Oh my goodness, you guys! I am bursting with excitement to tell you all about my weekend trip to Huyton. I've been wanting to visit this charming little town for ages, and it truly lived up to all my expectations (and then some!).
Now, let's rewind a bit. It all started on Friday afternoon. I was in my little studio flat in Derbyshire, sipping on a cup of chamomile tea (my favourite way to unwind) and planning my weekend outfit. The weather was a little iffy, but I knew exactly what to wear – a gorgeous dusky pink tutu, paired with my favourite lavender cardigan and some glittery ballerina flats. After all, you can never be overdressed when it comes to a trip to Huyton, especially when you’re hoping for some good pictures for the blog!
My trusty steed, Buttercup – my trusty chestnut mare - was already saddled and ready to go. I swear, she knows the exact places I’m going and patiently waits for me outside. Who needs a GPS when you’ve got a horse that’s almost psychic, eh? It took us a few hours to get to Huyton, but it was an absolutely idyllic journey, the wind in my hair and the scent of wild garlic in the air. Honestly, riding on horseback through the Derbyshire countryside just makes me so happy - it feels incredibly liberating. It also gave me plenty of time to think about all the pink tutus I’m going to need in the future! You’ve heard of one pink tutu for every day of the week, haven't you?
Once I arrived, the first thing I did was find a delicious little bakery - let’s face it, my travels aren't complete without pastries, right? And boy, did they have some absolute stunners! I had to try them all – a melt-in-your-mouth croissant with a drizzle of strawberry jam, a sticky cinnamon bun, and a chocolate eclair that made me swoon. Now, my dear readers, you’re probably wondering, how can I fit this all in?! Well, let’s just say I did what any sensible ballet dancer would do – I enjoyed every single bite, but had only one of each to make it a balanced and very delicious meal! It would give me the energy to go on and explore the rest of this incredible town.
The first stop after my baking escapade was, of course, a dance studio. You simply can't resist that siren call of barre work and beautiful, graceful movements! Luckily, Huyton didn’t disappoint. The studio was located in a charming converted old church – how delightful is that? The dance floor was bathed in sunshine streaming through the stained glass windows, making the space feel ethereal. They even had a tiny tea room for post-class snacks and chat - perfect for when I needed my daily dose of tea and cake.
I was eager to try a ballet class, even though I have a pretty strict dance regime going on, so I managed to sneak in an advanced level class. They had the most lovely, inspiring instructor – an older lady who exuded grace and energy despite her age, so of course I instantly took to her! She taught us an exciting new routine set to an upbeat, whimsical piece by Camille Saint-Saëns. You should have seen me twirling, it was almost magical! Honestly, there's nothing like being in a class surrounded by other people who share the same passion – ballet just makes you feel so alive, and connected to a bigger story.
After class, feeling a little sweaty but full of joy, I explored the town square. Huyton was truly captivating. They had little antique shops bursting with treasures from a bygone era – I couldn’t resist buying a beautiful antique porcelain ballerina figurine! You’ve seen me, I have a bit of an obsession, what can I say? My apartment is fast becoming a shrine to beautiful ballerinas! Plus, it made for an absolutely beautiful blog picture, if I do say so myself! It would make an adorable photo prop for one of my dance-themed videos in my flat too!
The town was dotted with charming cafés and bakeries. Of course, I couldn’t resist another visit for another dose of pastry! After all, when in Huyton, indulge in their deliciousness, right?!
Speaking of indulgences, Huyton has some amazing local breweries too! I sampled a few of their local brews and was delightfully surprised. One brewery even made a special "pink tutu" beer, which of course I couldn’t refuse. A perfect end to an already perfect day!
After all that exploration, my legs were ready to rest! But before settling in for the evening, I decided to catch the end of a performance at the local theater. It was a wonderful production of 'Romeo and Juliet' set in a stunning 19th-century setting - so elegant! The dancers, of course, were phenomenal! They conveyed every emotion with such finesse and passion. It was breathtaking! They wore those incredible period costumes that felt so right and I actually ended up buying an absolutely stunning, antique inspired tutu at the theatre’s gift shop! Of course, it is going to go in a vintage, ballerina-shaped, display cabinet! It wouldn't feel right to pack it away in a drawer – it is simply too magnificent to hide!
After the show, I had a delicious meal at a small restaurant with some charming locals. We talked about everything under the sun: the latest dance trends, our shared passion for pink tutus, the beauty of nature, and, of course, the magic of ballet! And I actually managed to get a couple of these wonderful women interested in signing up to a local dance class! You never know when a spark is going to light, right?
All too soon, the weekend was coming to an end, and I bid a reluctant farewell to this beautiful little town. Buttercup, as usual, waited patiently for me outside the theater – she is truly a gem! But don't think for a second that I didn't pack in more excitement for the journey back! On the train home, I even caught a glimpse of some cheeky deer near a meadow. It was the perfect way to end a truly wonderful weekend, seeing these cute, furry little creatures gracefully flitting through the sunshine.
My trip to Huyton was truly unforgettable, filled with delightful discoveries and memories that will last a lifetime. This trip was another feather in my cap for my quest – encouraging every single one of you lovely people out there to grab your own pink tutu and join me on the path of passion, creativity, and beauty! There is simply something magical about sharing our passion for dance and I will continue my campaign every day on pink-tutu.com! Come on! Embrace your inner ballerina! You can't let it stay in there, it needs to shine.
