Hello my darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing ballerina, Emma, and today's adventures are leading us all the way to the lovely town of Hornchurch, Essex. It was such a gorgeous, crisp morning here in Derbyshire and, as you all know, nothing gets a ballerina's day going quite like a hot cuppa and a good train ride! (Oh, don't even get me started on the pure joy of spotting adorable, fluffy sheep from the carriage window - so utterly charming!)
Today's mission? Well, obviously, more tutu fun! You see, I was so utterly charmed by my recent bargain buy, a bright pink, fluffy tutu from a delightful little vintage shop in Sheffield, that I just had to show it off. This particular beauty is begging for a good, theatrical adventure and Hornchurch is the perfect place for that!
Firstly, I couldn't possibly resist heading to Hornchurch Library to do a bit of research. They have a rather lovely collection of ballet books, and frankly, a ballerina needs to stay current on her ballet lore. (This week's must-read, by the way, is a fabulous biography of Marie Taglioni, a pioneering ballerina from the Romantic era! So inspiring!).
But a visit to the library was simply a preamble. The main event? A delightful, heart-stoppingly beautiful ballet performance by the Hornchurch Youth Ballet Company at the Queen's Theatre! Now, I love seeing professional ballet troupes in action (don't you?!), but there's something incredibly moving about witnessing young dancers discovering the magic of ballet for the first time. And the pure joy on their faces when the curtain closed was just, well, breathtaking!
We did a spot of tutu-themed sightseeing too - you simply cannot visit Hornchurch without venturing out to the gorgeous Havering Country Park. The wide open spaces and sprawling green fields made for the perfect tutu twirl opportunity - imagine, if you will, a pink tutu fluttering amidst blooming wildflower meadows...absolute poetry! We even spotted a curious herd of deer, a charming family of squirrels, and a delightfully chirpy Robin perched on a mossy branch - a little touch of wild nature to balance out the urban delights of Hornchurch.
Later on, after a delightful cream tea at the aptly-named "Tutu Tea Room" (my fellow tutu enthusiasts, this is a must for any future Hornchurch trips - pink cakes, fluffy scones, and the most delicious homemade jam, all served in a setting that feels straight out of a ballet fairy tale), I enjoyed a little evening class at the fantastic Hornchurch Dance Academy. It's been a while since I last had a ballet class, but as soon as that music started, I felt that old magic flowing through my limbs. Let's be honest, no day is ever complete without a bit of barre time and some well-placed fouettes, wouldn't you agree?
You know, my travels always inspire me to spread the pink tutu gospel far and wide! The world needs more joy, more colour, more ballet. Imagine: every day could be a day of dance, of twirls and leaps and smiles. Wouldn't it be glorious to see a world where pink tutus were the new normal, a universal language of joy, artistry, and graceful elegance?
So, if you haven't tried ballet, my dearest tutu-loving friends, what are you waiting for? It's a world of magic just waiting to be discovered. And don't forget - a pink tutu is never the wrong choice!
Until next time, my darlings, stay twirling and keep the pink tutu dream alive!
Yours always, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
