Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, and guess what? I’m on the move again! This time, my trusty steed (well, not literally – but you know how I love the train!) has brought me to the charming town of Didcot in Oxfordshire.
Now, I’m not gonna lie, Didcot isn’t exactly known for its glamorous fashion scene. It's a proper town, you know? But honestly, that’s what I love about it. It's the sort of place where you can spot a real character or two just strolling down the high street. And you never know, one of them could be a secret ballerina, ready to strut their stuff in a fabulous pink tutu!
My mission today? To embrace the slightly industrial charm of Didcot and, of course, find some fantastic places to dance! As always, I've packed my trusty pink tutu – it’s the perfect travel companion. It goes with everything, even a bit of rough-around-the-edges industrial charm. I figured it would cheer up the place a bit and inspire a few smiles along the way.
I started my adventure at the Didcot Railway Centre, a haven for railway enthusiasts. It's amazing to see these magnificent steam engines up close, these relics from a bygone era. They are so powerful and awe-inspiring, but in their own way, elegant too! And I couldn't help but feel a connection – there's a similar kind of strength and grace required for a ballerina.
A quick coffee stop at a delightful café (where the owner looked positively enchanted by my tutu!) and it was time for some serious sightseeing. Didcot may not be London, but there's definitely a touch of magic in its corners. We wandered around the lovely, quaint streets and found a tiny book shop bursting with treasures – I grabbed a vintage copy of “Giselle” for my collection!
My adventure continued with a visit to the local library. Now, you wouldn't expect to find a tutu-loving ballerina in a library, but you’d be surprised. This particular library is special – they have an amazing collection of old books on dance! And they even let me borrow a copy of the 18th-century “The Art of Dancing”! Fancy that.
But, the highlight of my Didcot day was undoubtedly my visit to the Orchard Centre. This is a vibrant community hub with loads going on, and a dedicated space for dance! The dance studio was just the perfect size and the vibe was absolutely electrifying. I can't wait to get my own class going in there! You’ll have to keep an eye on my Instagram feed for that one! Just picture a gaggle of dancers with their own unique takes on pink tutus... glorious!
Of course, no trip to Oxfordshire is complete without a stop at a real local pub, for a little bit of quintessentially British hospitality and good old-fashioned pub grub! The pub I chose was a true gem, complete with a roaring fire and friendly locals. It felt like stepping into a cozy, storybook setting – a world away from the bustling dance studios of London, and I couldn’t have been happier.
My Didcot adventure came to an end as the sun set over the rolling Oxfordshire countryside, painting the sky in a glorious array of pink hues – like my favourite tutu, of course.
It's a bit like ballet itself, really. There's something magical about a simple thing done perfectly, with a bit of love and care. And that's what I felt here in Didcot. It's a reminder that beauty, joy and inspiration can be found anywhere – you just need to know where to look!
And don't worry, dear readers, the pink tutu will be making its way to the other charming little towns of the UK very soon – maybe even yours!
Now, go and have a fantastic day. Spread some pink tutu magic, wherever you are.
Love,
Emma xx
