play and no work, we made a serious start on schooling ponies to get tem accustomed to some of the work they will be doing in the future. All 3 ponies have now been ridden and are continuing their training barefoot and bitless. We don't need metal!<br />
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Willow takes absolutely everything in her stride and is ready to join in or take part in anything at all! Eldest grand daughter has been practicing her grooming, mane pleating and pony leading skills, as well as having her first bareback riding lessons on our medicine hat 'spirit' pony. I'm still intrigued by native American tales of these unusual ponies and hope Willow will live up to expectations as a fabulous companion.<br />
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Over the past almost 2 years we have been introducing heritage variety apples to Frugaldom. Our longterm aim is to farm these apples for supplying locally and for trading from Frugaldom. The trees are now 2 and 3 years old, so the first of them bore enough fruit to allow us to try several things with them - cooking them into crumbles, chutney and sauce. The Galloway Pippins are lovely apples and are also tasty eating apples. We haven't tried cider making with them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkSgsrnFhgfD0_sr1xhsy0q1yuOudQyVLVnmEKbqrccKUPANQ_XGBMnPwwNCgBtTVWpffGdTtoUX9386i3BaURdFV4ERWcYA-acfvz82lSAAGnx5tfM0m-4n7Iy2LvEo-8nt0PIETlhIG/s1600/17081722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkSgsrnFhgfD0_sr1xhsy0q1yuOudQyVLVnmEKbqrccKUPANQ_XGBMnPwwNCgBtTVWpffGdTtoUX9386i3BaURdFV4ERWcYA-acfvz82lSAAGnx5tfM0m-4n7Iy2LvEo-8nt0PIETlhIG/s320/17081722.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our orchard project will be expanded year on year, as we clear and prepare more growing space. We'll be focussing mainly on the apples but now have a mixed orchard of pears, plums and cherries as well as the apples. Now that we have the lean-to, I plan on experimenting with grapes and hardy kiwis.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwR0BKKla0DoEFtmOCyb4T9R3Y0wnzoHMUbZqRZCJUddi6wd10HYuMen8RRA2YL7eXBNqSC1K15JXyn8mMisY7VwSMOKgScfB6zJuC8X4-LGUthawkDb2f6g99TDTcRe5xXU2hr7Hop13A/s1600/26081700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwR0BKKla0DoEFtmOCyb4T9R3Y0wnzoHMUbZqRZCJUddi6wd10HYuMen8RRA2YL7eXBNqSC1K15JXyn8mMisY7VwSMOKgScfB6zJuC8X4-LGUthawkDb2f6g99TDTcRe5xXU2hr7Hop13A/s320/26081700.jpg" width="320" /> </a><br />
As you'll have noticed, keeping up with blogging has been very difficult but that should hopefully, now, be brought back under control and I'll be able bring us all up to date now I can get online anytime. This is the latest gadget to hit the Frugaldom family - the Huawei sim-operated mini wifi hub on pay as you go data! I LOVE IT! It can provide internet access via wifi for up to 9 connections, so now it's easy to get online from the caravan. Now all I need to do is get online from the barn and we're sorted!<br />
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Chickens have been laying eggs daily and providing a regular supply for fellow caravan residents at the holiday park. With only 4 lating hens, we have still managed to sell a dozen or so each week and still have enough leftover for home use. Once the next 3 hens start laying, we should be able to sell a few more during 2018, when 4 out of the 7 hens should be laying blue eggs.<br />
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During quieter, more reflective moments, I have had the great pleasure to be able to clamber onto spirit pony and sit with her as she carries on being a pony. I know that this sort of 'riding' is not recommended, nor is it seen as safe, but we are strongly focussing on a much more holistic approach to horse-keeping here, a method that is based on trust and allowing ponies to live the way nature intended.<br />
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With plans afoot to open our Galloway pony heritage trail by 2020, our ponies will need to be well used to all sorts of events and activities by then, so August was also a fun month for pony play school. Frankie, Willow and Pippin could be representing the ancestors of some of the greatest horses the world has ever known. Who'd have thought that their common denominator would be the humble Galloways?<br />
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There was so much going on throughout August that I'm cutting this blog post off here and doing a second August one - announcing the next phase of our frugal project - the long awaited frugal living experience that we first set out to offer several years ago. Follow our progress on Facebook and get updates via Twitter or hang on in there and wait for the next installment of the frugal blog. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-57917683102814790212017-12-04T21:30:00.003+00:002017-12-04T21:39:24.219+00:00Frugal living and working through July 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Frugal Living has plenty of perks!</h2>
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Summer work, rest and play a Frugaldom</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our visiting students all had archery lessons</td></tr>
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Throughout the past year we have hosted numerous students and volunteers at Frugaldom, each here to experience frugal living, life in the country and, in most cases, practice their conversational English, albeit with a certain Scottishness. It has been great seeing the progress made during their stays here, even if the good old Scottish summer weather was as unpredictable and unreliable as ever. We still managed to fit in fun between bouts of work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGW7RmtJA-YDQmonx9SfX_TjdJcxaLXIRTmmX-4co0Ub3XeLGBAhfVO5fjUk_jjG3bhPxfRicmIbXhpqjCPpBySx_0Fd6vWLEEpQlsRs0WS8RwHeZELfGpt6AiSMH7tW_5p9ZkmMh9A-h/s1600/060717+%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGW7RmtJA-YDQmonx9SfX_TjdJcxaLXIRTmmX-4co0Ub3XeLGBAhfVO5fjUk_jjG3bhPxfRicmIbXhpqjCPpBySx_0Fd6vWLEEpQlsRs0WS8RwHeZELfGpt6AiSMH7tW_5p9ZkmMh9A-h/s320/060717+%252824%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cuckoo corral orchard</td></tr>
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After receiving an unscheduled pruning session by the visiting escapee sheep that were with us for several weeks, the newest fruit trees in the cuckoo corral decided to start growing again. The dog roses also took a severe pruning when the ponies managed to push down one of the fence rails and stretch their necks through far enough to reach them! No rose hips this summer!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVG5IQ92lFtjrRLCbJPz1pXHdK2ufSHD61np2Zjb0RC9YffDwEx7G9h2rIbLIMc2Gu-I3wbyqPrl-hR1uErD12uTLqCMFfM1zlPCvI-e_ZYupq-pApSxmhMeKJZExlgHoH7vgRVKVwRqR/s1600/080717+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVG5IQ92lFtjrRLCbJPz1pXHdK2ufSHD61np2Zjb0RC9YffDwEx7G9h2rIbLIMc2Gu-I3wbyqPrl-hR1uErD12uTLqCMFfM1zlPCvI-e_ZYupq-pApSxmhMeKJZExlgHoH7vgRVKVwRqR/s320/080717+%25284%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline (France), Olivia (USA) and Anne (Germany)</td></tr>
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Our 3 students shared a caravan while here and seemed to gel well, despite the fact that the French lass spoke no German, the German lass no French and the American lass no German or French... we all managed perfecly well with Scottish English. 👌😊<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We finally managed to hire in a mini digger and driver</td></tr>
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The digger and driver were here for just a few days, as the cost was slightly prohibitive at almost £250 per day! However, in that time, the 2 main drainage ditches leading away from the central project got cleared, a big straining post dug back into the ground and the 2 ponds dug - one for ponies accessing the running water and the second, larger one, for planting around to form a new wildlife habitat. At the point the ponds were dug, we had a drought, so the entire area was almost dry and scraped down to the clay base, where old stone, possibly from previous drainage, was found.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc7NFkxnxpQK5ipiILgMlq0iP-9ycFSaNnjEgY-ITMImXjUJqnaI634i4Q4Ss5vY18OkLz_eEuwGMbcovFfa_OM3wfdrBu2WJtLu6rGOlHuHVNqmUdHfa0VAxwby0ztbe5SLp2TSg06nG/s1600/120717+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc7NFkxnxpQK5ipiILgMlq0iP-9ycFSaNnjEgY-ITMImXjUJqnaI634i4Q4Ss5vY18OkLz_eEuwGMbcovFfa_OM3wfdrBu2WJtLu6rGOlHuHVNqmUdHfa0VAxwby0ztbe5SLp2TSg06nG/s320/120717+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberries growing in the recycled milk caron 'Mishy Pods'</td></tr>
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A few new strawberry plants plus many runners from existing ones were potted up into the milk cartons, so plans are now afoot to build new strawberry beds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ4AF6NTKBDoUNQ7vLrUhXwR8QPJMjiVHri8GQbj2vYEQvONSD0ztpDTNiwiYGJYojsYQRTXuE-5hskSNpXeI1P3RmbRTs7seBmi3o2hW-9RSkYSo3CZL4eHma3F3H4PbkINb-Asbj3vO/s1600/120717+%252830%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ4AF6NTKBDoUNQ7vLrUhXwR8QPJMjiVHri8GQbj2vYEQvONSD0ztpDTNiwiYGJYojsYQRTXuE-5hskSNpXeI1P3RmbRTs7seBmi3o2hW-9RSkYSo3CZL4eHma3F3H4PbkINb-Asbj3vO/s320/120717+%252830%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick (Bulgaria) is our regular hoof trimmer</td></tr>
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The ponies have been having their hooves trimmed every 5 or 6 weeks, when Nick stops for an overnight. Learning about keeping and working ponies barefoot has been a real revelation for many of our students and visitors - it's quite shocking how many people think that the poor animals need to have metal nailed to their feet before they can do anything! Here a Frugaldm, we strongly support the theory that 'you are what you eat, right down to your feet' and that can be said for equine species, too. The Frugaldom ponies will never have shoes on their feet as long as they are with us - nor will they ever have bits (more metal) in their mouths. We have metal-free mud monsters, who live out all year round without rugs, stables, fancy feeds or 'posh' saddlery. Hay and herbs serve them well and everything else is from whatever they browse around the edges of the project - mostly marsh and moor grasses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWCFRxPwcLJkJmjVACeBP8wEGHR3X4_MJWnXKznx5gXr6LVeUsvF-245rArt74pQSj3xEAg02JL7ySJ2n7eitkJe36_gaBQq-PKLQPU9lsLxEvBZ492h-BWKvFWHoanRE3MpERu4xPzvs/s1600/180717+%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWCFRxPwcLJkJmjVACeBP8wEGHR3X4_MJWnXKznx5gXr6LVeUsvF-245rArt74pQSj3xEAg02JL7ySJ2n7eitkJe36_gaBQq-PKLQPU9lsLxEvBZ492h-BWKvFWHoanRE3MpERu4xPzvs/s320/180717+%252824%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blistering sunshine for bringing in the hay</td></tr>
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Having ponies that don't get let loose on lush, green, monoculture grass means we need a plentiful supply of meadow hay and that isn't always easy to find. We want freedom from chemicals and a good mix of grasses and herbs, so it serves us well that we have friendly neighbours who believe likewise. But boy! Is it hard work bringing in several hundred small bales of hay against the clock within what little sunshine we get here! In this game you really do have to make hay while the sun shines, but I think the girls enjoyed their tractor driving lessons and their ice lolly breaks.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAMmUN44P8LPhKTfP4Bx25AecSzPWRpvX7rTC84KicRbM7bcavX47HEbxDmEsTJWYtPJ5Hth8HaP4tNiFUrZA8iVrhDLFvS8E-WlqsLxcdLNimx2G3zlMeBkvhzmho3tDn0JrE-trL1F4/s1600/180717+%252838%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAMmUN44P8LPhKTfP4Bx25AecSzPWRpvX7rTC84KicRbM7bcavX47HEbxDmEsTJWYtPJ5Hth8HaP4tNiFUrZA8iVrhDLFvS8E-WlqsLxcdLNimx2G3zlMeBkvhzmho3tDn0JrE-trL1F4/s320/180717+%252838%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All our students learned to drive the tractor with baler</td></tr>
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The last bales were stacked in the barn at around 10pm, after another brief stop for chips! It was like carb and fat-fest for energy replenishing!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0B4vT2JgGNkacXlCU9i2xMbFLvLQEk3dBhB1E_HHBv29u0ev9FZaTCnJ5VaMydFEuHpVaVUg5p-_PdN34SYaZDxUTybzwKfRmTxPkzoSNU0eGJSQB1CoCQP1QNrkCK8oXoOfPrgmW7zs/s1600/180717+%252842%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0B4vT2JgGNkacXlCU9i2xMbFLvLQEk3dBhB1E_HHBv29u0ev9FZaTCnJ5VaMydFEuHpVaVUg5p-_PdN34SYaZDxUTybzwKfRmTxPkzoSNU0eGJSQB1CoCQP1QNrkCK8oXoOfPrgmW7zs/s320/180717+%252842%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a long day bringing in hay - about 600 bales</td></tr>
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After our brief call to action for doing the hay it was back to the Frugaldom work. One of our regular volunteers who builds the benches from the surplus fencing wood single-handedly built us a new foot bridge so we could get across the newly cleared drainage ditch! She's a whizz with offcuts, that's for sure!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1QfqNzofZaQnrPl3NGJICDzTCJK8t7XT7hv3KNgC9dgxiLAYEFS1lF1AvGcwk-uEIQpKpc0Wc7SbcqY2icLM-q80Qfb1dQpb4ApnBUN1n3IIjFn88_U7vMqadKPxgTwj7AEnuaadHnhyphenhyphen/s1600/190717+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1QfqNzofZaQnrPl3NGJICDzTCJK8t7XT7hv3KNgC9dgxiLAYEFS1lF1AvGcwk-uEIQpKpc0Wc7SbcqY2icLM-q80Qfb1dQpb4ApnBUN1n3IIjFn88_U7vMqadKPxgTwj7AEnuaadHnhyphenhyphen/s320/190717+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating near completion of footbridge over the newly cleared drainage ditch</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Wheelbarrows and stone are the most common features at Frugaldom nowadays. Drainage is a top priority but we don't have the necessary funds to bring in contractors so it's all down to hand digging, laying in pipes where necessary and backfilling with an assortment of stone. From all this work comes the benefit of better toned muscles and a deeper appreciation for the morning swim in the pool at the caravan site - that definitely starts your summer days off in fine style.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPhFSBArwl42NwXjh1hpC8pGuuJhCNwuokVKD4n9r5wHfWFnY-0MqN0A7NqgLIIoyz-9dc_RBv4shqHjR1TGFDLAIoYy_1TEDTIQ7kHL-1vZ6mdF-OupU0T1vmPcOBOSuN_UkS0dzuttP/s1600/230717+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPhFSBArwl42NwXjh1hpC8pGuuJhCNwuokVKD4n9r5wHfWFnY-0MqN0A7NqgLIIoyz-9dc_RBv4shqHjR1TGFDLAIoYy_1TEDTIQ7kHL-1vZ6mdF-OupU0T1vmPcOBOSuN_UkS0dzuttP/s320/230717+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrowing stone for the drainage is an endless task at Frugaldom</td></tr>
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After trying to fit as much work as possible into the dry weather slot, it took only 3 days for the new ponds to fill up completely and from that day to now, we haven't had a solid week of dry weather! It's been wellies every single day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC-GOFJ74pouRU4TpZXGYAyOEkCZlN9i5YqtSUT9hbo6Q-o17ZcNLZRWC5HikDe0qprpW3bqZS19k6FIwc_9ZY6JA1qfccKQr91BB8n8an0Jsw9MqEUeVktFWEnLjWQHrhYr9OnilwuCB/s1600/230717+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC-GOFJ74pouRU4TpZXGYAyOEkCZlN9i5YqtSUT9hbo6Q-o17ZcNLZRWC5HikDe0qprpW3bqZS19k6FIwc_9ZY6JA1qfccKQr91BB8n8an0Jsw9MqEUeVktFWEnLjWQHrhYr9OnilwuCB/s320/230717+%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olivia, Caroline and Anne by the newly dug pond</td></tr>
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Both ponds almost filled to capacity. They are interlinked so the small one runs into the larger one and then it can overflow into the drainage ditch that carries it off though the field via Anna's ditch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Y413xHh-N6PijQx8elx72jd9Or2xSmNXPH6eP3i53Ci5U-hdl2bhKgFSCYaMNVwPWFivlPCP8p49ehw9aij3rvbfkhbI4SnefV0d-YzzJ9LvJZe8rjLwKWZTKlFe9tXZ8Oxz9eEVc1CH/s1600/230717+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Y413xHh-N6PijQx8elx72jd9Or2xSmNXPH6eP3i53Ci5U-hdl2bhKgFSCYaMNVwPWFivlPCP8p49ehw9aij3rvbfkhbI4SnefV0d-YzzJ9LvJZe8rjLwKWZTKlFe9tXZ8Oxz9eEVc1CH/s320/230717+%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new ponds at Frugaldom - wildlife and drainage areas</td></tr>
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The hens at Frugaldom are well settled into their new 'chicken shack'. We lost a few to a mink attack and then gained a few more, when we had 4 given to us and 8 chicks hatched in the incubator at home. At the moment we have 7 of the hens and a cockerel at Frugaldom and the rest at Thrift Cottage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tu1jxHX9332f9sunAC6xqNg-bj4gJUKouoiho-JBW7zzRSEggmDK9EpbGetDjy3qpfQvXgDODKmF_7bc124_DTJQEgIZRLqGaW2IhvngqQNU9umX-LKYJfY2245QNbG9tUh7gd304lX5/s1600/04071703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tu1jxHX9332f9sunAC6xqNg-bj4gJUKouoiho-JBW7zzRSEggmDK9EpbGetDjy3qpfQvXgDODKmF_7bc124_DTJQEgIZRLqGaW2IhvngqQNU9umX-LKYJfY2245QNbG9tUh7gd304lX5/s320/04071703.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have a hen laying pink eggs!</td></tr>
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The 2017 hatch of chicks were all pure bred Araucanas and 2 of the donated ones are x Araucana, so we do get blue eggs. However, we don't know what types the brown hens are, so when one started laying pink eggs, it was a complete surprise.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwAhY8U32Q1zQCGflmvkQlsq27Er_JaGOGP7T-d0fiKx5BkX2vOGGSK3emmFWoWEZ2WH5AHIIy5TL2zCpXQDoEAFMQafS0Ktz1J7j8gNmvHgRgIJNJYTXZNQIveSTjTolml-xQT0pX77e/s1600/25071706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwAhY8U32Q1zQCGflmvkQlsq27Er_JaGOGP7T-d0fiKx5BkX2vOGGSK3emmFWoWEZ2WH5AHIIy5TL2zCpXQDoEAFMQafS0Ktz1J7j8gNmvHgRgIJNJYTXZNQIveSTjTolml-xQT0pX77e/s320/25071706.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ponies began their training to work barefoot, bareback and bitless</td></tr>
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Thanks to 'Auntie Anita', we now have a lovely bitless bridle for the ponies. Until this was given to us we were simply using rope lead reins and headcollars but this is so much 'posher' looking. This is Willow, our medicine hat 'spirit' pony, modelling it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8c60T6Wl2vmjvJnbqb7tjrhRFOO9tcQgkmkS6r-ocgtcZgDLM5EmQ4BiyNj7xp07PnjSOd76CWkiK6JVGMSmdzj52VevDs3QCbXPgze7hYjQ8Nb9yXVKFanBltrleV1OnCNZhDk4vR-x/s1600/27071704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8c60T6Wl2vmjvJnbqb7tjrhRFOO9tcQgkmkS6r-ocgtcZgDLM5EmQ4BiyNj7xp07PnjSOd76CWkiK6JVGMSmdzj52VevDs3QCbXPgze7hYjQ8Nb9yXVKFanBltrleV1OnCNZhDk4vR-x/s320/27071704.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leeks and courgettes were plentiful</td></tr>
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The small vegetable plot behind the barn produced plenty of leeks and courgettes but this area will now be turned over to garlic and herbs, as there just wasn't really enough sunshine reached this area to make it worthwhile expanding it.<br />
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While here, the students learned a bit about wild flowers and herbs, so we have been drinking plenty of rhubarb fizz and our first ever batch of pineapple plant cordial!<br />
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At the caravans, we decided to use the 3-bedroom one for our Frugaldom work exchange students and rent out the 2-bedroom one for visitors looking for an affordable way to take a countryside break. This brought about the official launch of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FrugalBreaks" target="_blank">Frugal Breaks</a> on Facebook and our new online booking platform. It's been an exciting year, so far!<br />
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Our fundraising is being done via <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/Frugaldom">www.gofundme.com/Frugaldom</a> where you can get dedication discs for our posts and trees, sponsorships and holiday home accommodation to come and visit us in 2018. We've also had several wildcampers at Frugaldom but without any services on site, you need to cart your own water. I'm now investigating portaloos, composting toilets and filter systems for river water.<br />
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This about sums up July, other than one surprise that came along the way... a telephone call that resulted in us buying another house, this one only 7 miles from Frugaldom!<br />
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As always, I love to hear from anyone with any questions or comments and please let me know of any typing errors, as I'm attempting to blog on tablet or Kindle in an effort to use mobile internet at the caravan. all going well, we should soon have mobile internet at Frugaldom, but it's all dependent on availability of signal and Pay As You Go sim cards. Vodafone is looking like the most promising for there but Three is definitely the best for caravan park.<br />
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Back soon with the August whistlestop tour! </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-42467352715543992242017-12-01T22:38:00.000+00:002017-12-01T22:38:31.549+00:00Another year of frugal living<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Another year of Frugal Living</h2>
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2017 is nearing its end.</h3>
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We're less than 3 weeks from winter solstice, so what has happened over the past year at Frugaldom?</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaol-P6D2BdAqAq21RKRW5Vt0yvyHm_koUUNezjPoVgPTsVwzR4OUFTUNPJwzKx07cqaRVx1SYmPilBG6bsbh0sYvioJEc19jv6cOEEDJMnWv0mfBjaF6HSHj-g9JI7zrWaZwgFhOhW3z/s1600/220517a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="479" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaol-P6D2BdAqAq21RKRW5Vt0yvyHm_koUUNezjPoVgPTsVwzR4OUFTUNPJwzKx07cqaRVx1SYmPilBG6bsbh0sYvioJEc19jv6cOEEDJMnWv0mfBjaF6HSHj-g9JI7zrWaZwgFhOhW3z/s200/220517a.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
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So much has happened and so much has been achieved that I now need to split this blog post into at least two whistlestop photo tours just to bring you all up to date. Here goes...</div>
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I'll quickly run backwards from June 2017, as July to December have been exceptionally busy months for us, with many new developments that will take a little bit more explaining. All along our journey, we have stuck rigidly to the frugal living challenge of running the household on the £4,000 budget (excluding council tax) and every other penny has been invested into the future of Frugaldom. But more about that in the next blog post. For those who follow us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Frugaldom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and/or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Frugaldom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, you will probably be aware of most of the developments - for everyone else, here is a brief summary to bring you up to date.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV91CoWUjk1mOnwEtXIkU2-I4f3-6dxcsvoMFgPpuxVzAVYusOH0Ys7ThWIrkr3Eyl56jz7oxC79Nez2J7mX-Zy3NiBRrR6d2pHKzLQnsXn82LSUBP9CUJ7kDHD0eYoRWOYX3zRpDv-zL-/s1600/SAM_8333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV91CoWUjk1mOnwEtXIkU2-I4f3-6dxcsvoMFgPpuxVzAVYusOH0Ys7ThWIrkr3Eyl56jz7oxC79Nez2J7mX-Zy3NiBRrR6d2pHKzLQnsXn82LSUBP9CUJ7kDHD0eYoRWOYX3zRpDv-zL-/s320/SAM_8333.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lean-to got built</td></tr>
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Having cleared out the barn and made several improvements, some of which still need to be completed, we decided it was time to start preparing for our future food growing. We were really fortunate in having Anna - a horticulturist - arrive as a volunteer for a couple of weeks so she was a fantastic help in kickstarting this aspect of the Frugaldom project. The lean-to was built up in moveable sections made by the local timber mill but we hope it will soon become a more permanent feature with insulation, lined walls and a covered floor. It will be used primarily as a potting shed and drying room for the herbs but also as a learning zone for the children when they visit during wet weather. (Did I mention I now have 4 grand children? #4 arrived earlier this year.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9DlbsGIq4vJs5GJNVTV4B7cRYDva99nJihc5xvT__bgmzmBKz1ahRDc9Ba4nurCSPuOlFg1k9SyH4uwYe1ln1Bbiuei8KFJUaJ3h5z3Q-ruRndx_qe9pJzeIbTBFAiTjtr_fR_Vk05x_/s1600/07061701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9DlbsGIq4vJs5GJNVTV4B7cRYDva99nJihc5xvT__bgmzmBKz1ahRDc9Ba4nurCSPuOlFg1k9SyH4uwYe1ln1Bbiuei8KFJUaJ3h5z3Q-ruRndx_qe9pJzeIbTBFAiTjtr_fR_Vk05x_/s320/07061701.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna working in the polytunnel</td></tr>
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With Anna being such a dab hand at all things planty, we got the ground cleared and set up a portable polytunnel, which was soon full to bursting with all sorts of herbs and vegetables.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8XKYBTyqXgscvtg5weubfGu5rvX-flukoC15XT3unt6FMVXNZ689SBzp-KE317Edeh8bcm2h9Yo-gkNqfmC8c6gMVpz54F5uVtqNyv8GA22Lu_INjBpUhZ_mzksVqb1IV5TEJ0-eaGT0/s1600/07061709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8XKYBTyqXgscvtg5weubfGu5rvX-flukoC15XT3unt6FMVXNZ689SBzp-KE317Edeh8bcm2h9Yo-gkNqfmC8c6gMVpz54F5uVtqNyv8GA22Lu_INjBpUhZ_mzksVqb1IV5TEJ0-eaGT0/s320/07061709.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is now known as Anna's Ditch</td></tr>
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We also made loads of progress with the drainage, a massive job that is going to take a long time to sort out, especially when covering in drainage channels and topping them with stone and dust to make them safe to walk along. This one, now known as Anna's ditch, is being left as an open ditch and has, since, had pipe laid into it and is working hard at carrying away the surface flood water from between the cuckoo corral orchard and the herbery (herb nursery paddock).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItzIkkhbFfmaRg4divFqHon6o8lF1YMkHzGNKQqf5z6bAe5gA1maaxALeoclZQ-UuJiDoIzloTqfUsowc8jNfrSLB0A0UvvDETzPcg89mSP2Hmy7P2xsdV3VwqtD6VJX8TCjUbGqlrCd7/s1600/16061708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItzIkkhbFfmaRg4divFqHon6o8lF1YMkHzGNKQqf5z6bAe5gA1maaxALeoclZQ-UuJiDoIzloTqfUsowc8jNfrSLB0A0UvvDETzPcg89mSP2Hmy7P2xsdV3VwqtD6VJX8TCjUbGqlrCd7/s320/16061708.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recycling pallets into composting areas</td></tr>
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With no shortage of composting materials or manure, 3 pallet bays got set up for the purposes of storing the compostable waste and pony poop! It is quite a struggle trying to keep on top of this very overgrown area but it is gradually being brought under control one square metre at a time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-3q5SyIYWaYbS2rN6aZj7pQ-5lBgvM_q5OBIbvK0l2WklYUAN90cO1pyEi_hVOCxlWEtUenUIG7XB9tWICmk2z0hfXJkIwChwy4osIHPU0TCOb_GzWUA-Br5CL33D52j0-CDItWNE5WY/s1600/270517+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-3q5SyIYWaYbS2rN6aZj7pQ-5lBgvM_q5OBIbvK0l2WklYUAN90cO1pyEi_hVOCxlWEtUenUIG7XB9tWICmk2z0hfXJkIwChwy4osIHPU0TCOb_GzWUA-Br5CL33D52j0-CDItWNE5WY/s320/270517+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up the portable polytunnel</td></tr>
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This is the area that we fenced into a small enclosure and have planted several more fruit trees. We had the ponies completely clear out all the grass and wild herbs (we don't have weeds at Frugaldom) and then we drained the muddy mess before laying down ground reinforcement grid and weed fabric. The polytunnel is 5m x 2m but we hope to replace this with a 6m x 4m cabin in the not so distant future. This will provide us with office and admin space, visitor reception area, a place to sit for a break/cuppa and some secure, dry storage for things like seeds and order processing / packaging goods. It will all be off grid, using solar power for lighting and, hopefully, a logburner for heat and kettle boiling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLXFXohY7LrRsTlclpeUFBTDMeoklwDuZ2D7mnlfRwoZB_R3hBg4GPV9A2r1D2x1jTJ91y0S71d6PWdWDVOsMBhSvMwFEHiOsecKGhfkTR0BzMFfCJ_IR20UABNHzpkBPz1q5YMNINgr9/s1600/260517+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLXFXohY7LrRsTlclpeUFBTDMeoklwDuZ2D7mnlfRwoZB_R3hBg4GPV9A2r1D2x1jTJ91y0S71d6PWdWDVOsMBhSvMwFEHiOsecKGhfkTR0BzMFfCJ_IR20UABNHzpkBPz1q5YMNINgr9/s320/260517+%252818%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'The Galloway' survived the storms</td></tr>
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The ecoarts project is one that means a great deal to us and as Frugaldom progresses, more wild wood is cleared and salvaged to turn into more sculptures. We plan on setting up a display of these along the access paths that will lead to various areas within Frugaldom - mainly through the orchards, willow, bog myrtle, foraging areas and down to the maple grove. Along the way, we have planted rowans, crab apples, hazels and hawthorn.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_kzBc0XHQgCRZfmE2eolwPSNpNNLDFg0tnrqO4-mRyNPweIH6_FzNHSX-Jc4-QPAvuz33T6T99Wrsnzt6V4ZZmeifSk05wpctvr9IvA0VeYXLrrG4ugHpYs50JOEvqkqVUPZMxSEgVwz/s1600/160517+%252860%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_kzBc0XHQgCRZfmE2eolwPSNpNNLDFg0tnrqO4-mRyNPweIH6_FzNHSX-Jc4-QPAvuz33T6T99Wrsnzt6V4ZZmeifSk05wpctvr9IvA0VeYXLrrG4ugHpYs50JOEvqkqVUPZMxSEgVwz/s320/160517+%252860%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had visitors for spring</td></tr>
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In spring 2017 we actually had a short drought! For 5 weeks, we saw next to no rain, so the burn flowing around Frugaldom dropped to levels that allowed even the labs to cross it. Each day we arrived at the yard, there would be an assortment of sheep and lambs meandering around, usually with a pony following them. They trimmed plenty of overgrown areas but it got a bit annoying when they sarted on the new fruit trees. Still, I guess pruning is needed!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcI8d-dOqhfNM5DHkOBKjC4OFH-8egcs79WD6XKlR4cmgtyorRI9rf_r1UuOuk81u96FLPYuQIUnYZ0OiqVd1iBZUE_RV9SfqgUcLSJj_GPAwhkewOhzGgvSKJmVqUMw1TTjrGgbytCFr/s1600/060517+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcI8d-dOqhfNM5DHkOBKjC4OFH-8egcs79WD6XKlR4cmgtyorRI9rf_r1UuOuk81u96FLPYuQIUnYZ0OiqVd1iBZUE_RV9SfqgUcLSJj_GPAwhkewOhzGgvSKJmVqUMw1TTjrGgbytCFr/s320/060517+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did a huge amount of clearing during the drought </td></tr>
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While the water levels were so low, we donned our waders and went paddling along the burn to cut out all the snagged up branches, bits of fallen trees and debris that had been washed downstream in previous floods. I can't say that we have completely remedied the flooding problems but the flood water definitely recedes far quicker since the clear out - the above bend was previously like a dam!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHgn7EOdJRyGVmnkRbbHLq84Zy61nt22pCKMGV97cmaLoXJHLdZmJkS1FSXd_C2ThfhzOQ3yzEifhyDzhIQC6_yvIxwFajg11vfRjIgpw8w9F4ujeEhLSQ8JAFd3X2ge8g9_gVQSmCqhv/s1600/SAM_7418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHgn7EOdJRyGVmnkRbbHLq84Zy61nt22pCKMGV97cmaLoXJHLdZmJkS1FSXd_C2ThfhzOQ3yzEifhyDzhIQC6_yvIxwFajg11vfRjIgpw8w9F4ujeEhLSQ8JAFd3X2ge8g9_gVQSmCqhv/s320/SAM_7418.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We planted a new orchard in the cuckoo corral</td></tr>
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The new cuckoo corral orchard, above, was planted with over 60 assorted fruit trees - apples, pears, plums and cherries - with 10 very special Galloway Pippin heritage apple trees along one side. Along tthe front, we now have dog woods and crab apples to grow a foraging hedge and along one side, dog roses that should provide us with rose hips in future. The hares are frequent visitors to this area and during spring the cuckoos did, indeed, return to perch on the fence posts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmabKbAFCoGQSGt66d57kEs-pDY2kSaVef67Gqo8uOGel6CVpxvhRCs_t_llko8uGmZMtuM3OONocLe372_npe_zk1rcu1hwnhX3z6Gk4uiPTNGGwHIplN5z_wh1vG5myK6a86slR_Vci/s1600/220417+%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmabKbAFCoGQSGt66d57kEs-pDY2kSaVef67Gqo8uOGel6CVpxvhRCs_t_llko8uGmZMtuM3OONocLe372_npe_zk1rcu1hwnhX3z6Gk4uiPTNGGwHIplN5z_wh1vG5myK6a86slR_Vci/s320/220417+%252821%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ecoarts - The Green Man of Frugaldom</td></tr>
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This is our green man. He was made from bits of wood and branches collected while clearing access tracks and made by our resident artist, Harvey, as part of the ecoarts project. Following on from this, a second green man was commissioned, so there is another one locally - I'll need to find out if he has been put on display yet! Our green man is tucked away by the side of a little path that will eventually become part of a willow walk. We're coppicing as much willow as possible to plant along the paths.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-v3YH87Xh4JZkhgxPW3UdFCWv1X2Mrtbt7cBw-lK9MP0tfGjBrY60MtKYPeYgLvOkckf35R565QLBPtZT3RswtFzTxfheq58zr7H21hZIz5sjbS3SW12QJy9sm1RoAZ4ZK2Z-c_TdO1p/s1600/220417+%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-v3YH87Xh4JZkhgxPW3UdFCWv1X2Mrtbt7cBw-lK9MP0tfGjBrY60MtKYPeYgLvOkckf35R565QLBPtZT3RswtFzTxfheq58zr7H21hZIz5sjbS3SW12QJy9sm1RoAZ4ZK2Z-c_TdO1p/s320/220417+%252815%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ecoarts - Myrical our magical unicorn</td></tr>
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'Myrical' is our ecoarts unicorn and has proven to be the firm favourite with the children. (Did you know that the unicorn is the national animal of Scotland?) The name 'Myrical' is in keeping with the location of our unicorn, as it is in the centre of one of the bog myrtle fields. Bog myrtle is also known as 'Myrica Gale' and forms the basis for yet another of our exciting projects involving herbal concoctions, infused oils and soapmaking.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOPGWhJ8h4lhImrs1u20YVJuzQCbXUjv-snNbYINaDgmhyphenhyphenH7l4fzqTT_oXheudTvoJGJvfIG17qBRtlRaLSFgcnLsq11GpTET7App7K5kfZn7gvrgwz1OBRN4bWLiTw6JmzLvJG-hRD17/s1600/Number90aDiscount.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOPGWhJ8h4lhImrs1u20YVJuzQCbXUjv-snNbYINaDgmhyphenhyphenH7l4fzqTT_oXheudTvoJGJvfIG17qBRtlRaLSFgcnLsq11GpTET7App7K5kfZn7gvrgwz1OBRN4bWLiTw6JmzLvJG-hRD17/s320/Number90aDiscount.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caravan breaks for frugalers</td></tr>
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Having finally got around to organising things between the two caravans, we set about preparing for our first paying visitors, offering an affordable alternative to expensive foreign holidays - frugal breaks in the Scottish countryside. We have a small membership base forming here and have now begun working towards upgrading this caravan for a more modern, double glazed and centrally heated model so we can offer affordable shor breaks all year round. They have proven to be very popular, especially during our themed weekends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3m5vN6VULgnfKCZGEz2J5E2JcOtDkbFtEagmkhAEJofDZa3csMudKDx60Yc4RBz0-Axdetiph7vOQ5Ac0LcuzG2b4zhwPKmywaKgfIeqWgAJZQQi2qwXJUmvjI5YCqgBxT9vSxnWD3Fy/s1600/wildlife-url.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3m5vN6VULgnfKCZGEz2J5E2JcOtDkbFtEagmkhAEJofDZa3csMudKDx60Yc4RBz0-Axdetiph7vOQ5Ac0LcuzG2b4zhwPKmywaKgfIeqWgAJZQQi2qwXJUmvjI5YCqgBxT9vSxnWD3Fy/s1600/wildlife-url.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can now come and stay to learn more about Frugaldom</td></tr>
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The wildlife about here is interesting and diverse so we have set up a feeding station right outside the caravan for visitors to observe nature through the window! There is always great excitement when the woodpeckers or nuthatches appear and it's always fun to spot the treecreepers, even if I haven't managed to get a good photo of one yet.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUanC9pGin7twH74DAqAoL2JhGaNm9rpobBjd3EvTq0ZiQiNB6Nqq0vOwfIpvxInKtfxnHleCiSwarmBR0SHjdxWZLqzFRhyZTkQpEUaBbTWimX4Vtau0KJAM0cVWWrFUu8tYNKxgrd7C_/s1600/2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUanC9pGin7twH74DAqAoL2JhGaNm9rpobBjd3EvTq0ZiQiNB6Nqq0vOwfIpvxInKtfxnHleCiSwarmBR0SHjdxWZLqzFRhyZTkQpEUaBbTWimX4Vtau0KJAM0cVWWrFUu8tYNKxgrd7C_/s320/2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We now have online booking for Frugal Breaks</td></tr>
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To find out more about the frugal breaks options, we have a Facebook page set up at Frugal Breaks and have included a 'book now' button on the page. I haven't had the time to develop the website but will hopefully recruit the services of a willing student next year.<br />
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We have hosted over a dozen students and work volunteers over the past year and we're hosting a young lass over the Christmas break, so we must be doing something right if they are coming back for second visits. :)<br /><br />
Throughout the spring and summer months we were swimming almost every morning, thanks to the local holiday park allowing owners and their visitors the use of the indoor heated swimming pool free of charge. It is a great little pool and definitely gives us a great start, swimming before work begins for the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrHuQ95GRe9BMotWzFX6sK57QsIpZ9qVRFe6y3ZqCy7ubEby_-KD3Cr8rqNuYS68xZypi3YItNw9KGq_UmdTj4fn085ZPk7FRZX8sUFVAqrxR6No5LkQO3ovZM4ov48-xThH_FBYykBaP/s1600/02pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrHuQ95GRe9BMotWzFX6sK57QsIpZ9qVRFe6y3ZqCy7ubEby_-KD3Cr8rqNuYS68xZypi3YItNw9KGq_UmdTj4fn085ZPk7FRZX8sUFVAqrxR6No5LkQO3ovZM4ov48-xThH_FBYykBaP/s320/02pool.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frugal Breaks visitors can use the holiday park pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I'll follow up this post with the next whistlestop tour of months July to December but please feel free to ask any questions or request any photos. I think I take an average of over 25 photos per day so there are plenty to choose from and many more things achieved than I have crammed into this post. Other things you may be interested in are ways to become a part of the project. For this, we have introduced our <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/frugaldom" target="_blank">crowdfunding and rewards page</a>, offering dedication discs, short breaks and even corporate sponsorship of various projects.</div>
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Back soon, hope you are enjoying the catch-up and will return to read the next installment. :) </div>
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</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-37164922057358578582017-11-07T11:11:00.003+00:002017-11-07T11:11:40.219+00:00It's been a while, but we've been really busy a Frugaldom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAFYTz4P-eU-HkBbxXSXSCOp3rKIZqmdRhXpkcyRmwYI0cWajqmbyhMLJVVmC2A0jb-xzKzpPZsWaYMhwBI4Zi7s_-mGTH2pttYZBrzbm09TAXtkFjd1LW2iXeucZtdIyW8K5UesJx7QP/s1600/unicornbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="819" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAFYTz4P-eU-HkBbxXSXSCOp3rKIZqmdRhXpkcyRmwYI0cWajqmbyhMLJVVmC2A0jb-xzKzpPZsWaYMhwBI4Zi7s_-mGTH2pttYZBrzbm09TAXtkFjd1LW2iXeucZtdIyW8K5UesJx7QP/s400/unicornbanner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the Frugaldom Project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hopefully, a few of you are still around to find the old blog after software and server upgrades temporarily (I hope) lost our other one. While I attempt to resolve such problems, I will revert to this blog and hope to bring you all bang up to date with progress here at Frugaldom. In the meantime, we have now splut the various projects into several social media pages, namely <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Frugaldom" target="_blank">Frugaldom</a>, Frugal Breaks (affordable holidays), EcoArts (our recycled and environmenal art project) and the private Frugaldom Group (for our members) on Facebook.<br />
<br />
Blogging shall recommence soon. :)</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-74956840223773344442016-04-12T19:20:00.000+01:002016-04-12T19:20:28.925+01:00Home Brew in a Week with the BrewBarrel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/recipes/blogs">#Recipes</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/tech/blogs">#Technology</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/moneysaving/blogs">#Money Saving</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/how_to/blogs">#How to...</a></li>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/home-brewing-customised-craft-beer">Home Brewing Customised Craft Beer</a></h3>
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This is a blog about my first ever adventure into the world of home brewing and craft beers. I'm not a beer drinker, as a rule, but this is different - it is customised to practically guarantee that I'd like it. I was not disappointed! Indeed, this would make a fantastic, extra special Father's Day gift for giving on 19th June 2016.<br />
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<img alt="Brewbarrel customised craft beer" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Brew00.jpg" style="height: 335px; width: 400px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11px;">BrewBarrel - Voted Silver in The Dad Networks Best Father’s Day Gift Category 2015</span></div>
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About a month ago, I was asked if I had ever tried brewing my own beer and my answer was no, firstly because I don't particularly like the stuff and secondly because all that kit takes up space that I can put to better use. Regardless of this, I was invited to try my hand at brewing a small barrel of something specially selected, with flavours based on my personal preferences for the ice and slice taste.<br />
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Having investigated the website at <a href="http://www.brewbarrel.com/">www.brewbarrel.co.uk</a> to find out more about these customised beer kits, I was already aware that artisan and craft beers are all the rage and that the bottled varieties are correspondingly expensive, especially when living on a frugal budget such as mine. I have to admit that buying a kit of anything for the purposes of an extravagant drink with friends simply wouldn't occur to me - until now! Never let it be said that I'm a party-pooper! The prices for the kits are eye-watering to me for personal use but I wouldn't bat an eyelid at buying one as a gift for someone else. So here goes... let's get brewing and find out if it is worth it.<br />
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With the BrewBarrel you create your own customised beer recipe in three simple steps:<br />
<ol>
<li>Select your favourite beer style</li>
<li>Define the intensity of your beer's 'hoppy' aroma to control the bitterness</li>
<li>Add up to three more flavours to make it truly yours</li>
</ol>
My BrewBarrel kit soon arrived but I never got around to setting it up for a couple of weeks, hoping to have a little barrel of beer ready for sampling over the holidays. As luck would have it, plans went askew, so I have only just got around to sampling it! Now, however, I am glad that I didn't dish it all out to others (sorry folks) as <strong>I LOVE IT</strong>!<br />
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<img alt="Brewbarrel customised beer" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Brew01.JPG" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></div>
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Because of my believing that I didn't like beer, it was suggested that I try brewing an Indian Pale Ale utilising different varieties of hops instead of just one type, which results in a naturally citrusy and herbal sweet beer. Apparently, this beer style is also characteristic of the resurgence in micro brewing and is probably the most popular beer style at the moment. If you are a fan of citrus I can wholeheartedly recommend this.<br />
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First delay I had was in realising that I needed bottled water, as I haven't a clue what goes into the well water pumped off the hill at the caravan park near Frugaldom, so I opted for supermarket bough's own natural spring water, which cost pennies. I needed just under 4.5 litres to make up the 5 litre barrel, so bought 3 x 2 litre bottles. Yes, frugal folks, I am home brewing at the caravan! That's how handy this neat little kit is, complete with it's 5 litre tin keg (that I can think of several ways of reusing).<br />
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<img alt="Home brewing using a craft beer kit" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Brew02.JPG" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></div>
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This is a German beer kit, produced by a fairly new start-up company in Munich, where home brewing wasn't as popular as it is here in UK. Despite this, 80,000 brewing kits were sold in Germany alone, with one reason being the will of many people today to engage in a DIY hobby and practise some degree of self sufficiency. Likewise here in Britain, where requests began arriving for the bespoke kits. Alongside the UK launch, new beer varieties, such as Lager and Ale, were developed.<br />
I remember the 80s' when every lad and their dad, son, brother and uncle was home brewing. Big plastic barrel kits could be seen in almost every back room, shed or outhouse! Staying home and socialising with friends and neighbours was the normal thing to do during those financially turbulent times and now, here we are in 2016, 30+ years later, still with our turbulent times but with beer kits that are so far removed from the clumsy efforts of the past that it's now trendy for us ladies to have a go. Sexist? Maybe! Fun? Definitely!<br />
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Measuring out the boiling water, mixing the syrupy malt, adding the hops and yeast... it really was a dawdle! The most difficult aspect of the kit was probably pushing the pressure valve into the top of the barrel, but even that was relatively easy. I waited the few days recommended and then gingerly turned the barrel - I couldn't resist testing the valve to hear the hiss of the beer inside - proof positive that it was fermenting.<br />
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Next, I had to alter the shelves in my tiny fridge to fit in the 5 litre keg, but managed this without having to eat too much to make the space. Who would have believed that beer could be made within the space of a week? As luck would have it, my visitors cancelled, so my beer barrel sat in the fridge for a second week until I decided to do the testing myself.<br />
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<img alt="My frst ever home brewed craft beer" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Brew03.JPG" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></div>
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Gingerly, I lifted the barrel onto the worktop and slowly released some gas from the valve. Not wanting to waste a drop, I opened the tap at the bottom and allowed a trickle of the frothy liquid to run into a glass. I'd never make a barmaid, that's for sure! As you can see, I had a glass of what looked like cappuccino froth, but it slowly turned into a honey-coloured liquid and I was able to taste it for the very first time.<br />
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What a revelation! Never in my life have I liked beer until now and, even now, I can't believe this is homemade beer! I have no idea of its strength or potency, all I have is the knowledge that I made it, it was simple to do and I like the end product. It's a real treat to the taste buds and I wish this company every success in their entrepreneurial endeavours. They have a great product and, if anyone is stuck for gift ideas, I would happily give or receive a gift voucher that allows me to concoct my own specialist beer from over 50,000 different flavour combinations. I honestly didn't know where to start but can see how easy it could become to keep on sampling more, based on initial results, so...<br />
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DON'T FORGET THIS IS ALCOHOL!<br />
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PS: The kit also includes 3 beer mats - nice touch!<br />
PPS: Cheers, frugal folks! Don't forget Father's Day in UK on Sunday 19th June. <img alt="smiley" height="23" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/regular_smile.png" title="smiley" width="23" /></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-48240767495422826752016-04-01T21:06:00.000+01:002016-04-01T21:06:09.595+01:00Badgers in the Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/frugal-living/blogs"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#Frugal Living</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/gardening/blogs"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#Gardening</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/wildlife/blogs"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#Wildlife</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/how_to/blogs"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#How to...</span></a></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In December, the bottom of the garden flooded, so we finally had to move the chickens to new quarters further up the garden. In February, the old chicken run was converted into a wildlife garden. In March, we finally got around to setting up the trail cam in the hope of filming some of the local wildlife - now we have badgers!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Badger visiting the new wildlife garden" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/badger_01.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the help of a battery powered </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&field-keywords=trail%20camera&linkCode=ur2&tag=nowyouknowonline&url=search-alias%3Daps" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trail Camera</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=nowyouknowonline&l=ur2&o=2" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (these have dropped greatly in price, with models, such as ours, available from under £75) we are able to leave it running and capture footage through the night, thanks to the infra red. These little cameras are amazing and make wildlife filming something we can all afford to do without even incurring the costs of leaving home!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How to attract badgers - leave out some peanuts! The very first night we left out peanuts, our first badger arrived. Prior to this, they had no access to this part of the garden, as it had been fenced off for the hens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Badger meets badger eco arts sculpture" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/badger_badger.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you know, we have several </span><a href="http://www.ecoarts.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ecoarts</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> sculptures in the garden, so the badger had to go and investigate. I don't think it quite knew what to do but I can't help but wonder if it recognised the sculpture as a badger!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Badger watching camera, badger sleeping" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/badger_sleeping.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At first the badger was curious about the camera, as it shines a little blue light when the sensors are triggered and clicks as it begins filming in infra red. Very quickly, our garden badger seemed completely at ease with the gadget until, at one point, he (or she) lay down and fell asleep watching it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="2 badgers" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Badger_02.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the coming week, our badger decided it was safe enough to bring along a friend to share the peanuts that get sat on top of the tree stump and scattered around it on the ground. We got very excited by this and the thought crossed our minds that this could be a pair that may just return with babies in tow at some point in the not too distant future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt=" Now we have 3 badgers!" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/badger_03.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Within about a week, word had spread of the tasty peanut treats available in Frugaldom's cottage wildlife garden and we were delighted when we reviewed the footage and discovered that a third badger had arrived! This was more than we had dreamed of seeing and had me wondering how many badgers live in a sett - or a holt. I've now nicknamed this corner of our garden 'Badgers Halt'! This was the week they began attempting to dig under the shed, so rocks had to be scattered around it to try and prevent them from tunnelling underneath it. This seemed to work, but then...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="We now have 4 badgers in the garden" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/badger_04.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day, after reviewing what the camera had captured during the previous night, we were shocked to see a fourth badger happily munching away on the peanuts. Never had we expected anything like this - we seem to have attracted an entire family of them. The original visitor is there every night, almost every hour from dusk until well into the night and then returns before dawn. They all seem to be most active at dusk, but this may be because the peanuts are all gone by morning.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="5 badgers in the garden" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/badger_05.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then last night, to round off the month of March and take us through to April, we were introduced to our 5th badger of the group, so I had to go and do some more reading. According to the </span><a href="http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/facts/badgers.htm"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">information about badgers</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> on the Wildlife Trust web site, there can be up to 14 badgers living in the one sett, so I think we're going to need a whole load more peanuts!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are very entertaining creatures but they are also very boisterous, with a tendency to run at one another, head-butting and body slamming. I will try to upload some of the video clips to our </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/nykmedia"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frugaldom YouTube channel</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> so you can share their antics.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.frugaldom.com/">www.frugaldom.com</a> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-39555746569795431212016-03-15T14:35:00.000+00:002016-03-15T17:23:52.857+00:00Ponies, Tree Planting, Badgers and Beer Making<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/wildlife/blogs"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">#Wildlife</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/horses/blogs"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">#Horses Galore</span></a></li>
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</div>
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<div class="text">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few days of glorious weather has put some sun on ponies' backs, helped with tree planting, dried out the ground a bit and even seems to have encouraged the wildlife. But beer-making? What's that all about, I hear you ask?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?s=64693&v=1353&q=52119&r=4381" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://www.awin1.com/cshow.php?s=64693&v=1353&q=52119&r=4381" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">========================</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="The top paddock at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Welcome_to_Frugaldom_toppaddock.jpg" style="height: 292px; width: 600px;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last week we had a visit from the local Forestry Commission and someone very kindly chain sawed and removed all the fallen trees that had crashed onto the boundary wall at Frugaldom. This now allows us free access to the entire length of wall that runs along the top side of one of the fields.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="The Frugaldom ponies" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Eddie-Pippin-Willow.jpg" style="height: 210px; width: 500px;" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soon, the top paddock will be split into two strips of land - one recreational paddock and one strip for new woodland. The ponies, once they get here, will be used to help clear the land once we have removed the tree stumps and fallen branches. We also need a new fence built to prevent them from wandering too far down the hill or into the stream. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Eddie, Pippin and Willow are having their veterinary checks done this week and, all going well, should be coming to Frugaldom at the weekend. Exciting times!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Crocuses at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Crocuses_at_Frugaldom.jpg" style="height: 301px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Spring is definitely in the air at Frugaldom - while walking the edge of the first field with the machine driver, who will be moving all the old felled trees and roots, I spotted these crocuses. They were a welcome site in an otherwise desolate piece of landscape here. I can't wait for this part to be cleared for new trees, pasture and wild flowers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Planting holly and hawthorn hedge" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/hedgeplanting.JPG" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tree planting is a slow process but we now have 1,000 more willows in the ground and finished planting the new holly and hawthorn trees that arrived as part of our wild wood tree pack from the Woodland Trust. Still plenty more to plant, with the hazels, crab apples and downy birch standing in line waiting to go into the next phase of our new woodland at Frugaldom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Badger in the garden" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Badger_150316a.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We set up the trail cam at home, in the part of the garden that was reclaimed from the old chicken run. Within hours, we had our first visitor scurrying around, digging in the turf and munching on peanuts I had scattered on the ground. Badgers seem to love peanuts and we do love knowing that they are around here, safe and well. Now we just need to try encouraging red squirrels and hedgehogs back into the area. We already have deer coming into the garden - they ate all the windfalls in our little orchard during Autumn!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="The baby hare" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/leveret280216.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have spotted the hares on several occasions over the past week while out tree planting at Frugaldom but haven't managed to take any more photos, so this is the one I took a fortnight ago of the new baby. Baby hares are called leverets. Unlike baby rabbits (kittens, I think?), they are born fully furred with their eyes open and able to run around without a problem. Mum leaves them hiding for the day and returns periodically to feed them. The hares at Frugaldom are fairly bold and don't seem to mind that we are there when they lope across the yard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Toad spawn" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Toadspawn_130316.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is a big clump of frog spawn that was about to be left high and dry when the water level in the new drainage ditch began to drop, so I moved it along a little until it was floating in a cleared area... it slurped over like something out of a slimy comedy horror movie. I am informed that frog spawn is laid in clumps, whereas toads lay their eggs in strings, so this and several other clumps belong to the resident frogs. (Thanks for keeping me right, DC.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Brew barrel homebrewing German beer" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/brewbarrel.JPG" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And now for the beer - there's nothing better than a cool swig of something refreshing after a long day working out on the land and with all this frugal living, many of us don't have the time or the budget to socialise in a pub. It's expensive enough getting dressed up and arranging taxis (or designated drivers) plus babysitters (if you need them) and buying a decent glass of something, so Brewbarrel.com offered to send me a home brewing kit of their finest to have a go at making my own. We aren't known for drinking alcohol here, as it simply isn't in the budget, but we do make exceptions for special occasions. I'm not a beer drinker, so I explained this to the Brewbarrel.com man and he very kindly selected a recipe that he thinks may be my personal preference, based entirely on what I normally like. (Almost anything with a citrus twist.) His helpful advice was to recommend India Pale Ale, as "It utilises different hops instead of just one type, which results in a naturally citrusy and herbal sweet beer... if you are a fan of citrus I can wholeheartedly recommend that one to you."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There you have it - in about a week's time, I'll have brewed my first ever bespoke, luxury beer. It's a 5 litre barrel in the kit, so I'm not too sure how it compares with the equivalent in bottles of artisan beers from the micro-breweries that are springing up around us but I do know that making it myself does have much more appeal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We still have trees and posts available for sponsoring at Frugaldom, so please consider checking out </span><a href="http://www.frugalshop.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">www.frugalshop.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to find out how. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To get more in-depth details of the Frugaldom project, you'll need to register a username in </span><a href="http://www.frugalforums.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">www.frugalforums.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> (Registration is free)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Until next time,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">NYK / Frugaldom.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-70716117195146617212016-03-07T23:34:00.000+00:002016-03-07T23:34:20.736+00:00Building a Willow Den at Frugaldom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fine and sunny weather over the weekend allowed us all out to the field to play at den-building with the grand children. Work is always more of a game when it's fun and having the under 12's in charge of proceedings makes it interesting, to say the least!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?s=64693&v=1353&q=52119&r=4381" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://www.awin1.com/cshow.php?s=64693&v=1353&q=52119&r=4381" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To put you in the picture, my grand children have inherited my love of ponies, so the prospect of seeing some back at Frugaldom soon is very exciting for them. First thing on Saturday morning, they were up and impatient to get going, with the master plan being to build a den in the heritage garden (our Garden of Gratitude) that was within easy reach of the barn and had a view of the corrals, so they could see the ponies if or when they arrive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Ponies" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/EddiePippinWillow.jpg" style="height: 191px; width: 600px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The work part needing done at the weekend was more willow pruning, but what better material to make a den than fast-growing willow sticks? These will also be great when we get around to creating our frugal pony paradise paddocks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Building a willow den at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Den00.jpg" style="height: 338px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beautiful blue sky, sunshine and a really sheltered spot for den building, but you can see the snow lying on the Galloway Hills on the horizon. We are so lucky to have found and afforded to buy this little piece of frugal paradise!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Building a willow den at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Den01.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sprawling goat willow in the middle of the heritage garden will make a fantastic den, as the branches are already curved over, creating an inviting hide with spectacular views. Better still, the girls will love watching and listening for the pretty little long-tailed tits that frequent this clump of willow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Building a willow den at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Den02.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's an apple tree by the entrance, but the rest is all willow, which we hope will grow up tall enough to weave into an arched walkway to the entrance of the den.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Building a willow den at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Den03.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The junior clerk of works surveying the 'roof' before we begin weaving through some branches and planting the walls to keep out the wild animals. Youngest is impatient and wanted to know if the willow would have grown by Easter so she could get a door, in case the fox went in 'her' house! <img alt="laugh" height="23" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/teeth_smile.png" title="laugh" width="23" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Building a willow den at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Den04.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The den quickly took shape once all the twigs and stones were raked out of the way and all the clippings from the other willows were planted around to grow living walls. As well as the surplus to requirement goat willow cuttings, there are 200 fast-growing willow cuttings that will be woven together next year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Planting willow walls for the den at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Den05.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Putting the finishing touches (for the day) to their den as the sun begins to set - still plenty to do but it will need to wait for another sunny weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sponsored post for harvest trees" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/SponsoredPost.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also hammered a post into the ground for the family who has sponsored 5 harvest trees - each grand child has their name engraved on a disc to show their support for Frugaldom and to pinpoint their adopted trees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Building a new duck run" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Duck_run_building.JPG" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another job that has been done since my last blog post is the new duck run being built. This should keep the surviving ducks safe from any further fox attacks. The hems are much happier and settled well in their new, secure pen and we've even had a few eggs from them over the past week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Our new wildlife garden" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Thrift_Cott_Wildlife_Garden.jpg" style="height: 316px; width: 600px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This used to be the old hem run at the bottom of the garden. Those of you who tae part in our forums will know that this area is where I have started my 2016 Frugaleur challenge, planting 5 new colours of willow for growing into sculpture and basket weaving materials. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This bit garden was originally designated as tiny house location, but having since bought Frugaldom, this will become the cottage wildlife garden and the old hen shed will eventually become a hide. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The deer are already coming in from the field beyond, we've had a badger visit and there are woodpeckers coming to the bird feeding station nearby. Mr Ecoarts has managed to source some turf, so that will be laid as soon as possible, then we'll sort out feeding stations and set up the trail camera to see what visits the bottom of the garden when we aren't looking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="The Little Red Box portable solar kit" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/LittleRedBox.jpg" style="height: 400px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In other news,</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am hoping I have managed to source a supply of pallets, which will be a great help at the Frugaldom project.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Acknowledgement arrived from our local planning department saying thy are really busy and it could take at least 6 weeks to respond to our enquiries.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Forestry Commission called today to let me know they had been out and removed the fallen trees that landed on our wall.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The digger driver is coming out tomorrow so I can show him what needs moving, digging and clearing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The portable solar lighting kit arrived and it is FAB! Many thanks to Kev at </span><a href="http://www.thesolarshed.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Solar Shed</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for providing us with a free upgrade to 20w panel and free postage & packaging.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trees arrived from The Woodland Trust for this weekend's tree-planting event. Get in contact if you'd like to attend.</span></li>
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<a href="http://www.frugaldom.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.frugaldom.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/Frugaldom"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.facebook.com/Frugaldom</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/Frugaldom"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.twitter.com/Frugaldom</span></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-19977148173394624432016-02-29T18:18:00.003+00:002016-02-29T18:18:26.558+00:00Orchard planting, corral post tagging and the horse drawn travel blogger<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The new apple orchard has now been planted - 25 Galloway Pippins and 2 of them sponsored already! The latest tags have been fitted to the fence posts around the corral and today, Leap Day 29th February, we caught up with Michael, Angus and Bob as they made their way along the country lanes in the direction of Frugaldom.<br />
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<img alt="Horse drawn travels with Micheal, Angus and Bob" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Michael_Angus_Bob.jpg" style="height: 274px; width: 500px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11px;">Michael hitching up Tarateeno, aka Angus. You can read his blog at <a href="http://horsedrawntravel.blogspot.co.uk/">http://horsedrawntravel.blogspot.co.uk</a> </span></div>
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The weekend was sunny and dry, so we set off for Frugaldom to plant the new orchard and tag a few more posts around the corral, while also taking the time to gather more wood for the next <a href="http://www.ecoarts.co.uk/">Ecoarts</a> sculpture. Now that the latest horse has been completed, I'm eagerly awaiting news of what the next one could be. As luck would have it, the weather soon returned to miserable, wet and windy, so we decided to call a halt to wood collecting and get back to Thrift Cottage. It was a soggy scene that met us when we were homeward bound.<br />
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Seeing the little horse drawn cavalcade, we stopped for some photos and a chat with Michael. We have seen him in previous years while he's been in nearby Port William, so I have given him directions to Frugaldom and am hoping he may still be there when I return with the next lot of tags for the fence posts. Who knows, maybe the hitching post will be ready in time for his next visit to the area.<br />
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<img alt="Scruffy the cat sitting on Angs, the wooden horse" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/cat_on_horse.jpg" style="height: 338px; width: 450px;" /></div>
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This being the weekend that the latest sculpture was completed - a 'cat' horse <img alt="wink" height="23" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/wink_smile.png" title="wink" width="23" /> - we have decided to name it 'Angus', after the little cart horse who crossed our path this morning - the black and white cob pulling the colourful bowtop wagon.)<br />
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<img alt="Angus the cob" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Angus_wooden_carthorse.jpg" style="height: 347px; width: 450px;" /></div>
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As soon as H completed 'Angus', the sculpture was given a coat of wood preserving treatment, while the sun shone, then we began gathering together what was needed for the caravan and our Frugaldom trip.<br />
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This was the first weekend of the season, but I didn't get much time to catch up with many others on site, as it was a case of getting the tree planting done as quickly as possible, as the next packs of trees are scheduled to arrive here next week. As per the events pages, we intend starting to plant the next new hedge weekend of 12th & 13th Match.<br />
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<img alt="Galloway Pippin heritage aple trees being planted at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Galloway_Pippin_280216.jpg" style="height: 291px; width: 600px;" /></div>
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Between us, for the new orchard, we dug the 25 holes needed for eight two-year-old and seventeen one-year-old apple trees, all genuine alloway Pippins, a heritage variety believed to have originated in nearby Wigtown. We lived there for a few years after it became Scotland's national book town. <br />
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These apple trees had to be bought in specially, so a little bit of an investment was needed to help get this orchard up and running as part of our Galloway heritage project. For this reason, we have offered the trees up for sponsorship at a cost of just £15 each, to help cover initial costs. (See <a href="http://www.frugaldom.com/">www.frugaldom.com</a> for link to the details.)<br />
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<img alt="Tag a post at the Frugaldom corral" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/tag-a-post_280216.jpg" style="height: 169px; width: 600px;" /></div>
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The latest tag-a-post engravings have been done, so these have each been fitted to their posts around the corral. With Frugaldom aiming for absolute financial self-sustainability, every sponsorship, membership or tagged post helps cover the costs of setting up the project and then, once we have Frugaldom up and running, it will hopefully become a trading post where the main currency will be whatever we all make, do, mend, grow or harvest. I'm hoping to get back over there to fit the next batch of tags later this week. (Tree sponsors also get an engraved tag on the Frugaldom corral fence.)<br />
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<img alt="The pond at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/pond_at_frugaldom.jpg" style="height: 264px; width: 500px;" /></div>
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After completing the tagging and planting, I had a walk around Frugaldom to check on the previously planted trees and the recently planted willows, then wandered along the river to the pond area. It will eventually make a fantastic location for a wildlife hide or picnic spot, but we are a long way off that stage just yet.<br />
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<img alt="" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/leveret280216.jpg" style="height: 375px; width: 500px;" /></div>
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We spotted our first leveret of the year! These tiny hares are born fully furred with their eyes open, so many people can understandably mistake them for deserted baby rabbits. You can see this one looks just like last year's baby, complete with tiny white star on its head.<br />
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I think this about sums up my weekend and I am trying to make the most of this extra day in the year by catching up with blogging, baking and planning my next trip to Frugaldom. I should probably be planning the next bit of renovation work in the house and kitchen garden, but my excuse is that it's still cold and wet outside, so nobody will want to travel to work here. <img alt="laugh" height="23" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/teeth_smile.png" title="laugh" width="23" /> (If you do, please get in contact - we still need a joiner, a plumber, a builder, a plasterer and an electrician.)<br />
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Don't forget you can share more of the Frugaldom project news in the forums, on Facebook and on Twitter.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-66120091929685984872016-02-27T14:43:00.000+00:002016-02-27T14:43:43.243+00:00Frugal Living during Winter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/frugal-living/blogs"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#Frugal Living</span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following a frugal regime during winter is never easy. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks or who agrees or disagrees with our lifestyle choices, it's always around February that we could happily crank up the heating and throw extra logs on the fire... or else pack up and head for warmer, drier climes!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.paidonresults.net/c/3478/1/1175/blog270216/products/25608-00,disposable-foot-warmer-set-6-hours-instant-heat-feet-warmers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Disposable foot warmer set 99p" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/99pfootwarmerbanner.jpg" style="height: 131px; width: 600px;" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Frugal breaks caravans" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/caravan90.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wintertime is dragging on without any definite signs that it's either going to arrive here with a vengeance or extend its chilly, wet, occasionally frosty days. Will it snow? Will the temperatures plummet to 10 below freezing just as we expect springtime to arrive? Who knows? All I know is that this time of year brings new challenges - money and otherwise. We eventually got the caravan cleaned, aired and made up ready for the arrival of our first visitors: the season opens this weekend and the water pipes, thankfully, hadn't frozen. It's probably warmer in the caravan than in the house, if I'm honest. Living in a smaller space is always going to be cheaper, as it's easier to heat.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CHILLY MORNINGS</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/thumbnail_5degrees.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 5px; float: left; height: 160px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; width: 160px;" />At home, the thermometer on the sitting-room wall reads just below 6 Degrees C in the mornings, as there's no central heating here and we still haven't resolved the issue of deciding on the best way forward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The open fire heats hot water on a back boiler, which gets pumped around the house and heats 5 radiators quite adequately - if you have a full time stoker, a limitless supply of perfectly dry kindling, a self-filling coal bunker and a guarantee that the power stays on to keep the electric pump running. Last week the power went out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as I had banked up the fire and the water in the boiler was starting to bubble, sudden blackness and silence descended - barring the roar of the fire and the boiling water! Flicking a switch is fine if you have one, but there is no such switch to extinguish a blazing fire in the hearth while the pipes are rattling like they're ready to explode! (Getting slightly paranoid at this possibility)</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CAN A BOILER BLOW UP OR BURST?</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Literally blind panic while retrieving torches and candles... A fine mist water spray and a dose of salt extinguished the remains of the fire after I precariously decanted red hot coals to the multi-fuel stove in the room across the hall! I do NOT recommend this at all, but until I find out for sure if a back-boiler really can explode from overheating while the power is out, I have lost trust in this solid fuel system. My faith in uninterrupted electricity supply has never been strong, as I've pretty much always lived in the country. I should know better by now, but these types of home improvements cost thousands of pounds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More number-crunching work required and I really do wish I had been able to afford to replace the entire heating system all at the same time. I think I'd now prefer a bigger multi-fuel stove, but keeping a supply of perfectly dry logs is difficult in such a wet climate.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GARDENING, POULTRY KEEPING AND WORMS IN WINTER</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gardening has fallen by the wayside completely - the ground is saturated, the earth just mud - even the two remaining ducks are getting fed up with it. They should be happy once their new run is completed and their pond thaws. The hens have settled well into their new run, away from the flood risk part of the garden and we're even getting an occasional egg from the young (2 year-old) hen. The little banties are now 7 years old, so I'm not expecting too much from them. Garden hens are <u>not</u> frugal if you're in it for their lifetime, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The wormery is doing surprisingly well, despite the weather. I think with it being so mild for much of the time, the wrigglers have just kept on eating, so here's hoping we get some decent compost this year. I can probably count on one hand how often our food recycling bin has ever gone out for council collection!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">KEEP ACTIVE - FEBRUARY'S FRUGAL FITNESS MONTH</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something I must practice as much as I preach, as keeping fit and healthy helps your metabolism and the extra exertion keeps the blood pumping sufficiently to prevent hypothermia setting in... move it, move it, move it... anything, anywhere, just keep something moving. Right now, only my fingers are moving because, once again, I'm sat at the computer. Ho hum... I'm a dismal failure at the physical fitness in February but I have remained vigilant with the frugal finances! Just need to try to reap the benefits of some savings interest from somewhere, even if it is a mere 0.5%</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>EXERCISE IS FREE</strong>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You'd think I would get to grips with this fact and make the most of it whenever possible! For this reason, I fully intend marching into March, making it all the way through the month, exercising like a mad March hare (without boxing) then marching right out of there, into April.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CYCLING</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't even sat on my bike since last Autumn! I think it's safe to say I am no cyclist, just a fair-weather peddler. The only pedlar I'm ever going to be is the one at the gate trying to sell eggs, fruit and veg! Riding a bike in winter weather just is not for me - I'm too paranoid about being run over by a logging lorry, tractor or milk tanker!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ANOTHER BIG BANG!</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the hot coal sprint, any almighty bang and rumble had me worried. The entire house shook and I ran outside half-expecting to see a collapsed chimney had crashed down from the roof. Thankfully not! We hadn't a clue what had caused it, but the poor cat looked terrified!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not long after that, another almighty explosion rocked the house... but it had resonated from the hill at the back of the house. I seriously thought the farm's wind turbine had exploded, but it was still there, still turning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/Warship_in_LuceBay.jpg" style="height: 244px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I went and spoke to the nearest neighbour - she had felt the explosion, too, but she was able to alert us to the war games being played nearby! How come I had missed that piece of news? Yes, we had seen the helicopters buzzing about and we'd even had two huge Hercules planes fly over the previous day, but that's not unusual for this area. A trip along the shore road showed there were more than just planes nearby.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WINTER TREE PLANTING</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Excitement over - but blasting not over! We now have tree harvesting, road repairs and quarrying all going on around us at Frugaldom. Tree planting is going to be noisier than normal, I expect, but this isn't holding up proceedings - it's mainly the weather that's causing the delays!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TREE SPONSORING</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1,000 willows, 25 heritage apple trees, 420 assorted natives and a small copse of oaks to be planted before the end of March. We would love to have actual help planting but no amount of posting online about it gets our news read by anyone close enough who has the free time to spare. You can lead folks to the Internet but you can't make them read specific information.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sponsor a tree at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/sponsor-a-tree.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having invested in 25 heritage Galloway Pippin apple trees for the new orchard, I am now seeking sponsors for each of them. If you would like to help support the Frugaldom project, all the options are listed on </span><a href="http://www.frugaldom.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.Frugaldom.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and in the </span><a href="http://www.frugalshop.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.frugalshop.co.uk</span></a><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">POST TAGGING</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wildforms, Stranraer tag a post at Frugaldom" src="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/page-images/wildforms_tag.jpg" style="float: left; height: 183px; margin: 5px; width: 200px;" />As well as seeking tree sponsors for the orchard, we have several other ways available, both for individuals and businesses. Fencing the project is costing thousands of pounds, so we are tagging the posts with engraved discs displaying the chosen details of those who take part.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Tag-a-post scheme will continue for as long as it takes to fence the corrals, then we'll keep going - around the barnyard, along the track and around the nature walk. It would be fantastic if each new post got tagged, though I fear this could take longer than I have left, as the Frugaldom project needs many, many new posts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, you can find out more about our sponsorship and membership options by using the links on the Frugaldom website or by visiting the Frugal Shop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many thanks to all who have supported us so far - I hope you will all be able to join us here in May 2017 for our very first Frugalfest get together. Or sooner, if you choose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back to keeping warm - we're chopping up as many of the old posts as possible and drying them for firewood. Frugaldom is huge compared to a garden, so there is more than enough scrap wood by way of logs and branches for any of our members to share, if you care to go the DIY route and collect them from site. (By prior arrangement only.)</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PORTABLE SOLAR KIT</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am now looking seriously at investing in a small, portable solar kit for lighting the barn and for emergency use at home or at the caravan. I'm not sure how money-saving it may be, so it has to be seen as an investment. Renewable energy on a stand alone system has to be worth considering, so the possibility of incorporating a small wind turbine on the Frugaldom barn has not been ruled out, either. There are some great kits developing and these are gradually falling within the affordability of individuals, even those of us on a frugal budget.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My incomplete list of current winter warmers and emergency back-up supplies:</span></strong><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Extra layers, including thermals</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fleece has become part of my daily wardrobe</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Woolly leg-warmers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Double thickness socks</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Warm gloves and a hat - your head loses a huge amount of your body heat.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Furry slippers (Indoors only!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flasks for filling with hot water (I have a 5 litre one that gets filled from the kettle on the stove)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cooking facility - BBQ, gas camping stove, log burner</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Insulated mugs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hot drinks, soup and instant hot meal options</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottled water (if you rely on electric filters or pumps for well water)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Exercise or extra movement - a short, brisk walk outside or even up and down stairs or around the house works</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Electric blanket</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hot water bottle / wheat bags</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Extra duvet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Extra under-blanket - if your bed has slats, lay cardboard over the top, below the mattress, as added insulation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Knitted blankets from scrap wool - keeps you warm even while knitting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Burnable organic waste turned into fuel!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Candles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rechargeable wind-up torch</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coal in the bunker</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Logs in the log store</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Old newspapers (provided by neighbours)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matches and extra matches</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hand and foot warmers - anyone tried these? Shame they're disposable but as emergency back-up when working outdoors in freezing temperatures, they sound good!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alternative energy source - even battery power is better than no power - being able to see during power cuts (or when off grid) is paramount to your own safety, as the last thing you want to do is fall over or walk into something.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How are you dealing winter on a budget? Is heating costing more than eating? It certainly does here!</span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872493581238440851.post-83489807612159109902016-02-25T23:05:00.000+00:002016-02-25T23:05:40.267+00:00How to Save to Buy a House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<li><a href="http://www.scottishmultimedia.co.uk/tag/frugal-living/blogs"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#Frugal Living</span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Home ownership for first time buyers can be a daunting prospect so this is a little bit about how frugal living can help you save to buy a house, or even save to rent to buy a house! The lifestyle affords the luxury of saving more of your cash for your dream home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" src="http://www.gentoogroup.com/imagegen.ashx?width=300&image=/media/280338/humbles-wood.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I first began my quest to save for a house it was 'the done thing' – we were led to believe there were 3 options –</span><br />
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<li><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">get a mortgage</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">get a council house</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">find a live-in job</span></strong></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Initially, I opted for the live-in job. Looking back, it was possibly the best paid job I ever had – all bills, meals and car paid AND £40 a week into the bank. But at 18 you don't think about it until you need to move on and set up your own home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And so the master plan began - only I got impatient and wanted an item that cost more than my savings, so I got a bank loan to pay for it! The loan was only £800 repayable over 12 months but getting it became a defining moment. It taught me, rightly or wrongly, that the easiest way to buy something major is to use someone else's money and pay it back over time, preferably with as little interest added on as possible. It all seemed so easy until interest rates rose to an incredible 15%, that's when things can go pear-shaped. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It certainly taught many of us why we should pay more attention to financial and property-related news!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" src="http://www.gentoogroup.com/_assets/images/logo_gentoo-how-you-live.jpg" style="height: 84px; width: 200px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since then, various Government initiatives have evolved and different home ownership possibilities introduced. There are affordable rent options, social housing, shared ownership and even social enterprises that incorporate housing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Improve the art of living" src="http://hartvillagehartlepool.co.uk/themes/default/img/aol-aol.jpg" style="float: left; height: 180px; margin: 5px; width: 180px;" />Gentoo Group is one such social enterprise, based in North East of England, with "a vision to improve the Art of Living."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their work is focused around three key areas to maximise impact: people, planet and property. They allow you to </span><a href="http://www.gentoogroup.com/for-customers/find-a-home/homes-to-buy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">find a property you like</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, move in and pay rent, as a tenant, but your payments can also contribute towards buying the house – no need for a huge deposit or even a mortgage!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Social enterprises help further increase your chances of getting onto the property ladder and I suspect that this route may provide solutions to those who would, otherwise, have little possibility of ever owning their own home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Long gone are the days of my three basic options and total exclusion from the property market if you find yourself with insufficient income to qualify for a mortgage. Now we also have:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Help to Buy</strong> - Government backed scheme for first time buyers offering tax-free top-ups to mortgage deposit savings.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Shared ownership</strong> - You can buy shares worth between 50% and 75% of the market value of the property and you pay rent on the remaining share.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Rent to buy</strong> - 'Genie' properties are let at rates slightly above those of social tenancies, but they are still considerably below current market rents. Of course, due to their popularity they are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Part exchange</strong> - A bit like trading in your old car for a bigger or better one, you could start small and then work up to your dream home.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <img alt="" src="https://www.ownageniehome.co.uk/content/images/logo.png" style="height: 77px; width: 200px;" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whichever route you choose, you need savings to cover your costs. Most property transactions involve some form of legal fees, possibly surveys, moving costs, initial décor, floor coverings and furnishings and then all the little things that can be overlooked, especially if you are starting from scratch. Granny's insistence on starting a 'bottom drawer' as early as possible is as relevant now as it has ever been.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take care of the pennies, don't spend the pounds foolishly, take advantage of meaningful bargains and bank your savings safely so they can't be frittered away on 'stuff'. Try to ensure your money is attracting the best possible interest, even when rates seem ridiculously low, and be prepared to move quickly if your dream home presents itself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A LITTLE BIT EXTRA</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To help me with my own savings plan, I charted a timeline. It began with house hunting, then progressed through house viewing, surveys, moving costs and then on to legal expenses. It wasn't until all of those costs, which were several thousand pounds, could be met that I started saving for the actual house! Each month the balance grew with tax-free ISA interest, I rounded it up to the nearest full pound. Pound-rounding became quite habit-forming, so it wasn't long before I was rounding up to the nearest £5, then the nearest £10, until it eventually got to the hundreds. It all took time. Social enterprise options could definitely provide many with far quicker results and it is something I fully intend to explore further. How about you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feel free to ask questions, comment, get involved in the frugal forums discussions or share these posts and good luck with your personal savings goals.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Regular updates on our great new frugal living and working challenges. Keep up to date at http://www.frugalforums.co.uk</div>NYK in Frugaldomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01702184851369212088noreply@blogger.com5