Hello lovelies! It’s Friday, the sun is shining (well, almost…there’s a bit of a cheeky cloud trying to spoil our fun), and I'm feeling incredibly pinktastic here in London. It’s officially Pink Tutu Blog London day, and you know what that means: another fabulous week of adventures to share with you all!
This week, I took a little trip down to London for the day. I’ve been so excited to visit the capital for a while now, I was just itching to hop on the train and venture off to experience all the wonderful sights and sounds.
Before I tell you all about my London adventure, I must start, as always, with my outfit. I had to pack my most fabulous pink tutu for the journey (because how else would I reach my London destinations?) This one, I’ll admit, I splurged on – I can't tell you how much joy a feather boa and some sparkly pink ribbons do for a tutu. As my top, I opted for a crisp white cotton shirt, which I paired with a delicate pearl necklace – a little nod to the elegance and glamour of London. Of course, it wouldn’t be me without my favourite pink ballet pumps and a touch of pink lip gloss to tie the whole thing together. I mean, a ballerina always looks her best!
I arrived in London just as the midday sunshine was breaking through the clouds, filling the city with warm, golden light. The vibe was electric – buzzing with activity. After a quick coffee at a cosy café – they even had a delicious almond croissant (how lucky!) - I started my adventure.
Firstly, a little ballet pit stop! The Royal Opera House was my first port of call. You wouldn’t believe how mesmerising this building is; so grand and filled with history. Inside, everything was grand and beautiful, so perfect to dream up ballets in. It felt magical, honestly, like I had stepped onto a fairytale stage!
For a moment, I thought I would just be completely entranced by the sheer majesty of the Royal Opera House. I could have spent the rest of the day there, imagining what incredible ballets were performed there through history. But I had to hold back for the time being, because there was so much more to experience.
The London streets themselves, filled with the sound of excited chatter and car horns, offered their own brand of enchantment, It was such a joy to see all the people walking about, the variety of cultures, all the shops and cafes, It was overwhelming and wonderful, and it was a feeling that wouldn’t stop just because I was tired. No, it continued to ripple throughout the day, inspiring me to enjoy it every second.
What’s an exploring ballerina to do in London without getting a little creative? So off I went to Covent Garden, with all it’s history, street performers and a market to delight me. There were incredible acrobats showing off their impressive skills – such precision and control - as well as amazing singers and musicians, each putting on their unique show, sharing their talents. I have to say, the energy in Covent Garden was truly contagious. The rhythm of it, and the variety of different things happening was fascinating.
After Covent Garden, my next stop was a walk by the Thames, a stunning vista! The River Thames – what a symbol of the grandeur of London! As I walked by the riverbank, with the water lapping against the shore, I felt the weight of history and the rhythm of the city's pulse. The sky mirrored the grey river, the birds calling out from the bridges overhead. It felt peaceful. A moment to breath deeply, admire the architecture of London and its iconic red telephone boxes.
Being so close to the heart of the city I had to visit Buckingham Palace and its iconic railings and gate! There was a real sense of royalty. I was delighted to learn that some of the state rooms in Buckingham Palace were open for tours and they even hold ballet performances from time to time! I couldn’t help but wonder if the queen was an aficionado of the art of dance as well. What a treat that would be, I thought, imagining a queen watching her dancers twirl in graceful leaps and elegant pirouettes.
Naturally, a visit to London must include the theatre! I was able to take in a brilliant West End show in the afternoon - a contemporary musical filled with dazzling costumes and a thrilling storyline. What’s even more wonderful was the chance to watch performers who’ve been working their whole lives to be at this pinnacle, this highest level of performance. They inspired me to work harder at my own ballet, they reminded me that I was also part of the incredible art of the performance, even if I wasn't quite in the same position as the professional dancers I was watching. Even though it was my own dream, and I’d do things my way, it was still part of this great history and artistry of performing for people. And that really did make me feel truly part of something magical, like I was woven into the thread of history,
Then, in the early evening, I hopped on a tube train to journey back to Derbyshire, The Underground wasn’t something that intimidated me (no, I can travel anywhere with my tutu on!) but I’d never been on the Underground in London before. There’s something so thrilling about hopping onto a moving carriage deep underneath a city! It’s amazing how a little ride in a tube can bring the whole city to life in such a tangible way!
Back in Derbyshire once again, I felt completely fulfilled. I know it must seem a little eccentric to many people but for me, it's my own special ballet dream that brings me joy to be exploring and seeing new places. My tutu’s become my symbol of my adventures! And this, you see, is a little taste of life in my pink tutu in London.
I’d love to hear what you all think! Do you have any favourite London spots or a special outfit for when you visit? Please share with me on www.pink-tutu.com! Until next week lovelies.
This week, we're celebrating all things ballet! To keep the magical ballet energy going, check out these fun things you can do with the family!
What’s happening on Friday, 2012-05-18 in the Ballet world!
The Royal Ballet School will be offering free workshops this weekend, to help aspiring young ballerinas and dancers, Why not consider enrolling the young ones for a fun and informative ballet class. It's a chance to get their feet moving in this wonderful and artistic dance form! (Address: The Royal Ballet School, Barons Court)
The Sadler's Wells Theatre will be hosting a screening of "Giselle" (a ballet masterpiece!) with the full performance broadcast live on the big screen. Get your tickets and enjoy a classic ballet production without leaving the theatre seat, how convenient is that? (Address: Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Ave, London)
English National Ballet's ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ is running in the afternoon on Friday – an afternoon for adults and children. Enjoy a full ballet performance that everyone will be entranced by! (Address: English National Ballet, Royal Albert Hall, London).
The English National Ballet's school will be holding an open day – an opportunity for budding ballet dancers to experience their training studios, take a lesson and even speak to their professional instructors. (Address: English National Ballet School, London)
And don't forget - if you have the opportunity, there are always classes happening at the Royal Opera House! Who knows - you might just discover the next ballet star.
That’s it for this week. Have a lovely weekend! I can’t wait to share more of my London adventures with you next week!
Emma xxx
