Hello my darlings! It’s Emma here, back from a whirlwind trip to Aylesbury, a town that definitely exceeded my expectations! And this time, I took the bold step of taking my travel style to a whole new level – let’s just say, I arrived in a… pancake tutu!
Now, before you start picturing me covered in sticky batter, let me explain. My newest love affair is with this adorable little pink tutu I bought from a vintage shop back in Derbyshire. It’s practically whisper made out of pancake batter. Yes, the tulle is the colour of a perfectly browned pancake. I just knew it was destined for a journey, so off we went! (Spoiler alert: we went by train! More on that later…)
Aylesbury itself was charming, a proper quaint little market town nestled amongst the rolling hills of Buckinghamshire. I felt like I’d stepped straight into a Jane Austen novel, except, of course, I was rocking my perfectly pancake-tutu-tastic look. Everywhere I went, I got a little “oo” and “ah” and the odd “Excuse me, madam, is that…?” with a chuckle. It turns out my little pancake tutu was a real conversation starter!
My main aim for the trip was to check out the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, a fabulous venue tucked away by the canal. It was just bursting with charm, like a mini-version of those grand old London theatres I adore! I was so lucky to snag tickets for the Aylesbury Youth Ballet’s production of Swan Lake. Their performance was stunning! I literally gasped during the pas de deux. The ballerina who played Odette, bless her heart, had such a delicate grace; she really embodied the whole ‘swan-like’ essence. I was so caught up in the performance I even managed to miss the interval refreshments (sorry, Mr. Pancake Tutu!), but the performance was so enthralling, it didn't matter a jot. I’m planning to make a special post just about that performance. Watch this space!
After the ballet, I made a beeline for the nearest tea shop. What can I say? Tea and cake are essential fuel for a ballerina on the go. I opted for a raspberry and white chocolate cupcake (of course) and the most delicious rosehip tea. I sipped my tea, nibbled my cupcake, and just admired the charming little shop and the bustling streets. It was the perfect end to my day of dancing, pancakes, and tea!
But here's the real highlight of the day, the pièce de résistance - the trip by train! I just love a good train journey! Imagine it, me in my pancake tutu, clutching my trusty ballet bag (packed with the essentials - water bottle, sparkly hair clips, and a little sewing kit - you never know!), with the landscape rolling by my window and the chug-chug of the engine a rhythmic soundtrack. It felt utterly blissful, like a scene from a fairy tale!
And speaking of fairy tales, I couldn't go to Aylesbury without visiting the fabulous Waddesdon Manor. It’s not technically in Aylesbury (it's a few miles away in the stunning Buckinghamshire countryside) but I just had to visit. Imagine an incredible Renaissance-inspired mansion, gardens that rival Versailles, and, the real highlight: a flock of peacocks. Seriously. Peacock feathers were a big inspiration for the 19th-century Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, who designed and lived at Waddesdon, and these gorgeous peacocks strutting around the gardens (sometimes right next to you, strutting around with their magnificent tail feathers like ballerina tutus!) just complete the experience.
Honestly, Aylesbury was such a joy! I already know I’ll be returning, hopefully next time to explore a bit further afield, maybe venturing towards the nearby Chilterns or perhaps trying out some more local vintage shops to find more fabulous additions to my tutu wardrobe! (This calls for another tutu-tastic blog post… what a glorious thought!)
Oh, and one last thought… wouldn’t it be amazing if we could all go out there and spread the love for pink tutus and ballet, just like I am? You never know where your tutu will take you, and you can always rely on it to inject some magic into your day! Let’s all become pancake-tutu-tastic ambassadors! And remember, if you ever fancy venturing out to a little town called Aylesbury, I would highly recommend a visit!
So until next time, my dears!
Lots of love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
