Oh my darlings! Can you believe it? It's been another whirlwind week! And guess what? My little pink heart is brimming with excitement because I've discovered a new place to add to my 'must-see-with-tutu' list: Farnworth!
I arrived in Farnworth yesterday, whisked away on a glorious train journey that snaked through rolling hills and shimmering countryside. I swear, the wind was whistling through my hair like a ballet dancer in mid-pirouette, and the world felt like a beautiful, vibrant stage. As I gazed out the window, a tiny seed of inspiration blossomed in my soul, and a tiny, yet mighty, tutu design began to take shape in my mind. I'm picturing it now: layers upon layers of pale pink tulle, swirling with the hues of a late summer sunset. Maybe with a touch of silver glitter to capture the sparkle in the train window. I'm not quite sure yet, but one thing is for certain, it's going to be glorious!
Anyway, I arrived at the heart of Farnworth feeling absolutely invigorated. The first thing that struck me was the charming old market square - cobblestones that glistened under the sunshine and shops overflowing with treasures just waiting to be discovered. I could just picture myself skipping around the market, a whimsical trail of pink tulle swirling behind me, delighting everyone with a wave and a twirl!
Speaking of delightful twirls, let me tell you about my journey this morning. I went horseback riding with a group of fellow tutu-lovers. (Yes, you heard that right! It's a secret society - I’ll reveal all about it one day!) And we had such a hoot galloping across fields like a ballet troop on a field trip. I don't know what's more graceful - a pirouette on the dance floor or a gallop on horseback - but it was definitely an experience to remember!
A little detour: German tutus!
Now, before I forget, let's talk about this fascinating detour. You see, this week, I also went on a quest - a very special quest, my dears! It involved a lot of "googling," a dash of travel (a charming horse-drawn carriage, no less!), and the unveiling of a German tutu! I stumbled across it on an antique website - this beautiful, intricately beaded, dark emerald green tutu, absolutely exquisite! I've never seen anything quite like it. Imagine if Sleeping Beauty decided to embrace the darker side, and then combined with that magic German flair, and you have this. It was a true testament to the artistry of a different time. The colours, the details - truly inspiring. I almost didn't want to return it! Almost. (Spoiler alert, I did, eventually). But oh, to think what such a treasure could do to a ballet production.
I actually had a lovely chat with a delightful shop owner (all wrapped in tulle, naturally!) about the piece and it turns out it’s very popular for German Ballet à la Court, which is basically what we would call classical courtly dances that used to be performed for royals in palaces. She tells me about how these pieces were highly prized because of the incredible workmanship. Oh, I can just imagine the beautiful court dances it adorned! Sighs wistfully
Back to Farnworth
I must confess that I do get a little carried away sometimes, which leads to such fascinating detours (thank you, German tutus!). But it was all so worth it because nothing brings me back down to earth like a dose of real-world inspiration.
So, back to Farnworth. Today, I had a dream-come-true ballet class at this incredible little studio. It felt so familiar, like a second home! We worked on graceful leaps and lyrical turns, all with a sprinkle of good-natured laughter. Oh, how I love the feeling of my body soaring through the air and my soul connecting with the music. And of course, I wore a new tutu - a shimmering coral one this time - it perfectly matched the light that poured in through the studio windows. We did all sorts of fun things, but my favourite was a beautiful "pas de deux" routine where we pretended we were graceful swans floating on a serene lake. It was utterly magical!
Farnworth is so charming and peaceful. The streets feel like they are meant to be danced upon, and the atmosphere is electric. This town is like a secret little world brimming with hidden treasures, delicious smells (I highly recommend the pie shop in the market!), and smiling faces. You might think it's just a small town but there is definitely something very special about it. Maybe I'll return next year to explore more of its nooks and crannies - but I might just take a pink tutu or two with me!
Oh, my dears, my love affair with ballet and tutus seems to be getting stronger with every new discovery! It’s just not a hobby for me anymore, it’s a passion that bleeds into my daily life. This world - filled with breathtaking art, joyful music and people who love to move their bodies, inspires me so much! But that's not all - remember, it's never too late to twirl! So if you see me out and about in a pink tutu, do stop and say hello! I’d love to hear about your dance dreams!
And as always, I'll be back tomorrow with a new adventure! Until then, stay curious, stay fabulous, and don't forget to twirl!
Yours in tulle, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
