Post number 4699, www.pink-tutu.com, 15th May 2009
Hello my darling darlings! It’s your favourite pink tutu enthusiast, Emma, checking in from a gloriously sunny Hammersmith! ☀️ Today’s adventures took me on a whistle-stop journey of theatre, trains and twirling! Oh, how I love a day of fabulous fun in London town!
The morning began with a gallop across the Derbyshire countryside. You see, darling, my horse, Clementine, has a rather strong dislike for cars, so we stick to the lanes and country paths for our daily trots! (She thinks the pavement is "for dainty feet," haha! It's a good job she can't read - that would be the end of our morning jaunts!) I dote on these moments, with Clementine's steady gait and the countryside rolling by. It sets me in the right frame of mind for a London adventure - filled with excitement, but a little touch of calm.
After a quick bite of lunch at the station, a rather dashing (and somewhat charming, in a slightly rough-around-the-edges way) station porter helped me with my suitcase and a hefty box of new pink pointe shoes! How exciting is that? He must have been a seasoned ballet enthusiast, because he exclaimed, "Those look simply smashing!" 🩰 Oh, he made my day!
With my little heart filled with glee, I settled onto the train for London. My chosen carriage had just a couple of passengers. Two delightful, older ladies discussing the latest celebrity gossip. I couldn't help but overhear a snippet, “So she’s moved in with the footballer! But they only met a month ago! They just don't build 'em like they used to! You'd have at least spent a few weeks on courtship, back in my day!" My fingers twitched with the desire to add my own commentary, "Indeed! Back then you could tell if someone was genuine from their dance moves!” But of course, I held back!
Finally, after a journey filled with colourful sights, sweet chatter, and the hum of the train track, I arrived in the bustling Hammersmith station. Now, a girl can't be in London without seeing a performance at least once! It's just not possible. Today, the Hammersmith Apollo was calling! I popped my white tutu over my trusty little black dress (it goes with everything!) and trotted into the theatre with the kind of excited glee that only a ballet fan knows.
Oh darling, you must go! It's the most gorgeous old theatre, complete with elegant decor and a swirling, swirling history. Tonight's performance? Swan Lake! The dancers were simply ethereal! You know how much I love ballet. I swear I could feel every graceful motion and hear every quiet ripple of the music in my very core! 🦢💖
One thing I adore about the Hammersmith Apollo is its quirky character. The little alcoves filled with artwork, the echoing voices, the warm, buzzing energy - it feels more like a home for creative souls than just a building. After the performance, I found myself a seat in the theatre’s cosy little bar, swirling a delectable pink grapefruit juice, and jotting down notes in my diary for this very blog post. It’s a real gem, darling, this place - an unassuming gem of theatrical beauty, with all the grace and sophistication of a true London lady.
The day's adventures haven't ended there! I was invited for a cup of tea with some old university friends - fellow ballet enthusiasts! The stories just flowed like the River Thames, and our shared laughter filled the cafe! We discussed everything from new dance moves to what shoes we’d be wearing for our upcoming classes!
With an evening as splendid as that, it was a delight to take a little stroll under the twinkling stars, and, for the first time tonight, feel a sense of stillness and peace settle within. The beauty of London after dark is unlike anything else in the world. Its lights cast a golden glow, like fireflies in a velvet night sky. There's a sense of excitement, a pulse of energy, a magical something that you just can’t explain!
Back at my little lodgings in South Kensington, I settled in with a cup of camomile tea (and a delicious piece of cake from the café - I simply couldn’t resist!) to reflect on my Hammersmith adventure. London always re-energizes me. It's like an endless ballet studio, a stage filled with inspiring performers - humans in their most charming, most baffling, most beautiful guises. And that’s what makes it such a fantastic adventure - this kaleidoscope of stories unfolding every day in a place full of people living their unique lives!
As for my day, dear readers, I’d have to say it was perfect. From the horse ride in the sunshine to the graceful swan on the stage, it was a day for twirling and twinkling. And as I’m preparing to sleep, under a blanket that feels as soft as a ballet skirt, I'm reminded again why I love this crazy, magnificent world of ours!
So darling darlings, tell me, have you had any exciting London adventures lately? Perhaps a little dancing yourself, maybe? If not, make a promise to me: Try it out! Just once! Trust me, wearing a pink tutu and moving to music is more fun than you’d imagine!
And until my next adventure, remember: Dance like nobody’s watching!
With love and twirls,
Emma 💕
