Hello darlings! It's Emma here, back from a whirlwind trip to Barking, a vibrant little corner of Essex I'd heard whispers about for ages! This journey wasn't your usual "train or horse" travel, though, this time I braved the exciting world of the Tube – you wouldn't believe the people-watching! All the lovely Londoners with their individual styles. I must confess I felt a tiny bit lost without my trusty tutu to guide me, but then I realised, my darling, any outfit can be a ballet-inspired look if you have the confidence!
Let's talk about this amazing cyan tutu I found tucked away in a vintage boutique in Covent Garden, just before heading out to Essex. The minute I saw its shimmering, soft turquoise colour, I knew I had to have it. It's one of those glorious colours that radiates cheer and makes you want to pirouette with abandon!
Speaking of pirouettes, did you know that Barking actually has its own ballet school? The Barking Ballet School has been nurturing talent for over 60 years and is apparently a favourite for its emphasis on traditional classical ballet techniques. I managed to snag myself a spot in an introductory class – what fun! The studio was filled with eager young ballerinas, their tutus a riot of pinks and pastels. The air buzzed with anticipation as the instructor, a truly beautiful and inspiring woman with a vibrant red tutu, welcomed us in. Honestly, darling, it's one thing to see ballet, and quite another to feel it coursing through you as you attempt a simple tendu, or let your legs float up for a grand jeté. I am hooked.
The day was filled with enchanting moments. In the morning, I went wildlife spotting at the beautiful RSPB Rainham Marshes. The delicate reeds swayed in the breeze and a kingfisher with its vivid blue feathers swooped gracefully by, a living, breathing ballet dancer in the air. That day, the marshes truly lived up to their name - it was raining kingfishers!
Then, after my ballet class, I wandered through Barking Park. The sunshine kissed my face and a gentle breeze ruffled the petals of the tulips lining the path. They were so vibrant, so playful, like little dancing fairies.
That evening, I treated myself to a theatrical masterpiece - a modern ballet at the Queen's Theatre, which, to my delight, turned out to be right next to the Barking station! The performance was dazzling. Every move told a story, the dancers’ bodies, like elegant sculptures, sculpted in the spotlight. I could almost see them swirling in tutus, their movements punctuated by the whisper of the silk. And what did I wear? Why, my gorgeous new cyan tutu, of course! It sparkled in the dimly lit theatre, and when the final curtain dropped, everyone around me was applauding, but my applause was for the brilliance of every dancer on that stage, from the littlest dancers right through to the principal ballerinas.
Barking surprised me, darling. I expected a quiet Essex town but I found a vibrant, artistic place buzzing with creative energy and history. The trip was a little bit about ballet, a little bit about nature, and a lot about remembering how amazing and inspiring the world can be, especially when you're dressed in a fabulously vibrant cyan tutu.
Now, darling, I must dash. Tomorrow, I have an early horse-drawn carriage ride in Derbyshire (and wouldn’t you know, they're opening a brand new ballet studio in my little village – another perfect place to twirl my little legs).
But, darling, tell me about your week – has anything made you want to jump, twirl, and scream, "I'm a ballerina!"? Tell me all about it. Don't forget to join me on Instagram (@pinktutuemma) for more daily pink-tutu-fied fun! Until next time, stay gorgeous and keep dancing.
Yours in tulle and sunshine, Emma x
