#PinkTutuBlogLondon Friday 1997-03-14 Exploring London

Hello my lovelies!

It’s Friday, the 14th of March 1997, and I’m back in London! Oh, how I love this city. It just hums with energy and creativity, and I couldn’t think of a better place to wear my favourite pink tutu, wouldn’t you agree?

This week, I’ve been living my best ballet life! It all began in Derbyshire, with a performance at the quaint Matlock Bath Pavilion. The applause was warm and the costumes sparkly - a perfect prelude to my London escapade. The train journey was an absolute delight, with views of the rolling green countryside that reminded me of a Constable painting (but, of course, with a bit more pink added in, wink wink).

Now, let’s dive into the highlights of my Pink-tastic London Friday:

No London trip is complete without a foray into the world of fashion! Today, I began with a trip to Oxford Street. Now, I know many think of this street as purely fast fashion, but tucked away among the High Street stores are some real gems, and that's exactly where my journey began. First stop was a little vintage haven, overflowing with frocks that wouldn't look out of place in a West End show - imagine, sequined ball gowns in every colour imaginable! My purse screamed a bit at the price tag, but my inner ballerina was thrilled to be amongst such exquisite finds.

The second stop was a true fashion paradise: Liberty London. The exquisite craftsmanship of the clothing and fabrics was a visual feast, with each display telling a different story. It was the kind of shop that could easily consume your whole day – luckily, my stomach had other ideas…

We all know that ballet is demanding, and it needs to be fuelled properly. After a quick bite of afternoon tea at the delightful "Tea at The Savoy", it was time to venture into Covent Garden. I don’t think I’ve ever met a place so alive! Buskers filled the streets with music, flower vendors overflowed with fragrant blooms, and of course, there was delicious food galore. I sampled a tiny taste of paella, devoured some freshly made churros (a little too sugary for a ballet dancer perhaps, but oh so delicious), and enjoyed the bustling energy of the crowds.

Later this evening, the true highlight of my day was about to begin: seeing "Miss Saigon" at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. As a huge fan of the show, it was so inspiring to see it brought to life with such energy and passion. The talent on that stage was captivating! It even inspired me to grab some comfy ballet flats for a spot of twirling in Covent Garden.

It would be rude not to go to the home of ballet – the Royal Opera House! Whilst the building is under refurbishment, they’ve been offering classes in other venues throughout London. And guess what, I took a wonderful drop-in barre class at their Sadler's Wells Theatre - so uplifting, and just the thing to get my dancing blood pumping!

From the rosy hues of the sunsets over the city skyline to the vibrant pink flower arrangements in the shop windows, London has a hidden pink magic, waiting to be discovered. Even the bus stop at my hotel had a faded, dusty rose shade – a delightful surprise for a pink tutu girl. I swear I could hear the city whisper to me: "Wear your tutu, dear girl, wear your tutu!"

And with that, I'm heading back to my hotel, my pink tutu bag in hand, and thoughts filled with the excitement of the week ahead. It’s time to retire for the night, a bit of ballet reading for my evening (the new autobiography of Dame Margot Fonteyn, so inspiring!), before facing a full day of dance and creativity tomorrow. More about that on my next blog, of course!

This Friday, I found that even the busiest city can be a haven for a tutu-wearing ballerina, with pink delights hidden around every corner. And so, dear friends, let’s keep embracing our pink tutu dreams and wear them proudly, wherever we go!

Until next week! Emma xx

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