Hello darlings! It's your favourite tutu-loving ballerina, Emma, back with another adventure! This time, I took a little train journey up to Walsall. Now, I know what you're thinking - Walsall? Not exactly the first place that pops into your mind when you think of ballet, right? Well, trust me, this charming little town had some lovely surprises in store!
Iād just had a fabulous time performing in my swan lake themed production in my home county of Derbyshire (youāll see that posted soon I promise!) so I decided a little trip to Walsall was exactly what I needed. Now, you might be asking: whatās a pink-tutu loving ballerina doing in Walsall, you might ask? Well, Walsall, as I learned on my travels, has a little bit of everything for the budding ballerina like me. Let me tell you, I wouldn't hesitate to call myself a little bit of a "whistlestop" traveller (or perhaps more like a "hopscotch" traveller as I adore galloping on a horse) as I love the buzz and energy of seeing a new place for a short period. A mini escape for Emma and her pink tutu!
Before I got to Walsall I had to choose the perfect tutu, obviously. A special kind of tutu. A Pancake Tutu, my dears. And when youāre planning your outfit, well a Pancake Tutu deserves a proper name. Iāve christened it Twirl (as you may have guessed, I do like a play on words!).
Now, a Pancake Tutu may sound like the kind of breakfast treat you get on Shrove Tuesday. This, however, is a different kind of treat for a ballerina like me - Itās something special, made from the finest silk and adorned with beautiful ruffles. Its beautiful shade of blush pink with little touches of sparkly purple looked even more incredible when worn with my little pastel lavender velvet top.
And, let's be honest, wearing something as special as Twirl calls for a grand train journey! Whistle Whistle, off we went to Walsall! You canāt beat the charm of a railway journey. Not only is it far more luxurious than other modes of transport, there is nothing quite as exhilarating as watching the English countryside drift by as you settle into your train seat!
And so it was, with a bit of a wave to the train guard, my little pancake tutu nestled in my lap, and a steaming mug of chamomile tea (of course), that I arrived at Walsall! My dear! It's amazing! There is something for everyone, especially those with a penchant for pink, fluffy tutuās and a love of ballet! I was mesmerised from the moment I stepped off the train. The friendly smiles of the locals, the beautiful gardens, and, yes, I did hear someone mention ballet somewhere - I may have whipped out Twirl and a quick arabesque - much to the amusement of the fellow traveller beside me!
Letās talk about those gardens! Oh, darling - what an absolutely enchanting place for me to indulge in my ballerina lifestyle. As the sun kissed the little park where I took my tutuās maiden voyage into the unknown, I thought about all the lovely birds flying over my head. My favourite colours - blues and yellows. You know what that made me realise? My dear, it's such a lovely, delicate combination for a little avian (that means bird, my dears - so lovely!) inspired tutu - I'm going to have to create one. I know it will be my next masterpiece.
Youāre right - I know it's completely wild, but Iāve never thought of using an avian inspiration before, but why not? In this day and age, let's embrace the extraordinary, the unorthodox and the slightly mad. Thereās never been a better time to be bold in our style! I want to encourage everyone to follow their own dance, their own personal expression through dance and costume - it truly is magic.
You can bet your ballet shoes, Iāll get Twirl back on for my trip back home. Itās all I need. Letās be honest, if it can help my heart skip a beat - then I donāt need any more! This whole journeyās reminded me why I started blogging in the first place - to share my joy of all things dance, with a touch of pink sparkle, and to get everyone moving!
Speaking of moving, itās about time I made my way back to Derbyshire! I've been so wrapped up in my Walsall adventures I've totally forgotten to give you some tips for a trip to Walsall of your own! Here's my "Pink-Tutuā take on making the most of your Walsall adventure - whether you are there to experience the local theatres and culture or the lovely local countryside:
*The Pink-Tutuās Walsall Guide: *
Indulge your inner ballerina: No visit to Walsall would be complete without a visit to their magnificent town hall! I must have done a dozen twirls in front of the Victorian splendour of the building, and I even took a couple of photos of my pancake tutu by the whistle-worthy front door.
Go on a wildlife safari: Walsallās New Art Gallery has an amazing collection of wildlife artwork (think owls, elephants, even some beautiful peacocks!) There are even interactive galleries for little budding artists where you can get really creative with colours, textures, and more! Just be careful to keep Twirl as pristine as possible! It's best to wear another, more resilient tutu for getting messy.
Take a stroll by the canal: The Walsall Canal is absolutely beautiful! It's got these lovely little bridges, and a few pubs that look perfectly cosy for an afternoon cuppa, and a slice of homemade Victoria sponge, which I recommend as the perfect accompaniment to your pink tutu and afternoon adventures. It's also super peaceful if you need some quiet to think about your latest costume ideas. I find a bit of peace helps with creative brainstorming - thereās no better place than by a still water to reflect on your latest ballet fantasies and dreams.
Catch a show: If you are as into the theatre as I am, then go! Itās the perfect opportunity to witness the raw beauty and emotion of a production that captivates the soul. Letās face it, a little pink tutu will be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to bringing a touch of joy to any night out.
Shop until you drop: The Walsall town centre is the place to be! Just a little wander around the shops with a special little Twirl tutu will give you inspiration. You will be amazed by what you can find if you simply take the time to explore and venture outside your usual box.
Walsall was absolutely a whirlwind. But then, a ballerinaās life, and a ballerina's blog is about little moments that bring a lot of happiness, colour, and of course - a little bit of pink - wherever we go. I canāt wait to tell you about my next little adventure.
Until then, go forth, darling, twirl in the sunlight, and let your spirit soar to new heights - a little bit of pink magic each and every day!
P.S. Be sure to check out my blog tomorrow for my exciting plans for a ballet themed party. I have some really fun ideas! Let me know what you're dreaming of for the perfect dance party! And as always, do be sure to take a look around my website www.pink-tutu.com to check out all my favourite outfits!
