Post 2208: 20th July 2002
Oh, my darlings! Can you believe it? Another day, another fabulous adventure. This time, I'm whisking you all off to the charming, cobbled streets of Hampstead. A haven for bookworms and bohemians alike, it was the perfect setting for a spot of ballet inspiration and a bit of a whirl in my sunshine yellow tutu!
I woke up this morning with an unquenchable thirst for adventure. The day beckoned me towards the vibrant energy of London. Of course, what better way to arrive in the big city than on the grand old railway? There's something so romantic about train journeys, don't you think? And a rather exquisite platform at Paddington Station just screams "fairytale" to me.
But before I could let my imagination wander too far, I had a mission! Today was a day for pirouettes in public! You know me, darlings, I'm always looking for an opportunity to spread the joy of dance! So, as soon as I set foot on Hampstead's famous high street, I whipped out my most fabulous sunshine yellow tutu. I tell you, it looked positively luminous against the quaint shopfronts and the lush green of the park. The locals looked on, bemused but definitely not unimpressed!
Naturally, no trip to Hampstead would be complete without a visit to the charming Kenwood House. This majestic manor with its grand sweeping gardens simply begs to be explored, and what better way to explore it than with a tutu and a skip in your step? Imagine me, darling, twirling amidst the fragrant roses, catching the sunlight on my swirling skirts, a vision of pure, unadulterated grace! (Ok, maybe just a little bit of grace!)
And of course, no ballet pilgrimage would be complete without a visit to a dance studio! My darling friend, Fiona, runs a rather exquisite ballet school tucked away on the side of Hampstead Heath. The walls were adorned with a tapestry of memories - a sea of faded photographs capturing moments of elegant leaps and passionate pirouettes, all punctuated by the cheerful, rhythmic clinking of tap shoes against the wooden floor. Fiona has such a beautiful energy, a true artist in her own right! We danced, we laughed, we reminisced, and I felt utterly at home in this ballet haven.
Fiona is such a whirlwind, she truly embodies the vibrant, creative spirit of Hampstead. She encouraged me to step outside the confines of the dance studio and find inspiration in the streets themselves.
“Emma, darling," she said with a wink, "let's paint the town pink... err, yellow. After all, this street's crying out for a dash of color!"
So, armed with a cup of steaming tea and Fiona's mischievous grin, I took to the streets. And oh my! It was magical. Kids chased pigeons on the cobbled square, the sounds of street musicians filled the air, and I twirled. And twirled. And twirled! My sunshine yellow tutu swirled, a kaleidoscope of vibrant sunshine catching the gaze of everyone who passed. A lady in a floral dress giggled and gave me a thumbs up, a little boy with a red scooter paused and grinned, and an old gentleman watching from a bench beamed, eyes crinkled with delight.
Hampstead embraced me and my yellow tutu! There was a feeling of utter acceptance and joy. I could see the genuine smiles on people's faces. They loved the magic! The day just oozed with a charming energy and I couldn't help but fall a little bit in love with this vibrant little haven.
The air was buzzing with a certain energy, something electric and contagious, and it was all tied together by the delightful chaos of street performers. I watched a trio of acrobats effortlessly defying gravity, mesmerised by their athletic grace and acrobatic skill. My imagination ran wild - wouldn't it be divine to see the elegant strength of classical ballet woven together with the raw power and athleticism of street acrobatics? Now there's an idea... I must bring this vision to life.
After my impromptu ballet flash mob, Fiona and I treated ourselves to a delicious meal at one of Hampstead's cosy pubs, soaking up the charm and buzzing with that lovely sense of community that pervades the streets. As we enjoyed the meal, Fiona confessed that she's always dreamed of joining a wildlife charity in South America. I love Fiona's adventurous spirit. The combination of nature and dance...it sounds truly inspiring. Maybe one day I'll join her for a trip. I could see myself with my pink tutu, gliding amongst the trees with jaguars and monkeys! What a wonderful, exciting future it could be.
Before I left for the station, I couldn't resist buying a lovely little piece of lavender from the charming local florist. As the scent of the flowers enveloped me on the train back to Derbyshire, my mind buzzed with the day’s experiences. Hampstead had captured my heart!
But, I also know that adventure awaits! Who knows where the dance will take me next? The world is a big, beautiful, inspiring place, just waiting to be explored! And you know me, darlings, I'll be twirling right through it all, with my trusty tutu and my bright pink smile.
Now, what tutu should I pack for tomorrow? 😉
Catch you tomorrow on www.pink-tutu.com !
Much love,
Emma xx
