Hey darlings! It's your girl, Emma, from the sunny shores of (well, technically, not that sunny) Hartlepool, ready to tell you all about my latest adventure in pink!
I’m loving being a little travelling ballerina this month. This week it’s the gorgeous North East, all rolling green hills and big blue skies, a bit like Derbyshire except way cooler – like literally cooler because it's colder, but you get me, right?
It’s funny, you’d think I’d be a big fan of planes after all the flying I’ve done for all my ballet competitions, but something about a slow train journey really gets me going. The gentle swaying, the quiet tick-tock of the wheels on the tracks – it puts me in the perfect mood to tap into my inner ballerina. Maybe it's the feeling of the whole world passing by while I’m tucked in my own little bubble of creative energy. It’s the perfect place to brainstorm all the new ideas for my next tutu design – and believe me, this trip’s inspiration is already flowing like a pink champagne fountain.
My new design for Hartlepool has a splash of ocean blue woven in, reflecting the turquoise waves and that gloriously endless horizon. I’m thinking a fluffy cloud of white tulle with splashes of deep blue – a perfect marriage of girly and edgy! Imagine it with the pink ribbons, some glitter – you’ll be ready to prance across the beach like you’re leading a troupe of little sea fairies!
Now, as much as I love dancing in studios and theatres, there’s just something about the wide-open spaces of the great outdoors that speaks to my ballerina soul. Something about those waves crashing, the gulls squawking overhead, the crisp air – it’s like a big stage, just begging me to strut my stuff.
That’s why I was SO excited to meet up with local dance teacher, Sarah, who took me to the most beautiful beach tucked away between two rocky outcrops. Just the two of us and a flock of curious seagulls - it was absolute magic.
Sarah, bless her cotton socks, brought along a beautiful vintage tutu - all soft blush pink and shimmering beads. Imagine the delicate lace floating in the breeze as I danced with the ocean. I think a little sea breeze even added extra bounce to my twirls, almost as if the wind was whispering, "You’ve got this, Emma. Dance like you mean it!"
But this trip was all about embracing the beauty of nature beyond the pirouettes! This whole town feels bursting with wildlife, a sort of secret kingdom where birds rule the skies and seals sunbathe on the shore. We spent a lovely morning strolling along the Headland with binoculars, watching playful grey seals lolling on the rocks and fat, fluffy puffins bobbing up and down like oversized bath ducks in the waves. I know this may sound weird, but these seals look SO graceful in the water, and I could honestly spend hours just observing them, marveling at how effortlessly they move. I don’t know if this will end up being a part of the new design, but maybe there’s something there in terms of flowy, smooth, grey, watery things, or even that fluffy seal-ish white… Maybe with some blue.
And you know what's great about Hartlepool? This amazing community-spirited vibe where everyone seems genuinely passionate about their home. It felt like we bumped into local dance groups every couple of streets, some practicing their pliés on the beach, some stretching in parks, all dressed in shades of pink. It felt like a real celebration of the magic of dance, just a huge pink wave of passion spreading out over the whole town. I felt a bit like I'd stumbled upon a secret club, a world where every single person seemed to be ready to twirl!
Now, as much as I love to dance outdoors, no journey for a ballerina is complete without experiencing a true performance, and Hartlepool did not disappoint. The Hartlepool Ballet Company, an absolute jewel in the local cultural scene, were staging "Swan Lake" at the historic theatre, with a stage set up just a stone’s throw from the shimmering sea. I mean, talk about atmosphere, right? It felt as though the ocean itself was whispering its appreciation.
Watching them gracefully pirouette under the grand chandeliers and chandeliers, every movement telling its story, well, it truly reminded me why I love ballet so much. The elegance, the discipline, the story… It's a form of art that speaks to every soul, whether you’re wearing a shimmering pink tutu or your everyday attire.
Speaking of which, can you believe it's been almost five years since I first started my "Pink Tutu Revolution" back in Derbyshire? That's 6515 blog posts and counting! You know, sometimes, I pinch myself. All these adventures, all these experiences, all these wonderful people – I still feel so unbelievably lucky.
From Derbyshire to Hartlepool, and beyond. It’s a constant adventure, a constant source of inspiration, a constant call to keep moving, keep growing, keep sharing my passion for the art form. The pink tutu doesn’t stop, darlings, it's just getting started!
I think there's no better way to sum up my time in Hartlepool than to remind everyone that there's a ballerina in every heart. Every dance, no matter how small or large, is a celebration of life, joy, and passion. So why not embrace that? Whether it’s in your kitchen, your living room, or the wide open beach – give it a twirl! Let your spirit soar. Who knows, you might just discover the ballerina within you!
Catch ya next time, babes!
xx Emma www.pink-tutu.com
