Post #8417
Hey lovelies! Itās your favourite tutu-wearing travel enthusiast Emma, back from a whirlwind trip to the picturesque town of Middleton, and let me tell you, this trip had everything a girl could wish for ā pink tutus, breathtaking countryside, and a splash of purple, of course!
It's funny, I hadn't really planned on venturing to Middleton, but sometimes, life just throws you a curveball you have to embrace. My friend Lily, a fellow tutu-obsessed dancer, was having a "life-changing" moment (her words, not mine!), so I took the opportunity to escape the Derbyshire hills and spend some time with her in this quaint, charming little town.
As I was packing my suitcase, I was trying to decide between a classic pink tutu for my journey and, dare I say it, a purple one! You see, Iām usually all about the pinks, but the lilac hue of this particular tutu was whispering promises of adventure, and you know I just had to listen.
The train journey was like something out of a fairytale, a sea of lush green countryside whizzing by as I watched the world go by from my window. Of course, my pink ballet shoes were poking out from my luggage, ready to start a little dance party as soon as I reached Middleton!
We hit the town immediately, and honestly, Middleton has a vibe that makes you want to skip down cobbled streets, twirling in a pink tutu and a song in your heart. It's the kind of place that makes you believe in magic! We found the most charming tearoom, where I couldnāt resist a delightful scone with jam and cream, all while gazing out at a pretty little square where local artists were displaying their work. The town had an artistic feel about it, and I even saw a little girl in a pink tutu, doing a little ballet sequence near the park.
The highlight of the trip? A breathtaking horse riding adventure through the beautiful countryside! We found the most amazing riding stable, and even though Lily prefers her riding boots, I took the liberty of pairing my favourite pink tutu with my trusty equestrian riding boots ā a bit of a risky mix, I admit, but I think I pulled it off! We galloped through fields of wildflowers, feeling the sun on our faces, the wind in our hair, and the freedom in our hearts. Talk about a magical experience!
Later, as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the quaint houses of Middleton, we took a stroll along the River Aire. It's one of the most scenic walks you can imagine! The gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of roses, and I couldn't help but smile as I imagined myself in a ballet production set against such a beautiful backdrop.
Speaking of ballet, there's no way I could travel to a new place without a little bit of dancing! I spotted a lovely little ballet school tucked away in the corner of town and just knew I had to step inside. After a glorious hour of stretching, plies, and arabesques, I walked out with a feeling of pure joy ā ballet really does make me feel like a ballerina. It doesn't matter if I'm in Derbyshire or Middleton or any other beautiful corner of the world. Itās all about the grace, the movement, the stories you tell through your body, the community and friendship that come with it, the confidenceā¦ Itās a gift that keeps on giving.
This was truly a weekend for the books, and you bet your bottom tutu I'm already planning my next adventure. Where will I end up next? Stay tuned!
And, while Iām on the subject, I canāt resist talking about something that happened on the train journey back to Derbyshire ā yes, I wore the purple tutu back home as well.
As the train trundled through the countryside, a small, very enthusiastic group of kids, letās call them the ātrain train kidsā (you know what I mean!), kept their eyes on me, especially once they realized that my trusty old pink rucksack had also appeared. At one point, the little girls actually said out loud, āThat lady looks like a ballerina!ā They were giggling like little cherubs and thenā¦ the cutest thing happened. One of the young girls, with her dark, curly hair tied up in a ponytail, stood up in the seat in front of me. With her legs a little shaky and a serious expression on her face, she took a tentative little curtsy. She looked right at me andā¦ well, it was a mini-ballet dance with a super-enthusiastic curtsy right in the middle. I felt all my adult, well-organized ātake yourself seriously, Emma!ā urges vanish. I felt a wave of pink, purple, glitter-flecked, twirly happiness sweep over me. This was ballet! And I realisedā¦
It doesnāt matter where you are.
You can bring ballet anywhere with you.
Letās be honest, lifeās a lot more fun when you wear a pink tutu, even if itās just in your heart, and thereās magic waiting to happen in the most unexpected corners. Thatās why I say ā everyone needs a little pink tutu in their lives. Embrace the ballerina within!
Love, Emma xoxo
www.pink-tutu.com
