Hello, darlings! Emma here, and oh my goodness, get ready for another fabulous blog post. This is #7244, a whopping number for someone who posts daily (and loves doing so), but there’s nothing I enjoy more than sharing my little slice of life with you all, you lovely lot!
So, as you all know, I'm a true-blue ballet nut! And I don't just mean I love watching the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House (though I definitely do!). Ballet is a way of life for me. It’s about the elegance, the discipline, the stories we tell through our bodies… and let's be honest, those adorable tutus. 💕 Oh, the tutus! They truly are the most magical part of ballet. But you already knew that, didn’t you, my fabulous followers?!
Anyway, where was I? Right! Today’s post is all about my fabulous trip to Luton! Yes, that Luton. The heart of Bedfordshire, folks! I know, some of you may be rolling your eyes – “Luton? But Emma, darling, what's to be found in Luton?" To you I say: well, dearie, plenty! I just knew there was something about Luton waiting to be discovered, something to be added to the already overflowing "pink tutu" experience. And boy was I right!
The journey itself was half the fun! My darling boyfriend booked us a First Class compartment on the train from Derby, you know the one - a spacious carriage, the big comfy seats that are like thrones - and, the most important bit? The little tables with tiny bottles of water AND - get this - complimentary shortbread biscuits! Now that’s my idea of travel! It was a scenic ride as well. The sun was out, and I spotted a few rabbits munching on dandelions on a small grassy verge. The country has its own beauty, doesn’t it? It was like a page straight from my childhood dreams - maybe those old Peter Rabbit books I devoured? 🥰
Speaking of the countryside, darling, this was definitely not your usual Luton adventure. No, we weren't off to the airport for a quick trip abroad (though that's fun too, you see!), we were off to the Luton Hoo Estate, a real-life fairytale! Now, I know, fairytales, Emma?! That sounds like something out of Cinderella… but trust me, darling. Think lush grounds, sweeping lawns, magnificent manor houses and the kind of swans I could only ever dream about. You can almost imagine a prince riding past! It was a complete escape from the city life! And oh! It has two beautiful gardens! The ‘Italian Garden’ with its neat topiaries and the romantic, overgrown ‘Pleasure Gardens’. You literally walk through ancient woodlands and discover hidden ponds full of the most majestic lily pads, so beautifully pristine and white, and swans gliding on the water. We spent the afternoon walking hand-in-hand through this green paradise, snapping countless photos for Insta, naturally. And no, you couldn't get me out of those perfectly pink Converse, I might just be addicted! They add that touch of oomph to any outfit! It's the way I live! 😉
That evening we decided to visit one of the pubs in Luton itself, the Star and Garter, I do love a good old-fashioned British pub. A great ambiance, you see? A bit of nostalgia! We settled down at a little table tucked away in a corner and I got the warmest welcome – what a friendly bunch! It's amazing how many people in Britain love ballet! I told them about my blog, and one guy said he even dabbled in ballet for a while. They were so impressed by my blog – imagine, 7244 posts!
But hold on to your horses, the real gem of Luton was the ballet class I found at a studio called ‘The Dance Room Luton'. It was a smaller class, just about 10 people. And you know, in small studios like that you really learn. Everyone is focused on the details. Our instructor was so energetic, and we really pushed our bodies in ways I hadn't in ages. It's great to work on those moves - it’s my own kind of escape from reality - the pure pleasure of moving gracefully, of focusing on each bend and each lift. You lose yourself, in a good way! But, don't you worry, I managed to stay graceful even when sweating buckets! I just couldn't resist whipping out my very own pink and lilac tutu during the final warm-down, and even some of the others were smiling at my boldness! We’ve got to bring more tutus to the world! It really makes life better! Honestly, the class made my day! I just love learning from anyone, it makes me feel like a ballet enthusiast in the making. 💕
So there you have it! Luton wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I have to say, I'm completely enamored. What can I say, sometimes you need a little detour from the typical sightseeing trail. And yes, I do believe that even a place like Luton has hidden gems, it just needs someone with a tutu and a sparkle to bring it to light. And speaking of sparkle, don’t forget to pop over to my website, www.pink-tutu.com, and check out all my past posts! It's my little corner of the internet where we all celebrate ballet, tutus, and pink, of course! I’ll leave you with this thought - who knew Luton could be this glamorous?! And don’t forget to spread the pink tutu love – I'm still waiting for the day everyone has their own tutu and knows the basic five ballet positions. It's a mission, I know! Till next time, lovelies! 💋
