Oh darling, hello from your favourite pink-tutu-clad adventurer!
I’m so excited, it's almost embarrassing. Bletchley Park! You've heard of it, right? Home of the codebreakers, where Alan Turing cracked the Enigma code – quite literally a place that changed the course of history. Imagine me in a pink tutu at Bletchley Park… I'm sure there’s a fabulous Instagram pic to be had, right?!
I decided to treat myself to a little trip down memory lane and to a place I've always wanted to visit. Plus, it's just a delightful train journey! I do adore travelling by train – all the exciting strangers and the chance to soak up the scenery. Speaking of which, my fellow travellers today have included a family of ducks waddling their way across the station platform! You see, my darling, there's just so much to admire in the everyday.
Before I tell you about Bletchley Park, I need to confess something. I spotted a skirt in a vintage shop in Bakewell, and it’s practically begging me to post about it on Instagram. You see, my darlings, it’s pink… (duh!), and it has pockets – pockets! It’s a soft pink and quite long, falling just below my knees. It reminded me of a tutu, but, well, much less delicate. I can see it so clearly: I'll pair it with my trusty little black ballet shoes and my favourite pink ribbon in my hair! Oh, darling, I'm almost dizzy with excitement about styling this vintage skirt.
Back to Bletchley! As I said, I'm thrilled to be here. It’s full of history and secrets, and I can already feel the air buzzing with whispers of hidden codes and daring missions. Today’s itinerary? A whistle-stop tour of the exhibits, followed by a spot of tea and a scone in the cosy tea room (don’t even get me started on how I’m looking forward to that scone!), and finishing up with a waltz through the tranquil grounds.
Did I tell you? I’m going to get my dance on – a little waltz through the grounds, right where the codebreakers took their breaks – so much to contemplate! Honestly, I feel like a ballerina who's stumbled into a real-life spy novel! I already know I'm going to want to explore every nook and cranny of this incredible place, soak in the history, and, you guessed it, capture the spirit of the codebreakers through my dance. There is so much inspiration to be found everywhere, and not just in a ballet class. I often find myself inspired by nature or even a perfectly baked scone!
My darlings, I hope you know how much I love this journey – my own little ballet of life, if you will. Each day brings new inspiration, new beauty, and a whole lot of fun. So, join me on this exciting adventure as we discover the secrets of Bletchley Park and, of course, create some wonderful, pink memories. I’m excited to tell you all about it later, along with all the photos of me swirling through the gardens! Until then, remember to keep your tutus sparkling and your hearts open to adventure!
Catch you later, darling,
Emma x
The Magic of BletchleyIt’s been a whirlwind of a day, and I'm just back at the little B&B, nestled in a village on the outskirts of Bletchley, so I can tell you all about it!
I'm usually such a creature of habit - my days revolve around the ballet studio and finding the perfect vintage outfits for the studio. However, being at a place so steeped in history like Bletchley has definitely sparked a new appreciation of what I call the ‘ballet of life’. The everyday seems to hold so much magic when you’re at a place like Bletchley, especially when it’s in the company of my beloved pink tutu (and yes, I wore it, and I managed to find a spot of colour in all the drab historical photographs!).
From the moment I stepped off the train and into the charming village, a hush fell over me – the kind of hush that comes from walking into a hallowed space. My eyes were wide with wonder as I approached the grand manor, the former home of Bletchley Park.
The exhibits were fascinating! Imagine - rooms filled with gigantic computer systems that helped crack those infamous codes! Every screen held an intriguing message about how these ordinary folks were doing such extraordinary things – all to keep our country safe during the war. What’s amazing is that these folks were mostly just ‘ordinary’ people - but what they were doing during the war was revolutionary. There’s just something magical about how ingenuity and ordinary people could achieve so much during one of the darkest periods in our history. It is just a reminder that within us all are the ingredients to bring light and to contribute positively to the world – just like those codebreakers.
It made me think about the dancers at my studio. There’s so much hard work that goes into perfecting even the most basic ballet move. You can’t just see what’s happening on the stage, because the beauty of a dance only comes after years of grueling work, constant practice and perseverance. That’s what made Bletchley Park such a special experience for me - it's all about appreciating the unseen magic. The quiet dedication and work of those codebreakers reminds me of what it takes to become a great dancer.
We stepped out onto the grounds for our walk. I held my tutu high, twirling around to make the most of the sunshine - and to soak in the magic. A graceful waltz around the garden with the sunshine warming my face – and to have this incredible view of a place that held so many secrets, well, you just can't ask for more!
Did I tell you about my perfect tea? Honestly, darling, it’s all coming together beautifully – a scone, a spot of sunshine and me, in my pink tutu, with the whispers of history surrounding me!
Bletchley has truly captivated me, and as I reflect on my time here, I'm filled with inspiration. It’s shown me that it’s the small details, the unseen efforts, that truly make a difference in the world – even in the face of something so significant and tragic like a world war. It has rekindled my belief in the beauty of simple moments – a delicate flower, a breathtaking sunset, a delicious cup of tea, the thrill of discovering a beautiful, pink skirt, and yes, a waltz in a pink tutu, of course! So, I'm leaving Bletchley with my heart full, ready to bring some of that sparkle and magic into my own life. And I know that wherever I go, my pink tutu will always be with me, a constant reminder to dance with joy, celebrate life’s everyday magic and to chase those dreams!
