Hello darlings!
It's Emma here, back from a whirlwind trip to the utterly charming Oxford! Let me tell you, it was pure magic, sprinkled with a generous dose of pink, of course. Now, you all know I can't resist a good adventure, and Oxford was calling to me like a siren's song. It felt right, don't you think? A touch of history, a pinch of intellectualism, and a sprinkle of whimsy? Yes, Oxford had it all.
I hopped on the train from Derbyshire, feeling rather chuffed with myself in my custom-made pink and silver feather tutu. I do believe it added a dash of sparkle to the journey, don't you think? The train journey, of course, had its own unique charm. The landscape rolling by, fields of emerald green, and sleepy little towns dotted here and there. It was so refreshing to leave the hustle and bustle of London behind. I swear, I even saw a few fluffy bunnies hopping about - just imagine! A total picture postcard moment!
Speaking of bunnies, they were the stars of the show at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, a true marvel of Victorian architecture. The taxidermy, I must confess, was a bit disconcerting, but those life-sized creatures, particularly the birds of paradise, were captivating. The vibrant colours, the intricate patterns... it was like stepping into a fantastical painting. It truly inspired me for my next tutu creation. Now I have a vision of a blue and turquoise tutu, all shimmering like a peacock’s plumage. Don’t you think that’s fab?
But what would Oxford be without a dash of ballet? And I'm not talking about the dainty ballet steps I took around the cobblestone streets (though I must confess, they did add a touch of elegance, if I do say so myself). I was lucky enough to catch a performance of The Sleeping Beauty at the beautiful Sheldonian Theatre. Now, I have to admit, my favourite moment was definitely the Rose Adagio - the way the ballerinas swirled, the exquisite costumes, it was breathtakingly beautiful. Seeing those girls up there, dancing with so much grace and passion, reminds me why ballet will forever be my life’s greatest love.
Oxford was a delight in all its glory. From the towering spires of Christ Church College, where they filmed Harry Potter, to the charming little independent shops tucked away on quaint cobbled streets. And the food! Oh, my, the food! I had the most divine cream tea, with scones as fluffy as a cloud and tea that was so refreshing, I could have drunk a gallon of it. Oh, and the homemade fudge! Heaven on earth. I must find the recipe to replicate this culinary triumph.
I must confess, I found the Oxford streets so alluring that I went on a spontaneous dance through the town square, all twirling and swaying. Of course, in my lovely pink tutu! The other visitors looked utterly perplexed, but I think they secretly enjoyed it. Who doesn’t love a little bit of whimsy? And why not brighten their day?
Now, don’t get me wrong, my dear blog followers, my trip was more than just pretty pink tutus, divine cream teas, and impromptu ballet routines. Oxford is steeped in history, with an energy that’s electric and infectious. It made me feel a touch of that student vibrancy once again. I loved it. I couldn't leave without visiting the legendary Bodleian Library, the Ashmolean Museum, and The Pitt Rivers Museum . Those museums gave me so many ideas for new costumes and performances - what about a tutu with hieroglyphics and gold accents inspired by Egyptian art?
After my fabulous whirlwind tour of Oxford, I jumped back on the train to my quaint little cottage in Derbyshire. I feel energised, inspired, and oh so full of life. And honestly, it wasn't a surprise, as Oxford truly is a place that breathes with the essence of magic. So, dear friends, do yourselves a favour and book a trip to Oxford! Trust me, you won't regret it.
Now, I shall put on my most comfortable tutu and grab a cup of tea. I’ll share all the stories about my Oxford trip with my dear grandmamma later. And of course, I shall get started on those costume ideas…
Until next time, stay pink, darling!
Emma 💖 🩰 💖 www.pink-tutu.com
