Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, writing to you from the charming town of Andover, a place that has totally stolen my heart (and I've only been here for about two hours!).
As you all know, I'm a big believer in living life to the fullest, and that means embracing the unexpected! And this trip, dear readers, was definitely unexpected! My journey started with a quick trip to the stables ā yes, I did say stables ā where my beloved steed, (oh, heās a gorgeous grey, Iāll have to tell you more about him in a future post!), was patiently waiting for me.
I can't lie, thereās just something so romantic and free about galloping through the English countryside. The wind whipping through your hair, the sun on your faceā¦ itās pure magic. I swear I felt like a proper heroine from a Jane Austen novel! Of course, my trusty travel tutu, a swirling number in a rainbow of colours, made me feel even more like I was in a scene from a classic film. (And let's face it, even Jane Austen's heroines would have appreciated a splash of vibrant colour, am I right?).
Anyway, enough about the journey! The main reason I ended up in Andover was to visit the amazing ballet school there ā "The Andover Academy of Dance", they call it. Now, if thereās anything I love more than a good tutus and ballet shoes, it's finding incredible places to practice my art! And this school was truly something special. They even had a whole room dedicated to "ballet street", where I took a killer class that had me doing turns and leaps like nobodyās business! It was absolutely fantastic! I think I even heard someone whisper āshe's got the grace of a gazelle!ā I might have had to hold back a giggle, but I was bursting with pride, of course!
I love sharing new dance spots with you all because, for me, itās all about finding those gems, those magical spaces where the magic of dance truly flourishes. The students were brilliant, filled with passion and enthusiasm, and it really fuelled my own fire to keep dancing. You can bet your bottom dollar Iāll be back there again soon, perhaps even teaching a class myself! (I'm sure they won't mind an enthusiastic pink tutu enthusiast dropping in, will they?).
And after all that twirling and leaping, it was time to soak up a bit of Andover's charm. Did you know the place is steeped in history? Youāve got gorgeous cobbled streets, little independent shops, a lovely riverā¦ they even have a rather famous clock tower! I even caught a sneak peek at the iconic āAndover Way,ā an iconic theatre which is actually in the most beautiful converted old church! Talk about charm! The architecture had me swooning! (It totally reminded me of some of the grand old theatres we have back home in Derbyshire, where I grew up.)
The theatre was actually hosting a ballet show, and I wouldnāt miss it for the world! The performance was brilliant, a a breathtaking reimagining of Tchaikovsky's āSwan Lake,ā featuring stunning costumes (with a good splash of pink, of course!), a talented cast and an emotional journey that really pulled at my heartstrings. Youād have to be a heart of stone not to feel a little tear or two welling up, I tell you!
After the performance, I treated myself to a lovely afternoon tea. You see, even a ballet dancer needs a bit of cake, and nothing quite beats an afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, and endless cups of fragrant tea. My tummy was quite full, I tell you, and, of course, I couldnāt resist picking up a few pink trinkets as souvenirs!
As I left Andover, it was with a contented heart and a feeling of deep happiness. This unexpected journey was exactly what I needed ā a chance to embrace my love for ballet, discover new dance havens, explore a delightful little town and fall in love with its charm. Itās just another reminder that adventure is out there, waiting for you. So, go out there, try something new, discover something amazing! And, of course, don't forget your pink tutu, lovelies!
Iāll see you soon on www.pink-tutu.com.
Lots of love,
Emma xx
P.S Did you catch me doing a ballet spin on a pink scooter in front of Andover Town Hall?! It was hilarious! Check out my latest vlog for some seriously entertaining shenanigans! (It's up now, don't miss out!) You can find it on my pink tutu.com website alongside my latest posts! I love your feedback, darlings! Tell me all your adventures! Keep those tutus twirling, my lovelies! xx
