Some Random Popular Posts
Torfhusen Hjarðarhaga
~ Bella Read more
Transalpina – “the country beyond the mountains” – post 1 of 2
My dear friend, Max, and I set out on Sunday morning for what ended up being over 13 hour road trip from Bucharest, and along the Transalpina Road… …passing the largest chemical factory in Romania… There is something about wells that I find so beautiful… This is a traditional Romanina… Read more
Hartwell House – my new London home
After driving from Windsor to Aylesbury… …I crossed a bridge and entered heaven! Built in the 17th century, Hartwell House (my new London residence) is most famous as the home of exiled French King Louis XVIII in the early 19th century. The 90 acres (36 ha) of gardens at Hartwell were… Read more
Lovely Torquay Birthday
This year, I had the absolute best birthday ever! Starting last Sunday with Goodwood, then on my actual birthday Gillian and her daughter Ellie took me out for brunch – it was soooooo lovely and delicious! …then cruising on one of the last horse-drawn canal boat at Tiverton… followed by… Read more
Exploring Ayrshire
Even more ‘Outlander’ locations on this lovely drive through Ayrshire… Btw, I don’t know if you can tell from the photos, but these speed ‘bumps’ are about 10″ high!!! Dunure Harbour and Castle… In ‘Outlander’, the little harbour in the village of Dunure in Ayrshire stood in for Ayr Harbour… Read more
…finally to McDonalds
This is no ordinary McDonalds… Located in the heart of Subotica, it is the world’s only Art Nouveau McDonalds, and is housed in a historic 1912 building! Welcome to….. McDonalds! …complete with original fittings and fixtures! Mission accomplished, it is time to head back to Novi Sad… … Read more
Swiss Alps Rail Journey – Zurich to Budapest (Part 2 of 2)
Some people will do anything to get out of work, including burying their tractor in snow… Another soul out for a solitary walk…….. This one is walking his horse from somewhere through nowhere to I guess somewhere… Aliens have arrived – this is their craft… Arriving… Read more
Serbia El Paso? Serbia Road Trip to Zlatibor Region (Post 5 of 9)
Yes! We found “El Paso” Americana in the countryside of Serbia! From El Paso to London? Read more
Basilica di San Lorenzo
The Basilica di San Lorenzo is one of the largest churches of Florence, Italy. It is right near the centre of the main market district of Florence, and it is the burial place of all the principal members of the Medici family from Cosimo il Vecchio to Cosimo III. … 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…
