Some Random Popular Posts
Shrewsbury to Heathrow
My heritage-listed hotel in Shrewsbury was just delightful! …complete with having booked the honeymoon suite – I decided I deserved it! …just a shame I was there alone… but at least that meant I had the whole bed to myself! …and it was sooooooooo comfy! Off to collect my dear… Read more
Winter Solstice Cruising Loch Ness
The Winter Solstice marks the darkest day and shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere due to the sun being at it’s most southern position, directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. Today, for the first time since 1664, the sun and Saturn actually line up – and this… Read more
Exploring Dolo in provincial mainland Venice
Dolo rests on the Brenta River, the waterway that connected Venice/Venezia to Padua/Padova. During mostly the 1500s, the Venetian aristocracy built grand country homes in this area to escape the city and enjoy large gardens and hunting grounds – of which my amazing villa is one such grand country home.… Read more
Airports – Delightful and Horrid!
Airports – viva la difference – or NOT! As you may know, I usually avoid mainstream commercial flying unless I can help it – preferring trains and boats to the hustle-bustle of long lines, security checks and more… Well, on this trip from England to Vienna, I decided to take… Read more
Victorian Era Cliff Railways
I love funicular railways and have even been on the world’s steepest in Tennessee. These lovely railways connect Hastings Old Town with the top of the cliffs where you find, among other things, historic Hastings Castle. From Old Town Hastings, you can take the West-Cliff Railway up to the top… Read more
White Cliffs of Dover ~ from the Sea!
Want to visit the White Cliffs of Dover? By far the best way is from the sea! After travelling from St Leonard’s Warrior Square Station to Dover, via Ashford International Station (the trip is about one and a half hours), then a short taxi ride to the seafront, I met the… Read more
What is a Staycation?
Staycations – What are they and why are they sometimes better than a vacation? A staycation is essentially a short period of time – even if it’s simply a weekend – where you either stay home, or you book into a hotel somewhere near where you live. Many families prefer a staycation… Read more
St Leonard’s On Sea, East Sussex
One of my favourite places – St Leonards On Sea. I will add information and commentary later – wanted to at least upload the photos now… … Read more
May Day in Elixhausen
In Austria, the maypole (or Maibaum) is a tradition going back to the 16th century – and it is interesting to contemplate that the hotel next to the village square where the pole was erected, actually pre-dates the ceremony! …but first, some relaxation time the evening before… …little by little the… 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…
