Some Random Popular Posts
Stunning pictures in STONE! Pietre Dure Museum
I was originally headed for somewhere different entirely, but ended up wandering off and exploring a most extraordinary museum! Along the way, some beautiful sights… I have wanted to go here for ages! The Pietre Dure Museo – essentially pictures made from stone! ~ Bella Read more
Window seat view of noisy-peaceful protest…
I love my hotel suite, not only because it is in such an historic hotel and is quite simply lovely, but because I have a window seat out onto the world… and in this case, the world was a peaceful but very noisy protest… …and with that, it… Read more
Brighton, East Sussex
Glorious Brighton in East Sussex. Photos now and full details to come… Read more
Ireland’s Copper Coast, Castles, and more…
Starting with a morning coffee pot… …and along the Copper Coast Road… …to the old mining settlement of Tankardstown… (ref sign below) Hmmmm – OK, I’m up for a challenge! My Fiesta rental car can go just about anywhere… I guess these guys were sharing… Lismore Castle… There were no… Read more
Cairngorm Hotel
~ Bella Read more
Sir Walter Scott Country
On the surface, this day might seem like a bummer of a day as five different places I went to were closed, but I still had a lovely day of exploring… Sir Walter Scott’s courthouse… Reading Sir Walter Scott’s journal in Waverley Castle… Read more
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s childhood home in Thal, Austria
From Graz, we made our way to Thal, birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger… – but first, a leisurely lunch beside Thalersee lake… where apparently Arnold proposed to Maria in a small row boat… …and then… I certainly was not prepared for what we found when we reached Arnold’s childhood home… Last… Read more
Pisa’s Leaning Tower
Off to see if Pisa’s Tower is still leaning… ~ Bella 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…
