Some Random Popular Posts
Mille Miglia historic car race (post 2 of 2)
…continuation of photos from what some call the most beautiful race in the world… Time for dinner… ~ Bella Read more
Romanian Traditional Dancing Street Party
On the weekend, I was treated to a wonderful experienece… Below my window, a street party complete with traditional dancing, traditional line dancing, and in between their sets a wonderful saxaphone player… Photos and videos below: Read more
Iceland Ring Road Adventure – the beginning…
Leaving home (aka my lovely hotel where everyone is taken such wonderful care of me), first stop is filling up the gas tank… Since anything within about a 3-4 hour radius of the hotel was doable for a day trip or two, I decided to essentially drive for about four… Read more
Agatha Christie and Dartmoor Ponies
What do Agatha Christie and Dartmoor Ponies have in common? Well, normally I would imagine the mystery writer and Dartmoor ponies would have very little in common, but yesterday they both featured in a family reunion of sorts… As you may have read, I have been tracing my ancestry and some… Read more
My Italian villa on the Riviera del Brenta
Welcome to my home for the next month… I even have my own mini-villa in the grounds of this glorious estate… and I love my morning ritual of opening all the shutters… This is the view from my bathroom… …view from my bedroom… …and view from my front door… This… Read more
Farney Castle and Holy Cross Cistercian Monastery
On my way back from an appointment, I decided to simply follow my nose and see where I ended up… Farney Castle is the only round tower in Ireland occupied as a family home. The first castle was built at Farney in 1185, with this round tower being built in… Read more
Florence Loop – Post 2 of 3
…continuing my loop of the city of Florence… Read more
Hastings Old Town, East Sussex
Hastings Old Town is the home to the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in the United Kingdom – and home to Hastings Castle. I will add information and commentary later – wanted to at least upload the photos now… … Read more
Happy 2023 from Old Town Bucharest!
Happy 2023, my Friends! I know it’s backwards time-wise, but I just have to start this post with the video of the fireworks last night here in Bucharest… It was AMAZING!!! OK, where was I..? Oh, yes – farewell beautiful Italy… The cloud formations were really interesting on this trip… … Read more
Most Recent Posts
Furry pony on the beach
11 out of 10 on the cuteness scale… teaching a furry fluffy pony to jump – it was sooooooo cute! Read more
Historic Exeter Quayside
Exeter Quayside is such a beautiful tucked-away gem that dates back to Roman times. It was a thriving port until the 14th century when weirs were built across the River Exe. Read more
A Sherman Tank in England..?
On this magical day, we set out to explore the Sherman tank that now sits beside a beach in South Devon – but first, a stop for lunch… …and finally we reach Slapton Sands, home of a recovered Sherman tank… ~ Bella Read more
Dartmoor River Crossing
It was a glorious day so George Jeep (rental) and I went for a meander… First, sitting at one of my favourite spots for some reading… …then off to cross the River Dart… Note – this phone box actually has a TELEPHONE in it! …and complete with seals frolicking… (ok,… Read more
Canada owns part of Britain?
Yes, Canada does actually own part of Britain! Welcome to Wolford Chapel… where the building and land are publicly owned by the Canadian province of Ontario, and flies the Flag of Canada despite the chapel being in the English countryside! ~ Bella Read more
Thatched Pub Built in 1620
We first were headed here – but alas, no one was home, so we went in search of another beautiful old pub – and didn’t have to travel far… The Kings Arms, Tedburn, built in 1620… …next stop – CANADA..? ~ Bella Read more
Who is the Luxurious Nomad?
Hello! I am Ms (Leigh) Bella St John – and I am an author, entrepreneur, coach, wine-lover, self-confessed geek, lover of all things Victorian/Edwardian and steampunk, and a Luxurious Nomad!
One of my greatest passions is ‘keeping history alive’.
I largely retired at age 50 when I decided to leave America (where I had been living for the past ten years) and for a decade travelled the world fulltime as a Luxurious Nomad (http://LuxuriousNomad.com), living a life many people only dream of living – and unlike most, I travel with ‘essentials’ such as a crystal wine glass, gold fountain pen, and a collection of hats, gloves, etc……
I did not even catch the travel bug until I was in my 30s, and after exploring much of ‘down under’ and parts of New Zealand, I then travelled through quite a bit of Asia, lived approximately 10 years in the USA (spent significant time in 42 states – exploring all extensively by road), several trips to Canada (including the Winter Olympics) and now off exploring amazing places in the UK and Europe, spending a couple of months in one country, then a couple of months in another… I hope to one day meet Mr Right and settle down wherever he may be (and fingers’ crossed he is in Scotland, England, or Europe), but until then, there is plenty of the world to experience!
Essentially I live a version of Elizabeth’s Gilbert’s, “Eat, Pray, Love” – although mine is more ‘wine, pray, love’!
…and I do all this, despite having some reasonably significant physical and mobility challenges, thanks in part to being hit by a car while in Italy a few years ago – and I use a wheelchair from time to time…
…and for those who are interested, my wheelchair is only 13lb – that’s less than most bowling balls! It’s an amazing travel chair that is soooo comfy and whose name is Lancelot (yes, my wheelchair has a name).
Oh, and this photo below was taken at a Steampunk convention in the USA…
