Some Random Popular Posts
Staycation Day
Sometimes it is lovely to stay in your home town and explore… and in my case, that exploration involved the museum, a film-maker, French lunch, people-watching, and Michael Portillo! The day prior, I was thinking about this weekend being Remembrance Day, and of all the young men who gave absolutely… 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
Sinaia-Busteni-Predeal-Brasov Road Trip 7 of 9
…and we continue on our way on this simply stunning day! I absolutely adored the carving… …and on we continue… Read more
Blackness Castle – another Outlander filming location
I have been to several film locations for the ‘Outlander’ production, and Blackness Castle is yet another. …but first past the enormous horse head sculpture know as the Kelpies… This 15th century fortress provided the setting in ‘Outlander’ for the Fort William headquarters of Black Jack Randall, as well as… Read more
Namafjall Hverir Boiling Mud
What an extraordinary sight! Bubbling, sulfur-smelling, mud pools! ~ Bella Read more
Michelangelo Piazza
Michelangelo Piazza – the location for all those amazing vistas of Florence that have become so famous. The Piazza is a fairly recent addition to Florence, being designed in 1869 by architect, Giuseppe Poggi. This wall is (I think) Torre del Belvedere. There are three statues of David in… Read more
First Class Overnight Train from Vienna to Roma
Ostia, here I come! My wonderful limousine company picked me up from the lovely hotel in which I stayed while in Vienna and deposited me at Wien Hauptbahnhof, more commonly known as Wien HBF – the main train station in Vienna. …and btw, those of us old enough to know what… Read more
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
Today it was a glorious 20oC and so Boswell (my cute little rental car) and I headed out exploring along the Wild Atlantic Way… …and managed to find Easky Pier and Castle – although this sign was not exactly encouraging! I love that dotted around the coast are the drawings… Read more
Heeland Cooz
Highland cows (or heeland cooz as they are pronounced in Scotland) is native to the highlands of Scotland, hence the name. Interesting fact, while a group of cattle is normally called a herd, a group of Highland cattle is called a fold. These hardy creatures are quite large but ever… 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…
