Hello, my lovely tutu-loving friends! 🩰💖 It’s Emma here, bringing you another dose of pink-tutu-filled adventures from my travels. Today's journey takes us to the charming, grey-toned city of… drumroll … whispers Grays! 🤫 Yes, you heard right! A whimsical adventure, quite unexpected, and of course, with a little bit of pink sprinkled all over!
This trip wasn't planned. Sometimes the best journeys are the spontaneous ones. After a recent trip to the theatre - oh, a mesmerising performance of Giselle that left me wanting to twirl for hours – I felt inspired. I’ve always loved the American style tutus – so billowing, so dramatic – and the idea to explore this theme popped into my head. As I searched the web for inspiration, a delightful invitation appeared: A weekend ballet retreat in Grays! A workshop focused on American style ballet – could I resist?
The journey was an absolute dream. My faithful steed (I’m talking about my little vintage Triumph car that I’ve christened ‘Tutu’ – of course!) purred along the Derbyshire roads towards Grays, the grey clouds above mirroring the name of the town perfectly! I’ve got to say, I’m quite fond of this dramatic, Moody British weather, it makes every pink accent stand out all the more! The sun made a brief appearance as I approached Grays, casting a golden light on the grand Victorian architecture and the historic harbour that hugged the banks of the River Thames. There was a real charm about Grays, it reminded me a little of my hometown, but with a hint of elegance, maybe it was the sense of history lingering in the air, or perhaps it was the beautiful grey slate roofs that dotted the streets.
As I checked in at the adorable bed and breakfast on the waterfront (which was surprisingly named ‘The Pink Shell’ – how divine!), I quickly changed into a new tutu – this time a dreamy shades of pale pink that made me feel like a marshmallow cloud. Of course, I was wearing my favourite pink ballet shoes – the ones that have a little pearl embroidery on them – a little sparkle for this American style extravaganza! I knew this retreat was going to be an unforgettable experience. And I wasn't wrong.
The workshop was amazing! The instructor, a charming ballerina called Martha, who had performed in some of the biggest American ballet companies, was just brilliant. She taught us all about the technique behind the American tutu, the way it moves, how to achieve that expressive, free-flowing movement. We practised a beautiful choreography inspired by the classic American ballet pieces, Martha's energy and enthusiasm were contagious and by the end of the day I was feeling strong, energized, and ready to twirl!
On the second day of the retreat, I went on a delightful little tour of Grays – what else could one do on a crisp autumn afternoon, but visit the most charming bookshop I'd ever encountered, ‘The Enchanted Page’? This place, nestled on a narrow street with a cobbled path, was like stepping into a fairy tale! Filled to the brim with vintage editions, first editions, and rare treasures. There was an almost tangible sense of the stories these books had told, a little slice of history hidden within the yellowed pages. I found a beautiful edition of The Nutcracker in the second-hand section – the perfect reminder of my passion and the magic of ballet (that sparkle never goes away!)
My trip to Grays was a perfect balance of ballet, adventure, and a dose of pure, sparkly, pink tutu joy! Every corner of Grays seemed to whisper a story and every moment was filled with inspiration. Grays taught me that even in the most unexpected places, magic can be found (and pink tutus are always a good idea!)
I'll leave you with this thought for today: What colour is your ballet heart? Have you explored your own little Grays? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments, I love hearing about your ballet adventures, whether it's a big theatre performance or simply dancing around your kitchen! 💖 And always remember, everyone can wear a pink tutu!
Until next time,
Emma
