Post Number: 136
www.pink-tutu.com
Oh my dears! I’m so excited to share my latest adventure with you all. As you know, I'm always up for a trip, especially if it involves a fabulous tutu! And this week's journey took me all the way to Cumbernauld!
Now, for those of you not familiar with this gem of a town in Scotland, it’s just north of Glasgow, surrounded by hills and a certain charming charm you only find in this neck of the woods. Let’s just say, the moment I stepped off the train, my heart was doing a little pirouette. It's like a hidden world, full of potential for tutus, teacups, and maybe even a wee Highland fling.
The journey itself was an absolute dream. A crisp autumn morning with sunshine playing peek-a-boo through the rolling hills – what better setting for a day trip? I boarded the train in Derbyshire, naturally in my trusty pink tutu. You wouldn’t believe the smiles it brought! Children were waving, elderly folk were giving me knowing nods, and even the man with the loud mobile phone call briefly forgot to shout about football, transfixed by my outfit.
We talked – or rather I did most of the talking, I'm a bit of a chatterbox, you see – about how important it is to spread the tutu joy. He admitted that he’d always found ballerinas captivating, even though he’d never considered giving it a try. See! Even the most hardcore football fans secretly harbour a love for the pirouette! He actually told me about his daughter who’s taking tap lessons!
“See, there's hope for you yet, Mr. Football,” I teased, giving him a knowing wink. He laughed and I swear, I saw him glance at my pink tutu again. Now, my friends, THAT’S how we spread the tutu message – with a twinkle in our eyes and a whole lot of twirling.
Arriving in Cumbernauld, I made a beeline for the beautiful town centre. I have to admit, this was a real surprise – I had visions of wild landscapes and maybe a friendly sheep or two. What I found, though, was a vibrant place full of shops and cafes. Even the architecture had a certain grace to it. I even caught a glimpse of the Cumbernauld Theatre, just bursting with creativity and promising a brilliant performance later in the evening!
It seems like Cumbernauld is the perfect spot to indulge in a bit of ballet bliss. With its natural surroundings and friendly atmosphere, you could easily lose yourself in a ballet-inspired day.
Speaking of natural surroundings, I found myself mesmerised by the stunning views across the countryside. It felt like a beautiful ballet stage, and you can bet I imagined myself doing a grand jeté right on the crest of that hill. It would be an epic pose, perfect for my next Insta story. Just the right amount of wind-blown hair and tutu fluff.
And what's a ballet adventure without some wildlife, right? I spotted a family of red deer, their dappled coats shimmering in the sun as they grazed in the hills. Their graceful movements were a real treat to watch. You know, there's a kind of connection, an unspoken understanding, between dancers and wild creatures. I imagine that even wild deer have their own grand jeté in their hearts, just waiting to be unleashed.
Speaking of understanding, my afternoon tea in a little vintage cafe near the station was a masterpiece of sweetness and good times. There was a lovely group of local women celebrating someone’s birthday and they welcomed me with open arms. My fellow tutu fan, Brenda, had been in the ballet in her younger years and even did a tiny, oh so graceful pirouette in her armchair. You can tell, these women really know how to live! We talked about life, love, and naturally, the beauty of the pink tutu. My mission to make pink the new black seemed to be doing very well.
By the time the theatre lights dimmed, I was prepared to be blown away by the local dance troupe's performance. The energy in the room was electric! I could see that many of the audience members were eagerly awaiting their turn on the stage! I bet Cumbernauld is known for producing the most talented dancers in Scotland!
My own inner dancer was swirling with excitement. It's not just about watching the dancers though, it's the shared emotion, the stories that they tell through their movements. Ballet, like all art, can speak a universal language that transcends words. Even without understanding all the intricacies of the ballet, you feel the emotion, the struggle, the triumph!
And what better way to round off a perfect day in Cumbernauld than with a good old-fashioned night out? My friend Maggie - who runs the vintage tea shop and who seems to be my local fairy godmother in this charming little town- had introduced me to the best place for a local ceilidh!
My feet weren't quite up to a proper Scottish jig - my legs had certainly done their fair share of pirouettes by this time! – but the whole scene, with everyone dancing with wild abandon and enjoying their own kind of beautiful dance was enough to fill my soul with glee.
Even without twirling, the laughter and joy of everyone, including myself of course, felt like a grand ballet, one that was completely impromptu, yet so captivating. And the best thing about this ballet - you don’t need any fancy costume, just a little enthusiasm, a big heart, and a willingness to join in. Cumbernauld really is the most wonderful place to let your hair down!
The next morning I stepped back onto the train, feeling energized, inspired, and already plotting my return to Cumbernauld. As the train rolled on, my thoughts went to the ballet troupe, to Brenda’s armchair pirouette and the friendly ceilidh dancers. There’s something about the air in Cumbernauld, you see – it gets right into your soul, stirs up your heart and gives you that magic tutu feeling!
I’ve left a little of my pink tutu magic in Cumbernauld. And hopefully a few new friends will now have the courage to put on their own pink tutu and feel the magic for themselves!
Until next time, my lovelies! Remember, the world is a ballet stage and you're all beautiful ballerinas, ready to make your grand entrance.
Much love and lots of pirouettes!
Emma xx
