Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, and guess what? Today was fabulous! I finally ticked off another spot on my Pink Tutu Tour Map!
I woke up this morning in Derbyshire, the frost sparkling like a thousand tiny diamonds on the grass. Mum had made a special pink breakfast of raspberry pancakes (my favourite!) and I even managed to squeeze in a little ballet warm-up before the train to Strood left. It's funny how, no matter where I am, that familiar routine of barre work and pliés helps me feel centred and ready for anything!
Now, you might be thinking "Strood? What’s in Strood, Emma?" And I’ll admit, until yesterday it was a bit of a blank spot for me too. But let me tell you, my darlings, Strood has some delightful secrets!
The train journey was just perfect, my fluffy pink headphones blasting some Tchaikovsky while I admired the countryside slipping by. It's amazing how a train journey can turn into such a little adventure. I’m such a sucker for those old carriages with the leather seats and that comforting clattering sound. There’s something magical about travelling by train – especially in winter with the frosty landscapes outside!
As soon as I got off at Strood Station, a friendly lady approached me. She was dressed in a stunning vintage green coat with a matching hat and looked like she'd stepped straight out of a Jane Austen novel. She handed me a hand-drawn map (the kind you can fold up to fit in your pocket – I’m totally obsessed!) and said “You’re the one with the pink tutu, aren’t you? Welcome to Strood! You’ll love it!”
Following her hand-drawn map (which, as you know, I treasure even more than any fancy digital one!), I stumbled upon a real gem of a place. Imagine, darling, a tiny cafe tucked into a cobbled street. They were serving delicious pink cupcakes with a delicate pink icing (of course!) and even had a special "Tutu Tea" with delicate floral teacups and matching pink straws. I sipped my tea, devoured a cupcake, and couldn’t help but do a little pirouette to celebrate my fantastic day. The lady with the green coat beamed and said “I knew you’d love it here!”
But wait, the Strood adventure wasn't over! Next up on my map was a little gem of a wildlife reserve. I'm a sucker for anything fluffy and furry, so of course I had to pay a visit. And guess what? The local deer seem to love a good tutus as much as I do! As I walked past, I saw a group of graceful fallow deer just staring at my tulle! I felt like a ballerina surrounded by a gaggle of attentive, adoring fans! (Though perhaps their appreciation was for my strawberry ice cream rather than my tutu, but who’s to say?!)
But there was one more treat waiting for me in Strood – the town's grand theatre, tucked away in a quaint little square. Inside, it felt like a step back in time, with plush velvet seats and intricate carvings everywhere you looked. The best part, though? The poster in the lobby announced a "Ballet on Broadway" themed show! You see, darling, ballet truly has a magical way of connecting us all!
Now, I know what you’re thinking – how did I end up in Strood, Emma? Well, darlings, the thing about the Pink Tutu Tour is that I embrace the unexpected. It’s all about being open to new adventures and seeing the beauty in even the smallest corners of the world. After all, where else could you find deer who appreciate tulle, cafes serving pink cupcakes, and a beautiful theatre, all in one little town?
Tonight, as I travel back to Derbyshire on the train, I’ll be pondering the magic of Strood and daydreaming about what other delightful little places might be hidden on my Pink Tutu Tour Map. If you have any suggestions, be sure to leave them in the comments!
And remember, darlings, if a small town like Strood can be a pink-tutu haven, anything is possible!
Stay pink and dance on!
Love, Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
