Hello my darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad traveller, Emma, checking in from the sunny (well, mostly sunny!) streets of Taunton.
This week's adventure took me on a whimsical journey through the English countryside, with a sprinkle of fairytale magic thrown in for good measure. Now, I'm a bit of a train-loving gal, so naturally, I hopped aboard a quaint, old-fashioned carriage that whisked me off towards the West Country. With the wind ruffling my perfectly-pink hair and a fluffy cloud of a tutu billowing around me, I felt like I was starring in a delightful film, complete with orchestral music swelling as we travelled through the charming rolling hills.
Upon arrival in Taunton, the aroma of freshly baked scones (my favourite!) wafted through the air, greeting me like an old friend. You know how much I adore a good scone, especially when served with lashings of clotted cream and a generous drizzle of strawberry jam! I simply cannot resist. And of course, my trusty pink tutu wouldn't let me go without a few snaps by the quaint market square. Imagine the pictures - a tutu, a cobbled street, a vintage tea shop, a beautiful old church... It's all so picturesque!
My first stop was the beautiful Taunton Brewhouse. This delightful little gem combines a charming theatre space with a fantastic brewery. And let's just say, their pale ale and cider are absolutely heavenly. After a spot of refreshment, I made my way to a magnificent, historic ballet class in a beautifully preserved Edwardian hall. It was a joy to dance under such beautiful, vaulted ceilings! It truly felt like something out of a book.
And did you know Taunton is practically bursting with adorable boutiques and vintage shops? I went absolutely bonkers with my shopping spree! My little suitcase now boasts a treasure trove of gorgeous vintage jewellery and enough fabric to make at least three new tutus (don't tell my mother!). Of course, I couldn't leave without grabbing a beautiful hand-stitched vintage floral-patterned tutu for a delightful change of pace. It’s not all pink you know, although it is my favourite colour!
But it wasn’t all shopping and tea parties (although those are wonderful too, don't get me wrong!) On Friday evening, I went to a breathtaking outdoor ballet performance, nestled amongst a magical grove of trees in the picturesque Taunton Gardens. Watching ballerinas pirouette beneath the stars in a secret woodland setting was simply magical. You’d think a pink tutu-loving girl like me wouldn't be able to handle a whole evening of non-pink loveliness, but you’d be wrong! Even without my beloved pink, the atmosphere was electric, and the dancers, breathtakingly beautiful, were a total joy to watch. I found myself clapping along to the music, totally lost in the world of the performance, enchanted by the dancing, and the dappled moonlight casting a spellbinding glow on the magical setting.
Now, speaking of enchantment… while wandering through the nearby Somerset Wildlife Trust, I encountered a gaggle of the most adorable little otters, playing amongst the reeds! Those mischievous creatures were positively adorable! They were almost as much fun to watch as the ballet, but maybe a little less graceful... but so playful! Oh, they made my day.
Later on, I ended my adventure at a charming old inn, the type that oozes atmosphere and history, enjoying a dinner of locally sourced delights, followed by an ice-cold pint of local cider (for a very fancy and grown-up version of "pink lemonade"!).
And there you have it, my loves. Another amazing trip down in the West Country, filled with lovely landscapes, even lovelier people, fantastic food, wonderful dancing, and delightful otters (because who can resist a little bit of wild, playful charm?)
I am positively bubbling with excitement about my next adventure and hope you’ll join me. After all, it's never too late to slip on a pink tutu, embark on a new adventure and embrace a little bit of ballet magic. Keep those pink tutu dreams alive!
As always,
Emma
(From the land of Derbyshire and the heart of the pink tutu!) www.pink-tutu.com
