Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink-loving ballerina, Emma, and I'm absolutely buzzing with excitement to be back with another blog post! Today’s all about a fabulous little trip to Harrogate, a gorgeous town I’ve always wanted to visit. It’s a little bit of a whirlwind because, well, it always is in the life of a tutu-wearing travel enthusiast!
So, here’s the story! After a jam-packed few weeks with back-to-back ballet classes, rehearsals for the upcoming performance of Swan Lake, and my own little En Pointe fitness class (which is going down a storm, thank you very much!), I felt it was high time for a bit of a break. A change is as good as a rest, right? And Harrogate beckoned like a shimmering, sparkling dream, the kind you see when you’ve got your head tucked in your favourite fluffy pink pillow!
Of course, no Emma journey is complete without a splash of pink, so naturally, my bright orange tutu (you know, the one with the glittery sequined accents!) packed itself in my bag – it's almost like it has a mind of its own, honestly! Plus, who can resist a pop of colour in the colder months, am I right?
My trusty steed, the trusty little train from Derbyshire (my gorgeous little home county, just a shout away from the Peak District, which, I think, we can all agree is truly divine!) chugged us away to our destination. It always feels like a magical adventure, travelling by train. And for someone who loves horses almost as much as ballet, it reminds me of them, but with the bonus of a steaming cuppa and a good old chinwag with my neighbour (always such interesting people on the trains, wouldn't you say?).
We arrived in Harrogate late morning, just as the winter sun was playing peekaboo with the clouds. I’d imagined it to be even more idyllic than it really is, but boy oh boy, was it lovely! Charming streets, a dash of Victorian grandeur, beautiful parks and gardens, and a bustling heart where people were out and about, all ready to soak up the atmosphere. It’s exactly the kind of place you can imagine coming to on holiday for a week of gentle strolls, quaint shops, and plenty of Yorkshire hospitality – the real tea and scones kind!
One of the first things we did, of course, was pop into the local tea room. Afternoon tea in a gorgeous place like this? Pure perfection! It was an absolute treat. A mountain of freshly made sandwiches, dainty cakes, and – the star of the show! – a teapot brimming with perfectly brewed Earl Grey. It was all I could do to keep a ladylike demeanor with that delicate porcelain cup, filled with such a strong brew, that is, before I added a good dollop of milk, of course! It’s always a treat for a ballet dancer to indulge in those sugar rushes, just the fuel my tired limbs needed after such a long journey!
After the afternoon tea feast, we strolled through the streets. We meandered through the bustling market, stopped to watch a charming busker play some joyful tunes (even his music seemed to be tinged with a sense of whimsy!) , and stopped for a cheeky hot chocolate with marshmallow and sprinkles, because a little treat here and there is always necessary!
One thing that surprised me in a good way was the sheer number of vintage shops. The little stalls, crammed with old lace, silk, and trinkets, reminded me of all the things my Nana would wear, with a touch of my own ballet-fied twist, of course!
As I meandered through the town centre, the sun had dipped behind the buildings. I watched as Harrogate transformed into a beautiful winter wonderland. The lights sparkled, the crisp air sent a shiver down my spine (that I instantly remedied with a snuggly hot chocolate, of course!), and the entire atmosphere seemed to crackle with the spirit of the festive season.
We decided to round off the evening with a special treat - a performance at the Royal Hall, a breathtaking building I had dreamt of visiting since I was a little girl. A big-name ballet troupe had graced the stage with a dazzling, and entirely breathtaking production of “The Nutcracker” – one of my very favourites. The stage, the costumes, the performance… it all combined to create a magical evening, that felt as if I had been transported into one of my own childhood dreams. As a ballerina, being part of such a magic is part of the joy of our world – the dedication, the commitment, and the beauty we create, both on stage and off.
So, here I am, back at my hotel, curled up in my comfy slippers, the remnants of a scrumptious dinner still making their way into my dreams. As I watch the soft snowfall from my window, it feels like a beautiful reminder of all that is special in life.
It's funny how the world moves around you when you're passionate about something. It's almost like every moment is filled with an element of the beautiful art of ballet: the rhythm of life, the grace of every journey, and the joy in a world of graceful beauty. And Harrogate… well, it definitely embraced my pink tutu, my love of ballet, and, more than anything, my desire to spread that same kind of joy and beauty to every single person I meet, one sparkling twirl at a time!
Stay tuned, darlings, for my next adventure. Who knows what whimsical delights lie around the next bend?! I have a feeling it might just involve a few more train journeys, a little more pink, and definitely a lot more love!
With all my twirling love, Emma xx
