Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, writing to you from the utterly charming Royal Leamington Spa! As you all know, I love exploring new places, and this weekend I decided to take a little trip to this picturesque town, which, as the name suggests, is a veritable haven for ballet lovers! It just so happened that the gorgeous Royal Spa Centre was hosting the wonderful Leamington Spa Dance Festival, so it was practically begging me to go!
The journey itself was a dream. I couldn't resist travelling in style, of course, so I opted for a trip by train, snuggled into my comfy first class carriage. It's truly magical watching the countryside whiz by as the sun beams through the window. My perfect train outfit? A gorgeous coral pink dress, my signature wide tulle tutu (a statement piece, naturally!) and a splash of ruby lipstick. It was the perfect shade of pink to match the glorious dawn as we left Derby station, feeling as excited as a prima ballerina before her grand debut.
Leamington Spa greeted me with open arms and sunshine. I checked into a charming boutique hotel, just a stone's throw from the Royal Spa Centre, which had a beautiful balcony overlooking a lovely cobbled street. I immediately knew I was in the right place – all the shops had enchanting window displays filled with vibrant flowers and the aroma of delicious pastries hung in the air.
I spent the first evening wandering through the quaint streets, admiring the old buildings and delightful little tea shops. It was pure fairytale magic. You know me, my darlings - I'm a hopeless romantic.
But let's talk ballet! The highlight of my trip, naturally, was the Dance Festival. It was a kaleidoscope of colour and movement, a feast for my ballet-loving heart. There was contemporary, classical, even a troupe of brilliant young street dancers doing flips and spins. Their energy was electrifying! I had a real girly moment - you know, where your eyes get all bright and sparkly, and you can't help but smile - as the beautiful ballet dancers performed. You could just feel the passion pouring out of them.
There were even a couple of lovely young ballerinas dressed in pink tutus – like me! It's wonderful to see my little tutu inspiration spreading to other dancers – truly inspiring! The finale was breathtaking, a magical performance of Swan Lake that left me absolutely enchanted. I just felt so privileged to be a part of this enchanting world, even if just for a few short hours.
The next morning I awoke to a symphony of birdsong – quite an upgrade from my usual urban cacophony back in Derbyshire! Feeling like a little princess, I had breakfast on the balcony, bathed in the morning sun. I know you'll appreciate this, my lovelies, so you'll be delighted to know that breakfast consisted of delicious pink grapefruit juice and, of course, my beloved strawberry pancakes, piled high with fruit and cream. There's simply nothing more decadent!
But all good things must come to an end, and my time in Royal Leamington Spa had sadly drawn to a close. But what a delightful farewell I had! My final day was spent visiting Warwick Castle – it was a step back in time. I imagine this must be what a queen's visit was like in the Middle Ages! I had my photos taken with a couple of graceful white swans that live by the river, reminding me of Odette in Swan Lake. I have to tell you, it's all too tempting to encourage them to take flight and fly me back home to Derbyshire! I am quite fond of animals!
So my journey in Royal Leamington Spa has ended, but the memories will stay with me for a very long time. It’s reminded me why I love travelling so much - meeting new people, experiencing new things, and making new memories. I have so many pictures from this trip to add to my Instagram gallery, including a special “ballet in the park” shot that's going to be absolutely Instagram-worthy!
One final thought, my lovely ballet buddies. There's nothing quite like the magic of a ballet performance, whether it's a grand theatre production or a small-scale street performance. It's so wonderful to share these experiences with other people, who all appreciate the artistry and grace of this beautiful dance form. Why not put on your most fabulous tutu, pack your ballet bag, and make your way to your local theatre for a captivating night of dance?
And you know what else? Don't forget to join me at www.pink-tutu.com every day!
Stay sassy, my sweet peas,
Emma.
