Hello my lovely darlings! It’s Emma here, back from another magical adventure. This time, I took a jaunt down to Birmingham, the vibrant heart of England, to soak up some of its beautiful energy and of course, enjoy a fabulous ballet performance!
Oh my, the journey was delightful. I opted for a scenic train ride, enjoying the ever-changing landscape whizzing by as I sipped on a hot chocolate and dreamt up new blog posts in my head. It really makes you appreciate the world outside, doesn't it? Sometimes it feels like the world spins too fast! I couldn't resist popping on my trusty, pink-hued polka-dotted headphones and serenading myself to some beautiful classical music, of course!
Now, Birmingham! Where to begin? The city greeted me with open arms, or should I say, a grand welcome sign, decked out with vibrant blooms, looking almost as beautiful as a ballerina’s tutu. My trusty guidebook informed me that it is said Birmingham boasts a staggering 150,000 trees! You can imagine how lovely the streets looked!
Now, let's be honest, the only thing more glamorous than travelling by train is getting dressed up for the ballet. This time, I chose my absolute favourite: a sunshine-yellow tutu with intricate floral detailing. It's a bit of a show-stopper, wouldn’t you say? I know some might say that yellow isn't as graceful as a classic pink tutu. But come on! I believe every tutu can make a statement!
The performance was, as always, simply breathtaking. The Royal Ballet at Birmingham Hippodrome is a true gem, isn’t it? It's so beautiful inside - imagine, gold adorned walls and the most gorgeous chandeliers you’ve ever seen! The air tingled with anticipation, and I felt such a connection to the history of this place and the dancers who graced its stage before.
My favourite part was watching the incredible leaps, pirouettes, and those dramatic expressions that only a seasoned ballet dancer can deliver. There’s no feeling quite like feeling a thrill as the dancer takes off, spins and lands softly as a feather! I have to admit, it left me itching for my next ballet class.
Talking of dancing, have you all seen the wonderful video for the latest Ballet Street production that just dropped? Their modern interpretations are so cool and so refreshing. I have tickets to see them later in the year, I’m so excited! Ballet isn't just traditional ballet - there's so much going on, from theatrical to modern and everything in between, it's fabulous. Have you seen any new dance productions lately? What are you loving at the moment?
But you know, a ballet-loving girl can’t survive on dance alone. Even in the heart of Birmingham's cultural hub, I discovered a real gem - a charming tea room hidden away in a cobbled courtyard. Imagine, sipping the most exquisite blend of Earl Grey while reading my book! It felt like stepping back in time, all china cups and silver spoons - pure bliss!
For lunch, I treated myself to some delicious local delights at a market, because, I am all about supporting local. I felt like a child again, wandering around the colourful stalls, everything so vibrant! What a feast for the senses! My afternoon delight included the most delicious steak pie I’ve ever had. Oh my, it’s all in the pastry - light, fluffy and melt in the mouth. They told me, I needed to try the local cheese, "Stourbridge Blue", but you’ll be happy to hear, it’s one I can safely avoid, it’s certainly an acquired taste, ha!
After a day of culture, and indulging in the best Birmingham has to offer, I had a date with nature. Just a short train ride away, the peaceful Sutton Park greeted me. I’m not quite sure I’ve ever experienced such tranquility before. Imagine, vast green expanses punctuated by shimmering lakes and whispering trees - a paradise for wildlife, and of course, my camera. There I was, feeling at peace and just enjoying the scenery. You have to try and appreciate the smaller things in life, you know!
Back in Birmingham, I knew it wasn't a trip without a little bit of local flavour, so, of course, I visited a charming independent bookshop! Bookshops, just like Ballet performances and wildlife, never fail to calm and ground me, and you’ll be happy to know, I found the perfect book to curl up with for the train journey home, all about wildlife, no surprise there!
The day, it just had to end with a celebratory cuppa, a slice of Victoria sponge (another treat I couldn’t resist) and, you guessed it, more tea, from a little tea shop hidden in a charming alleyway, nestled in between the historical buildings. This town has it all, just like me! If you love pink tutus and a great slice of Victoria sponge - then you need to come to Birmingham, darling! You won't be disappointed, I promise!
And now, as I snuggle up on the train home, back to my Derbyshire home, I find myself pondering about the true joy of discovering new places. The beauty of the journey, the wonder of finding hidden gems, the warmth of new experiences, the feeling of belonging, all wrapped up in a sweet pink-hued package. Life, just like a ballet, is all about embracing the dance. It's about moving through each stage, experiencing each pirouette, feeling each emotion, and most importantly, never forgetting the tutu – both literally and metaphorically.
Remember, every day is an opportunity to twirl your way through life. So, let's make it a mission to inspire everyone to slip on their pinkest tutus (I love pink, of course) and, most importantly, find the joy in every step. Don't forget to visit the blog again tomorrow for another exciting adventure!
P.S - don’t forget to leave me a comment and tell me what you think of my outfit. Which one do you think suits me best - the yellow tutu or my new favourite pink floral-embellished one!
Much love and sparkly twirls, Emma xxx www.pink-tutu.com
