Oh darling, you won't believe what a whirlwind of pink this past weekend was! After all the excitement of last week's performances at the Royal Opera House, I knew I needed a bit of a change of scenery. And what better place to find it than the lovely Coulsdon, tucked away in the beautiful Surrey countryside?
Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore London, and its energy always leaves me feeling inspired and brimming with ideas for my next pink tutu outfit (I have to admit, I'm working on a particularly fabulous one with a vintage twist for next week's ballet class!) but sometimes a girl needs a little escape, a moment to breathe and rediscover her love of nature.
And Coulsdon delivered, my dears, in spades! The train ride down was a treat in itself. It felt like a journey into a fairy tale, with the sun streaming through the windows, and the passing scenery reminding me of a scene from Swan Lake, with those gentle, rolling hills dotted with grazing sheep and a smattering of ancient trees that seemed to whisper secrets in the gentle breeze.
After arriving at the station, a handsome young chap (you won't believe, he even had on a tie and was carrying a very stylish briefcase – definitely a dapper gent) helped me hail a taxi. The drive was surprisingly short, but what a journey it was! The countryside was just stunning, all lush green meadows and quaint little cottages with rose-filled gardens. I practically gasped in delight. It truly felt like stepping into a scene straight out of a Jane Austen novel, wouldn't you agree?
Our destination, dear reader, was a grand old manor house, aptly named "The Manor House Hotel," a veritable haven for weary souls like myself. Now, I'm no stranger to fancy hotels (we ballerinas do love our glamour!) but this one held a special charm, you see. Its walls seemed to hold memories of countless balls and grand receptions, each brick echoing with whispers of love stories and lost dreams. And I absolutely adored the cosy library – full of towering shelves filled with dusty old novels. Perfect for a quiet afternoon with a good cup of tea and a delightful new novel I picked up at the charming little bookstore I stumbled upon on the way in. It's titled "The Secret Life of Ballet Slippers." You wouldn't believe it, but there's an actual competition in the novel for who can create the most glamorous ballerina's shoes – oh my! You'd never guess it but this whole countryside retreat thing has sparked some absolutely sensational new tutu ideas for my next performance in the heart of the West End.
As it turned out, the manor also boasts a delightful spa – which was absolutely perfect after that long train journey! I opted for a deep-tissue massage – nothing like a bit of pampering to really get the blood flowing, and boy, did it leave me feeling ready for anything!
And speaking of flowing, oh my darling, you simply must try their high tea. Let me tell you, they don’t call it the high tea for nothing – they really go all out! Tiny finger sandwiches filled with creamy smoked salmon and fresh cucumber, little cakes shaped like butterflies (utterly divine – all in various shades of pink, naturally), and delicate china teacups that are so delicate they almost seem to shimmer. All served with tea that smelled like the whole garden was blossoming, truly heavenly!
However, my time at the manor was all about the recharging, and what better way than to reconnect with nature? And Coulsdon had me completely mesmerised. After breakfast, I ventured out on a picturesque little trail - and I was in complete and utter awe! I swear the air there felt charged, the colors just popped off the green and blue canvas that is nature. Everywhere I looked, a little fairyland unfolded before my eyes.
The sun dappled through the canopy of ancient oaks and beeches, sending magical beams of light that sparkled through the leaves, casting a gentle mosaic of sunlight and shadows across the paths. And don't even get me started on the birdsong – it was like an orchestra tuning up, each note filling the air with a feeling of joyful serenity, something you simply can't experience in the bustle of city life. Oh, my, I've missed it terribly!
Of course, as a ballerina who appreciates a good prance, I was delighted to find the countryside offered a bit of an exhilarating treat: I met this amazing local riding stable - oh darling, you have no idea what a delightful experience that was! They offered me a gentle pony ride through the surrounding fields, and honestly, the wind in my hair, the soft hooves pounding the ground, it truly felt like something out of a ballet scene.
The owner of the stables - she was a true character! Her name was Gladys, a proper Surrey country girl - she was telling me she has five ponies – all named after famous ballerinas. And, yes, she does do pink-tutu riding! But you must promise me you won't tell anyone because I absolutely charmed Gladys, and we've arranged a special day where I'll lead all five of her lovely little horses on a special trail! Can you believe it?!
After my riding adventure, I sat by a little babbling brook (did you know that brook is another name for a creek? So fancy!), And just sat and pondered the beauty of the whole thing! The gentle rustle of leaves, the birdsong... it truly does do wonders for the soul. And with a little bit of imagination, I could just picture the world as a stage, and all of nature as its audience, the trees acting as backdrops for our most grand performances. You wouldn't believe the tutu ideas just swirling around my brain – all this gorgeous green and gold sunshine - such perfect inspiration! Just wait, darling! Coulsdon is gonna be the next stage for my biggest, most beautiful pink-tutu ballet spectacle yet.
But, before I got swept away by all these dreams of a stage, it was time to head back to London – I have to admit, I almost didn't want to leave. It was that amazing, and as a ballet girl, there's nothing quite like the joy of rediscovering a passion that's a part of you and feeling inspired in a brand new way! However, I must return to my day-to-day duties, I'm booked to see my all time favourite ballet production in a couple of days. There's never a bad time for a spot of ballet – but as you know, the best things always arrive unexpectedly! As soon as I arrive, I'll be heading out to the Royal Opera House - ready to dance the night away with some seriously fabulous new ideas for my pink-tutu outfits thanks to my visit to Coulsdon!
You just wouldn't believe how inspired I am!
Till next time darling,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
(Oh, and did I tell you that I picked up the cutest little squirrel for my blog's mascot - the most charming little pink squirrel you ever saw - named Tutu, of course, just for a giggle - it was hiding on one of the trees in my garden - He's so adorable! I can't wait for you to see his first appearance on my next blog post!)
