Hey darlings! It's Emma here, ready to whisk you away on another pink-tutu filled adventure! This time, I'm in Walkden, a little gem tucked away in Greater Manchester. I've been yearning to explore this charming town for ages, and let me tell you, it's even more delightful than I could have ever imagined.
The train journey there was an absolute dream! It's so much more relaxing to travel by train than by car. I mean, let's face it, who can resist gazing out the window at the ever-changing scenery and reading a book? (Plus, I can wear my favourite tutu and sparkly shoes on board without drawing too many strange glances - hooray for public transport!).
And speaking of sparkles, Walkden itself has a certain twinkle in its eye. The streets are lined with delightful independent shops and charming cafes. You can just feel the history bubbling under the surface - so much to discover and so many stories to be told!
The highlight of my visit was most definitely the Walkden Community Centre! Can I tell you how much I adored that place?! I joined a beginner ballet class for a couple of hours (oh, the joy of twisting, turning and pirouetteing - every dancer knows!). Such fun and it definitely put a pep in my step. And the lovely folks there just adore pink - we definitely found common ground on that front!
Afterwards, I enjoyed a spot of tea and cakes, and discovered a fascinating book in the local library - a first edition of "The Complete Ballet Handbook". How divine, eh?
To make the day even more fabulous, I stumbled upon a hidden gem tucked away in Walkden - a beautiful wildlife sanctuary. It was the perfect place for a midday stroll and some serious squirrel watching (they are truly the ballerinas of the animal kingdom!).
To celebrate a fantastic day out, I couldn't resist donning my favourite cyan tutu! I do love my pink, darlings, but there’s something absolutely ethereal about this celestial shade. It truly sets the mood for a night out and it just screamed “Walkden”.
As dusk descended, the town started to sparkle and shimmy. The little local shops put up their lights, the pubs bustled with lively chatter, and a feeling of happy contentment permeated the air. I felt a surge of happiness - it's all those bright colours, the warmth of the people, and just a hint of dancing in the wind (yes, it’s all true).
One of the lovely ladies in the ballet class even confessed to being a huge fan of Ballet on the Go. She had been attending the street ballet performances every month and I couldn’t wait to share her excitement! So of course, I had to join her.
What is Ballet on the Go you ask? Well, it’s a delightful company dedicated to bringing the magic of ballet to unexpected corners of the world! Their street shows are truly unique. They transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, filling every space with movement, beauty and music. This night in Walkden, they took to the local market square and transformed it into a stage full of elegance and grace. Just pure ballet magic, all around!
After the show, we even found ourselves indulging in the most delectable cup of hot chocolate at a local cafe. The warm chocolate warmed our souls as we recounted our adventures, the twirling and turning. It’s this kind of warmth and magic I adore. There is so much wonder out there when you step out of your comfort zone, open your mind and follow the rhythm of life - especially when wearing your pink tutu!
Walkden truly enchanted me, darlings. It was the perfect mix of bustling charm and serene beauty - the very definition of a town that knows how to put on a show.
And you know me - I can’t wait to return to explore the many secrets this little gem still holds. Who knows? Maybe a certain Pink Tutu Ballerina could make a guest appearance in their annual arts festival in August? It's all in the plans, darling, so keep your eyes peeled.
For now, darling, do go out there and embrace life with a big, pink, twirling smile. I'll be posting all my travels on www.pink-tutu.com so don't forget to subscribe, and I'll be catching you all in the next blog post.
Happy dancing, everyone!
