Hello my darlings! Emma here, writing to you from the charming little town of Hindley, tucked away in Greater Manchester. It's day 1030 of my pink tutu adventures, and as always, I'm bubbling with excitement to share it all with you!
The journey to Hindley was a whimsical one, a delightful hop aboard the train with the countryside whizzing by outside the window. As I sat with my trusty sketchbook and a little notebook brimming with pink glitter pen scribblings, inspiration bloomed all around me. There’s something so inspiring about a long train journey. You meet interesting people, you see amazing sights and there's plenty of time for contemplation – the kind of time that lets your imagination take flight, like a graceful ballerina pirouetting across the stage.
Oh, and you know me – a trip to the countryside is always a treat for the eyes! I must admit, I felt rather fabulous rocking my favourite Italian leotard – its blush pink hue shimmered perfectly in the afternoon sun, especially when paired with a fluffy, pale pink tulle tutu. Don’t worry – my favourite fuchsia feather boa went along for the ride too. Let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be a trip with Emma without a touch of glamorous whimsy!
My destination: the heart of Hindley – The Turnpike Centre. You might be surprised to hear it's home to a fabulous dance school called, The Centre Dance. It's a gorgeous building, with sweeping arches and tall windows – just the kind of setting for a little bit of tutu magic. Today's plan: to join a class at The Centre Dance. But of course, being Emma, the pink tutu fairy, I didn't go straight in...
You see, on my way to the Centre, I had to detour! There, tucked in a sleepy corner of the town, I discovered an idyllic park filled with babbling brooks and lush greenery. A whimsical array of wild ducks, like fluffy ballerinas, dipped and bobbed in the clear, tranquil water. They were practically dancing, so graceful and light – the perfect little ballet performance right there in nature.
But the real star of the show? A magnificent, chestnut horse, gracing the scene with its quiet majesty. It reminded me of a fairytale creature – all velvety fur, powerful legs, and soulful eyes. Naturally, I took this opportunity for a little spontaneous photoshoot – capturing the essence of grace and nature, wrapped in a tutu, naturally! A pink tutu makes everything more beautiful!
It took a little effort, but after some coaxing (and lots of twirling!) I managed to capture some fantastic snaps, some I’ll have to post on Pink-Tutu.com later. Who knew a little trip to Hindley would have so much to offer, both to my creative heart and my Instagram feed?
The Centre Dance class was an absolute delight! A wonderful mix of students of all ages, each of them pouring their passion into every plié and relevé. From the youngest, most adorable beginners to the graceful senior students – they were all brilliant! There was something truly magical about the room; you could feel the pure joy of movement, the passion, and the energy radiating outwards, wrapping the whole space in its own little world of tutus and tap shoes. And that feeling, that love of movement? That's exactly what my dear Pink Tutu community is all about.
The dance floor was a ballet dream. They had a big stage area too, with beautiful painted scenery that resembled a bustling town square, it made my ballet-heart swoon! Every corner of this space had an enchanting touch; I could picture the stage glowing under the spotlight, the rhythmic music playing, and the dancers effortlessly floating across the stage. It's all about embracing the joy and beauty that dancing brings, the joy of self-expression and creating art with our bodies. I was completely smitten with The Centre Dance, and with the incredible atmosphere and talent that surrounded me! I felt completely inspired, and completely myself.
After my little dance interlude, I treated myself to the cutest little pink teacup cake I could find – because well, if a girl can't enjoy a good afternoon treat in the cutest pink teapot cafe she can find after a day of tutus and ballet, I don't know what the world's coming to. You know, it was truly a taste of pure pink paradise, and it wouldn't have been complete without my tiny matching teacup, filled with a fragrant pink tea, of course.
I am always drawn to beautiful little shops in the places I visit, little independent stores that are the heart and soul of a community, so after tea I found my way to the quaintest little boutique – you wouldn’t believe the adorable pink satin ballet shoes I discovered nestled between vintage jewellery and handmade soaps! My heart skipped a beat. I simply had to have them, even if they were not going with the theme today… But we can always work that into a future look! I added a fluffy, pink bow ( because you just have to, you know?), a splash of sparkle and popped them in my sparkly, little vintage tote bag, and now they are mine – my latest sartorial treasure, a souvenir to add to my collection of dancing curiosities.
By the end of the day, as the sun began to set, casting a soft golden light over Hindley, I realised what had brought such an amazing feeling of peace to my heart and my day - I’d been surrounded by beauty and talent in every form! It had been an absolutely dreamy trip. It’s amazing what a day with a tutu can do!
Oh, my dear pink tutu followers – if there is a beautiful corner of the UK that needs your own touch of tutus and a little bit of pink sparkle, let me know! The world's waiting for a tutu invasion, and you all have the power to help me do it! I truly hope you enjoy following my travels as much as I love sharing them with you.
See you next time – for an exciting new adventure!
Lots of pink love and happy tutus, Emma xx
