Category: Other

I bought a Victorian Carriage (as one does!)

I have wanted a carriage for many, many years – ok, I have wanted a carriage since I was little! – and now I have one… and not just any carriage…

According to the people from whom I bought her, this carriage is one of two or possibly three identical ones that were made – apparently it’s twin is/was owned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ! (although I do not have any evidence for this yet, but the do look very similar)

In honour of the HM the Queen, I have named the carriage ‘Elizabeth’.

More information to come later re the horses etc… but for now, here are the photos… (she is currently being used as a wedding carriage).

~ Bella

Snagov Monastery, Romania

Our next destination is Snagov Monastery, located on an island at the northern end of Snagov Lake…

…but first a short detour to another monastery…

…and a bite of lunch…

This is my friend, Adrian…

…and it’s a good thing Adrian knew where he was going – finding this place was quite the adventure!

There has been a church on this island since at least the 11th century, when Mircea cel Bătrân first built a wooden structure, with the monastery being added in the late 14th century during the reign of King Dan I (1383–1386).

The banks of the lake are fully of amazing houses belonging to what the Romanian’s refer to as “new money”.

The remains of the prison (behind the present-day church) can still be seen.

…and time to head back to the hotel, for tomorrow is another day of exploring…

~ Bella

Haunted castle, Templar inn, lighthouse, and more!

What a marvellous day’s exploring! Haunted castle, Templar inn, lighthouse, tall ship, medieval ruins… and home early in the afternoon, and in time to do a full day’s/night’s work…

I did not feel at all compelled to do the tour – the entire place felt so incredibly sad…

From their website, here is a little of the history of the hauntings…

“It is for many years said to have been visited by the Devil, so many people from the surrounding area are nervous to enter the place after dark.

Legend has it that during a storm at sea, a dark stranger approached the Hall on horseback after his ship was driven into nearby slade Harbour with rough seas. He was invited in to seek shelter and spent some days with the Tottenham Family who were living at the Hall at the time. The young Lady Anne Tottenham was especially taken with this dark stranger and fell head over heels for him. One night during a card game, she dropped a card and upon bending down to retrieve it, she noticed that this dark stranger had cloven hoofs instead of feet. As soon as he realised what she had seen, he shot through the roof in a ball of flames.

Anne never recovered, she went into a state of shock and madness and her family locked her in the tapestry room for fear that anyone would see her.

She died a couple of years later, still quite young, but her death was no release as servants and family members reported seeing her wandering through the house at night. The family had the local catholic priest Fr. Broaders exorcise the Hall but he could not exorcise the tapestry room.”

Is it just me, or do these rocks look like they have slipped sideways into the water…?

…and back to Tipperary…

~ Bella

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 Island) and the chapel of St Jean Baptiste. Donation of a lord of Avallon the Templars.
1506 the pastor of Pontaubert is still reading the Mass in the chapel
1569 The Huguenot family, masters of Vézelay burned the Moulin Banal of Pontaubert and the small chapel.
1910 Its last function was ice blocks making.
1925 It was converted into a hotel.

Waking up to the sounds of birds chirping and water dancing along the riverbed…

…and according to the GPS…

…this is my hotel..??? 🙂

…did I eventually find my hotel? 🙂

~ Bella

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 I checked, Arnold wasn’t a transformer, but…..

This (below) is the house in which he grew up with his entire family occupying just the second floor – and with no electricity, and no running water…

The surrounding area seems to have changed little since he lived here…

…and now on to our next stop… The world-famous Lipizzaner Stud Farm!

~ Bella

My dromomanian, mundivagant, solivagous life as a female flaneur

While that statement may not be totally grammatically correct, it does sum up my Luxurious Nomad life.

As you may know, I love words – not just writing, but the actual understanding of language, how it is used to convey meaning, when and where that meaning is sometimes lost, and so much more…

While it is arguable both directions that vocabulary has increased/decreased in the past one-hundred years, what is noticeable is a very pronounced change in the manner and use of language.

Texting has lead to many being more focused on brevity than spelling, grammar, or punctuation.

Emoticons are used to convey sentiments that previously would have been conveyed within the language itself – and sometimes one emoticon takes the place of a whole sentence.

In noting these changes, I am not advocating one over the other. Languages are alive – they change, they evolve… however as the saying goes, “if you don’t use it, you lose it” – or is that the other way around… 🙂 (emoticon use intentional)

As recently as 2012, the world ‘lost’ another language. The Cromarty dialect of Northern Scotland originated from people who moved north from the Firth of Forth in the 15th and 16th centuries, however the last native speaker of that language died at the age of 92 in October of 2012.

As I live my solivagious life, my travels take me to various parts of the world where I am constantly challenged to understand and be understood in other than my native language of English. Even when I geek-out (a new addition to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2017) and resort to Google Translate, there is still always the challenge of correct pronunciation.

In today’s world where English is virtually ubiquitous, the task of effective communication is made significantly easier than it was for mundivagants one-hundred years ago.

Just as I find it fascinating to explore how people viewed the world and their place in it at various points in history (such as when children were given radioactive materials in science kits during the 1950s), I also find it fascinating to look at how language has changed – and continues to change.

…and I also love listening to the variety of languages being spoken all around me – that together form a type of linguistic symphony. It truly is glorious to just listen to the sounds, and looking at the shapes made by the words…

So, what is the point of this post?

Nothing other than to share some new words, explore some that have essentially disappeared from our vocabulary, and to highlight yet another blessing that comes from being a Luxurious Nomad – that of the phonology of this glorious blue planet we call ‘home’.

~ Bella

Swiss Alps Rail Journey – Zurich to Budapest (Part 1 of 2)

Words nor photos can express the majesty of this trip… but I will do my best with what follows of my eleven-hour rail trip through three countries…

Starting the day leaving my beautiful hotel (where I really felt as though I was visiting family instead of staying in a hotel), I arrived early at the Zurich train station.

By the way, thieves are rampant here – the best way I found to deal with them is to keep your wits about you and then stare straight at them – they walk away.

Upon boarding the train, a lovely lady near me said that I had the best seat on the train – it is usually the one she books but apparently I booked first.

The seats have everything that opens and shuts, variable settings, adjustable lights, different plugs, you name it!

I had placed my order for a sunny ride through the Alps and while I did get my wish (to come in a few mintues), the beginning of the trip was cloudy and overcast…

…and as we travel into the Alps, the sun comes out…

I not only had the fabulous view from my own huge window, I also had the incredible view opposite…

It is said that all road lead to Rome… Well, here it seems all tracks lead to the same place……?

Note the footprints beside the track in the middle of nowhere… I lost count of how many people I saw walking in ‘nowhere’…… Miles from ‘anywhere’!

There was too much to share in one post…

Click here for part two…

~ Bella

Rainy day day exploring Cornwall

My dear friend Karen came over from Hastings for a long weekend and we are spending it exploring Cornwall.

Although today was raining all day long, we had a lovely time!

Starting in our lovely hotel – Penmere Manor. Built in 1825, it was originally home to Captain John Bullock of the Falmouth Packet Service.

During WWII, the manor was turned into a home for injured officers; and after that it became a teaching convent for girls for a short period.

Since 1958, the manor has been operating as a hotel.

When we arrived on Friday (yesterday) evening, the lovely receptionist arranged a taxi for us and we went into Falmouth Harbour to the lovely Chain Locker Restaurant.

…and toasting to some wonderful business news I received the day prior.

Back to today, we went exploring to St Anthony’s Lighthouse and although we essentially found it, the thought of trekking to it – whether in good weather or bad – we decided to head somewhere lovely tu curl up for lunch instead. Hmmmmmm, do you notice a theme here… LOL!

The Pandora Inn was built in the 1200’s and has a fabulous vibe…

On the way back to the manor, we just meandered down this road and that…

…and came across the delightful Greenbank Hotel, Falmouth’s oldest hotel.

Originally built in 1640, the hotel has had quite the history…

In 1907, Florence Nightingale stayed here and her name can still be seen in the guest book on display by reception. Additionally, Kenneth Grahame stayed at the hotel in 1907 and it was here that he wrote letters to his son, which later formed the stories that became ‘The Wind in the Willows’.

This lovely couple shared their high tea yummies with us!

Check out this amazing decanter chandelier!

…then headed back home…

…for wine in front of the fire… (hmmmmmm, no – no theme here……)

What a glorious day!

Until tomorrow…

~ Bella

Your Christmas~New Year Present from my Castle in Scotland

OK, so ‘technically’ it’s not ‘my’ castle, but I like the sound of saying “my castle in Scotland”… 🙂

Since I am not able to be there with you for Christmas and New Year’s, I thought I would at least be able to give you a present to let you know that you are in my thoughts…

So, I recorded you a song!

I may not be the world’s greatest nightingale – and given that I don’t have any fancy recording equipment with me, this was recorded on my iPhone in my room in the castle, and relatively quietly as I didn’t want to disturb the neighbours!, and with a backing track I found on iTunes – but I hope you like it… I poured all my love for each of you and my newly found home here in Scotland into the song… (just click on the image below to listen)

In case you didn’t know, Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788.

Here is Burn’s original verse, although not his original line spacing, and with the words sung in this version of the song in italics:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne!

Chorus.-For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp! And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

For auld, &c.

We twa hae run about the braes, And pou'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit, Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld, &c.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn, Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld, &c.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere! And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught, For auld lang syne.

Chorus.-For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne!

Before arriving at the castle, I checked out of the wonderfully lovely Loch Ness Inn and said goodbye to everyone… Btw, I love their folder for the bill (below):

After a short drive through windy mountain roads – that were actually really good! – I arrived at my Christmas residence that was constructed in the late 1870s (almost brand new by castle standards!)…

After checking in, I decided to go for a meander in Prince and find somewhere lovely to curl up for lunch…

…and found Snow White and a few dwarves in the bushes…

Back home for the evening – and probably for the next couple of days… I think I will stay curled up here and read and write rather than doing any exploring for the next couple of days…

My room is delightful, complete with hand-made canine friend on the bed waiting for me…

Well, I am about to sign off for Christmas…

May your Christmas Day bring you an abundance of love, happiness, joy and laughter…

All my love…

~ Bella

Delving into my Scottish Ancestry in Inverness

When I arrived in South Devon, I knew instantly I was “home“… In over fifty years on this planet, I had never before known that feeling… (and discovering I had ancestors in South Devon going back to the late 1400s just confirmed the feeling)…

…and arriving in the Scottish Highlands, that feeling is multiplied a thousand-fold. I feel connected to this land in a way I didn’t know possible…

So, when my beloved Prince (trusty car) gave me a warning light for his automatic roof this morning, even though I will not be going in convertible mode in the Scottish Highlands in the middle of winter, I decided to put him in to the dealership in Inverness just over 30 minutes away and use the time curled up in a wonderful Italian restaurant overlooking the River Ness to go delving into my ancestry to see what I could find that might account for my extraordinary passion for this area…

…and if ever you are in Inverness, I can thoroughly recommend Zizzi’s!

Since Ancestry.com do not allow one to search by location, I needed to break out my ‘inner geek’…

…and what I discovered was fascinating!

Although I have yet to find a direct link to the Highlands, if you recall, when I was investigating my ancestry, there was one branch to which/whom I felt an overwhelming connection. The rest were like reading a story in a newspaper – but this one line in particular… I finally felt, “I have history – these are my people!”

Well, on that line, there are a couple of people with whom I resonated more than the rest…

Ann(e) Virgo Gallimore Tharp(e) – whose grave I found with my wonderful ‘cousin’ Graham and his lovely wife Jan – btw, Anne has such a fascinating story that I believe there is a book in there at some point…

Anne’s eldest son, Richard Parnell and his wife, Margaret O’Curle.

Anne’s middle son, Montague Parnell, who is my great-grandfather’s grandfather.

As it turns out, Anne, Richard and his wife all lived in Scotland at one point. Not up as far as the Highlands, and they were not born there (well, not sure about Margaret yet) but at least it is a start…

So, after that little bit of investigating and a scrumptious lunch, I decided to go for a short stroll through Inverness before catching a taxi back to collect my beloved car.

On my way back up the arcade, I reached into my handbag and was going to give this woman some money (she was busking and playing beautiful pan-flute) but then she started yelling at me that I took her photo before but I didn’t pay her – I should pay her, she demanded! So, I stopped reaching for my wallet and simply walked on…

Finally, a man in a kilt playing the bagpipes…

I do love it here…

Oh, and it turns out the warning light was from an old code that had been fixed before I even bought Prince – but I didn’t mind… Gave me a wonderful excuse for a glorious day in Inverness!

On the way back there was a stunning sunset…

…and now home sweet home, just in time for a call with a client and then calling it a night…

Sweet dreams, dear Friends!

~ Bella