Hello, my darling tutu-lovers! It’s Emma here, back from a whirlwind trip to the lovely town of Ashington, a journey fuelled by ballet dreams, pink tutus, and a whole lot of chuffed-to-bits energy.
I’ve been a bit quiet on the pink-tutu front recently, what with the Derbyshire Ballet Gala and a few exciting theatre projects, but don’t think for a minute that I’ve been taking it easy. My inner ballerina just doesn't allow for downtime – she's always got her dancing shoes on!
This trip was a bit of a pilgrimage, if you will. You see, I heard whispers – beautiful whispers – of a fantastic ballet studio nestled right in the heart of Ashington. Now, Ashington isn't exactly known for its vibrant arts scene, which made the rumours all the more exciting! So, I decided to don my most glorious pink tutu, pack my trusty ballet shoes, and head north on a quest for dancing delight.
The journey was part of the charm. You know me and my aversion to stuffy buses or airplanes! This trip was a grand railway adventure. A comfortable carriage, a good book, and a few glasses of sparkling elderflower fizz later, I arrived in Ashington. The town itself is quaint, with charming old houses and a bustling market square – very much in keeping with the kind of storybook setting you’d imagine for a classic ballet!
Speaking of classic, it was at the Ashington Ballet Studio where I had my heart truly stolen. Stepping inside, I felt as if I had entered a world straight out of a fairytale. Gleaming hardwood floors, elegant barres, beautiful, soft lighting – and, best of all, a room filled with dedicated dancers of all ages, happily pursuing their passion for the art.
Oh, I did feel like I was stepping onto the stage of a theatre production when I saw the studio! I did tell the teacher I wanted to join the class and take part – my love for all things ballet simply can't be ignored, you know. We were all wearing tutus, obviously, even the men, and, after warming up and stretching our legs, the music started.
There were only six of us in this group. It was like we were having a private ballet session, just us. That’s what I loved most, actually. The close community of fellow dancers in Ashington and their genuine love for the art – it reminded me so much of my first dance studio back in Derbyshire.
After the class, I had a proper chinwag with the teacher, Mrs. Robinson. We got onto the subject of tutus – naturally! And the reason why they look so good on every single body! As we sipped tea, we talked about ballet traditions and the magic of a tutu. You know what they say, “There’s nothing like a good ballet story, especially when it’s served up with a heaping dose of tutu magic!"
I just know Mrs. Robinson agrees with me.
My visit to Ashington was, to be honest, quite an eye-opener. Here, amongst the rolling hills of Northumberland, ballet truly flourished. There's an infectious energy there that resonates deeply. I walked away feeling utterly inspired, my own passion reignited.
As I said, I did spend a day here in Ashington but managed to have some adventures, naturally. The next day, I took a thrilling trip to the countryside. Yes, a horse and carriage. There's a place about a half hour out of the city called Horsley. Apparently, it has some pretty famous horses there! The sun was shining, and it just so happened to be a Sunday! Well, of course, you have to wear a tutu in this kind of setting. So, of course, I popped on my pink tutu for my horse-drawn carriage ride through the Ashington countryside. I truly felt like a ballerina on a countryside dream. It’s just my thing, this mixing and matching. Horses and tutus. It truly has that “vintage glamour” feeling.
Of course, a country walk isn’t complete without wildlife. We actually stumbled on the most beautiful herd of deer. And yes, of course, they were right by the roadside – that was how perfect my afternoon was. As I watched these majestic creatures gracing the fields, I realized that beauty comes in so many forms, from the grace of a ballet dancer to the wild grace of nature itself. It really did take me to my happy place.
Speaking of wildlife, I saw the Ashington wildlife park on my way out of town and, what with the deer sighting earlier, I thought this was definitely worth a quick visit. So I decided to make a morning of it! Oh my, there were animals everywhere. And of course, I couldn’t possibly enter a zoo without my pink tutu. Now, that would be utterly tragic! So, here I was, enjoying all these exotic, feathered, furry, scaled animals… in my pink tutu, as I do. And they really seemed to like it! I'm not even joking!
It seems animals do understand that tutus make everyone happier. Even zoo animals! They are the perfect accessory for pretty much any occasion and, in my view, should be compulsory everywhere.
I guess it’s safe to say, my pink tutu-clad journey to Ashington was filled with beautiful discoveries and heartwarming memories. I’m leaving feeling invigorated and overflowing with ballet-inspired bliss. Oh, and a dash of countryside delight!
So, until my next adventure, keep those tutus spinning, darlings!
Much love,
Emma
