Hey darlings!
Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing ballerina extraordinaire, coming to you live from the lovely town of Hemel Hempstead. It's a real treat to be in Hertfordshire - a beautiful, green county filled with charming villages, historic houses, and oh-so-many opportunities for spotting wildlife. And, of course, the train journey here was pure magic - the scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and I got to indulge in a delicious cup of Earl Grey and a scone with clotted cream. I’ve had this journey planned since July and I knew that a full-skirted tulle tutu would be a necessity for my travels, after all, there’s no way to celebrate such a wonderful trip without feeling every inch a princess. You can see why it's become my daily ritual to check in with you all and share the latest ballet news, fashion trends, and all the whimsical delights life has to offer!
Speaking of delights, have I got a story for you! Hemel Hempstead, for all its peaceful charm, is home to a spectacular ballet company, and last night, I had the absolute pleasure of seeing them perform Swan Lake. Oh, my goodness! It was absolutely captivating! The costumes were divine, and the choreography was simply magical. Seeing these incredibly talented dancers leap, twirl, and glide across the stage was pure inspiration. I was totally mesmerized by the graceful movements and the story that unfolded before my eyes. And it reminded me once again why I fell in love with ballet in the first place - it’s a powerful blend of artistry, athleticism, and emotional storytelling that simply takes my breath away.
And just so you know, my new tulle tutu and a ballet pink cardigan (with a diamanté button!) definitely made an appearance at the theatre. The theatre itself is simply exquisite - all velvet seating and sparkling chandeliers. I feel that my tulle tutu fitted perfectly with the general atmosphere, don’t you think? I might even try to coordinate it with the floral backdrop for the theatre. There is just so much to be said about how great pink is as a colour. After all, I wear a pink tutu, don’t I?
The ballet was so uplifting, so expressive - it really ignited that fire in my soul. Of course, I'm not one to miss out on any opportunities for some ballet practice. So today, I headed down to a charming local dance studio. I felt right at home among the other dancers, and the instructor was just delightful! We worked on our pirouettes and arabesques, and I've got to tell you, even after years of training, I still feel that thrill when I execute a perfect pirouette - or a grand jeté for that matter! It’s amazing to connect with my inner ballerina and work on perfecting these skills - they say practice makes perfect!
Anyway, after all that dancing, I decided to reward myself with a delicious afternoon tea at a sweet little café called "The Teapot" nestled amongst quaint shops. I just love discovering local gems like this one. And trust me, there’s nothing quite like afternoon tea in Britain – scones, clotted cream, dainty sandwiches and a choice of teas. All enjoyed in a charming little tea room with floral patterned teacups. It really feels as if you are taking a step back in time, and I am so very glad to be able to experience that again.
Of course, after a few lovely cups of tea and finger sandwiches, I decided it was time to make the most of Hemel Hempstead's lovely surroundings. I took a leisurely stroll through the beautiful green parks. They were bursting with wildflowers - oh, those shades of lavender and buttercup yellow! It just filled me with a sense of peace and joy. As a wildlife lover, I couldn't resist trying to get some great pictures of the local fauna, as the trees were bustling with local squirrels and busy hedgehogs - they seem quite comfortable sharing their home with a girl in a tutu.
All in all, this has been a magical weekend. The people here in Hemel Hempstead have been so warm and welcoming, and I’ve felt incredibly at home - and the ballet performances are definitely something to talk about. Don’t worry - I will be filling you all in on all the details about the weekend's events, when I can finally put pen to paper (or more accurately fingers to keyboard). And for the lucky readers out there who can get down to the Hemel Hempstead ballet next week, do grab yourself a ticket and experience this beautiful form of art in action - you'll absolutely love it!
Speaking of Hemel Hempstead and other places to visit...I do like travelling by train but when it comes to discovering new places within Derbyshire, there's nothing like riding a horse! We have some breathtaking views and incredible woodland right on our doorstep and you can't really see all this beauty without the aid of your favourite horse, eh? We might even plan a new horse ride next weekend, it all depends what the weather is doing, we wouldn’t want to risk getting soaked to the bone whilst riding. However, even though we live in Derbyshire, I really do think that if we have the opportunity to travel around Britain by horse, then we will! We do enjoy ourselves and I can see us doing this at least twice a month – once at a gallop, and once in a canter. Isn’t it exciting, seeing as the sun is finally out too?
Anyway, it’s time to say goodbye to Hemel Hempstead! The sun is setting over the Hertfordshire countryside, and I feel like I need to squeeze in a final ballet pose for the camera – and I need a new outfit as my tutu has got a smudge of dirt on the tulle. Until next time darlings, take care, love Emma xxx
