Post #1438 - June 10th, 2000
Darling readers,
Good morning from sunny Stretford! Today's #TutuBlog post is a bit special because I'm channeling my inner ballerina and my inner travel enthusiast! Now, you all know my love for the stage, for graceful leaps and pirouettes, but you may not know my fondness for adventures on the open road... or the tracks, to be more precise. 😉
It all began this morning with a lovely train journey from my little Derbyshire home to this charming little town in Greater Manchester. I adore those old-fashioned carriages with the comfy plush seats and the view out the window! And speaking of windows... the glorious morning sunshine, peeking through the blinds and casting dappled patterns across my face, was the perfect way to start the day. Honestly, could anything be more romantic?
(Spoiler: the answer is yes! The colour pink, naturally.)
I had to, of course, wear something special for my journey - it's a rule of mine. So I slipped into my trusty yellow tutu (a splash of sunshine on a glorious day, you see!) and paired it with a crisp white blouse and a chunky pink cardigan. Because let's be honest, even a sunshine-filled journey could benefit from a little bit of pink. Don't you agree?
Now, Stretford might not be the first name that springs to mind when thinking about a "cultural capital," but let me tell you - there's magic tucked away in this place. I’ve just spent the afternoon soaking up the atmosphere at the beautiful Stretford Public Hall. They’re staging a delightful production of "Sleeping Beauty" which had all the glitter and twirls my heart could desire. Of course, I wouldn't have been a true ballerina if I hadn't joined in with the little ballet school dancers during the interval, you know - just a quick twirl here and there, to liven up the crowd. I was almost tempted to jump up on stage myself, but "Sleeping Beauty" isn’t the most... well, stretchy role. Perhaps "Giselle" in the autumn might be more fitting...
Oh! And you know I simply had to visit the lovely Arley Hall and Gardens during my visit. What a wonderful contrast - lush green landscapes with the gorgeous Elizabethan architecture! It just begs for a picnic on a sun-drenched day. Sadly, I didn't have time for a full picnic, so I settled for a cuppa and a few biscuits in the tearoom, which was equally delightful. There’s even a stunning peacock who keeps the guests company! You can imagine the lovely, swirling patterns on its beautiful tail feathers, right? It’s a shame we don’t see more peacocks around. They could learn a thing or two from ballerinas when it comes to movement!
Talking about movement, what would you say is the most fascinating wildlife you’ve encountered? Did you ever see a creature that captured your imagination with its dance? Or even the way it walks, perhaps with the most magnificent strides you could imagine? Share your thoughts with me!
Stretford is a beautiful little town - perfect for those who enjoy their cultural delights on a more relaxed pace. For example, Stretford Library, next to the Town Hall, offers some exciting classes, too. And if you love dance as much as I do, this weekend marks a celebration of all things theatrical: The Stretford International Arts Festival! A true celebration of arts and culture, and of course - dancing! Oh darling, the fun doesn’t stop.
So remember - even when you're exploring a small town like Stretford, a touch of glamour, grace, and colour never hurts! If you find yourself in Stretford, do visit and share your experiences with me - perhaps you can even pop in a tutu for your visit? The town's looking rather vibrant in shades of yellow and pink, to be honest, just like my outfit!
Stay radiant and keep twirling, darlings,
Emma 💕
P.S. Don't forget to check out my daily posts at www.pink-tutu.com! Every day is an adventure with a sprinkle of pink and a whole lot of fun. 🩰
