#TutuBlog 2007-04-07 in Darlington with a fluffy tutu.

Hello, my gorgeous ballet bunnies!

It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu advocate, reporting live from the charming town of Darlington! Today's adventures took me on a whirlwind tour of this North East gem, a town I’ve always wanted to visit.

As a fellow Derbyshire girl, Darlington was already a part of me thanks to the Derbyshire Dales Railway – I've always had a soft spot for railway journeys. That being said, Darlington is also known for its connection to the first public steam railway and for that I'm grateful as my first mode of transport was the grandest train ever (okay, not really, but the engine was HUGE and quite the majestic creature!). I feel quite posh to be a part of the railway history and especially travelling in a 1950s-themed carriage. I mean, my dear readers, how fabulously elegant are those seats? They remind me of all the elegant ballrooms in the films with women waltzing around, and it only made my pink tutu dream a little brighter.

Now, let’s talk about tutus! I brought my favourite fluffy pink tutu with me, a frothy masterpiece of tulle that danced in the breeze as I explored Darlington's beautiful streets. My new pink shoes added the right touch of sparkle. Let's face it, nothing brightens up a day like a perfectly executed twirl in a fluffy tutu. My outfit really made everyone look at me and it felt fabulous! It’s always an amazing thing, watching people’s faces brighten and faces soften. There was even this amazing, elegant couple in traditional black attire and they took my photo twirling with a backdrop of one of Darlington’s beautiful historical buildings! And with every picture, I swear I felt the magic of this little town weaving its way into my heart.

It is certainly the kind of place where your creativity explodes. I love it here. The artistic soul within me felt at home from the second I arrived. Not to mention, Darlington has a lovely collection of Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Some were more traditional Victorian but even they possessed a beautiful Victorian beauty. There's something so captivating about the grandeur and the details that these buildings boast, don’t you think? You know, even their train station (although I much preferred the classic vintage style I journeyed in, thank you very much!) was stunningly pretty.

Now, Darlington isn’t only about historical buildings. This place also holds the charm of the traditional, with shops like “The Little Pink Shoe Boutique,” full of colourful items, charming local coffee shops and even a local park bursting with cherry blossoms. As a self-confessed girly girl, you could tell I was in my element! This place had an incredible collection of quaint tea rooms. I can say, I’ve had one of the best cream teas ever in my life there – scones, fresh clotted cream and jam with real tea that is infused with a delicate pink rose essence! This is living. I swear, these small details have me hooked on this beautiful town.

The wildlife wasn't too bad either! You know I'm a big fan of our feathery friends and during my morning walk to the park I spotted the most incredible fluffy, little baby robins with the cutest, roundest, little heads and some of the most incredible eye-blinking skills! The little fellows didn’t know how to hold still but I found the best light and a beautiful red poppy bloom they were perched on. It was the perfect picture to share. Speaking of, don't forget to check out my latest instagram stories on pinktutu.com – my little ballet bunnies will be tickled by my cute new wildlife photography.

One of the most captivating moments was visiting the theatre in Darlington! The place vibrated with creative energy and the stage set was truly impressive. And you guessed it, I even did a mini ballet routine backstage, because even as a seasoned ballerina, the lure of an empty stage is irresistible! Did anyone else get a video of it, it’s been an incredible couple of hours!?

Before I forget, this amazing place is a hub of incredible ballet studios and workshops. I even managed to fit in a quick class at “Dance Darlington,” (a fantastic dance studio, you must check them out, my ballet bunnies). There’s something truly magical about letting loose and letting your inner ballerina take charge!

Of course, no Darlington visit would be complete without exploring its culinary delights! I’m a big fan of hearty meals and as we had walked so much, it seemed only appropriate we dine in an equally robust establishment – something that’s known for traditional English food with a touch of magic, that makes you feel as warm as you look with its cosy, roaring fire and beautiful red décor (and it served one of the best steak pies ever! You all need to experience this!). This restaurant was absolutely phenomenal, all while being surrounded by genuine charm and rustic style. I am certainly thinking of bringing the family back, especially with all these delightful shops nearby that sell charming crafts. This time, however, I will make sure to stay for a bit longer, to truly absorb the charm of this town and try all of the cafes!

Overall, Darlington was a pure joy. A town with a vibrant community, charming local shops, and plenty of historical buildings, it provided a much-needed escape to a lovely place with beautiful, breathtakingly amazing, architecture. Of course, no journey is complete without a good old-fashioned photo shoot with my tutu! I mean, I'm a pink tutu devotee for a reason, you know, I want everyone to feel happy. As I said to the charming couple who took my picture, this amazing feeling in the air in this magical town – the feeling of joy, of lightness, of adventure…it all fits so well into the charm of a perfectly styled tutu! So my darling readers, do embrace a little bit of this joyous feeling! Let your worries go and twirl in a tutu – a pink one of course!

Remember to check in for more adventure updates. I’ll be back in a few days with more adventures of my journey. Do remember to visit www.pink-tutu.com for the latest travel updates, fashion picks and the latest pictures and stories, including a new look at my amazing photoshoot in Darlington!

Stay sparkly, my ballet bunnies!

Emma

xo