Some Random Popular Posts
The Historic Mermaid Inn
I love the Mermain Inn in Rye – rebuilt in 1420, its cellars date back to 1156! I will add info and commentary later – for now at least wanted to upload the photos… … Read more
Next day – still headed to Cherbourg…
…further along this road, I arrived at my lodgings for the night… Formerly a command post for the Knights Templar… From their website: Moulin Banal: former name of the Moulin des Templiers In 1167 next to the river is located the Moulin Banal (attached to the Commandery of Knights Templar… Read more
Vienna Update
Final updates before I leave Vienna… Siting here finishing lunch, I thought I would give you a quick update on a couple of things that were not included in my main post on Vienna yesterday (http://luxuriousnomad.com/vienna-city-of-contrasts/)… Drinking Water in Vienna? The best in the world! No need to buy bottled water… Read more
Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Part 3 of 3
During the final part of this road trip, I didn’t realise that the ‘road’ trip would be minus a ‘road’! You’ll see what I mean…………. Harry’s a tough Little Sprout – and Google assured us there was a road here – so we decided to forge ahead……….. 4.8 miles of… Read more
Zurich is delightful!
After sleeping in and working from bed until noon (that did me the world of good!), I decided to venture out and explore… It was an overcast day, around 1°C / 33°F, but crisp and lovely. My hotel is right in the middle of the city, across the road from… Read more
Exploring London
It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, so after exploring the Mews, I decided to hop on board one of those roofless tours buses and simply sit back and enjoy the sights of the city… (and it’s times like these I am ever so happy that I am… Read more
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and Snowdonia…
After a FABULOUS breakfast of smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, and lots of accouterments… …I headed off on my way back for the six-or-so hour drive back to Torquay… and while I have seen a lot of warning signs for deer etc, this is the first warning sign about DUCKS! First… Read more
Champagne Reception at Downton Abbey
After a lovely night in Derbyshire, I set out under a veeeery strange sky toward Highclere Castle, home of the famous Downton Abbey. The sun was an eerie red colour through the clouds – and at one point, the whole sky turned an unusual colour – well, unusual for the… Read more
Höfn í Hornafirði
Höfn í Hornafirði is a relatively new settlement, with people first living there in the early 1800s. It only became a city in 1988 – but a city with only 2,200 residents. It’s amazing how many cyclists I saw… especially when you consider that one can drive for hours and… Read more
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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…
