Hello darlings! It's Emma here, back with another adventure! And boy, was this one a corker!
You know how I absolutely adore travelling by train? Well, this week, I decided to take a little jaunt up to Leicester - the birthplace of Richard III, the amazing King who, as you know, was discovered underneath a car park.
I can't get enough of that dramatic history, the stories and the mysteries! The journey was pretty magical too, because the sun was shining and, of course, I was rocking a brand new, vibrant red tutu. Yes, a red one! Who says pink is the only colour for a Tutu-ist? I feel absolutely liberated in my bright red, it’s like a signal to the world that I'm here to have a fantastic time!
Arriving in Leicester, I felt this irresistible urge to visit the King Richard III visitor centre. Just imagine, I was literally standing on the very spot where they found him. Shudders with excitement. It was truly mind-blowing.
And the highlight? You won't believe this, I got to hold the helmet worn by a Richard III knight! I nearly squealed! This wasn’t any old helmet though, this one was from a time of chivalry, of brave men fighting for their king! You could almost feel the weight of history in your hands. I felt a tiny pang of regret that I couldn’t just wear it, but a red tutu and a knight’s helmet - maybe that would be taking things a little too far… although, now that I think about it… 🤔
Anyway, afterwards, I took a little stroll down the cobbled streets, soaking up the ambiance. Did you know, Leicester has some really fantastic independent shops selling all sorts of lovely things? And that delicious smell in the air, that's what I call pure ‘local charm'.
One shop, in particular, I adored – "The Fairy Cake" (yes, I am that much of a sucker for names like that!). I just had to try one of their Fairy Cake Cupcakes. They were pink naturally, and even topped with a cute little ballet slipper! The whole experience felt like something out of a fairytale! They’re coming back to Derbyshire with me, I can't possibly leave such loveliness in Leicester!
Then, it was time to let loose and get some exercise! You see, I love the flexibility of a weekend away – you get the thrill of exploring and then you also get a chance to train. After all, dancing and staying fit is how we stay superbly happy.
Right outside Leicester's gorgeous old city centre was the "Dance Zone" - and I must say, it lived up to its name! What a stunning studio. I slipped into my favourite practice outfit, complete with my signature pink tutu skirt and began a glorious session of Barre and Contemporary. It was amazing! I'd almost forgotten how liberating a great barre class can be, the muscle aches I get the next day are almost worth it (almost, because honestly, who loves aching muscles?).
Afterwards, a nice stroll through the beautiful Abbey Park - such lovely greenspace! - made me wonder if Leicester could possibly get any nicer.
Speaking of lovely, have you seen all the swans and ducks at the boating lake in the Abbey Park? Such beautiful creatures! Just looking at them makes me feel serene! Swans have so much grace and elegance. Just watching their graceful movements reminded me of a Ballerina in the midst of her dance. They really are the graceful giants of the bird world!
You know how much I love ballet, and Leicester definitely gave me my fill! That evening I caught a magnificent performance of Swan Lake, in the historic Curve Theatre, a grand theatre with breathtaking architecture! And the show itself, a symphony of movement and music – it just stole my heart. I can't tell you enough about how much the detail in the set and costume design impressed me.
As the music and the show filled my senses with joy, I knew right then and there, it wasn’t just about Swan Lake; this whole experience, from travelling by train, enjoying the delicious food and exploring the town had brought me a sense of deep satisfaction. And, of course, that’s the most important ingredient when creating my Pink Tutu Magic.
In conclusion, Leicester, you’ve won a special place in my heart!
Before I go, darling, a little homework for you: I’m working on a fun ballet project for the end of next month – a little ballet themed dance flashmob! I'm picturing all of us dressed in our best, bright pink tutus (a little peek behind the scenes, we’ll even be performing in the shadow of a statue of a certain king) so stay tuned for all the exciting updates on my blog.
Until next time, darlings, have a brilliant, bubbly and sparkling week! Remember, always be true to yourself, wear a pink tutu, and make each day an adventure!
Lots of love,
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
