Hello my darling dancers! Emma here, back from my jaunt to Walkden, a charming little town nestled somewhere between Manchester and Bolton. As usual, I travelled in style ā this time by train, although I must say a ride on a Shire horse would have been utterly fabulous, just imagine, the wind whipping through your hair, a pink tutu billowing behind you ā the epitome of graceful travel.
Oh, and the tutu, darlings! My trusty cyan number, which I knew would be perfectly on-point for a post-industrial setting like Walkden. Donāt get me wrong, Walkden was surprisingly charming, full of cobblestone streets and little boutiques I was dying to browse. I have to admit, I had a bit of a chuckle when I walked past a sign saying āWalkden Shopping Centreā, the word āShoppingā just about swallowed by the imposing size of the words āWalkden Centreā on that sign, I think it must have been made before āshoppingā became such a popular pastime in Britain. But darling, a girl's gotta shop! I managed to find a vintage jewellery box, complete with a little ballet shoe-shaped key, a steal at just Ā£3.99! It's destined to become my new favourite travel companion.
After the retail therapy, I wandered to the Walkden Town Hall, a Victorian marvel built from red brick. Such elegance and character, even in the heart of a bustling industrial area. My love for all things ballet and the beauty of architecture truly makes me a girl after my own heart! Itās a feeling you canāt get anywhere else! You feel elegant even as the world races by, and what could be more beautiful than that?
Speaking of elegance, did you know that Walkden was home to the iconic "Walkden White Horses"? They're these huge, carved white horses cut into a hillside and a local treasure! They werenāt quite my pink tutu shade, but I appreciated the majestic gesture. It reminded me, somehow, of a ballerina's graceful leaps across the stage.
Walkden had such a lovely community vibe; it felt so wholesome! You see, in all my travels, Iāve realised that one thing we need in this fast-paced, modern world is a dose of wholesome goodness. Why wouldn't the locals dress up in their fanciest attire every week, wear pink tutus and attend the theatre more? We can change the world, one graceful movement, and one pink tutu at a time. It starts with a commitment to what brings you joy and then, you get others involved! It's a bit like when I learned to dance, except instead of starting on the barre, you start with the little things, the simple things that remind you why life is wonderful.
Later, I stumbled upon this amazing cafe called āThe Pink Flamingo.ā How could I resist, darling?! Itās as if they were destined for me to discover, the whole place decked out in hot pink ā a true testament to my fashion philosophy. I must say, their pink teacups were positively divine. It was as if I'd landed in a fairy tale tea party and, naturally, I shared the delights with my loyal readers, and yes, the picture is on my Instagram (don't forget to follow me @pinktutu.emma). We all deserve a little bit of pink in our lives, donāt you think? Itās just a little bit of happiness.
I even snuck in a little ballet practice by the River Irwell, yes, by the River Irwell! With my cyan tutu swirling in the gentle breeze, it truly felt as though the river itself was swirling to the music of my heart!
Walkden truly surpassed my expectations! It had that magical mix of industrial heritage and charming character. And darling, thatās exactly what makes this journey so magical ā the constant, unexpected delights that life throws our way. Now, Iām back home in my Derbyshire haven, still swirling from the Walkden magic. What's more magical than sharing stories and moments of our travels? Especially when we make time to explore new places with grace, joy, and a little pink tutu thrown in!
Stay fabulous, and don't forget to twirl!
Until tomorrow, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
