Oh darling, what a glorious day! It was so lovely to have sunshine in St. Albans. A rare treat here in old Blighty, but then, it was my birthday! A special day, and you know I simply cannot go through a day without at least a touch of tulle in my life. Especially on my birthday. And what better way to celebrate than to twirl through St Albans, pink tutu in hand, feeling utterly fabulous?
Today's tulle wasn't just any tutu. It had a lovely, delicate European feel to it, all wispy and ethereal, perfect for meandering through the historical streets. The light cotton fabric swirled around me as I hopped off the train at the station. I adore travelling by train, it's so relaxing, especially on a birthday! My little birthday outing was an unplanned affair, so I wasn’t able to pre-book a ticket but, to my absolute delight, the carriage was pretty empty! No scrum to shove through at the platform either. Thank you, dear universe! It allowed me to spread out my big pink floral patterned tote bag with all the tutu essentials – you know, emergency blusher and a little tube of glitter just in case, plus, of course, a copy of Swan Lake to catch up on a little pre-performance inspiration.
Anyway, I’m digressing. Let’s get back to St Albans. Now, it really is a beautiful town. I am a Derbyshire lass born and bred, but honestly, Saint Albans makes me feel like I've stepped out of a classic period drama – the ancient Roman ruins, the charming high street, even the cathedral felt like it was straight out of a movie! It really is quite stunning.
The whole day just had that magic birthday touch about it. I started with a morning at the National Trust property, Verulamium, exploring those ancient ruins. Let’s face it, the history and mystery of these places gets my imagination spinning like a prima ballerina! They don't do quite so much pas de deux dancing in the ruins, but honestly, my brain was brimming with ideas for my next big ballet street performance – my imagination was bursting with possibilities!
Lunch in a cute little bistro with a gorgeous French inspired menu? Oh, how I love European style. There was nothing more delicious than the creamy cheese soufflé - it really did melt in my mouth! They say you eat with your eyes first. It really was beautiful! And after lunch? Why, a browse around the little boutique shops of St Albans, of course. I found some really unique bits and bobs. There was an adorable little lavender heart shaped trinket that I'm thinking of hanging on the back of my dressing table back in Derbyshire. A little souvenir of my birthday trip!
The day wouldn't be complete without a trip to the theatre, darling. I took in a showing of the classic ballet Swan Lake, an absolute must-see, a truly exquisite performance. You just can't beat the grace and elegance of a classic performance - It simply fills me with such a deep sense of wonder. And the fact that it's also in that beautiful historic theatre in St. Albans made it extra special, the sense of the building's history seemed to permeate every element of the show. There's something so uplifting and joyful about classical dance.
There's really nothing like watching ballerinas perform and being transported to another world – and all that elegant movement - those arabesques and pirouettes! It just takes my breath away.
As always, a bit of shopping in St Albans after the performance – I picked up a new book by a local artist – an enchanting tale about wildlife and nature. And you all know how I love to get outdoors – I have to say the wild nature and amazing animals featured in this book were absolutely captivating. I found myself swept away by the tales of the birds, creatures and wild flora! It made me want to take my dancing outside. Imagine a ballet routine under a canopy of wildflowers – I just love this concept and I think my fans are really going to love it! I will be doing some research and planning so watch this space.
After a day filled with pink tutus, classical dance, delicious food and a pinch of magic, I caught my train back to Derbyshire, the excitement of the day still tingling within me. The journey was smooth, peaceful, and gave me time to reflect. What a lovely day it has been. A beautiful little adventure in the heart of England, full of elegant charm, delicate beauty, and an exhilarating glimpse of the creative magic that life throws my way. I'm already looking forward to my next ballet adventure!
Oh darling, if you’ve got the time and want a little escape, a trip to St Albans is an absolute must! It's the perfect combination of history, nature, art, and all things charming. And for the extra dash of magic, don’t forget to throw on your favourite pink tutu - even a hint of it is always a lovely touch.
So, until tomorrow, my dears. Keep dancing and stay pink! Remember to check out www.pink-tutu.com for more of my fabulous adventures in ballet and fashion, where I promise there will be plenty of twirling and laughter along the way! And maybe a touch of European style!
