Oh darling, you won't believe the adventures I've had this week! It all started with a rather delightful trip to Barking, Essex, a town that, much to my surprise, proved to be surprisingly charming.
As you all know, my heart belongs to ballet. But, sometimes, a girl just needs to break free from the confines of the studio and explore the wider world. And this week, my journey led me to a rather unique ballet class in Barking, where they welcomed me with open arms, even with my bright, shocking cyan tutu (that colour's all the rage, you know, it's like the pink of the 21st century).
Now, I must admit, Barking wasn't exactly what I expected. There was a distinct air of industry about the place, and I did miss the rolling hills and charming villages of my native Derbyshire. But then, as I stepped into the local dance studio, a haven of light and laughter, everything changed. It felt like stepping into a fairytale, and all those preconceived notions about industrial towns faded into the background.
The class itself was a whirlwind of pirouettes, pliés and arabesques, led by the most amazing teacher, a lovely lady called Mrs. Brown. She had such a passion for ballet, and it was infectious. Even the students, a lovely bunch of mixed ages, were utterly devoted.
But Barking didn't just offer me a delightful ballet class. No, no! This town, full of surprises, offered something even more delightful – a rather unusual wildlife experience! Yes, ladies and gents, it turns out Barking has its very own urban wild haven, Barking Riverside, where the reeds rustle, the birds sing and, you guessed it, swans frolic. I spent a whole afternoon wandering through the beautiful park, and let me tell you, there’s no better feeling than the sun on your face, a gentle breeze in your hair, and a pair of swans gliding past with effortless grace.
And, wouldn’t you know it, I bumped into the most delightful fellow ballerina! Turns out, this lovely lady was a fan of my blog and even recognized my cyan tutu (my friend Emily, you really should see the pictures I took of it against the reeds. It was like a symphony of teal and emerald). She's actually a member of a local dance group, who just so happened to be holding an open class this very afternoon. Of course, I couldn’t resist!
The open class was a wonderful experience. The choreography was just divine, full of flowing movements and dynamic energy. I even found myself doing a bit of ballet street – an exciting new genre where you can combine classical ballet with contemporary street styles. The fusion of grace and energy was simply electrifying!
Of course, no trip to a new town would be complete without a proper evening out, and let me tell you, Barking did not disappoint. I dined in a cosy little Italian restaurant, the aromas were incredible. I savored the delectable flavours of a pasta dish topped with melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella and sun-kissed tomatoes, a symphony of colours and tastes on my plate. And to top it all off, I ended the night watching a local theatre group perform a Shakespearean play in a delightfully intimate venue. I have to say, it was the perfect ending to a most unique and inspiring day.
Speaking of Shakespeare, I am simply swooning over my latest acquisition, a vintage pink silk tutu with intricate lace trim. I mean, can you imagine how lovely this will look against the backdrop of a bustling Elizabethan theatre! And it was only a steal at the lovely antique shop in the old town.
I'm leaving for the big city tomorrow (with my new tutu, of course!), but I'll be sure to keep you posted about my next adventures. Until then, remember: every day is an opportunity to spread the joy of dance and wear something pink! Keep dancing, my dears, keep shining!
Love, Emma
xxx
