Author:

Ms (Leigh) Bella St John aka Luxurious Nomad ~ https://ElegantisVitae.com/

My Horse-Drawn Journey back to the 1890s

Anyone who knows me knows that I am very much a Victorian/Edwardian girl at heart – complete with a wardrobe to match! So, when I heard about the opportunity to ride in an authentic and historic 1800s carriage, recreating a nostalgic journey in the actual coach, the ‘Tantivy’, that last travelled the same route in 1895, 122 years ago – I was in raptures!

After getting up when the sparrows were still in their jammies and the sun hadn’t yet peeked over the horizon, Prince (my trusty convertible) and I headed on a long drive north to the starting point for my part of the journey, the beautiful Greyhound Hotel, built in 1778, and now run by the lovely Paul and Tina who took such good care of me (I stayed the night there). (Here is some history about the hotel)

…and some very rare photographs of yours truly – as you know, I much prefer to be behind the camera these days!

…one lady was fascinated by the back of my jacket…

The trumpeter signalled the arrival of the carriage…

(these people were on the first leg of the journey – I was about to embark on the second)

Btw, I’m not certain about this (and didn’t think to ask at the time) but I am pretty sure that different coaches had different tunes that would be played…

Here is an excellent article about the whole event: http://www.derbyshirelife.co.uk/out-about/events/the-return-of-the-tantivy-recreating-a-nostalgic-journey-from-belper-to-cromford-1-5223492?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social_Icon&utm_campaign=in_article_social_icons

…and complete with BBC coverage of the event…

Once everyone had disembarked, we headed inside for a delicious lunch…

(photo on the wall of an earlier journey)

Two of my new favourite men…

This couple (below) were so lovely and recently married…

…and we are off…

The Derbyshire countryside is astoundingly beautiful! It is the first place since I fell in love with South Devon that I could happily be ‘planted’ (as long as it was near water of some description – even if just a river!).

We were overtaken by a cyclist…

Very useful little spot for bag and umbrella!

The sun shining through the clouds was majestic!

Somehow I don’t think we were going fast enough to worry a helicopter…

Our wonderful photographer always racing ahead of us – he did an excellent job…

…but we definitely felt sorry for him when he dropped his phone mid-sprint…

…and safely arrived at our destination, the lovely Lion Hotel…

Early dinner with lovely new friends…

…and then back to the Greyhound to change…

…and back to the Lion for wonderful local music…

Breakfast the next morning…

…and then I was off on my next adventure…

What a magnificently lovely day! This was indeed one of the best days ever…

~ Bella

Q&A with the author of the “Victoria” mini-series

After travelling from Torquay by rail to Paddington Station (and by the way – there is a new Paddington Bear book that I was excited to read until I discovered, as one newspaper put it, “Paddington Bear will encounter migrants, electronic tagging, and ‘elf ‘n’ safety laws in a brand new story”… Ah, thank you, no) – I then took an iconic London Black Cab to my lovely hotel, where I was greeted by a doorman wearing a top hat…

The reason for this London trip?

A members-only Q&A with Daisy Goodwin, one of my favourite authors and the author of the mini-series, “Victoria”.

It wasn’t really the place for photos so instead here are a couple of stock photos to give you an idea…

First, as the event was in the evening after closing time at Kensington Palace, it was admittance through a private gate (not quite as an illustrious gate as this below), then driving past the residence of Prince William and Princess Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge…

…and for the event itself that began with hors de’oeuvres and a lovely crisp white wine, it was off to the magnificent Orangery, built in the early 1700s for Queen Anne…

Hosted by Lucy Worsley, another of my favourites and Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces…

…what I didn’t know was that Daisy Goodwin was once Lucy Worsley’s boss!

The event was extremely interesting and Bridgit was encouraged that my question to Daisy Goodwin related specifically to her transition from books to screen…

Also in attendance were several of the actors, including Jenna Coleman who plays Queen Victoria.

View as we were leaving…

Back now in my lovely hotel and tomorrow going first-class rail for the four-hour journey back to Torquay – but thankfully we have a direct line from Paddington Station so there are no transfers or changing trains between here and there…

I may not have seen much of London on this trip, but every time I come here I love it! I wouldn’t want to live here, but I adore visiting London…

~ Bella

PS: view from inside the train carriage on the way home…

…and Paddington Station…

Meandering…

Topless Prince (my trusty convertible) and I went a-meandering today… No actual destination in mind – just seeing where we ended up…

Fabulous day exploring a foundry, two castles, a Saxon village, a 13th century pub and Egyptian mummies!

What a magnificent day! I needed to go for a drive to clear the cobwebs out of my head and managed to find and explore some fascinating places! I needed to be home by around 3:30pm or just a little after to take care of a bunch of work and I then had back to back calls with clients until 10:00pm, but the morning was mine to explore to my heart’s content…

After sleeping in, having a leisurely breakfast and start to the day then leaving home around 10:30am, my first stop was The Finch Foundry, a 19th century water-powered forge and the last of its kind in England.

Andy, the blacksmith, gave us a wonderful demonstration of what is an almost forgotten art…

…and then it was time to fire up the big guns…

Next discovery on my travels – Okehampton Castle.

Built between 1068 and 1086, the castle was still in use until the early 17th century, but soon afterward, fell into decay and ruin…

Meandering along lovely Devon roads, I happened upon the self-proclaimed “most unusual pub in England” – and a well-deserved description!

Originally built as an inn in 1282 (yes, that is 1 2 8 2), the Highwayman Inn is now a supposedly haunted eclectic treasure-trove.

Yes, that is a replica of King Tutankhamen’s sarcophagus…

These pots are actually embedded in the wall…

Time for a good old-fashioned pub meal for lunch…

…and a one-penny slot machine!

This little fellow lives on the roof…

Hmmmm – “weak bridge” does not instill one with confidence!

…and now we enter the Saxon village…

…and Lyford Castle – originally a prison, it was built in 1195 and is apparently the earliest example of a purpose-built gaol in England.

Time to pop the top off Prince (my beloved convertible), pump up the volume once we were past the township, and head for home…

Oh, and this is the “weak bridge” – looks strong enough to me!

Back home on the English Riveria – home sweet home – one of only seven UNESCO Global Geoparks in all of the United Kingdom!

…and upon my arrival, I see the postman has delivered my acceptance as a member of the Goodwood Road Racing Club Fellowship!

…and still home in time to complete all my work and client calls…

Am a very happy, happy, happy Princess Pixie!

~ Bella

Steam Trains, Owls and Abbeys

Yesterday, a friend and I went exploring on the South Devon Railway Buckfast Abbey and back via beautiful Devon countryside. So, where does the owl come in? You’ll just have to scroll and see…

Somehow a man checking his smart-phone doesn’t really fit the image…

I love old newspapers, and especially ones that feature critical moments relating to subjects about which I am fascinated…

Then off to Buckfast Abbey.

Although the first abbey was built on this site in 1018, it was demolished and the site was purchased by Benedictine Monks in 1882, with the abbey, incorporating the existing Gothic house beside, being completed in 1938.

~ Bella

Fabulous Fishy Fun

Yesterday morning I was up when the sparrows were still in their pajamas… Now, if you know me at all, you know I am not a morning person – so why the sudden urge to be up before dawn?

This was my phone as I walked out the front door of my apartment…… Prior to this I don’t think I even realised there were TWO four o’clocks in a day – I was only aware of the PM version…

The reason for my pre-dawn excursion was to go behind the scenes at the Brixham Fish Market followed by a cruise around the bay!

With a fleet of around 70 boats landing daily with their catch, and approximately 50 buyers for that catch, Brixham Fish Market is the highest grossing market in all of England.

…and much of the proceeds from the tour go to The Fishermen’s Mission.

Our tour guide was Brixham Trawler Agent’s Director, Barry Young.

In 2016, the total fish landed came to 10, 252 tonnes that equated to well over £30 million.

This bucket below is from the Chloe Olivia’s catch – you will see more of her later…

The lovely Christine Hodgetts who, with her equally lovely husband Dave, met me the day prior for a coffee.

As you can see peeking through the curtains, the sun is STILL not up!

I’m sure this is meant to be 505 marked into the jetty, but I thought it amusing that it looked like SOS…

…and here we have the Chloe Olivia…

No, they are not all about to jump off. We were looking for one of the seals that inhabits the bay… (I managed to catch him on camera a bit later…)

Live fish auction…

Dave and Barry…

…and now upstairs to Rockfish for a seafood breakfast!

Following the Fish Market tour, it was time to head down to the jetty for our cruise around TorBay with the wonderful funfishtrips.co.uk team under the direction of Captain John and first mate, Andy.

WWII bunker tucked away in the bushes…

If you would like to know more about the stunning geology of the area, here is a link to an excellent resource: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/~imw/Torquay.htm

Caught on camera (well, sort of…) – the shy seal…

The water was astoundingly azure and clear…

Aqueduct designed by one of my all-time-favourites, Brunell.

…and now off to another of my favourite sights in Torbay – the magnificent ‘Pilgrim’…

Built in 1895, the 74ft Pilgrim was once part of a fleet of over 2000 deep sea sailing trawlers that revolutionised the way fish were caught in Europe…

Our trusty Captain John…

…is it just me, or do these paddle-boards look like they are watching us……..

I was going to head home on the Brixham Express back over to Torquay, however when I discovered it was their break time…

Captain John, who had just left port, came back in to collect me since they were headed to Torquay!

Andy battening down the hatches for a bumpy ride back across the bay now that the inclement weather was rolling in…

…and safely back in Torquay after a magnificent morning!

…and now I need a nap. 🙂

~ Bella

Today’s Office…

It’s a hard life when this is your office for the day…

The cruise ship, Ocean Majesty was in the harbour for a visit…

…and it’s a good thing they are not superstitious about name changes, as she has been called:

1966–1985: Juan March
1985–1986: Sol Christina
1986–1988: Kypros Star
1988–1994: Ocean Majesty
1994–1995: Olympic
1995: Homeric
1995 onwards: Ocean Majesty

These ramps were built for the D-Day embarkation…

A city councillor in full regalia on hand to welcome the international cruise ship visitors…

…and breakfast was delicious!

…one of the crew…

The Ocean Majesty’s tender ferrying passengers to land and back to the ship…

…always something to do when one owns a boat…

OK, back to work for this Princess Pixie… 🙂

~ Bella

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 a boat trip over to Brixham… then a truly glorious evening at the Imperial Hotel with friends and family…

…this man below is named Paul and not only was he friends with John, Gillian and Michael, but Paul also played for me a Gershwin medley for my birthday! I felt ever so honoured and special…

What a truly lovely evening!

Then the next day, we went exploring to Port Isaac, where the television series “Doc Martin” is filmed…

All in all, the most magical birthday EVER!

Thank you to everyone who helped me celebrate… I love you all so very, very much…

~ Bella xxx

Visiting Doc Martin’s Fishing Village

Have you seen the TV program, “Doc Martin”?

Well, today we (my friend Karen who has been visiting from Hastings) went exploring and decided to find the fishing village where the series is filmed on location.

The village is Port Isaac and is located in Cornwall – or as we say here, west-west Devon. 🙂

…and in case you are wondering, we were driving down these ridiculously skinny roads!

Since there was no where to park – unless you took a packed lunch and hiked forever back down the hill, we decided to say farewell to Port Isaac and go in search for somewhere lovely for lunch…

…and came to an intersection – not knowing which direction to head, we decided to follow “Shoot”…

…and eventually discovered to what “shoot” related…

…and then, in Rock, near Splatt (and no, I am not joking!) we found a wonderful place for lunch…

After lunch, it was time to head back and ensure Karen made it safely on to the train at Torquay…

Yet another absolutely purrrrrrrrfect day!

~ Bella

Brixham by Boat

A perfect morning to literally just walk across the street and board a boat, cruising over Torbay to Brixham…

…and back home in time for another movie, more wine, and then getting ready to go out to meet up with dear friends to celebrate my birthday at the Imperial…

Yet another perfect day!

~ Bella