Some Random Popular Posts
Urriðafoss Waterfall and Walter Mitty bridge
Harry Hyundai and I decided to go hunting for a couple of Walter Mitty filming locations, as well as a particular waterfall – and we succeeded on both accounts… After navigating a road that almost swallowed up poor Harry (he’s such a trooper!)… … we arrived at the Urriðafoss Waterfall… Read more
Austria’s Wachau Wine Region
The Wachau region was inscribed as “Wachau Cultural Landscape” in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in recognition of its architectural and agricultural history, and is known for its high-quality wines… …and that is the River Danube to the left… This was funny… According to the GPS, this is a bridge… 🙂… Read more
Kilmartin Sculptured Stones or Grave Slabs as they are also called
Leaving the stone circle, I headed to the Kilmartin Church to see the extraordinarily fine sculptured stones, ranging in date from the 900s to the 1600s. ~ Bella Read more
Your Christmas~New Year Present from my Castle in Scotland
OK, so ‘technically’ it’s not ‘my’ castle, but I like the sound of saying “my castle in Scotland”… 🙂 Since I am not able to be there with you for Christmas and New Year’s, I thought I would at least be able to give you a present to let you… Read more
Vienna – a day in my life
In case you are interested, here is a snapshot of a normal day for me in Vienna… starting with the view from my window… …then downstairs – and everything you are about to see is all within the same city block… …I believe I showed immense intestinal fortitude to resist… 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
(Another) carriage ride through Vienna
On my bucket list, you will note that one of the entries is owning a landau (convertible carriage) and horse, with a driver on hand. I would SOOO love to have that, and would use it as my main source of travel for most things locally. …and as no trip… Read more
Pinocchio’s Oak of the Witches
Off waaaaaaaay into the Italian countryside in search of a tree? But not just any tree… On the 7th of March, the 600-year old oak tree known as the “Quercia di Pinocchio” and located in the park of Villa Carrara in San Martino in Colle (Capannori, Lucca) became a national… Read more
1540 “Hole in the Wall” Pub
My dear friend, Alec, and I headed off to one of the (many) old pubs in the area. In this case, a smugglers’ pub dating to 1540! To put that a little more into perspective, that’s the year King Henry VIII died! …and this (below) is the sign for 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…
