Oh, my darlings! I'm writing to you from the enchanting county of Kent, my dears! It's freezing, naturally, as it is December (cue the sniffles) and it seems Mother Nature is in a very frosty mood! But even the chilly air can't dampen my spirits, for I'm in Maidstone! Oh, my goodness, what a divine town this is!
You know me, I just can't resist a bit of history and beauty, and Maidstone has both in spades! You'll forgive me if my first stop was, naturally, Maidstone Museum and Art Gallery. Such exquisite displays of local history and art – I even saw a collection of ancient coins! Can you imagine, being so lucky to hold a coin that was handled centuries ago?! Such wonder!
Now, this town is absolutely overflowing with gorgeous little shops, each more delightful than the next! I confess, I may have indulged in a little bit of shopping myself... just a teeny tiny bit, for some divine pink accessories! Of course, one can't be too frivolous, my dears.
However, a delightful discovery is what truly captured my heart – a lovely little boutique called The Tutu Tea Room! Imagine, my lovelies, a tea room that's a true tribute to all things ballet! My darling, I swear it felt like stepping into a ballet class gone tea party. The décor was oh-so-pretty, with all the pinks and light blues imaginable! It was almost enough to make me wish I was in my ballerina slippers (though truth be told, my sparkly stilettos worked quite well, thank you very much!)
After a rather delightful afternoon of Earl Grey (simply divine, darling) and pastries that resembled mini tutus (talk about dedication to the cause!), I was ready to soak up a bit of the local culture! You know me, darlings, I'm always keen on exploring new dance troupes. And let me tell you, Maidstone delivered!
I saw a breathtaking performance by the Maidstone Youth Ballet. Oh, darling! Their talent and grace were quite captivating. Those girls were like little swans gliding across the stage. Seeing young dancers filled with passion for the art is truly inspiring! They're proof positive that ballet can truly be enjoyed at any age.
Speaking of inspiration, I must tell you about my visit to The Old House theatre! This theatre was utterly magical! The moment I stepped inside, I felt like I was transported back in time, to a period when plays were performed by candlelight. And wouldn't you know it, they still do have a performance of Twelfth Night later this week! Perhaps I might even make a second visit.
But don't think that's all Maidstone has to offer! There's also The Mote Park where I had to take a delightful stroll, what with the crisp air and all, of course! What an enchanting little place, darling! I imagined myself in one of my favorite ballerina gowns, dancing in the sunlight amongst the colourful leaves! Now, you're probably thinking Emma, you don't wear ballerina gowns in public! But who says one can't dream? Besides, it was my daydream and my daydream alone.
I actually got the chance to go a little off-the-beaten track, venturing into the Kent Wildlife Trust’s Blean Woods. Imagine my joy when I spotted a couple of fallow deer gracefully browsing amongst the trees! I mean, I'm sure we can all agree that they have a little ballerina in them, no? Oh, darlings! If you're ever in the Maidstone area, you must visit. The woods were practically whispering with magic!
Before ending my trip to this absolutely divine town, I had to experience some Maidstone's cuisine. I ventured into a darling little cafe, The Secret Garden, for lunch! The owners were a sweet, delightful couple who made me feel so welcomed. After a delightful meal of lentil soup and the most amazing chicken salad, I simply couldn't leave without taking one of their decadent cakes with me back to the station. They were absolutely delicious. It is with a happy heart, my dear reader, that I’m finishing this entry in my Pink Tutu Blog.
Maidstone was the perfect mix of history, culture, and enchantment. I have absolutely fallen in love with this lovely town. Now, if only there were a shop selling pink tutus… darling, I might never leave! I'm going to be sharing photos of all of the adventures and yummy food, of course, on my Instagram – be sure to check it out, darlings.
Remember, always wear your heart on your sleeve, or, if you dare, your pink tutu! Let's keep our dance shoes ready for the world, and make each day a delightful performance. 🩰💖
