Hello my lovely lot,
It's your favourite pink-loving ballerina back again with another blog post, fresh from a fabulous trip to Harrogate. This time, I traded my usual pink tutu for a vibrant orange number - you know how much I love a splash of colour! But before I tell you all about it, let's grab a cuppa and settle in for a right good chinwag.
Remember those gorgeous antique teacups I found in a little Derbyshire shop last month? The ones with the tiny rosebud patterns and delicate gold rim? Well, I’ve been absolutely chuffed to bits with them, and they are making my afternoon tea breaks a pure delight. They feel so perfectly suited for my vintage-inspired tutu outfits. Oh, did I mention I have a new one arriving tomorrow? Can’t wait to unveil it to you all.
Right, now back to Harrogate! I’d been wanting to visit for ages, and let me tell you, it was every bit as charming as I’d hoped. I arrived on the morning train, snuggled up with a book, watching the countryside whizz by. It felt like something straight out of a Jane Austen novel, you know? Except my travelling companion this time was my beloved pug, Barnaby. He’s become such a pro at train travel - he’s quite the celebrity with the fellow passengers, all fussing over him with "awwwww"s.
We arrived at Harrogate in the late morning sun, the town positively glittering in its late summer glow. It was love at first sight. There were cute little tea shops, antique stores bursting with treasures, and oh, so many independent boutiques selling the most exquisite pieces. I felt like I'd stepped straight into a fashion magazine, except, well, I was actually wearing my orange tutu, Barnaby trotting beside me.
The first thing I did was to go find a charming cafe for some afternoon tea. My little Barnaby is a bit of a spoilt little sod, so he got a tiny sausage roll of his own. The cafe was full of the delicious aroma of fresh baked treats and laughter - there was this little girl learning to knit who looked positively delighted with her work. I took a moment to just sit and admire her concentration. It’s so refreshing to see that youthful enthusiasm!
Speaking of youthful enthusiasm, have you heard of the new ballet school opening in Harrogate? Well, I had to take a peek. You know I can’t resist a ballet class. Their studio is beautiful - a real mix of classical elegance with a dash of contemporary. I had a chat with the teacher, a lovely young woman, and let me tell you, her passion for ballet was contagious.
You know I’m a firm believer in making ballet accessible to everyone. We shouldn’t be confined to those grand theaters or stiff class settings. I just love the idea of everyone, young and old, getting together, dancing and celebrating life in their tutus, regardless of how many years they’ve spent training! And you know what else? I reckon those tutus will look great over your yoga pants, too. Imagine all the amazing styles we could come up with!
Of course, Harrogate was also full of stunning countryside to explore, and as a keen horse rider (although I am currently horse-less) I just had to take a tour on horseback through the scenic paths of the town. I took my time, relishing the feeling of the wind in my hair and the sun on my skin, taking in the magnificent views of the Yorkshire Dales. You know what? It’s hard not to feel at peace amongst such beauty.
Barnaby enjoyed it too, especially the little snacks I gave him on our break - he was truly the most adventurous companion! I also had to bring my love of wildlife into this adventure. We walked alongside the River Nidd, the home to many different kinds of birds, and even a cheeky little otter popping its head out of the water for a second before dashing off.
Then, of course, no trip to Harrogate is complete without a visit to its famed gardens. We had the loveliest walk through The Valley Gardens, watching the little ducks paddling about and enjoying the last blooms of the late summer roses. It truly was a sight to behold.
To end my Harrogate adventure in true fairytale fashion, we attended a performance of Swan Lake. And yes, my orange tutu was definitely the talking point. I mean, why blend in, right? We laughed, cried and applauded. There is something so wonderfully uplifting about witnessing human expression through dance. The power and grace of the dancers truly took my breath away, leaving me feeling completely and utterly inspired.
So, you see, Harrogate truly was a delight, full of joy and wonder. But then again, what else would I expect, being there in my vibrant orange tutu, surrounded by beauty and happy people. I hope my story inspires you all to embrace your own pink tutus and dance your way through life, my darlings.
Until next time, stay pink and keep twirling!
Love,
Emma.
