Hello my lovely tutu-loving lovelies!
It's Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire dancing diva, and I'm bursting with excitement to share my latest adventure with you!
You see, I'm a firm believer that life is too short to be boring, and that includes travelling. I'm not a big fan of flying, frankly I find it claustrophobic, so I always opt for a train journey – it's so much more romantic! So, after a whirl of a train ride through picturesque countryside (did I mention how much I love those rolling green hills?), I found myself in the charming little town of Consett.
Now, I'll be honest, Consett wasn't exactly on my "must-see" list. But as always, my wanderlust leads me down some unexpected paths. And you know what? It was utterly delightful!
First off, let's talk fashion. This town knows how to do pink! Now, you know my obsession with all things pink, and Consett didn't disappoint. Think quaint shops overflowing with frills, floral fabrics, and candy floss hues - my little ballerina heart was singing!
But, hold your tutus, the best part was yet to come.
A local friend whispered to me about this incredible ballet school tucked away in a quiet corner of Consett. I’m a firm believer that the universe is always trying to send me lovely little signs, and this one had my name written all over it. With a bright pink tutu (naturally!), I walked through those doors and let me tell you, the world opened up for me.
The school had a delightful air about it, full of energy and passion. Imagine it: walls adorned with breathtaking posters of iconic dancers like Margot Fonteyn and Sylvie Guillem, and a stage so grand you could practically smell the theatre magic. The entire space oozed inspiration and I immediately felt right at home.
I waltzed my way into the main studio and was greeted by the most delightful group of students. I quickly discovered they were prepping for a showcase that very evening. Naturally, my instinct was to join in, after all, how could I resist?
Wearing a shimmering, new orange tutu I had bought at a little antique shop earlier (I'm sure you'll all agree it was meant to be), I took my place among the talented young dancers.
We moved in perfect synchronicity, our bodies graceful and flowing. The air crackled with excitement. Oh, the thrill! It felt as though time stopped, leaving only the music and the passion of the moment. You know that feeling, that sense of euphoria when you know you are exactly where you are supposed to be, dancing your heart out, feeling the rhythm in your soul.
After class, I spent hours chatting with these budding stars. We talked about dreams, about barre exercises, about finding your perfect shade of pink, of course. I even managed to slip in a quick "What do you say to a pink tutu revolution, eh?", you know, just dropping some gentle inspiration. It’s my little mission in life, spreading the magic of ballet, and pink tutus, all over the world! They laughed, of course, but I felt a seed had been planted.
In the evening, I got to watch their incredible performance, all those hours of training distilled into pure artistry. I found myself teary eyed, it was truly enchanting. I know how hard those students worked and it really resonated with my own love for ballet. And those bright orange tutus they wore? Let's just say it made me incredibly happy to see that they embraced bold and colourful choices in fashion.
Speaking of colourful choices, after the show I headed to the local wildlife centre. I absolutely adore all animals and their carefree energy. I believe all of us can learn from wildlife - the grace of a swan, the fierce beauty of a hawk, the joyous chaos of a pack of puppies…I mean, who wouldn’t want to take inspiration from that? This particular wildlife centre had an adorable pair of red squirrels who spent an entire afternoon squabbling over an acorn, the little fluffballs just tugging at my heartstrings. You could say my little ballet adventure transformed into a charming wildlife encounter, how could it not?!
As the sun began to set, casting a beautiful pink hue over the town, I boarded my train, leaving Consett with a heavy heart but a head filled with wonderful memories.
My journey reminded me that the best adventures often come from venturing outside your comfort zone and embracing the unknown. Who knows, you might even stumble upon a hidden ballet gem, or be charmed by playful squirrels, or discover your love for a shade of pink you never thought you would.
Don’t forget to keep dancing, darling! Until next time,
Lots of love,
Emma
xx
PS If you're feeling adventurous, try planning a train trip to Consett - I promise, you won't regret it!
