Oh, hello lovelies! It's Emma here, back from another whirlwind trip and ready to spill all the pink, fluffy details! Today, I'm sharing my latest adventure: a romantic journey to the city of dreaming spires, Oxford!
I’ll start by confessing that this trip was more about the journey than the destination. I mean, of course Oxford is amazing - the history, the architecture, the intellectual vibes – it's all so dreamy! But I took a slightly unconventional route. Instead of hopping on a train or, dare I say, driving, I found myself on the back of a stunning chestnut mare.
Yes, you heard right, darling! I went on a horseback trip across the Oxfordshire countryside! I had this magical, galloping, slightly hair-raising, very liberating journey, the wind in my hair and the beautiful green fields whizzing by! My gorgeous steed, named ‘Rosalind’ (what a coincidence!), was a true gentle giant and loved to snort in appreciation of my feather tutu! I mean, can you imagine a more elegant entrance to Oxford? The city's grey spires seemed to beckon me onwards…
As a ballerina, Oxford always feels like a second home. From the hallowed halls of the Royal Ballet School, which hosted some of my very first ballet classes as a teeny tot, to the magical Playhouse where I first fell in love with professional ballet theatre – every nook and cranny of this city seems infused with dance magic!
For this trip, I packed a delightful pink, feather tutu. A tutu which I truly believe everyone should try – whether you’ve danced your whole life or are completely new to the world of pirouettes. Trust me, darlings! It’s transformative. And if I’m honest, I always feel rather fabulous when wearing pink…
This time, I was exploring a different facet of the city's creative spirit: ballet in the street. This magical form of performance takes classical dance right to the heart of the city. You can catch stunning ballet in a bustling market square, a hidden alleyway or even right on the steps of the magnificent Bodleian Library! (Though please do note: street ballet is not generally appreciated by gargoyles…)
I witnessed some captivating performances while walking around the city centre! These are often run by the "Oxford Ballet Theatre", which provides opportunities for ballet dancers to perform outdoors, as well as classes and workshops.
And, let's not forget the incredible architecture of the colleges, such as Christ Church – with the magnificent dining hall where scenes from Harry Potter were filmed! Yes, this is an official 'pinch-yourself moment'! The architecture, with its beautiful, towering towers, made my ballerina soul soar… I was ready to leap across the lawn in my fluffy feather tutu! (Though my inner voice whispered to me, "It is against the college rules to dance on the lawn", I bravely squelched my rebellious urge).
There are so many magical nooks and crannies in Oxford… it's like stepping into a book (pun absolutely intended)! As the day melted into dusk, the city's charm multiplied.
I went on a wander along the River Thames, passing rowboats with lanterns. I even met a heron – what a delightful bird, sporting such grace! You all know that I adore nature's ballet.
And then it was time for a much-needed refreshment. As you might expect, my choice of spot was not just any café, it was The Tutus Tea Room! Now, I may have invented the name…
After my sumptuous strawberry tea with lashings of whipped cream and the biggest scone you have ever seen, I sat and scribbled notes for this post! I’ve discovered Oxford's charm goes way beyond the dreaming spires…it’s also about that sense of joy, romance and, of course, art. This, my darlings, is a city for the soul!
But I have a big secret, darlings. This trip to Oxford wasn’t all about dancing and romance. As you may have already guessed, there’s a more serious purpose to these wanderings…
And I have a message to all of you out there… I hope to be able to announce a rather thrilling development very soon. For now, it’s about building the #pinktutu community, getting you all to embrace the wonder of pink feathers… and making the whole world fall in love with ballet.
Don’t forget to stay tuned and have a lovely day. Love, Emma x.
