The lovely Mo tagged me! She requires I tell you all my top 10 things to do for free. As I’m always happy to oblige and share a frugal note or two so here is the list!

1. I love to walk by the seaside, I do it as often as possible generally at least three times a week! I find I get my best prayers in, my best planning, my best reflecting when literally surrounded by the gentle whispers in the wind and hearing the waves crash against the sand/rocks.

2. I like to explore and visit our amazing English towns and villages. We are so blessed to have beauty on our doorstep, I hope it is something I never take for granted!

3. I like to make use of all the amazing FREE art galleries, museums and tourist attractions on offer, especially in London. Having visited the capital cities in over 14 countries, honestly we are very very blessed indeed here in England with what is on offer. From the Tate to the Victoria and Albert, there is something for everyone! Unlike other cities where you have to pay entry fees, ours are mostly free to enter and explore with the option of paying for special exhibits! Don’t forget the amazing free markets literally scattered all around London as well as the free open days at theaters and in gardens. I’m already planning a trip to coincide with Open Garden Squares Weekend!

Go here to see one of my favourite London views

4. I love to simply stand on the Millenium Bridge in London, with St Paul’s in front and The Tate behind me. Not to mention Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament and the Millenium Wheel to the side. Breath taking!

5. I love to play my violin; from Vivaldi to Beethoven, Mozart to Bach.  These two violinists were serenading us all at the Helsinki airport last Christmas!

6. I catch up with friends. This is not exceptionally easy for me since my closest friends live in Australia, Canada and the USA! It means I need to be creative, since I certainly don’t have the money for large phone bills! We do try to use phone cards to chat because there are times when only a good ol’fashioned natter will do, and I think we all value our friendships enough to know it is worth spending £10 or £20 a year to encourage each other! With my local friends it is a tad easier,  in terms of free things to do, we can meet for tea/coffee/meals at each other’s homes, meet up for a walk, swim, hike or even meet up to pray! The possibilities are endless

7. Read – from the Guardian website to the New York Times, the Economist, Time, Newsweek and Spectator. I love news, I love politics, I love learning and looking at situations from different points of view! 

8. Swoon -  There is nothing like Lynne’s Tea For Joy website for my daily need to swoon (although it isn’t quite on par with Colin Firth, sorry Lynne!)

9.  Volunteer – I love love love volunteering! From running a youth group to playing a musical instrument to people in nursing homes. From providing free office work for a hospice to simply helping those in need financially or practically. Volunteering is special, fun and incredibly frugal!

10. Last but certainly not least, I love spending time with wild ponies on Dartmoor and taking photograph after photograph. Hiking up Haytor and walking among them, seeing their gentle quiet grace and stroking their exceptionally soft fur. While in your neck of the woods you might not have Dartmoor ponies, I’d encourage you to find the wildlife you do have!

If you read this, you are tagged