Some Random Popular Posts
Picardy Symbol Stone
According to Historic Environment Scotland, the Picardy Symbol Stone is unusual for two reasons: it’s one of only a few Pictish carved stones standing in its original spot it’s a rare instance of a stone potentially associated with a burial …and even the drive to get there was glorious! The… Read more
Prague Trip (post 4 of 7): More Alchemy
…the Klementinum! …only to discover the Klementinum Library that I reeeeeally want to see is up 172 stairs… Some days I could do that, but not today. Oh, well – yet another thing to look forward to on my next trip! But wait… …we were let in to see THIS!!! … Read more
Archaeological Museum of Burgas
The Archaeological Museum of Burgas (or Археологически музей Бургас in Bulgarian) is the oldest museum in Burgas city – and that was our destination for the day’s outing! I hadn’t had breakfast so my trusty driver said I just had to have a “kebabscka” (at least that’s how I heard… Read more
Serbia Road Trip to Zlatibor Region (Post 3 of 9)
…continuing our journey… Read more
Road Trip Across America – Vegas to Mississippi
Backstory… Back a number of years ago, I had just received some rather devastating news from a business partner and so decided I needed to leave Vegas for a while to clear my head and work out “what next”. I packed up my beloved car and headed off on what… Read more
Here come the Marine Gun-Boats!
Well, not quite. The Serbian military were celebrating something and for several days were doing ‘float-bys’ up and down the Danube. Perhaps number 36 needed a smoke screen? Hmmmmm…….. … Read more
Blackpool Zoo
Alan needed to go into the lion’s den (literally) so we three girls went exploring around the rest of the zoo… Read more
Anti-Mafia Rally On My Street
Sitting out on my balcony, working on Bridgit’s next book and I hear a commotion down on street level, getting louder and louder, closer and closer… So, I grabbed my camera and looked down to see what was happening… It was an anti-mafia rally! Turns out (after being then curious enough… Read more
Goats, headless people, and abandoned castles…
As we were touring through the Viennese countryside and in particular the Wachau Valley, we came across quite an assortment of ‘interesting’ sights… Yes, these are headless people, complete with a happy birthday version of ‘do not cross’ police tape… …and a park for bees… The leaning tower of Wachau… 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…
