Hello my gorgeous fellow twirlers! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing, ballet-loving blogger, Emma, back again with another post! Today's journey takes us on a scenic train ride to the delightful town of Loughborough in Leicestershire. It's a proper blast from the past for me, as this little gem is just a hop, skip, and jump from my childhood home in Derbyshire.
But before we get into the dazzling details of my day, let's get a little bit flirty with some of my favourite things! Because it wouldn't be a pink-tutu post without them, now, would it? 😉
*Pink. * My forever favourite, darling! I'm talking everything from blush to fuchsia, cherry blossom to flamingo. Today's look? My stunning cherry pink tutu (it's just SO elegant), paired with a creamy, cashmere sweater, topped off with a jaunty pink feather boa for a bit of "oomph!"
Tutús. Of course! The lifeblood of this blog, the ultimate in fashion and flair. There's a reason these fabulous creations are the cornerstone of ballet – they're just utterly captivating! There's something undeniably glamorous and joyous about swirling around in a beautiful tutu. Who needs diamonds when you have twirls?
Ballet. It's the reason I wake up every morning, the thing that keeps my heart happy, the reason my feet are aching and my spirit is soaring! Every dance, every graceful gesture, every leap and arabesque is a celebration of life itself. From the mesmerising classics at the Royal Opera House to the playful joy of street ballet – it's all beautiful and it all speaks to me.
Travel by Train. Nothing beats that feeling of setting off on an adventure by train! Watching the world fly by, losing yourself in a good book, and just being utterly carefree. It's the perfect way to travel for a tutu-wearing ballerina! Plus, imagine rocking up at the station in a fabulous pink outfit, twirling down the platform! Pure theatre!
And last but not least...Horses. Now, horses aren't as twirly as tutus, but there's something so magnificent and graceful about them. And, let's face it, you need a good horse to really pull off a proper equestrian-themed ballet! 😉
Now, on to my Loughborough escapades! I have a special reason for visiting this beautiful town, which is why I’m so excited about it! Loughborough is renowned for its connections to ballet through the esteemed Loughborough College, which offers world-class training and education in dance, and the local Charnwood Theatre that hosts regular dance performances. This was always on my list of places to visit.
As soon as I arrived, I couldn't wait to visit the Charnwood Theatre and I am SO glad I did! It’s a quaint, but charming theatre nestled amongst the busy streets and was utterly delightful. It was once a Masonic lodge but now hosts fantastic performances. I got a little teary-eyed seeing the stage - all set for a new performance, ready for new stories to be told through the dance!
Of course, no visit to a theatre is complete without seeing a performance. I was treated to an enchanting ballet performance that completely stole my heart! The choreography was both classical and innovative, the dancers were breathtakingly talented, and the story, well, it had me completely captivated. It was a feast for the eyes and soul, just the way a proper ballet performance should be!
But I wasn’t done just yet! Loughborough is steeped in history and beauty. As I explored, I wandered the streets, taking in the sights and sounds of this charming town. From the imposing Loughborough Clock Tower that dominates the skyline to the quaint little shops lining the cobblestone streets, it really was a sight to behold.
While exploring, I stumbled upon the delightful "Loughborough's Park", a verdant oasis in the heart of the town. The place was buzzing with life – picnicking families, couples walking hand-in-hand, and children laughing in the playground! This idyllic spot reminded me just how important it is to take time to appreciate the simple joys in life, like the sound of children's laughter, or the feel of the sunshine on your skin!
Now, I may not have spotted any majestic horses, but there were quite a few cheeky squirrels leaping amongst the trees! My favourite kind of wildlife, of course, especially with their bushy tails and cute little eyes! And they say squirrels don’t get involved in ballet… We could re-train them to be dancers. They are agile! We could try with some tiny pink tutus!
After a lovely lunch at a charming little cafe on the market square – with, of course, pink lemonade in a cute teacup, darling – it was time to make my way back to Derbyshire. As the train chugged along, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude for this day. This is the life! Exploring the countryside in my pink tutu, and celebrating ballet at every opportunity.
As always, my dearest readers, I want you to remember this. No matter who you are or where you're from, it's never too late to follow your dreams. If you've always wanted to twirl in a tutu, or experience the joy of ballet, then just DO IT!
Go on, put on that pink tutu, twirl your way through life, and let your spirit shine bright! Because as we say here at pink-tutu.com, every day is a chance to be a ballerina!
Catch you tomorrow for another pink tutu filled adventure!
Until then, twirl on!
Emma x
