Hello my lovelies! Emma here, reporting live from Feltham. I know what youâre thinking: âFeltham? Seriously, Emma? Isn't that, like, way out there?â. Well, to be honest, I never expected to be whisked off to this charming little corner of West London, but wouldn't you know it, fate had other plans. Sometimes, the best adventures just happen!
I just finished an utterly breathtaking performance with the London Symphony Orchestra! We took a beautiful old steam train to Feltham. It took a little while to get there, as we had to go via Richmond and we did the usual âwhat-will-we-do-for-an-hour-in-a-cute-English-townâ dance. Richmond, if you've never been, is definitely a hidden gem! I saw a charming little donkey shop on the way there (they even had a donkey mascot outside, adorable!) and, just so you know, I bought a tiny donkey toy for my best pal, Amelia. Amelia has been working so hard to learn how to stand on pointe that I'd better spoil her, right?
So yeah, I've had a rather packed day and Iâm exhausted. Not from the journey, mind you. It's amazing how I can spend the day dashing about in high heels and I still end up so very relaxed after the journey. I just love riding on trains. Especially on those nice old vintage ones where everyone stares and whispers "oh, look, she's wearing a pink tutu"! Of course, my lovelies, it would be *that kind of day!* I had to get some pics to share, so expect a photo flood in my Instagram stories later tonight, including a few snaps with the charming donkey mascot.
Back to Feltham!
Once we got off the train at Feltham, there was a big white van with a bunch of men waiting to take us to the venue - a majestic and beautifully ornate old concert hall, you know the kind. All grandeur and dark oak. And chandeliers. We were so lucky! The conductor said it was built in the early 1800s and thereâs even a spooky story of the former owner's ghost haunting it... or so I heard. Thatâs right my loves, ballet and ghosts, a winning combination!. We had to walk through a beautiful old English garden to get to the stage. Think cobbled pathways, pretty flowers and lots of giggling ballet girls, just me, of course!. You know how I am when it comes to any kind of gardens... and itâs a little-known fact that I secretly yearn to live in a cottage garden and grow loads of pretty wildflowers in pink and lavender... which are my fave colours, just so you know.
Anyways... the concert was incredible. Theyâre one of the finest symphony orchestras in the world and to hear that sound. To be part of that energyâŚit was unforgettable. The feeling of my pink tutu swirling, my ballet shoes tap, tap, tapping as I move - magic! It was actually my dream come true to dance for the London Symphony Orchestra. You know, like any other regular, sensible, normal girl.
I managed to squeeze in a quick pointe class with the fabulous Feltham Ballet Studio right next door! You'll see a vid later of my killer move: the Feltham Pink Pointe. (Spoiler alert: It involves lots of jumps and sparkles. ).
For dinner tonight, the LSO had organised an absolutely stunning, almost medieval-style banquet. The chef personally explained the history of every dish. How very swish, eh?* We had whole roasted game, beautiful fresh fish, local wines (from vineyards nearby!).
And youâll never believe what I saw! A beautiful peacock just strolled past the windows into the dining room. Like a character out of a fairytale. Honestly! Imagine if my favourite animal, the swan, appeared like that! It would be the best moment ever. (Now, don't get me wrong, I do like peacocks, they're incredibly majestic, especially in the wild)
Honestly, I could write about Feltham all day. What I learned today?
- The secret to happiness is, quite obviously, a pink tutu. You did ask.
- It is always, always worth being spontaneous. (That's why my motto is always "Seize the tutu!". Get it? Because tutu means now. Cue the dramatic ballet pose ).
- You can find magic anywhere - even in a tiny little town like Feltham!
Anyways, the journey back to Derbyshire is tomorrow. A girl's gotta get back to her ballet shoes, even though, itâs *soooooo tempting to pack my ballerina outfit and not unpack it... but we all need a little break from dancing, right? right?.
If youâre reading this, my dears, please remember: embrace life, be kind to everyone, and do at least one thing to make yourself happy today!
Yours in pink, Emma
xx
