“The sounds of nature are deeply settling and grounding”
Joining a local guided foraging group is the most efficient way to learn more about wild food.
Fern says that the UK is full of foraging opportunities, in fact, any walking path can lead to the perfect hedgerow
Fern, now a professional forager, learned to identify plants with her dad at the age of 11
“It’s really efficient and easy to use,” Fern says. “If I charged the car at home overnight, I could easily get around town for several days. Longer drives, say to the Forest of Dean, could be done with only one charge en route – which is perfect to combine with a lunch stop at a service station. My main concern before driving the car was that I might run low on battery and arrive at a charging point to find it out-of-order, but there are apps that tell you where the charging points are and when they were last successfully used. That really put that worry to bed.”
For those keen to learn the art of foraging, Fern recommends joining a local group for guided walks with an expert. This, she says, would be the quickest and most efficient way to learn the basics of picking wild foods. Local foraging groups on Facebook can also come in useful for deciphering unknown plants, and having a reliable identification book that separates the edible from the poisonous is obviously a requisite. Fern’s go-to guide is the River Cottage handbook series by John Wright, which examines the three pillars of foraging, ‘Mushrooms’, ‘Coastal’ and ‘Hedgerow’.
“Foraging is not where you go out and pick everything,” advised Fern. “It is very much about the journey; going into nature and finding a plant that calls to you, and then studying that plant to identify it. The process takes time and focus. It is about seeing that plant in real life, touching it and even smelling it. My advice is to go slowly, focusing on the plants you know at first.”
Further west, the ancient woodlands of Ashdown Forest and the Forest of Dean are standout areas for mushroom picking. National Trust or Forestry Commission sites are particularly healthy foraging areas, although they sometimes have conservation areas or bylaws in place – just look out for signs near the car park. “Basically anywhere in England that is outside of the cities is incredible for hedgerow foraging – you just have to look for a good dog-walking path,” she smiles.
“Foraging really teaches you the value in nature – and in picking my own food, I’ve learned the most enjoyable and precious things in life, our environment, cannot be bought. It’s been really reassuring to have a fully-electric vehicle like the Vauxhall Mokka-e to drive between foraging sites because I know I’m not impacting the environment by using fuel that has been harvested from the earth. I especially love that you can see the battery recharging itself on the display panel, when braking or slowing down. I get very excited seeing the [percentage] bar rise on the panel. It is important to me to know I’m leaving as little impact as possible while travelling around.”
“I started foraging with my dad at the age of 11, so I’ve now got to the place where I really understand the seasons,” smiles Fern. “As the wheel of the year turns, I feel very much in tune with it. When you’re out there so often, you witness life cycles – how things blossom, then die away. It becomes metaphorical for how you view yourself and you relax because you know nature is a cycle, of which you hold a small part.”
Fern goes out foraging most days – either with her partner or on her own with her dogs. She typically explores the walking paths around her local area of Sussex, or makes the longer drive to the ruggedly beautiful Jurassic coast – which is ideal for the seaside foraging of molluscs and seaweed. “I find it really quite meditative,” Fern comments. “It is a relaxing and quiet activity – it’s our chance to hear the birdsong and rustling leaves, those sounds of nature that are deeply settling and grounding.” It’s this regard for nature and the environment around her that makes the fully electric Vauxhall Mokka-e the perfect vehicle for Fern – a form of transport that is kinder to a world that yields so much.
If there was one thing the pandemic taught us, it was just how precious our outside environment really is. We learned at the height of uncertainty, that nature is a great solace. Now that those restrictions have eased, that’s a lesson many of us are keen to hold on to.
For 29-year-old Fern Freud, her deep connection with nature was established long before the pandemic. A professional forager, with over 40,000 Instagram followers, she has spent many years entwined in the outdoors, getting to know her surroundings in Sussex County. For her, Fern says, being among the wilds of nature brings her a sense of peace – because it’s taught her how closely linked we are to the planet.
Fern Freud tells us why picking her own wild food has led her to value the planet
Fern Freud on why picking her own wild food brings her peace
Each of Vauxhall’s all-electric vehicles come with a sport/power, normal and eco mode. The latter switches the vehicle’s systems to maximum energy efficiency. The regenerative braking system acts as a mini generator and stores kinetic energy in the battery
to help you travel further.
Plot your journey on Vauxhall’s map to see how far you can go on a single charge. Vauxhall’s Plug & Go* offer includes a free home charging unit, worth £800, and free home installation – meaning your vehicle can charge overnight and be ready to be
driven in the morning.
With less moving parts and less wear on brakes, electric vehicles offer 30 per cent less on maintenance costs. Vauxhall’s all-electric range comes with eight years' roadside assistance and battery warranty. The Plug & Go* Package offers three years free servicing.
Rest assured with Vauxhall’s All Electric Range
DID YOU KNOW?
Follow in Fern’s footsteps by taking a day trip to Studland Bay on the Dorset coast, where you can embark on a unique foraging experience with Fore/Adventure. Owners Jade and Dan and their team will take you either by land or kayak, to seek out the natural ingredients to be found in this protected nature reserve. Later, you’ll take your wealth of natural ingredients back to nearby Knoll House, to enjoy a self-foraged dinner.
Book a room at nearby Knoll House, to enjoy the full experience.
Plan your own foraging excursion with Secret Escapes
Find out more about Vauxhall’s All-Electric Range
Nearby Knoll's House, established in 1931, is a just short stroll from coast and boasts sweeping sea views
Take a stroll to Old Harry rocks, an iconic feature of the East Dorset coastline
Join Fore/Adventure for a sea foraging experience around the shores of Studland Bay
*Plug and Go Package - Fully fitted wallbox / 3 years free servicing / 6 month BP pulse subscription / 8 years battery warranty / 8 years roadside assistance
*Plug and Go Package **Terms, conditions, and eligibility criteria apply. Depending on the wallbox provider, the following terms and conditions apply: (1) PodPoint Solo Wallbox, click here for full term and conditions. (2) Hive EV Charging, click here for terms and conditions. For non-standard installations, installations at a business premises, or if you are not eligible for the EVHS grant / WCS, additional fees will apply. Three years servicing based on recommended manufacturer service intervals: (3) Corsa-e or Mokka-e require a service at 1yr / 8,000 miles, 2yr / 16,000 miles, whichever arrives first. (4) Combo-e or Vivaro-e (+Life variants) require a service at 1yr / 12,500 miles, 2yr / 25,000 miles, whichever arrives first. (5) Hybrid vehicles require a service at 1yr / 20,000 miles, 2yr / 40,000 miles, 3yr / 60,000 miles, whichever arrives first. Click here for full servicing term and conditions. ##Access to public charging available via the bp pulse network. Customers are required to add credit/debit card details to their account when subscribing to the bp pulse network. £7.85 per month payable after the first 6 months for ongoing subscription. Existing bp pulse subscribers can still benefit by contacting the bp pulse help-desk to receive 6 months of credit applied to their account. ^Roadside assistance provided by Vauxhall Assistance as part of the vehicle warranty. Offer available on New Vauxhall Electric & Hybrid vehicles,*servicing excluded on Movano-e. Offer applies to private individuals, small businesses (1-49) and Vauxhall Partners. Orders from 18 October 2021 - 11 January 2022. Vauxhall Motors Limited reserves the right to change, amend or withdraw this offer at any point in time.
Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Vauxhall Mokka-e 100KW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 201 miles (WLTP).
Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Vauxhall Corsa-e 100KW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 209 miles (WLTP).
*WLTP Figures shown are for comparison purposes and should only be compared to the fuel consumption and CO2 values of other cars tested to the same technical standard. The fuel consumption achieved, and CO2 produced, in real world conditions will depend upon a number of factors including, but not limited to: the accessories fitted (pre and post registration); variations in weather; driving styles and vehicle load. The WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) is used to measure fuel consumption and CO2 figures. The CO2 figures display a range to reflect the highest value for the highest emitting version with all available options added, through to a minimum value to represent the lowest emitting version in standard specification. For more information contact your local Vauxhall Retailer.
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