Post #5830
Hey my lovely tutu-ettes! Emma here, your pink-obsessed, tutu-wearing, ballet-loving bestie. It's a glorious Tuesday morning here in Derbyshire and the sunshine's practically begging me to wear my favourite pink tutu, so you know what? That's precisely what I'm doing!
But first, let's rewind to yesterday... I've been craving a bit of adventure, a change of scenery, and who better to travel with than my faithful four-legged friend, Jasper? He's a bit of a grumpy old chestnut horse, but when he puts on his pink-and-white spotted saddle blanket (it goes with my outfit, obviously) he becomes a total gentleman.
We set off for Ashton in the morning, a beautiful market town tucked away in Greater Manchester. As you may or may not know, I have a special place in my heart for towns with rich histories and quaint cafes. The cobblestone streets and antique shops just called my name.
Now, I can't leave you hanging - what was my tutu mission for this outing? Why, it was to witness a live ballet performance, of course! The Ashton Arts Centre is currently showcasing "The Nutcracker," and you know me, a good old-fashioned Christmas classic never gets old.
There was something truly magical about the atmosphere of that old theatre. Imagine it, you lovely lot: dim lights, rich velvet seats, the sweet scent of popcorn (definitely an Ashton tradition), and me, Emma, looking dazzling in my vibrant pink tutu, sitting in the front row, mesmerised by the dancers’ effortless movements and the stunning choreography.
But it wasn't all just watching. You know I couldn't resist jumping into a class after the performance. The Ashton Dance Academy has this amazing space - beautiful sprung floor, mirrored walls, and the smell of sweat and creativity hanging in the air (in a good way, I promise!). They welcomed me with open arms, despite the fact I was wearing my pink tutu in a class full of professional dancers! We even did a few poses together, me showing them my special "Pink Tutu Pirouette" and them teaching me some cool moves.
My Ashton adventure took a little detour before I left. See, Jasper's penchant for wildlife is something we both find quite endearing, even if he does get a bit carried away sometimes!
There we were, riding through a beautiful wooded area just outside Ashton, and he spots a family of hedgehogs. A moment of panicked squeaking and hurried waddling later, Jasper is nuzzling his nose into the grass, the little spiky creatures rolling themselves up in mock terror. It was, without a doubt, the most adorable and chaotic scene ever! And yes, of course, we took pictures (my new phone camera captures the cutest animal portraits).
Now, if you're feeling the wanderlust, but want a more economical and sustainable way to travel, I can't recommend hopping on a train enough! My journey back to Derbyshire was all about experiencing the "pink train." For those of you who aren't in the know, there's this cute little branch line here that's actually painted a beautiful bubblegum pink! It's an ode to the '50s, and, naturally, it calls to me on a spiritual level.
Imagine this: I'm on the pinkest train in England, riding with the sun dappling through the window, my favourite pink tutu gently swirling around me as I enjoy a classic tea and crumpet combo. Yes, it's true - I may have even snuck in a tiny pink cake with my tea! Because honestly, why not?! Life's too short for ordinary tea times, don't you think?
And with that, my loves, I leave you to dream about pink trains, cute hedgehogs, and of course, the pure joy of dancing.
Remember, if you’re looking for the perfect pick-me-up, the magic of the theatre is a great place to start, and let’s face it, pink tutus are just a little dose of happiness we all need in our lives. I’m dreaming of my next tutu adventure, and if you're ready to join me on the journey, hop on over to www.pink-tutu.com, or tell me all about your latest adventures in the comments section! Until next time, keep on twirling, my little tutu-ettes!
Love, Emma
xx
