Frugal and Free

FREEBIES!

But what does one do with such frugal gifts? Some may say this is mere waste and, in a way, it is. Someone, somewhere paid a company to remove a dangerous tree and clip back a hedge then remove all this 'waste' so everything went through a big chipping machine and loaded onto a lorry. From there, it is 'disposed of appropriately and legally'. 

Frugaldom is on the disposal list. We recycle chipped up trees and logs into mulch, compost and wildlife habitats that become homes or feeding stations to a plethora of critters and beasties.

Log piles make fabulous critter dens and feeding areas for wildlife. For our visitors stopping overnight, these areas also make great photo points when spotting the foxes, badgers or pine martens.

We often set out trail cameras and we supplement the feed of our visiting wildlife. Food for the animals is our biggest expense so we love when visitors arrive bearing gifts of peanuts, monkey nuts, fresh eggs, suet blocks and crunchy peanut butter (100% peanuts).

We also recycle any pallets we are given. Most get used for fencing or for floating footpaths over the marshy areas but we also built a small hide for summer use by the river. 

As well as all of this, the donated logs, tree chippings and pallets can be incorporated into Frugaldom's art in nature project. Harvey is in charge of that, creating all the wildwood and driftwood sculptures, making art from beach trash and dreaming up all manner of woodland creatures that can now be found here.

Currently, the installation known as 'The Four Horses if Frugaldom' is being moved from its previous location in the goat enclosure to be set up by the main driveway into the project. Truth, Honesty, Integrity and Respect will soon be in place, seen taking their leap of faith over nature's obstacles. Ecoarts play a huge part of what we do here, both telling a story and raising awareness, as well as helping raise much needed funds to help us keep going. 

But back to the free tree chippings...

Thanks to the chippings, we can mulch the footpaths that run between the cabins and around the wildlife feeding stations. Hut 2 is the current focus as we top up the paths around it, following in the footsteps of the deer, foxes, badgers and pine martens who frequently visit.

Frugal living isn't for everyone and nor is the whole off-grid experience but our aim is to make such experiences affordable and accessible to all. Nature and wildlife lovers, especially, are being offered memberships to our support group known as FRIENDS OF FRUGALDOM. In turn, this tiny bit income helps us cover costs of feeding the rescued, retired and rehomed animals we have here while offering members the chance to visit and stay.

Another fundraising feature we have is "Badger's Holt", a super corner of Frugaldom that permits campervans, motorhomes or even small caravans to park up and watch the wildlife while here. Stays can range from one day/night up to 28 days with pricing to suit any budget.

Frugaldom is also home to several feral cats, two of which can often be spotted roaming around the barn, hay shelters and feed rooms. Seen here is Caramel but we also have Macaroon, Minstrel, Socks and, on occasion, Commander.

All in all, Frugaldom is about frugality and the freedom to enjoy nature. Whether you are cabin camping, campervanning or motorhoming, we have an option that should suit every budget

Please contact me (Susan) if you have any questions or if you would like to help out here. Frugaldom is unfunded and run voluntarily as a social enterprise. We are neither a business nor are we a charity, we are simply two people spending our income on creating a magical little wilderness that can be enjoyed by all.

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