Some Random Popular Posts
Urania time machine…
Entering through these reasonably ‘normal’ looking doors of the Urania – pronounced oo-RAY-ne-yah – of this theatre / cinema, one has no idea they are actually a time machine, transplanting one back to the late nineteenth century… …even the previews were of old movies, and of theatrical productions… Oh, and the… Read more
A day of exploring with no specific destination in mind…
It was such a lovely day so I decided simply on a direction, with no real destination in mind – other than I had chosen where I wanted to end the day for an early dinner… I find this climbing rose absolutely captivating – and look at the size of… Read more
Vienna ‘Pretty Woman’ Opera and Ballet
One of the things I have always wanted to do – and especially since I saw ‘Pretty Woman’, was to go to the opera, and watch it from an incredible box seat. So, given that I was staying directly across the road from the magnificent Vienna Opera House, I thought… Read more
Grad Kamen
Grad Kamen (or Kamen Castle) was built in the 12th century by the Counts of Ortenburg. From 1436 the Counts of Lambergh owned the castle, but they abandoned the property in the 18th century when they moved to the more comfortable Katzenstein Mansion in the centre of the village. The… Read more
Florence Loop – Post 1 of 3
Welcome to Florence! To get a general idea of the area, one of the first things I do in a new city is, where available, I take the loop bus – and so that’s what I did today, on yet another glorious days here in Firenze. Starting in Independence Square,… Read more
Exploring Ireland’s Rugged West Coast
My darling pseudo-daughter, Bethany (she is actually the daughter of dear friends, but I have stolen her) came to visit with me during my stay in Ireland and we have been exploring, mostly by simply driving around and seeing where my beloved Baby Jaguar took us! This is Kylemore Abbey. … Read more
My Travel Photography 360 and VR (virtual reality) Experimentation
I have been having soooooo much fun playing with images, video, 360-degree, and virtual reality! As you would have seen in my last post, I simply put a bunch of images together as a video and attached some music – nothing too experimental there! …and here is a very basic… Read more
Boddham Harbour & Buchan Ness Lighthouse
Scotland’s Boddham harbour was built in 1831 and became a registered port in 1845. The village’s lighthouse, Buchan Ness Lighthouse was built-in 1827 by Robert Stevenson and stands 130 feet high. ~ Bella 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…
