Hey lovely readers! Emma here, back from a whirlwind weekend in Plymouth. Honestly, the Cornish coastline never fails to amaze. I know, I know, you’re probably rolling your eyes at me, thinking “another travel post from Emma about tutus!” But trust me, this one’s different, and I’m about to spill the tea about how I actually combined two of my greatest loves – tutus and wild sea views. Get comfy, darling, and grab yourself a cuppa (or a pink lemonade!), because you’re in for a treat!
Now, as many of you know, I’m a sucker for a good train journey. There’s something magical about leaving the hustle and bustle of Derbyshire behind and feeling that gentle rocking of the carriage as the landscape whirls past. This time, though, the journey felt extra special. I’d packed my bright pink tutu – my "Plymouth Pride" – in a chic carry-on suitcase, you know the kind you see on those glamorous flight attendants? (I always felt a bit like a glamorous flight attendant, even on the train!)
When I arrived at Plymouth, it was as if the town itself embraced my tutu with open arms. I mean, who could resist? It’s so vibrant and cheerful. The air was salty and sweet with the scent of seagulls, and the cobblestone streets echoed with the gentle clatter of my little ballet shoes. The sun was out, so my tutu became a literal ray of sunshine. Passers-by were beaming! I even heard a group of giggling girls say, "Oh my gosh, it's a pink tutu princess!" Swoon – it made my day!
Adventures by the Sea
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a real wildlife lover. Plymouth didn’t disappoint. My first stop was Plymouth Hoe – a beautiful park with stunning views of the harbour. And while the scene was pretty enough to take my breath away, I had a secret agenda! I was on the lookout for those majestic birds: gulls. Their graceful gliding and bold personalities make them my favourite birds, hands down!
I’m not talking about those typical tourists’ souvenir shops, darling! This was a treasure trove of authentic, handmade items. From pottery to vintage clothing, I could spend hours there. You won't believe it, but they even had a tiny tutu store for kids – maybe I'll be getting my own niece one for her next birthday!
Now, you know I have a soft spot for anything remotely ballet-themed. And Plymouth, being the awesome coastal town it is, just happens to have its very own ballet school: the Plymouth Dance Centre! I simply had to pay it a visit, wouldn't you? I couldn’t resist a little impromptu session in the studio. Just me and the dance floor, my tutu swaying, my toes reaching for the sky! The teacher was so sweet and even suggested I take a class with her – but I told her that would be a little awkward.
You’ve gotta believe me, ladies – this town was brimming with creative energy. They had a street theatre performance happening right in the heart of the town! The dancers were incredible – full of joy, energy, and most importantly, they wore their tutus with confidence. I have to admit, it gave me a bit of performance anxiety, but that feeling is why I love it. There's this thrilling uncertainty every time I do something bold.
Food Glorious Food
No adventure in Plymouth is complete without mentioning the delectable cuisine. I’m all about embracing the local fare. It was fish and chips, all the way for me. But don’t worry, I paired it with my favourite bubbly beverage - pink lemonade. (It’s pretty important for staying chic and hydrated, you know.)
The fish and chips were heavenly, and the batter was perfectly crispy, the fish flaked beautifully. And it all went down a treat alongside my bright pink lemonade – a combination you won't want to miss!
Ballet at the Barbican
You won’t believe what happened next! While enjoying my fish and chips, I bumped into the most wonderful chap, Peter. Now, you can see I'm not really into the typical "chilling-out-by-the-beach" kind of vacation. This was different because I met Peter, a fellow ballet enthusiast. (Can you believe it? A ballet-loving guy who's not a professional dancer?! )
We started talking about all things dance and even exchanged business cards. We both have this passion for inspiring more people to dance – like my blog – so we talked about working together to bring a ballet class to the community. Maybe even start our own performance with real-life horses and tutus – it's a working title at the moment! I am so thrilled – It's almost as good as discovering my love for this coastal city!
Embracing the Tutu Life
And as always, I encourage everyone to put on their brightest, pinkest, and most beautiful tutus and go on an adventure! Life is short – take it all in! Travel. Discover. Dance. I'm leaving you with some advice from this weekend, to embrace every minute with that sense of magic we experience as children, dancing freely, no matter what. Embrace that playful spirit of dressing up, even if it’s just to wear a pink tutu to your local coffee shop. It’s a reminder that it’s okay to be yourself and have fun!
Catch you later, my lovelies. I'm off to Derbyshire to find my next pink tutu inspiration, maybe something purple, lavender? Maybe my next travel post will be about some rural adventures in England - don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment if you enjoyed my travels, and remember:
Every day's a performance, so put on your tutu and embrace the magic!
