Oh my goodness, you won't believe the adventures I had in Paignton! It's been a while since I've had a seaside trip and I must say, the sunshine, the sea air, and the pink beach huts made it just about the most magical trip imaginable!
First things first - how was my tutu going to survive this adventure? Paignton is a place for long walks along the promenade, and for someone who doesn't own sensible shoes, I knew I'd be taking a risk. So, I whipped out my new baby - a little tulle number so narrow you could almost mistake it for a sash. Yes, a sash, made of swirling tulle - the epitome of whimsical elegance.
Getting to Paignton, I chose to travel the old fashioned way – by train, of course. Something about a chugging locomotive always makes my heart flutter. The ride was beautiful - fields flashing past in a blur of green, then the blue expanse of the English Channel opening up as we reached the coast.
Arriving at Paignton, the smell of fish and chips just hit me and I knew my inner Derbyshire girl was going to go into overdrive! I settled into my adorable seaside hotel, right across the road from the beach. There was something just so charming about it - quaint little rooms, whitewashed walls, and windows overlooking the bustling promenade. I knew this was going to be a real adventure.
The first thing I did was put on my little pink tutu and, oh darling, it looked fabulous against the bright blue sky! Then I had to chase away some pigeons - they're always a little over-excited about anything pink. A gentle clap and they flew away! I found myself in the heart of Paignton, where all the action was. There was a stage set up on the beach and people were milling about. A quick check of my phone told me I was in luck: there was a free performance of ballet on the beach that afternoon!
And oh my, the show was utterly magical! A group of local dancers were doing a ballet piece, all dressed in pink, with a seaside theme! The ocean waves, the pier, even a giant pink ice cream cone made from tulle – it was utterly divine! It even had a seagull ballerina doing some amazing pirouettes – the crowd absolutely loved it! My heart swelled with pride, as a true dancer myself, seeing the beauty of ballet transcend its usual stage and fill an outdoor space with grace and elegance. It was perfect.
After the performance, I took a walk down the promenade, where I had a fish and chips supper while watching the sunset over the sea. It was a beautiful sight, made even more breathtaking because it reflected the beautiful hues of my tulle tutu! I saw the sweetest little girl, who must have been no older than 4, spinning around and copying the ballet moves she had seen on the beach. It was like a little fairy in the sunshine. The world needs more moments like that! More twirls and pink and sunshine - wouldn't that be wonderful!
The following morning, I had the chance to see the famous Paignton Zoo. There was something special about seeing these animals, majestic creatures with a certain regal aura about them, moving around in a lush and natural environment. The parrots were a highlight – bright pink and blue colours really complimented my tutu! I swear I caught one giving me a knowing glance before he strutted off to preen.
I took the afternoon to try some proper seaside activities: a leisurely trip on the paddle boat, a go on the carousel, and even a mini-golf course (that's where my trusty ballet shoes came in handy!).
That night, the highlight was a performance at the Paignton Pavilion Theatre. It was a performance of 'Swan Lake', and while I might be a bit biased, I did find myself enthralled all over again. I’d seen so many versions, but to experience the full power and artistry of this iconic piece in this wonderful seaside setting… truly breathtaking!
One thing I do have to say, Paignton definitely makes a fashion statement, and there was plenty to see on the promenade. It made me want to bring out my entire collection of tutus - sparkly ones, long and flowing ones, a sassy pink and black ensemble for a touch of mischief, oh my, the possibilities are endless! But that was the beauty of this trip, right? The possibilities. From pink beach huts to ballet on the beach, Paignton definitely knows how to create its own unique kind of magic!
As I made my way back to the station to catch my train back to Derbyshire, I could already feel my feet tapping, my mind swirling with ideas for my next adventure, the next tutu I need, and the next way I'm going to convince someone to embrace the ballet life, or, at the very least, put on a pink tutu! And, well, with so many other beautiful destinations waiting for my next visit, my mind was spinning like a ballerina in a full, fluffy, gorgeous pink tutu, spinning towards the bright lights of another wonderful adventure! See you on www.pink-tutu.com tomorrow for more travel, tutus and inspiring ballet stories, darling!
