Pink Tutu Post #468
Hello my darlings! Emma here, and today I'm writing to you from the quaint, charming town of Wigston Magna, a stone's throw from the heart of Leicester! How has your week been, sweeties? Mine has been a whirl of fluffy tutus and exciting train journeys. It's been so good to get out of my Derbyshire home and see some new sights!
It's been a while since I've been to the Midlands, and let me tell you, Wigston Magna was everything I hoped for and more! It's just so... charming! I'm not sure how else to describe it. I mean, where else could you get a taste of English history at the historic Wigston Magna Manor and enjoy some retail therapy in the quaint shops of High Street? It was like a fairytale come to life!
Of course, as always, my pink tutu was a star of the show. Let me tell you, the cobbled streets of Wigston Magna have never seen such a sight! 🩰 The way it danced in the breeze as I walked was truly delightful. Some of the local kids were fascinated! They gave me a wave and a smile, and you know, for a moment it felt like everyone in the world could feel my infectious joy! It's a wonderful feeling when people stop to admire your outfit. Especially when that outfit is a bright, beautiful, blush-pink tutu!
Speaking of charming, I couldn't have been more thrilled when I discovered that Wigston Magna was a haven for horse lovers! A delightful local equestrian centre called the "Wigston Equestrian Centre" caught my eye, and I just had to investigate! The stables were immaculately kept, the horses were breathtakingly beautiful, and there were even a few adorable miniature ponies that practically begged to be petted. I swear I saw one of them batting its eyelashes at me! 🐎😍
If you haven't seen it already, I must tell you about my most recent adventure: a stunning horse-drawn carriage ride through the rolling hills and verdant pastures surrounding Wigston Magna. You can see some of the photos in my latest Instagram gallery! This idyllic experience truly brought a magical touch to my visit. There's just something about riding a carriage, the gentle clomping of hooves, the smell of fresh hay, and the wind in my hair… it was pure magic. The coachman was delightful, and the horse, a beautiful chestnut mare with a gentle nature, was the star of the show.
Now, it's no secret that my love for all things ballet extends far beyond my own practice. I absolutely love visiting other ballet companies and catching performances. While I was in Wigston Magna, I stumbled across a beautiful, restored theatre - the Wigston Town Hall and Theatre, complete with a plush, velvet-curtained stage. The perfect venue for an elegant evening performance of a well-loved classic ballet. It was the ultimate dream! I found myself mesmerised by the beauty and precision of the dancing, lost in the story told by each graceful movement and emotional expression. As I watched those dancers glide across the stage in their tulle skirts, I could almost feel the passion in every movement.
My afternoon at the theatre gave me a serious case of the "ballet blues." So I set off the next morning, fresh with new enthusiasm, to join a lovely ballet class held at a local studio, "Wigston Ballet School." What can I say? Ballet always finds a way to light up my world, whether I'm watching it or performing it. As I stretched and glided, I felt that incredible sensation of freedom and creativity. The other dancers, each one of them full of talent and passion, really fuelled my love for this beautiful art form! You know how much I love a bit of dance cardio too, especially if there's pink involved! 😄
You might be thinking, "Emma, surely there's nothing more this town could offer you?" Well, hold onto your tiaras because I'm not even close to being done!
While exploring the historical heart of Wigston Magna, I found a hidden gem of a bakery, aptly named "Wigston's Bakery" where I fell completely in love with a deliciously decadent, handcrafted raspberry tart. It was so delectable! You have no idea how much this sweet indulgence brightened my afternoon. It perfectly reflected the overall feeling I got from this charming town.
Oh, and don't even get me started on the delightful local wildlife. My dear husband, Mark, bought me a little feeder so that we could enjoy the beauty of the local feathered friends from the window of our hotel room. Mark, being a bird enthusiast himself, loved it. We spent our evening sipping on tea, nibbling on some freshly-baked scones from Wigston's Bakery ( I swear I could eat them every day) , and watching the flurry of activity from our balcony. There were so many lovely birds: sparrows, blue tits, robins... and even a couple of cheeky woodpeckers! It was so much fun to see the birds flitting about! They seemed as delighted to be there as we were!
But what would a visit to a new town be without a trip to its vibrant markets? The "Wigston Farmers Market" didn't disappoint. I was able to wander the stalls, indulging my inner "farmer" (although Mark knows I'm just dreaming of a smallholding in the English countryside.. just dreaming), sampling all sorts of locally-grown fruits and vegetables, chatting to friendly farmers and stallholders, and discovering a fantastic collection of fresh produce! It really is amazing to connect with people who are so passionate about their work, and I feel inspired by the hard work that goes into producing the food that we all eat. I even picked up a lovely bunch of fresh lilies from one of the stallholders to bring a little bit of Wigston Magna beauty back to my Derbyshire home.
The town has definitely left a lasting impression on me, you can already tell by how much I've written about it, but then again, I just can't help myself when I find a truly lovely place! There's so much more to see and do in Wigston Magna, and if I'm lucky enough to come back, you can be sure that I'll be writing another blog post, possibly about the "Wigston Heritage Centre," perhaps a charming cafe tucked away in a corner of the town square... the options are endless!
Now, my lovely friends, I’ve had such a delightful time telling you all about my trip to Wigston Magna, and I’d love to hear from you! Do you love to travel, and do you ever try to take the horse-drawn carriage when you visit a new place? Maybe you’ve visited Wigston Magna yourself? Please tell me about your experiences!
As for me, it's time for me to catch the next train back to Derbyshire, which is already a trip in itself. After all, it's not just the destination, it's also the journey. 😉 Don't forget to keep spreading the pink-tutu love and maybe you will join me on my next train adventure! Remember my sweet little darlings, life is too short to not be twirling in a fluffy pink tutu, so go ahead, try it! You just might be surprised!
Until tomorrow my darlings!
Love always, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
