Sunshine on a Saturday! The world seems to have been dipped in a glorious honey glaze this morning. Birds are singing their hearts out and a gentle breeze is carrying the scent of blooming cherry blossom. What better day to twirl in a pink tutu than today?
Today's journey is a simple one - a train ride from Derby to Surbiton. Nothing beats the rhythmic sway of a train carriage and the gentle clickety-clack on the tracks. There's a real sense of anticipation, a whisper of the adventures that might lie ahead. Today, it's all about ballet. Surbiton is calling me!
Of course, no train journey is complete without a dose of pink. Today's choice is a fluffy, floaty tutu that looks like it could catch the wind and take off. It's adorned with shimmering pink sequins and a smattering of tiny, glittery butterflies. It's like a fairy tale wrapped up in a single layer of tulle.
The train journey whisks me past rolling green fields, sleepy villages, and bustling towns. My eyes dart between my book - "The Ballerina's Guide to Travelling in Style" (highly recommend!) - and the scenery whizzing by. The occasional flash of a pink dress or a young girl in a sparkly leotard makes me smile. My heart swells. Pink tutus really are a force for good!
My stop arrives all too soon. I emerge from the train station into a world of vibrant sunshine and a fresh, breezy air. My pink tutu ripples with the wind as I set off towards the Surbiton Arts Centre. It feels like walking through a beautiful, blooming meadow. The sky is a canvas of swirling blue, dotted with fluffy, cotton candy clouds.
And there it is - the iconic pink facade of the Arts Centre, bathed in golden sunlight. Today, this beautiful building will play host to an afternoon of pure balletic joy. It’s the final show in a ballet company's regional tour. My cheeks flush with excitement – I’ve been waiting to see this production all week.
“Ballet’s for Everyone!” My mission in life, besides wearing pink tutus and eating delicious pastries (my love for ballet does make me a bit of a foodie, you know!), is to spread the gospel of dance. Ballet isn’t just for slender ballerinas with a flawless technique (although it can certainly be pretty dazzling!). It’s a world for everyone.
I find myself gazing at a group of kids bouncing on the spot outside the Arts Centre. Each one wears a vibrant pink tutu. A sense of immense pride floods over me. They are living proof of what my pink-tutu fuelled journey is all about - joy, expression, and sheer magic in a single swirl of tulle.
Inside the theatre, the excitement is palpable. I take my place amongst a sea of enthusiastic faces, all dressed in a symphony of pastels and patterns. It feels like we are all one big, beautiful family.
And then the lights dim. The stage transforms into a scene of fairytale beauty - a forest shimmering with magical light, the backdrop for a captivating love story spun from the silk of a classic tale. The dancers are breathtaking - their grace, fluidity, and emotion seem to dance effortlessly between reality and dreams. Each movement, a delicate stroke of brush on a canvas of pure artistry. The music takes hold, sweeping me away on a tidal wave of emotions, joy, sadness, love, and ultimately, hope.
The final curtain falls. The theatre explodes in applause, a symphony of clapping, whistles, and shouts. I find myself overcome with emotion, a warmth spreading through me like the most comforting embrace. The magic of ballet – its power to touch our souls, move us to tears, and remind us that we are all connected – has done its work once again.
Walking Homeward Bound The twilight hour has descended, painting the sky in hues of rose gold and dusky purple. My pink tutu is tinged with the colors of the fading light. The streets around Surbiton shimmer in a golden glow, creating a scene straight out of a dream.
The train back to Derby is a quiet, gentle journey. I close my eyes, savoring the warmth of the setting sun and the memories of a truly magical day. In my mind, the music still lingers, the dancers' graceful movements replaying in my head. A small, pink smile blossoms on my lips. The ballet spirit is strong. The pink tutu whispers, “It’s only the beginning!”
Oh, I just realised I’ve left something out! Before I head back to my little life in Derbyshire, I just have to share my ultimate "ballet travel hack" – the horse! It’s my secret weapon, an adorable little cob called Poppy. She loves nothing more than a gentle trot along winding country roads, and the gentle click-clack of her hooves always sets my soul alight. Plus, I can always whip up a stylish pink horse blanket – just ask Poppy, she’ll tell you about her glamorous outfit for a special trip to the stables.
My dear pink tutu followers, join me tomorrow for a whirlwind trip to the Derbyshire Dales – a hike in the wild with a little bit of nature therapy (because every pink tutu needs some woodland magic in its life, right?!)
And remember, the world is your stage, and it’s calling you to dance. Don your pink tutu, step onto the stage of life, and let your inner ballerina shine!
Until tomorrow, keep sparkling, Emma
